July 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
447
thousand years to defeat the purposes of God, but, the de cree has never changed and our David must hold the scepter (Psa. 2:7; 110:1). Following this we have civil war between Israel and Judah, provoked by Abner, but in which Abner was de feated and a truce effected between Israel and Judah for a season. The third and fourth chapters give the account of Abner’s desertion of Ishbosheth and his league with David. Abner promised to gather Israel for a league of peace, but Joab, the servant of David, slew Abner. David mourned over Abner, because of his relation to Saul, and acknowl edged him as a great man (3:38). “And the king: said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israeli” In the fourth chapter we have the murder of Ishbosheth, king of Israel, by two young men of his army. So the weak king was removed and the way opened for the fulfillment of the plan of God for David. These two men sought to find favor with David, but David punished them with death. Topics for Study (1) In what respects (so far as we have studied) has David shown himself to be,—A man of faith? A man of courage? A man of humility? A man of a generous heart? A man of patience? A leader? (2) In what way did David illustrate Romans 8:17? (3) Have believers a promise of a kingdom? (4) Does faith wait patiently for the fulfillment of God’s promises? (5) Is it praiseworthy to praise worthy acts? (6) Can gratitude survive the death and ruin of a bene factor? (7) What was the weakness of Abner? (8) Was David unjust in his punishment of the enemies of Saul? Chap. 1 It was about five years after David spared Saul’s life at Hachilah that he became king of Judah. During all this time he was an exile. For some time he lived in the land of the Philistines, having obtained the town of Ziklag from Achish. When war was renewed COMMENTS by the Philistines upon Israel, David FROM THE and his men were about to go with COMMENTARIES them, but the chiefs of the Philistines V. V. Morgan objected, hence David was sent back. His town was attacked in his absence by the Amalekites and his property was taken away. He pursued them and recovered what had been taken. When the Israelites were engaged in war with the Philistines at Gilboa, Saul and Jonathan and two other sons lost their lives. When David heard of it, he mourned deeply. He respected Saul as king and loved Jonathan as his own soul. -—Pract. Com. V. 12 The only deep mourning for Saul, with the excep tion of that of the Jabeshites, proceeded from the man whom he had hate publicly as the formal inauguration of his reign, and even a third time when he was made king over all Israel.—Cam. Bible. 2:5 David’s piety finds expression on this occasion. His largeheartedness is shown in his thoughtfulness with re gard to the remains of his enemy.— Selec. 2 :8 The sin of Abner and his followers is the sin of all men who, when the will of God is plainly revealed either by His word or providence, set up their own in opposition to it—who, when the finger-post of duty points in one direc tion, choose another because they are so deluded as to fancy there is something to be gained by itfl-Hom. Com. 2:10 Ishbosheth “ man of shame” which was perhaps a nickname for Ishbaal “ lordly man.” He reigned only two years to David’s seven and a half in Judah. He was forty years of age, and was probably Saul’s eldest son, but not his intended successor.— Temple Bible. “He reigned two years” may be understood to mean that five years and a half were occupied in re-conquering the territory from the Phil istines, so that Ishbosheth was only a nominal king during that period. Or the last, clause of verse 10 and verse 11 may be regarded as a parenthesis, and the two years taken as referring to the time which elapsed before the event recorded in the following paragraph.—Horn. Com. 5:1 It was Israel’s duty to seek David’s leadership, as well as his to undertake it. His anointing by Samuel se cured his right to the kingdom. His anointing by Israel gave him authority over the kingdom- David did not take that honor unto himself without being called of God and desired by the people. His acceptance of it was unselfish, patriotic and devout. It marked one of the greatest days of Israel’s history.— Arnold. 5 :3 This was probably a solemn contract in which the king on the one hand engaged to rule according to the laws, and the people on the other hand promised him their allegiance. Some kind of charter, defining the king’s rights, was in existence (1 Sam. 10:25); and later on we find the people demanding some limitation of these rights, (1 Kings 12:3). The Israelite monarchy was not an ab solute and irresponsible despotism.—Cam. Bible. ELEMENTARY Mrs. S. W. Barrett Scripture: II Samuel chapters 1, 2, 3. Memory verses: Romans 5:1; II Corinthians 5:19, 20, 21. Did you ever get angry at your very dearest chum? Were you ever happy while you were angry? No, indeed, but when you made friends again! Oh how happy you were when everything was all forgiven! When we do bad things we are unhappy because God is displeased, but when we take the Lord Jesus into our hearts and accept Him as God’s King, we are forgiven and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God has told us a wonderful story in the Bible^— HOW KING DAVID MADE CAPTAIN ABNER HAPPY The city of Ziklag lay in ruins! Charred wood ashes and crumbling stones were scattered through the streets and the peo ple who had been rescued from the bandits who had burned the city, were face to face with the task of building new homes. Coming to this city of ruins was a messenger bearing even more grievous news. King 'Saul was dead! He had been killed in Mt. Gilboa while fighting the Philistines and Prince Jonathan and two of his brothers had been killed also; Captain David’s heart and head were bowed with grief when he heard the sad news. “ Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives* and in their death they
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