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her and upset her basket, and then stood by to enjoy a laugh at her ex pense. But what was his astonishment when she meekly picked up the apples, gave him a look of mingled sorrow, kindness, and pity, and said, “ God for give you, my son, as I do.” That touched a tender chord in the sailor’s heart. He felt ashamed, self-condemned and repentant. He pulled some money from his pocket and forced it into her hand exclaiming, “ Kind mother, I’ll never do the like again.” v. 7. Came by night. This midnight strategem shows the activity and heroic enterprise of David’s mind.— J. F. &. B. Saul lay sleeping. The servant of God will catch his en- COMMENTS FROM smies n a p p i n g MANY SOURCES sooner or later. Keith L. Brooks The day of reck oning shall over take all the wicked as a thief in the night. (1 Thess. 5:2, 3).—Torrey. v. 8. Abishai said, God hath deliv ered. Here was a subtle temptation to David, for Abishai declares it is God’s will for him to kill Saul. Be cautious when another person informs you what God’s will is for your life.— Sel. There was the prospect of getting rid of the weary life he was leading, the prospect of wearing the crown and wielding the sceptre of Israel, the splendors of a royal palace. There was the voice of his fol lowers urging him to the deed, putting on it a sacred character by ascribing to it divine appointment. Then there was the suddenness of the opportunity. The discipline of David’s spirit must have at this time been admirable.— Bible Exp. Let me smite him. Note Abishai’s char acter. (2 Sam. 16:9; 19:21).— Comp. Bible. Abishai would give the blow himself and the hand of David need not be stained with the blood of his enemy. It would be to accept the providence of God and bring in the kingdom under the will of God. The temptation thus took on the form of light and righteous ness. (2 Cor. 11:14, 15; Heb. 3:13). — Haldeman. v. 9. David said, Destroy not. Three times David kept Abishai from taking life. (2 Sam. 16:9, 10; 19:21, 22).— Bullinger. This is contrary to human nature but according to the divine na-
eh?” exclaimed the neighbor angrily. “What then?” “Why*” replied the Quaker, “ I’ll drive her home to thee again, friend.” The cow never troubled him again. Forgiveness overcame strife. Forgive and forget. Prince Bismarck was once asked by Count Enzenberg to write something in his album. The page on which he had to write contained the autographs of Guizot and Thiers. The former had written: “ I have learned in my long life two rules of prudence. The first is, to forgive much; the second is, never to forget.” Under this Thiers had writ ten: “ A little forgetting would not de tract from the sincerity of the forgive ness.” Prince Bismarck added: “ As for me, I have learned to forget much, and to ask to be forgiven much.” Modem Davids not so forgiving. Our modern Davids in the laboring world believe in breaking up the furni ture of their employers and if necessary killing those in authority, and smash ing existing government. But David would not ever kill or harm those in authority but trusted God to champion his cause which was just and all knew it was. Like David the laboring man has been treated unjustly but he has neither the faith or the patience of David to abide the time when God shall right his wrongs. David won out and came to the place of authority through obedience and humility rather than strife. A chief once received a blow on the face from a ruflian, and rebuked him in these terms: “ If I were vindictive I should accuse you before a magistrate; but I prefer putting up a prayer to God that in the day of judgment He will cause me to enter heaven with you.” Golden Text illustration. A worthy old negress was walking quietly along a street in New York car rying a basket of apples when a mis chievous young sailor pushed against
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