The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-07-15
LESSON FOR JULY rs
DAVID SUCCEEDS SAUL AS KING.

LESSON TEXT-TI Sam All; SIS.
GOLDEN TENT-Trust In the Lord with
all thy heart and lean not upon thine un-
derstanding Prov. as
ADDITIONAL WATERFALL Sam. 81.
liza; II Sam. Ia 2:s-4l2
PRIMARY TOPlC-The Shepherd Boy
Becomes a King.
JUNIOR TOPIC-IIow David Became a
King
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
The Secret Of Davids Success.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Success and How 20 Win H.
The death OF Saul lay open to David
the path TO the throne. This would
have rejolced the heart Of many, but
David was sad. Instead Of reward be-
Ing given 90 the slayer of Saul. quick
vengeance was executed upon him.
!. David Made King over Judah
t2:1-4).
He knew full well that the Lord by
the hand Of Samuel had anointed him
10 be the successor Of Saul. lie 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 NIL.
His exile and sufrerings 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" lie threw himself
upon God and asked for guidance. He
rendered instant obedience 20 the
Lords answer. II we are 10 enjoy
Gods fellowship and blessing we must
render quick obedience. lie made a
right beginning. therefore God pros
pered him. When he reached Hebron
the men OF Judah came and anointed
him king over them. Thus a 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
"If we suffer we shall also reign with
him" III Tim. 2;i2); ITO him that
oyercometh will grant 10 sit with the
In my throne. even as ! also overcame,
and am set down with my father In his
throne" (Rev. 3:2D.
u. psvId's Behavior Toward the
Men Of Jsbesh- Gilesd CAD.
The men OF Jabesh owed much TO
Saul Il Sam. III. and they showed
this recognition OF debt by making n
daring dash to rescue his body from
the igDominious exposure at Bethle
hem. Dnvid's act Of sending men "a
Jabesh with n 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. lie forgave
and forgot them all. This was an act
Of political shrewdness as well as q
generous one. In fact the only policy
which proves effective Is that which
proceeds from u generous heart. He
deity follows this generous com
mendation with a solicitude for the
men OF Jnbesh 20 transfer their loyal
" 10 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 70
follow he knew II would require vail
ant men 10 stand by Gods king. This
appeal TO be valiant Is needed now, foi
we are all called upon TO take sides
between Gods appointed king. Jesus
Christ, and Satan. the pretender 10 the
throne. May Christs appeal result In
making us faithful and valiant foi
him.
~. The Dual kinodom-war Be-
tween the House OF Saul and the HOUSE
Of David (2;S-4:12).
This period OF civil war lasted seven
and a half years. Most OF the tribes
OF Israel chung to lshbosheth. Saul's
son, whom Abner had proclaimed king
at Mahanalm. Beuds continued be
tween the rival generals. David's
power increased while that OF Ishbos
heth's waned.
w. David Crowned King Over
United Israel g :1-5).
Though the struggle for supremacy
lasted long and was a bitter one. Alb
ner's death and Ishbosheth's assassinG
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 ". -. The reasons for anoint'
ing him their king were:
/. He Is their brother ". -. This Is
true OF Christ our King. Through the
incarnation he has become one with us.
2. lie was their true leader In war,
even IN Saul's time ". p.
3. He was the Lords choice ". p.