The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-08-06


GOLDEN TEXT-David executed judg-
ment and justice unto all his people,
II Sam. Sis.
ADDITIONAL MATERlAI-Deut rs;
LA; Ps. 7S:70-72.
PRIMARY TOPIC-David Kind to
Cripple
JUNIOR TOPIC-David's Kindness to
Jonathans Son.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOPIC
David Showing Himself Kingly.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT Topic
elements of Strength in David's Char
acter
!. David's Righteous and impartial
Reign (S:10).
When he was established as king
over all Israel, he executed Judgment
and justice unto all his people. In
this respect he stands as q type of
the Lord Jesus Christ; for when Day.
ids greater son, the Lord Jesus, shall
reign over all Israel, righteousness
and justice will prevail in all the
earth.
II. David's inquiry for Some Of
SauI's House to Whom Re Might
Show Kindness 90: 1-3).
This story of faithful love to a dead
friend is quite refreshing. David ex-
perienced great grief when he received
the news that Jonathan had fallen In
battle. Now when he Is made king
! and success has crowned his efforts
In the subjugation of his enemies, he
sets himself to make inquiry as to
whether there is any one left OF Saul's
| family to whom he might show kind
ness for Jonathan's sake. When
| Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. was
! found David ordered him to be
brought to him and restored to him
his graLdfather's estate. Being I'M
| able to cultivate 1t on account of in
trinity, he arranged that II be cult
waited for him. Not content with this,
! he ordered that Mephibosheth should
eat at his own table as one of his
| sons. This example Of David's nobil-
ity teaches us that those who are
, blessed and prospered should stop to
| Inquire as to whether there are not
some deserving ones whom they can
! help. 1t may be that children of
some old friends who rendered us help
in former days need care and help.
| Then, too, some faithful servant of
! God could be cheered along life's way.
! This should not be simply done as an
act of charity, but in recognition Of
some lasting obligation in view Of
help rendered by their fathers In by.
| gone days. This was the case with
Jonathan. He had sacrificed much
and endangered his life for David's
sake
The chief value Of this lesson will
be realized by making 1t living story
illustrating the plan Of salvation.
Davids making inquiry for some one
upon whom he can bestow kindness
| illustrates God taking the initiative in
| providing salvation for lost and needy
! souls. This is clearly suggested In
! David's expression, "shOw the kind
/ ness of God" Mephibosheth did not
seek David's help or sympathy. Quite
! likely he had fear and dread for
| him like the sinner has In many cases
for the Lord. Salvation originated
with the Lord. He did not make This
/ provision because Of mans merit, but
out Of a heart of grace, for the sake
Of another, even Christ.
III. Mephibosheth Is Found wv. A.
81.
This lame man was found in the
| house of Machir in Lodebar. This
strikingly illustrates the sinners con-
! dtiOn. Tie sinner Is utterly unable
to walk uprightly before the Lord
| Mephibosheth was in the house Of
Machir, Which means sold" This is
exactly the sinners condition-sold
unto sin and Satan. Lodebar means
mo pasture" This, too, suggests the
sinners condition Of soul which moth
ing can satisfy but God. The sinner
manned and enslaved by sin has an
"achng void" which only God and his
grace can satisfy.
~. Mephibosheth's Sense OF Un-
Worthiness wv. 6-8).
When he was brought into the pres
ence of the king he reverently fell
upon his face. Every sinner in the
| presence Of God feels unworthy OF
| his saving grace.
v. David Restores to Mephibosheth
the Forfeited Estate Of His Father
| wv. 9-l0).
He not only restored this estate but
provided q means of tillage. God not
| only receives us into his family as
| children and restores to us the estate
forfeited by Adam. but provides for
| its culture and development.
VI. Merhibosheth at the Kings
| Table (vv. l1-13).
This act Of kindness on the part
| Of David was done out of the SINGER
! ity of his heart. This illustrates Gods
kindness TO us In Christ.