Arizona sun., 1947-04-18

David was the great king OF Is
rael. His life and reign are OF un-
usual interest and the Bible gives
much information about him. In the
rapid survey of IsraePs history
which we are making in our lesson
series, we have just this one lesson
on David's reign and that is con-
cerned more with the nation than
with its king.
This unique man was by Gods
choice placed over Israel. At tirst
he received only the allegiance OF
the southern division Of the king
dom, Judah (see II Sam. 2:G. But
by showing himself friendly (Prov.
1920 he won the hearts OF the
people of the north, Israel, and they
too recognized him as king 01 Sam.
5:1-5).
Thus united, the kingdom was
ready to move forward, by the
blessing Of God-and that is the
story before us in our lesson.
1. The Lord Was with Them wv.
6-1O).
A united peoplel How important
that is in the affairs Of the nations.
Nothing is more disturbing or
greater hindrance than internal
friction. We ought to deal quickly
and decisively with any group or
force in the life Of our nation which
is clearly divisive or disloyal
Think, then, how important it Is
that Gods people in the Christian
church stand together in undivided
loyalty to Christ, our King, and In
loving devotion to one another.
Jerusalem, which was to be the
"city of David" and which figures
so prominently not only In history
but in prophecy, had to be wrested
from the hands of the heather
Jebusites, and be established as the
sacred city and the capital OF the
Jewish nation.
Note that the kind and consider
ate king was not weakling. He
knew how to fight and to win. Verse
8 is difficult to interpret, but evil
IDENTIFY does not mean that David
was cruel. The Jebusites taunted
him by saying that their blind and
cripples could hold the wall against
David's men. Then they doubtless
put their best soldiers on the wall.
and David said to his men, LET us
take these cripples."
We see in verses and 10 that
David was not only a fighter, but
also a builder. He began then the
development of Jerusalem, the
great city of which we are yet to
hear wondrous things.
ii. The Lord Delivered Them (vv.
17-2D.
The Philistines, Israers constant
enemy, had control of much OF the
land west of the Jordan. AS soon as
they heard that the people were
now united under young aggressive
king they laid plans to destroy his
power almost before he could start.
The Philistines were clever, but
they reckoned without, God. David
was smart; he counted God into his
plans. He asked the Lord what to
do and the answer was, "Go up. l
will certainly deliver the Philistines
into thy hand" and he did!
We may well learn the lesson that
prayer, consultation with God. must
come before any successful cam
paign for him. Inquire Of him to be
assured of victory.
Note also here that there are
battles in which the Lord expects us
to go up boldly right into the face OF
mighty enemy. and take the VIC
tory by faith!
Sometimes we are afraid to meet
the enemies Of the cross with bold
ness, choosing rather to compro-
mise for the sake Of peace. It never
works. That is the way OF defeat.
iii. The Lord Went Before Them
(vv. 22-25).
Defeated once so decisively that
they had to run away from their
sacred images ". 2D, the enemy
rallied for another attack.
It is ever thus-and foolish is the
Christian who thinks that one VIC
tory wins a war. After spiritual
victory Satan redoubles his efforts
and strikes while the believer is
resting on his laurels-if he is fool
ish enough to do it. Here again we
say, be on guard!
Observe that the Lord worked diff
ferently this time. David inquired
again, but this time the word was,
Thou shalt not go up" Israel was
to come up from the rear Of the
Philistines, and not to attack until
the wind in the treetops told that
God had gone before to smite the
enemy.
There is a time for straight out
frontal attack on the enemy. There
is also a time when God wants us to
stand back and watch him work out
our deliverance. Sometimes that is
harder to do than to attack, but we
must obey his word.
How shall we know which to do?