The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-07-08


good TO them that hate you-Luke 6:27
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Sam. "a
PRIMARY TOPiC-The Man Who Was
Kind 60 His Enemy.
JUNIOR TOP1C-"Paying Back"
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Overcoming Evil with Good.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Treatment Of wrongdoers.
.. Saul In Pursuit OF David wv. 1-3).
Ever since David took his departure
from Jonathan (ch. 20). when that
GROWING act Of friendship was
shown. Saul had been hunting him as
a Wild animal. lie now pursues him
with 1900 chosen men. David fees
from place 10 place, hiding as an out
law. Sometimes he il In the enemies
country doing dlsreputable things.
This Is the period of his schooling
which fitted him to be the eminent
king that he was. IL was a bitter
period In his life, but God sent him
20 this school and adapted the In
struction 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
wadlng deeply into trouble adapted
him to write psalms suited to all men.
In all ages, 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:
I. His own weakness. IL was nee
essary that he be humbled under the
sense Of his infirmities. Unless n man
has learned this lesson. sudden eleva-
ton TO power will utterly ruin him.
.. His dependence upon God.
Dnvid's many miraculous escapes
caused him 10 realize that the Lord
had redeemed him out Of his ndver-
slty. His hiding places In the rocks
gave him much OF his imagery for the
psalms.
3. He learned the country and peo-
pie over which he wns 10 rule. BY
knowing the grlevous Affections which
Saul had hesped upon the people he
could sympathlEe and remove them.
4. He learned the magnanlmity of
self-control. This a man must know
before he can be true king. He that
ruleth his spirit Is better than he that
tnketh a city prov. 10 :32).
%. Saul In David's Hands wv. 400.
I. David sends out spies ". ~.
This he did 20 find out as to whether
Saul was come In very deed.
.. David at Saul's camp wv. BID.
lie took with him Ablshi and went In
the night 10 where Saul was sleeping.
AbishI asked 10 be allowed TO XIII
Saul. but David forbade him because
Saul was the Lords anolnted.
3. David takes Saurs spdrr and
cruise OF water wv. II. 1877. Once be-
fore at Engedl (ch. 24) David spared
Saurs life. Now again he was at his
mercy. This he did that he might
show tangible evidence TO the king
that he had no evA intent.
4. David taunts Abner. the kings
bodyguard wv. i4-i6. He calls TO
Abner and taunts him for his listless-
ness--his failure TO watch over the
Lords anolnted. the evidence Of which
is the cruise and the spear In his
hands.
8. David reasons with Saul wv. II
2O). When Saul recognized Dayid's
voice, David began 10 reason with
him. showing that he had nothing but
good intentions toward the king. lie
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 20 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
mercy. David had peculiar regard for
the Lords anointed. He recognized
the fact that the Lord had delivered
Saul into his hands not to kill. but to
save.
M. saups Confession wv. 21-25).
1. lie confessed that he had sinned.
The sad feature about his confession
In tnht III lhchtu N"hNiSh"h' io' he
went right ON SHINING. This is the
great trouble with people. They are
willing TO confess that they are sin
ners, but stlll they 20 on SHINING.
2. He confessed that he had played
the fool and erred exceedingly. We
see about us daily many using such
expressions, but still they 20 on re-
peating their sins. David shows his
magnanlmity Of spirit, however. in de-
livering the cruise and the spear 10
saurs servant. He knew that Saul's
confession was not genuine. so he was
afraid 10 20 near. He knew the cum
ming OF that old fox. He still appeals
20 saul's kindness TO him. and they
part never 10 meet again.