THE K I N G ' S BUS I NE S S than readily consented to do his part. They went into the field together and consulted how information from court might be secretly conveyed to David. Jonathan apparently knew that David would succeed Saul as king and he therefore asked a pledge from David to show kindness to him and to his house forever. It was a custom that when a king ascended his throne, he slew all who might have any claim to the throne or any apparent right to reign. David gave his word and as the history shows, he remembered his covenant and kept it. WEDNESDAY, July 7. 1 Sam. 20:12- 23. A Plan of Action. In accordance with a plan agreed upon between David and Jonathan, David absented himself from the feast of the new moon when all the officers of the court were present. Saul noted his absence and inquired the cause. Jonathan said that David had asked per mission to attend a family feast at Bethlehem and that he had granted it. Saul flew into a rage and heaped insult ing and cruel reproaches upon Jana- than’s head. Then he appealed to Jona than’s ambition, declaring that as long as David lived, there would be no hope of his occupying the throne of Israel. He issued a command that David should be brought before him and put to death. From this time David, the chosen and anointed of God, became a hunted fugi tive and a homeless exile. THURSDAY, July 8. 1 Sam. 20:24-32. A King’s Enmity. David was a fugitive for six or seven years after leaving the court of Saul. He wandered from place to place to escape the king’s attempts upon his life. He and his little company went to Ahimelech the priest to obtain food and the sword he had taken from Goliath. When Saul learned of this act of kind ness to David, he commanded that Ahimelech and the priests that were with him should be slain. Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, escaped and shared David’s exile. Then David gath ered a company of six hundred loyal men who had been oppressed under the reign of Saul. They took refuge in the wild and mountainous region between Hebron and the Dead Sea. They were looked upon as a band of outlaws with a price set upon their heads and were
702 the wilderness. It is given in 2 Sam. 22 as a part of the biography of David. It is the song which burst out of his heart when the trials of his persecution were over and he could breathe freely once more because his enemies were scattered and Saul was gone. It is a graphic picture of the wilderness life of David and lays bare his heart. In the midst of all his troubles he held fast to God. There was nothing else to cling to, and he did not cast away his only hope. God had been his shield and helper and had given him perfect de liverance. He gives God all the praise and lifts up this song of thanksgiving. He had found God all-sufficient through the years when he had lived face to face with death. There is no Psalm on rec ord where such a story is told, so full of thankfulness and praise. MONDAY, July 5. 1 Sam. 18:1-4, 19: 1-7. Jonathan Intercedes for David. Jonathan would have been the second king of Israel had it not been for his father’s transgressions. He had great mental gifts and moral qualities and doubtless would have made as good a king as ever sat on a throne. Although he knew the temper and purpose of Saul, he undertook the defense of his friend. He asked his father a question that Saul could not answer and be con sistent in his purpose to slay David. More than once David had defeated the Philistines and had been the means of preserving the kingdom. He had al ways acted in the highest interests of the nation. He had never been discour teous to the king but had shown him self brave, magnanimous and unselfish. Saul’s only reply to his son’s question was to hurl at him the javelin that was always near his hand. He was more concerned to take vengeance upon one of whom he was jealous than to have justice done. This brain storm showed his unfitness to rule. Jonathan had a double sorrow. He was grieved for his father and for his friend. TUESDAY, July 6. 1 Sam. 20:1-11. The Friends Confer. The fact that Saul would kill his own son for being a friend to David was enough to convince Jonathan that David’s life was in imminent danger. He was ready to do anything to help his friend and when David planned a test to determine Saul’s attitude, Jona-
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker