The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-08-04
Improved Uniform International
Si11n@daySc1lool
' Lessor, '
Lesson for August z
(By REV. P. b. FITZWATER, DID, Dean
Moody Bible Institute of Chlcago.)
%. 1927, Western Newspaper Union.)
DAVID SPARES SAUL

DAVID SPARES SROE
LESSON TENT Sam, chap. 26.
GOLDEN TEXT-Be not overcome of
evil, but overcome evil with good.
PRIMARY TOPIC-David's Kind
ness to His Enemy.
JUNIOR TOPIC-David Shows Mercy.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-How to Treat Those Who Wrong
Us.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Overcoming Evil With Good.
|. Saul in Pursuit of David (vv 1-3).
Ever since David took his departure
from Jonathan (ch. 20), when that
browning act of friendship was shown,
Saul had been hunting him as a wild
animal. He now pursues him with
5000 chosen men. David fees from
place to place and is in hiding as an
outlaw. Sometimes he is in the enc
my's country doing disreputable
things. This Is the period of his
schooling which fitted him to be the
future eminent king. 1t was bitter
period in his life, but God sent him to
this school and adapted the instruc-
ton to his needs. David could never
have been the broad man that he
was had he not been prepared in this
crucble of bitter experience. He
learned many lessons, among which
may be mentioned:
l. His own weakness. 1t was nee
essary that he be humbled under the
l. ;,,G
one is fit to be raised to position of
prominence he must be made to know
his limitations and weaknesses. I'm
less a man has learned this lesson,
sudden elevation to power will utterly
ruin him.
.. His dependence upon God. Da-
vid's many miraculous escapes caused
him to realize that the Lord had re-
deemed him out of his adversely.
3. He learned the country and peo-
pie over which he was to rule. BY
knowing the grievous affections which
Saul had heaped upon the people, he
could sympathize and remove them.
4. He learned the magnanimity of
self-control. This a man must know
before he can be true king He that
ruleth his spirit is better than he that
taketh a city CProv. 1G:32).
II. Saul in David's Hands wv. 1920.
l. David sends out spies ". ~.
This he did to find out whether Saul
| was come in very deed.
2. David in Saul's camp wv. 5-1D.
He took with him Abishai and went
in the night to where Saul was sleep
ing. Abishai asked to be allowed to
kill Saul, but David forbade him be-
cause Saul was the Lords Amounted.
8. David takes Saul's spear and
cruise of water wv II, 13). Once be-
fore at Engedi (chap. 2D David
spared Saul's life. Now again he was
at his mercy. This David did that he
might show tangible evidence to the
king that he had no evil intent.
l. David taunts Abner, the kings
bodyguard wv. 14-16). He calls to
Abner and taunts him for his listless-
ness-his failure to watch over the
Lords Amounted, the evidence of
which is the cruise and spear in his
hands.
5. David reasons with Saul wv.
1920. David reasoned with Saul,
showing that he had nothing but good
intentions toward the king. He asked
that he would show what wrong he
had done, or what evil intent was in
his heart. If the Lord was directing
Saul he was willing to appease His
wrath with an offering. If Saul was
only hunting him because wicked men
were urging him, curse should be
pronounced upon them. David is very
humble and begs Saul to relent, for
surely if he had any wicked purpose
he would not have saved his life twice
when the Lord had placed Saul wholly
at his mercy. David recognized the
fact that the Lord had delivered Saul
into his hands not to kill, but to save.
: He did not kill, neither did he allow
his servants to kill.
III. Sau's Confession wv. 21-25).
l. He confessed that he had sinned.
The sad feature about his confession
is that it lacked conviction, for he
went right 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 go on re-
! peating their sins. David shows his
magnanimity of spirit, however, In
delivering the cruise and spear tc
Saul's servant. He knew that Saul's
confession was not genuine, so he was
afraid to go near. He still appeals to
Saul's kindness to him, and they part
never to meet again.
Dxoxxs-~