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June 1927
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men of Israel, especially to his brothers, he appeared simply as an egotistical, foolish youth; hence, his older brother, Eliab, reprimanded him for leaving the sheep and coming to the battle, asserting that pride and naughtiness of heart had brought him there. To this false: accusation David re plied: "What have I now done? Is there not a cause?” Finally David’s words were referred to Saul, who in th.e extremity of the case was willing to accept assistance from any one. Being brought before Saul, David stated, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him, thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” Saul, judging from out ward appearance, and seeing that David was but a youth, frankly told him that he was unable to cope with this seasoned warrior. In order to prove his contention, David rehearsed two of his experiences as a shepherd, namely, how’ that on one occa sion when a bear rushed into the flock and seized a lamb, he pursued it and, overtak ing it, slew it. On another occasion a lion came and he did likewise, by the help of his God. The recounting of these two ex ploits of faith convinced Saul that David was equal to the occasion. His faith was furthermore confirmed by the attitude which David took, namely,:his righteous indignation because this defiant, boastful Philistine had defied the armies of the God of Israel, thus defying God himself. Saul had still sufficient spiritual discern ment to realize that God could use even a youth whose heart was right with Him, to accomplish this great exploit, and bring deliverance to Israel. Saul, being con vinced that D a v ' w a s the man of the hour, and taking every precaution in order to secure success, offered David his heavy armour. Having tried it on and finding that it was a burden instead of an assist ance to him, he laid it aside. Then, going to the brook with his sling, selecting five choice pebbles® and running forward toward the giant, he was ready for the conflict./ Goliath, seeing David ^doming with no armour nor weapons of war, dis dained him and spoke very confidently of the outcome of the conflict. In reply, David, with undaunted faith, not in him self nor in his ability, but in the almighty power of God, whom he knew and who had aided him on previous occasions of great danger, said, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and a spear, and with a javelin, but I come to thee in the name of Jehovah of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will Jehovah deliver thee into my hand.” Having thus disclaimed all credit, and having given credit to whom credit was due, by faith he, in the strength which God supplied, sent hurling through the air the deadly pebble which slew the giant, causing him to fall to the earth. This was indeed a fight of faith. Satan has, through the centuries, brought forward various persons who in arrogancy, unbelief and spirit of self-sufficiency, have defied the hosts of God, the Church of the Living God, discrediting it entirely and relying upon the arm of flesh. In the very hour when it looked as if the cause of God was the “lost cause,” there has arisen an insignificant person who, willing to take God’s precious, holy word at its face value, and believing that God still an swers prayer, has stepped out into the great arena of this world and has chal lenged the insolent, God-defying Goliath.
P ith and P oint There’s many an “elder brother” (v. 28) in the Church whose chief occupa tion is to throw wet blankets. What some believers need to push them forward is a backward glance (v. 37 ; cf. Rom. 8:32). Some Christians talk about the super natural while all their confidence is in the natural (vs. 37, 38). Many a Christian movement is smoth ered with Saul’s armor. David’s victory was half won when he put off the world’s trappings. Utter suppression of self is inseparable from real trust in God (v. 45). There’s always some opening in the unbeliever’s armor. List God guide your shot (v. 49). You’ll be more successful with your own pop-gun than another fellow’s can non (v. 50). —o— S uggestive Q uestions Why was Saul thinking of probabili ties while David was counting on vic tory? (Psa. 56:11). What is the answer of faith to “Thou art not able"? (V. 33; cf. Phil. 4:13). What will go far to keep one from contemplating defeat? (V. 37; cf. Deut. 8 : 2 ). How many more stones did David choose than were necessary? (V. 40; cf. 1 Cor. 1:27). What is suggested by the “brook” where David got his stones? (V. 40; cf. Jer. 7:38; 1 Cor. 2:13). What lesson should be learned by some boasting Goliaths? (1 Tim. 4:12). What can unarmed faith do, which can not be done by man’s utmost might? (Psa. 76:10). What irony was there in Goliath’s being slain with his own sword? (V. 51; cf. Prov. 5:22). —o— G olden T ext I llustkation “The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psa. 27:1). During an earthquake some years ago, the inhabitants of a small village were generally alarmed. At the same time they were surprised at the calmness and ap parent joy of an old lady whom they all knew. At length, one of them, address ing her, said : “Mother, are you not afraid?” “No,” she replied, “I rejoice to know that I have a God who can shake thè world.”
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host of rebellious spirits which was cast out of God’s presence. See Ezek. 28:11-19. These spirits constitute the powers of the air over which. Satan is placed as prince, and which work in the sons of disobedi ence. See Eph. 2:1-3. They sometimes are permitted to go into the Heaven of Heavens and appear before God. See Job 1-2 and 1Kings 22:19-23. These evil spirits are, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, to be active in the latter days (I Tim. 4:1-3). They are in the gospel rec ord called demons. . With the writer they are a reality, for he has seen sufficient unmistakable evidence of their existence and Work in this day and time. Dear reader, since Satan may "transform himself into an angel of light,” it is not surprising that his subordinates do like wise? In order to accomplish their dia-' bolical purposes they frequently will be stow good upon those whom .they wish' to influence and lead astray. Hence, seem ingly good results are no criterion for judgment in such matters. The only test is that one which is offered by the infal lible word of God; for, "if they speak not according to this Word surely there is no morning for them." Isa, 8 :20. Whenever the work of the kingdom of God begins to advance, God’s people having cleansed themselves and having come into vital communion and touch with Him, Satan be gins to work. He stirred up on this occasion the Philistines on the West, who invaded the territory of Judah and en camped about sixteen miles southwest from Jericho. Saul gathered his army in the vale of Elah. Soon the battle was begun, with Israel on one hill and the Philistines ' on the other. At this time there came forth a mighty giant named Goliath, of the Philistine city of Gath, who probably was, a descendant of the ancient race of giants called the ana- kim or the nephilim. Josephus, the great Jewish historian, speaks of a giant who was sent to Tiberias, and Pliny, the Roman, tells of two mighty giants in his writings. Hence,- there is no excuse for anyone’s doubting the historicity of this record. Coming forth from the Philistine hosts to a position between the contending armies, Goliath threw out the challenge: “Choose you a man for you and let him come down to me. I f he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants; but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and shall serve us.” Thereupon he defied the armies of Israel and called for their champion. This challenge threw the Israelites into great fear and consternation, since physi cally speaking there was no one within their ranks who could match swords with this giant. David, who had been anointed as king, as we learned in our last lesson, being providentially brought to the place, at this time heard the challenge and, seeing that Israel was disgraced and dishonored by these heathen, offered to go forth and fight this boastful challenger. To the
TN THE lesson for last Lord’s Day we x studied the anointing of David, I Sam uel 16:1-13. Today we study of another war between Israel and the Philistines,
which was brought to a close by the combat between D a v i d and Goliath. Between these lessons comes a single paragraph (I Sam. 16: 14-23) in which an a c c o u n t of Saul’s lamentable condition, after his rejection, is presented. Being aban
I bewumjal
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doned by the Lord on account of his self- will and determination, he was tormented by “an evil spirit from Jehovah." This evil spirit evidently was one of that mighty
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