445
T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
J u ly . 1 9 2 7
m International Lesson Commentary
mi Heart of the Lesson—K.L.B. Devotional—David L. Cooper Little Folk—Mabel L. Merrill
dreds of ravines in those hills where this whole scene could be enacted, every word heard and yet the speaker be quite beyond the reach of his enemies. David knew he was perfectly safe. Saul knew the voice (v. 17) and may we say in modern terms, “He felt like two cents!” Again comes David’s voice be seeching Saul to give up the madness of his passion, repent and conciliate God with sacrifice and offering (v. 19). Fur thermore he let Saul know that his char acter was in God’s ~keeping and that a great day of unclouding was \ coming when his righteousness in these matters would -stand clearly in the light. “The king 'of Israel is ¡come out to seek a flea” (v. 20). A flea skips about and is of little value if caught.: How ridiculous Saul was making himself! Much of the enmity between men is about as foolish. Saul was evidently convicted that his military arrangements had been most un- soldierlike. “I have played the fool,” he admitted, “and have erred exceedingly” (v. 21). It was well said, but it did not go far enough. He kept right on playing the fool. It has been said that “some men are born fools, but the majority be come so from practice.” We read nothing of any tears- of re pentance. There is a ring of vexation rather than contrition. So again and a- gain superficial repentance has led to relapSe and deterioration. Mere emotion fades away. Temptation comes again, as the Zithites came again to Saul and induced him to resume what he had re nounced. True repentance means a heart really broken for sin, and then broken from sin, Much -so-called penitential crying is only hypocritical lying. —io— P ith and P oint He who does not believe in an adver sary is pretty sure to be caught (v.- 3). God gives our enemies into our hands that we may save them, not destroy them. Questionable means can have no part in the carrying out of God’s will (v. 8). The best victory is won by heaping coals of fire upon an enemy’s head. (Give him a burning sense of shame by a deed of love.) He who is truly repentant will be sorfy enough for sin to quit it (v. 21). He who leaves God out of his plans, must some day confess that he has play ed the fool I . The man who is led of God can easily weaken the strongest and befool the wisest enemy. —0—■ ' S uggestive Q uestions Is it well that a Christian should be awake to the fact that he has deadly enemies? (v. 3; Cp. Eph. 6 :12-13). Why were Saul and his men sleeping so soundly? (v. 7; Cp. v, 12). What still happens to those who keep up an habitual spirit of enmity to God? (Rom. 11:8).
A ugust 7, 1927 David Spares Saul Lesson Text—1 Samuel 26
beside him, his trusty spear stuck into the ground (v. 7). This is said to have been a custom of indicating the location of a leader when a party of soldiers halted for rest. What an opportunity to pin him to the ground ! It was Abishai’s brilliant idea. Such a chance, to his mind, must be God- given. “We can make quick work of it,” said Abishai. “I will not smite him a second time” (v. 8). How easy it is, when we do not pause to get thé mind of Christ, to make ourselves believe that a most subtle temptation is a God-given op portunity: But David had evidently been walking in fellowship with his God, a cir cumstance which gave him an altogether different outlook upon the situation. We may well be thankful that the presence of such men in the church has often saved us from making radical mistakes in the name of the Lord. “The Lord will do the smiting,” said David, “or his day shall come to die. We cannot safely stretch forth our hands against the Lord’s anointed” (vs.; 9-10). The discipline of David’s spirit at such a time is certainly admirable. A devout Christian living in thiS1age of grace could not have done better. The purpose of God in all David’s trials, to fit him first to govern himself, was beautifully fulfilled. If we have not well learned the lesson of self-government, we will never be fit to restrain a: lot of ardent and impetuous followers. Let us learn from David, never to strike an artless enemy, nor to. suffer an other to strike him. Let us learn also, that we can safely put our case in God’s hands and1act at all times in utter con tempt of ?dl that is personal and selfish, so lbhg as we have real reverence for what is sacred and divine. If we are God- appóinted, we may be certain God will see to it that we get our place without the employment of any questionable means. Quietly David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul’s bolster (v. 12). These were the very emblems of Saul’s kingly office and power. These were carried off for a proof of the fidel ity of the bearer. How invincible was the loyalty of this honest heart. He had spared Saul in the cave; again he had slipped up and cut away the lap of his master’s garment ; now he carries away the spear, which might have taken his own life. What a strange sensation must have run through Saul’s camp as the voice of David rang out, from the top of a nearby hill, the cutting taunt: “Abner, art thou not a valiant man? Wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord, the king? Now see where the king’s spear is and the cruse of water that was at his bolster” (vs. 15-16). Thompson tells us there are hun
T ) AVID was confronted with some most subtle temptations. With the people’s sympathy on his side, and with unusual opportunities twice thrown across his
path to put Saul out of the way, he stead- f a s 11y r e s i s t e d , c h o o s i n g to wait God’s time and win his victory ini- the right way.' David, like all men, had his weaknesses,
but we should not fail to set over against them the strong traits of character brought so clearly to light in this whole period of providential ^discipline while awaiting God’s hour for him to assume the kingship. ■Fidelity to Saul, the king in power, ahd obedience to God, were active virtues which controlled David at all times. , l The Ziphites, evidently seeking the fa vor of Saul, “squealed on” David. Thus some people ar.e ever trying to get a “pull” for themselves by giving some man over to his enemy. Saul’s heart was full of tinder. It only needed a spark from hell. The hint from the Ziphites set him off and he went into the wilderness in pursuit of David (vs. 1-2). The inconstancy and falseness of some men is almost inconceivable. Just shortly before, Saul had been indebted to David for his life, had admitted his error and made David swear he would be kind to his posterity. Here he is, again openly declaring himself an enemy and seeking his life. That is about as much as the friendship of some people is worth. Such turns of events are hard tests of Christian men. David stood the test. He did not lose heart but kept looking to God to guide him. He would not consent that the wrong of Saul should make him wrong also. Let us remember that such- reverses of friendship afford us the op portunity of-showing'the invincible truth of our characters and glorifying God by revealing a real superiority over the man of the world. David saw Saul approaching (v. 3). He had a foe and knew it. We may consider ourselves half defeated when we try to reason the facts of Satan and sin out of existence. It is only when we are fully aware of the nature of the forces that are against us that we “put on the whole ar mor of God.’’ Saul and his men pitched camp and, having nothing to fear, decided to take a little rest. They were soon, snoozing. David chose Abishai to go down to the camp with him and look things over (v. 6). By night they came into the camp. The sonorous snores of the soldiers as sured them that it was a good time to ap proach. There lay Saul in the midst, with his mouth open, snoring away, and
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker