New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1920-07-16
LESSON FOR JULY Is
DAVID SPARES SAUI'S LIFE.

LESSON TEXT Sam. 20.
TEXT-Love your enemies. do
good TO them that hate you.-Luks 6:27.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Sam. "a.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Man Who Was
Kind to His Enemy.
UNIOR TOPIC-"Paying Back"
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Overcoming Evil With Good.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Treatment OF Wrongdoers.
l.. Saul In Pursuit Of David wv. 1-3).
Ever since David took his departure
from Jonathan (ch. 20). when that
browning act Of friendship was
shown, Saul had been hunting him as
a wild animal. He now pursues him
with 5000 chosen men. David fees
from place to place, hiding as an out
law. Sometimes he Is In the enemies
country doing disreputable things.
This is the period of his schooling
which fitted him to be the eminent
king that he was. 1t was n bitter
period IN his life. but God sent hin
TO this school and adapted the in-
structlOn TO his needs. David never
could have been the broad man that
he was, had he not been prepared in
this crucible of bitter experience. His
wading deeply into trouble adapted
him TO write psalms suited to all men,
In all Hges, and under all conditions.
His life swung through the arc OF
human experience, touching the high
est point of fame and dipping to the
depths Of sorrow and shame. Then.
personally, he learned many lessons.
among which may be mentioned:
l. His own weakness. 1t was nee
essary that he be humbled under the
sense of his infrmities. Unless a man
has learned this lesson, sudden eleya-
ton to power will utterly ruin him.
3. His dependence upon God.
David's many miraculous escapes
caused him 10 realize that the Lord
had redeemed him out of his ndver-
sity. His hiding places in the rocks
gave him much of his imagery for the
psalms.
3. lie learned the country and peo-
pie over which he was to rule. BY
knowing the grievous Affections which
Saul had heapcd upon the people he
could sympathizc and remove them.
4. lie learned the magnanlmity OF
se~lf-control. This a man must know
before he car be "A true king. He that
ruleth his spirit is better than he that
taketh a city prov. 1G 1922.
u. Saul In David's Hands wv. 4-20).
!. David sends out spies ". ~.
This he did to find out as to whether
Saul was come In very deed.
9. David at Saul's camp wv. BID.
He took with him Abishi and went in
the night TO where Saul was sleeping.
Abishi asked TO be allowed 10 XIII
Saul, bur David forbade him because
Saul was the Lords anointed.
3. David takes Saul's spear and
cruise of water wv. Il. 49,. Once be-
fore nj Engedi (ch. e4) David spared
Saul's life. Now again he WAS at his
mercy. This he did that he might
show tangible evidence to the king
that he had no evil intent.
4. David tnunts Abner. the kings
hbdyguard wv. l4-16). He calls To
Abner and taunts him for his l~istless-
ness-his failure Ia watch over the
Lords anolnted, ue evidence of which
is the cruise and the spear In his
hands.
!. David reasons with Saul wv. IL
10Y. When saul recognized Dayid's
voice, David began TO reason with
him, showing that he had nothing but
..nl lntanfInng tnurapl tho Einn Ila
asked that he would show what wrong
he had done or what evil intent was
in his heart. David is very humble
and begs Saul 10 relent, for surely II
he had any wicked purpose he would
not have saved his life twice when the
Lord had placed Saul wholly at his
I Grey. David had peculiar regard for
the Lords anolnted. lie recognized
the fnct that the Lord had delivered
Saul into his hands not To kill. but to
save. He did not kill, neither did he
allow his servant TO kill. lie regard
ed tia, which he could avert as be-
ing lone by himself.
~. Ssui's Confession wv. 2I-2l).
I. He confessed that he had slnned.
Til" sad feature his confession
Is that II lacked conviction. for he
went right an SHINING. This Is the
great trouble with people. They are
willing 10 confess that they are sin
nsrs. hut sin they go on SHINING.
=. He confessed that he had played
the fool and erred exceedingly. We
see about us daily many using such
expressions. but siill they 20 on re-
their sins. David shows his
mngnanimity of spirit. however. In de
ilvefing the cruise and the spear to
SHul's servant. lie knew that Saul'-
confession was not genuine. so he was
afraid TO go near. lie knew the cum
ming If that old fox. He still appeals
to Saul'S kindness 10 him. and they
part never 10 meet again.