The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-07-24

all thy heart and lean uu, upon thine u
derstanIin-.-P 80
ADDITIONAL MATERIAI-I Sam. g.:
lib. II sam. 1T; 2:s-iI2.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Tne Shepherd Boy
Becomes a King
JUNIOR TOPIC-How David Became A
King
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Secret of Davii's Success
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Success and How 10 Win It.
The death of Saul lay open To David
the path To the throne. This would
have rciOiced the heart Of many, hut
David was sad. Instead of reward he
lnE given To The slayer Of Saul. quick
vengeance was executed upon him.
I. David Made King over Judah
(2:l-4).
He knew full we'll that the Lord by
the hand of Samuel had anointed him
TO be the successor Of Saul. He had
learned the essential lesson which the
School Of Providence was dies gned 10
teach, namely, that the position now
open 10 him was 10 easy one 10 fill.
His exile and sulTerings gave him self
control. He had the good sense TO
know that promotion To the throne did
hut bring harder duties and multi
Piled perpleXities." He threw himself
upon God and asked for guidance. He
rendered instant obedience 10 the
Lords answer. If we are TO enjoy
Gods fellowship and blessing We must
render quick obedience. He made
right beginning, therefore God pros
pered him. When he reached Hebron
the men of Judah came and anointed
him king over them. Thus part Of
the nation recognized him aS king and
ratified the work which Samuel did
many years before. When David went
up he took with him all who had been
with him in exile and suffering. They
are now Sharers with him in the king
dom. When David's great son, Christ,
shall enter upon his glorious reign,
those who have been faithful 10 him
in his rejection shall reign With him.
III we suffer we shall also reign with
him" Oh Tim. 2:12) ITO him that
overcometh will | grant to sit with me
| in my throne, even as | also Overcame,
and am set down with my father in his
throne" Rev. 3:2D.
u. David's Behavior Toward the
Men of Jabesh-GiIead GAO.
The men of JabeSh owed much to
Saul q Sam. ~, and they showed
this recognition of debt by making a
| daring dash TO rescue his body from
| the ignOminioUs exposure at Bethle-
| hem. David's act of sending men to
JabeSh with message of good VIII
for their affectiOnate remembrance OF
Saul is an exhibition of his noble gen.
crosby. His love for the unfortunate
king survived all the injuries which
he suffered at his hands. He fOrgave
and forgot them all. This was an act
of political shrewdness as well as a
generous ona. In fact the only policy
which proves effective is that which
proceeds from generous heart. He
deity follows this generous com
mendation with a sOlicitude for the
men of Jabesh to transfer their loyal
~ to himself, since he is now their
legal king. Since Saul Is now dead
he urges them to be valiant for him. In
view of the civil war which was to
follow he knew it would require vail.
ant men to stand by Gods king. This
appeal to be valiant is needed now, FOL
we are oil called upon TO take sides
| LII
Christ, and Satan. the pretender to the
throne. May Christ's appeal result in
making us faithful and valiant foI
him.
~. The Dual kinsdom-War Be-
tween the House of Saul and the House
of David (2:S-4 :12).
This period Of civu war lasted seven
and half years. Most of the tribes
of Israel chung to Ishbosheth, Saul's
son, whom Abner had proclaimed king
at Mahanaim. Feuds continued be
tween the rival generals. David's
power increased while that of IshbOs.
heth's waned.
". David Crowned King Over
United Israel (5:1-5).
Though the struggle for supremacy
lasted long and was bitter one, Alb
ner's death and IshbOsheth's assassina'
ton put an end to David's opposition
David's behavior during this time grad
ually won for him the confidence o.
the tribes so that they all came to hin
at Hebron and anOinIed him as theii
king. They accepted his divine right
to rule ". 81. The reasons for anoint.
ing him their king were:
1. He is their brother ". -. This is
true of Christ our King. Through the
incarnation he has become one with us
2. He WAS their true leader in war
even in Sauls time ". p.
g. He was the Lords choice ". p.