Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-15

of David is shown by the tenor of
his psalms written during this peri
Cd. Read here the 7th, 18th, 34th,
SD, 54th, 56th, seth, SD and 142d'
Strangers had risen up against him,
and wicked men were seeking after
his soul; but God was his defense,
his rock, his fortress, his deliver
his portion. "The angel of Jehovah
was encamping round him. and what
time that he was afraid he would
trust in Him. All his wanderings
were counted by God, who put even
all His tears in battle. So it was
sense of God that made David feel
toward Saul as he did, and love him
even if he was stirred up against
him by wicked advisers.
The Second Mile
It was not long afterward that he
was again in the wilderness of Ziph,
and the ziphites were telling on him
to Saul; and Saul, with 5000 men
was hunting him again. This time
he and Abishai went within the lines
of Saurs army, and then within the
barricade of the wagons to the place
where Saul and Abner were sleeping,
and took away his spear and his
cruise OF. water that was right at his
bolster without waking them, for
deep sleep from the Lord was fallen
upon them. 1t was God who had
delivered him again, therefore David
would not allow Abishai to touch
him, although he promised that he
would not need but one blow. Across
on the hilltop David chided Abnerr
for being such a keeper and had
Saul send ever for his spear and
cruise. From a human standpoint
David would have seemed justified
in allowing Saul's life to be taken
after he had once spared it; but
something had occurred that had
made him willing to wait Gods time.
He had protected Nobals Shep-
herds from the attacks of the ma
randers all the while that he had
been in the wilderness of Maon, and
none of his men had taken thing
needed something he asked for a re-
ward. But Nabal was the fool that
his name implied, and not only re-
fused but abused David. For the. mo-
ment David's eyes were away from
God and he slipped. In righteous IN
bal and his family out of existence,
and would have done so had it not
been for the tact and wisdom and
quick work OF Abigail, NabaPs wife.
David recognized that she was sent
from God, and thanked God for keep
ing him from shedding blood in that
way. He had double reason for 1T,
for in a few days Nabal died as the
result of q drunken spree and shock.
1t impressed David wonderfully, and
had much to do with his not allow
ing Abishai to smite Saul. He had
learned that he could not help God,
for there were lots of ways that God
could have avenged him of his adj
versaries without his having to
take the matter in his own hands.
Therefore he called to Saul from
the hilltop--if l have done any
wrong, let me make an Offering to
God and be forgiven; but if wicked
men have stirred you up against me
again, let God curse them; for they
have driven me away from the sane
tuary. (Read here Psalm So How
much of a deprivation that was only
that one knows who has tasted the
goodness of God, and seen His power
and His glory.
David's experience after this was
his faith in God; he went back to
Gath, and back to lies; he deceived
Achish; he plundered ZikIag and was
cruel and barbarouS in his treatment
Of women and children; he took VEN
geance into his own hands at Ziklag
but God was merciful to him and
after the death of Saul brought him
back to Judah at Hebron and made
him king in fact when he was only
thirty years Old
David's experience between Goliath
and Hebron was necessary training
for the kingship. We must remem-
Der that he was but an ineXperienc
him in those years that He alone was
the victor, and that He didn't need
David's help. 1t was because of this
that David became the great king
of Israel-he learned to let go, and
to let God have His way.