The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-04-06
THE MARYLAND BIBLE SOCIETY'S CORNER
''The Word of Our God Shall Stand Forever"

| Samuel are also called the First and
Second Books of Kings. The latter
title is somewhat confusing since the
books which Immediately follow in the
canonical order are also called First
and Second Kings. Of course if the
alternate designation were used,
First and Second Kings automatically
become Third and Fourth Kings.
Today we glance at the Second Book
of Samuel, and in the briefest man.
ner touch upon its central messages.
Thus far in our studies of the Book
of Books, three great characters have
been presented to our view: Moses,
whose mission was to deliver and or
ganize the Israelitish nation; Joshua,
called to conquer Canaan, and steele
the nation there; Samuel, to whom it
was given to inaugurate the King
dom. The Second Book of Kings deals
with the development of a powerful
Kingdom under David's rule.
Saul, the first King of Israel, was
a failure. Arrogant pride and diso-
bedience brought their inevitable re-
suit in his overthrow, and the destruc-
ton Of his dynasty. David was mag
nifcently successful. A self-reliant,
resourceful leader, but also humble
and God-reliant in his personal soul,
God was so we'll pleased with David's
behavior as King of Israel that he
chose him and his line for the fulfill
ment of the Messianic promise.
David was not perfectly loyal to
Jehovah's plan. He had faults, glar-
ing ones, and did many things that
were very wrong. Yet he possessed
many fine traits, and taking into con-
sideration the times in which he lived,
and the usual character of an original
despot of that period, he was a most
remarkable man. Among a people
who were constantly falling into idol
airy, he stood like a rock for Jeho-
yah, and because of that fact was
called a "man after Gods own heart"
He understood that the purpose of
Jehovah was to establish faith in the
one living and true God. To the
achievement of this purpose he gave
6;~oeo1f 1,,Skho,,+ STINT
The world has always loved David,
the son of Jesse, the Bethlehem shep-
herd boy, musician, warrior, states
man, born for great exploits; short of
stature, auburn haired, sparkling
eyes, strong and agile; more than a
match for wild beasts or wilder men.
Too loyal to raise his hand against
Gods anointed; too chivalrous to take
advantage of a foe when dagger
thrust meant an open path to power
and Kingship.
David's two grand achievements are
the Kingdom and the Psalms. In no
way does the real character of a man
reveal itself so completely as in his
writing. AS long as human hearts
need comfort men will love the Shep-
herd Psalm. AS long as men err,
and erring needs repentance, they will
turn to the 51st Psalm for the ex-
preston of their establishment and
earnest plea for pardon. Nor can any
language portray in more adequate
phrases the glory of the stellar uni
verse than the 10Th Psalm, closing
with the matchless prayer for an in
ward perfection of soul parallelling
the outward perfection of the material
universe as it is written in the stars:
LET the words of my mouth and the
meditation of my heart be acceptable
to thy sight, o Lord, my strength and
INV Redeemer"