Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1920-07-22
LESSON FOR JULY rs
DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING.

DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING.
LESSON TExT-II Sam. ait; Sis
| GOLDEN TEXT-Trust in the Lord with
| all thy heart, and lean not upon thine un-
derstandng -Prov. 49,
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Sam. 81:
49,, II Sam. III; 2:S-4:12. 81
| PRIMARY TOPIC-The Shepherd Boy
| Becomes a King. "
| JUNIOR TOPIC-How David Became q
! King
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
| The Secret Of David's Success.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
| True Success and How to Win It.
| The death of Saul lay open to David
the path to the throne. This would
have rejoiced the heart Of many. but
| David was sad. Instead Of reward be-
ing given to the slayer Of Saul, quick
vengeance was executed upon him.
]. David Made King Over Judah
(2:1-4t.
He knew full well 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 designed to
teach, namely, that the position now
open to him was no easy one to fill.
Ills exile and sufferings gave him self
control. He had the good sense to
know that promotion to the throne did
but bring harder duties and multi
piled perplexities." He threw himself
upon God and asked for guidance. He
rendered instant obedience to the
Lords answer. If we are to enjoy
Gods fellowship and blessing we must
render quick obedience. He made q
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 to him
in his rejection shall reign with him.
"If we suffer we shall also reign with
him." (II Tim. 2:12); $40 him that
Overcometh will I grant to sit with me
in my throne, even as also overcame,
and anIset down with my father in his
throne" Grew. 3:2D.
II. DavId's Behavior Toward the
Men of Jabesh-GiIead CAD.
The men of Jabesh owed much to
Saul Il Sam. 11), 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 will
for their affectlonate 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 one. In fact the only policy
proceeds from generous heart. He
deftly follows this generous COM
mendation with solicitude for the
men of Jabesh to transfer their loyal
ty 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, for
we are all called upon to take sides
between Gods appointed king, Jesus
Christ, and Satan, the pretender to the
throne. May Christ's appeal result in
making us faithful and valiant for
him.
, III. The Dual Kingdom--War Be-
tween the House Of Saul and the House
of David (2:S-4:12).
This period of civil 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.
w. David Crowned King Over
United Israel (5:1-5).
Though the struggle for supremacy
lasted long aud was bitter one. ABB
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 Of
the tribes so that they all came to him
at Hebron and anointed him as their
king. They accepted his divine right
to rule ". 81. The reasons for anoint-
Ing him their king we're:
!. He'is their brother ", ~. This ID
true of Christ our King. Through the
INCA rnaffOn he has heCnfna ano with m