The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-07-23
LESSON FOR JULY rs
DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING

LESSON TEXT-II Sam. 2:1-T; Sis
GOLDEN TEXT-Trust in the Lord with
all thy heart and lean not upon thine un.
derstanding.-Prov. 3:5.
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Sam. 81;
lib; II SAM III; 2:S-4:12.
PRIMARY TOP1C-The Shepherd Boy
Becomes a King.
f. JUNIOR TOPIC-How David Became g
King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Secret of David's Success.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Success and How to Win 1t.
The death of Saul lay open to David
the path to the throne. This woul6
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
(2:1-4). i
He knew full well that the Lord by
the hand of Samuel had anointed hin
to be the successor of Saul. He had
learned the essential lesson which the
School of Providence was designed tC
teach, namely, that the position now
open to him was no easy one to fill
His exile and sufferings gave him self
control. He had the good sense tt
know that promotion to the throne die
but bring harder duties and multi
Piled perpleXities." He threw himself
upon God and asked for guidance. He
rendered instant obedience to the
Lords fn 10
Gods fellowship and blessing we mus
render quick obedience. He made s
right beginning, therefore God pros
pered him. When he reached Hebron
the men Of Judah came and anointeG
him king over them. Thus part OF
the nation recognized him as king anC
ratified the work which Samuel die
many years before. When David went
up he took with him all who had beer
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 hin
in his rejection shall reign with him
IF we suffer we shall also reign with
him." I'll 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.
II. David's Behavior Toward the
Men Of Jabesh-Gilead CAD.
The men of Jabesh owed much tt
Saul Il Sam. ~, and they showed
this recognition of debt by making
daring dash to rescue his body from
the ignominious exposure at Bethle
hem. David's act Of sending men tt
Jabesh with a message of good will
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 forgavt
and forgot them all. This was an act
of political shrewdness as we'll as
generous one. In fact the only policy
proceeds from a 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 theiI
legal king. Since Saul is now dead
he urges them to be valiant for him. Ir
view of the civil war which was tC
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
between Gods appointed king Jesus
Christ, and Satan, the pretender to the
throne. May Christ's appeal result In
making US faithful and valiant fol-
him.
III. The Dual Kingdom-War Be.
tween the House Of Saul and the House
Of David (2:8-4:12).
Fhis period of civil war lasted sever
and a 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 6 :1-5).
Though the struggle for supremacy
lasted long and was a 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 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 were:
1. He is their brother ". u. This is
true of Christ our King. Through the
incarnation he has become one with us.
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