Part 14

So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's head; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither did any awake: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them.

B. SAUL'S REPENTANCE

Then David went over to the other side, and stood on the top of the mountain afar off; a great space being between them: and David cried to the people, and to Abner, saying, "Answerest thou not, Abner?"

Then Abner answered and said, "Who art thou that criest to the king?"

And David said to Abner, "Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept watch over thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord's anointed. And now, see, where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his head."

And Saul knew David's voice, and said, "Is this thy voice, my son David?"

And David said, "It is my voice, my lord, O king. Wherefore doth my lord pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge in the mountains."

Then said Saul, "I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly."

And David answered and said, "Behold the spear, O king! let then one of the young men come over and fetch it. And the Lord shall render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: forasmuch as the Lord delivered thee into my hand to-day, and I would not put forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed. And, behold, as thy life was much set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation."

Then Saul said to David, "Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do mightily, and shalt surely prevail." So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place.

C. DAVID'S FLIGHT FROM ISRAEL

And David said in his heart, "I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul: there is nothing better for me than that I should escape into the land of the Philistines; and Saul shall despair of me, to seek me any more in all the borders of Israel: so shall I escape out of his hand."

And David arose, and passed over, he and the six hundred men that were with him, unto Achish the king of Gath. And David dwelt with Achish at Gath, he and his men. And it was told Saul that David was fled to Gath: and he sought no more again for him.

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

244. It was clear to David that Saul had determined to kill him. He therefore decided to flee to his own tribe of Judah and to dwell in the mountains where it would be hard for Saul to reach him. The caves in the Judean hills have been the refuge all through the centuries for those who were in danger from the government. In thus fleeing from the king, David became an outlaw, that is, one who refuses to be under the law. Of course he was obliged to do so by the king's tyranny.

245 (Sec.72A). Adullam was probably about twelve miles from Bethlehem. David would have friends near his own town. He gathered to him all his own relatives, who otherwise might have been killed by the king. Three classes of people are mentioned as joining him: who are they? The first would be those who were oppressed, the second those who were likely to be sold as slaves for debt, the third those who had some grievance. It has often happened in countries where there was no free government that men have banded together in sufficient strength to defy the rulers. In English history we read of Robin Hood and his outlaws, who made the rich pay tribute, when they caught them in the forest. Of course in our modern free states there is no excuse for any such life, and we rightly put down all bandits as criminals. How many men did David have at the first?

246 (Sec.72A). News soon came to David that the people of Keilah, a few miles south of Adullam, were being robbed by the old enemies, the Philistines. They had come when the people were threshing the grain, and intended to steal it. How did David use his band of adventurers against the Philistines? What food supply did he secure?

247 (Sec.72A). How was David's expedition brought to an end? How large had his band grown to be? He must have been an able chieftain to attract these men to him. The next story shows how he provided for them.

248 (Sec.72B). Find Maon and Carmel on the map, just south of Hebron. Who was the rich sheep owner? What kind of man was he and what kind of wife had he? It is evident that David's men had protected the shepherds. What request did he make at the time of the shearing feast? Was this a reasonable request? There were so many bands of robbers abroad that it was a great advantage to the Judean shepherds to have David's protection. Of course he in turn needed supplies for his men.

249 (Sec.72B). What answer did Nabal send back? How did he sneer at David's band? What did David decide to do? How did he divide his men?

250 (Sec.72C). What report was brought to Abigail? What did the shepherds think of David? What did Abigail immediately do? David was in a great rage with Nabal, though of course he really had no right to any pay from the man. What vengeance had he decided to take? What do you think of that? How thankful it makes us feel that we live in times when we have strong laws, and no man is permitted to take the law in his own hands.

251 (Sec.72C). Notice how beautifully Abigail speaks to David, telling him that she knows he will never be sorry that he was merciful. How does David respond? What do you think of a man who gives up his purpose so suddenly?

252 (Sec.72D). Note the character of the drunken fellow and his cowardice when he learned of his escape. Probably his drunkenness and the shock of his terror seriously affected him. How long afterward did he die? When David heard the news, what message did he send to the beautiful Abigail? How did she reply?

253 (Sec.73A). Saul had not given up his determination to kill David. He had made several unsuccessful attempts to capture him. At last he heard of David's hiding-place. How many men did he take with him? But David was ever on the watch. How did he discover that Saul was coming?

254 (Sec.73A). Tell the story of the sleeping camp, of David's stealthy approach with a single companion, of the proposal of Abishai, of David's reply, of the spear and the jug of water. What did we mean when we said Abraham was "magnanimous"? Would you say that David was magnanimous? Read Rom. 12:19-21. Where does David appear best--when he threatens Nabal or when he spares Saul?

255 (Sec.73B). Tell the story of the conversation with Saul: David's summons to the sleepers, his reproach of the captain, Saul's recognition, David's appeal, Saul's repentance, the peaceful separation.

256 (Sec.73C). David knew that he could not trust Saul. There was constant danger from the jealous king, so he decided to leave the country. We are surprised to find that he found refuge with Israel's enemies. Where did he go? Locate the city on the map. How was he received? What did Saul decide? But David could afford to wait. In a little while everything was going to turn to his advantage.

WRITTEN REVIEW

Imagine that you were Abishai. Write the story as though you were telling your brother Joab about that night when you crept with David to the sleeping camp. Describe all that happened and tell what you thought of David.

XXIV. DAVID, THE KING

THE STORY

=Sec.74. The Way to the Throne= (I Sam. 31:1-6; II Sam. 1:1-4, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27; 2:1-4, 8-11; 3:1; 5:1-3)

A. THE BATTLE OF GILBOA

Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers. Then said Saul to his armorbearer, "Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these Philistines come and thrust me through, and abuse me."

But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armorbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

B. DAVID'S DIRGE OVER SAUL AND JONATHAN

And it came to pass after the death of Saul, that a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. And David said unto him, "From whence comest thou?"

And he said unto him, "Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped."

And David said unto him, "How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me."

And he answered, "The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also."

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

Thy glory, O Israel, is slain upon thy high places! How are the mighty fallen!

Tell it not in Gath, Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the enemy triumph.

Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.

Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Thy love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women.

How are the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished!

C. DAVID MADE KING

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?"

And the Lord said unto him, "Go up."

And David said, "Whither shall I go up?"

And he said, "Unto Hebron."

So David went up thither, and his men that were with him did David bring up: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

Now Abner, the captain of Saul's host, had taken Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and made him king over Israel. But the house of Judah followed David. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.

Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: and David waxed stronger and stronger, but the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker, and when Ish-bosheth was dead, then came all the tribes of Israel to David unto Hebron, and spake, saying, "Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord said to thee, 'Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.'"

So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the Lord: and they anointed David king over Israel.

=Sec.75. David's Great Reign= (I Chron. 11:4-9; II Sam. 5:17-25; 8:2-6, 13, 14; 10:6, 17-19; 11:1; 12:29-31; 5:11, 12; 23:14-17)

A. THE NEW CAPITAL

And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land. And the inhabitants said to David, "Thou shalt not come hither."

Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion. And David said, "Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain."

So Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, and was chief. And David dwelt in the stronghold; therefore they called it the city of David. And he built the city round about, from Millo, even round about: and Joab repaired the rest of the city. So David waxed greater and greater: for the Lord of hosts was with him.

B. DAVID'S WARS OF DEFENSE

And when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, they went up and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

And David enquired of the Lord, saying, "Shall I go up against the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into my hand?"

And the Lord said unto David, "Go up; for I will certainly deliver the Philistines into thy hand."

And David went up and smote them; and he said, "The Lord hath broken down mine enemies before me like the breaking of waters."

And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. And when David enquired of the Lord, he said, "Thou shalt not go up. Go about to their rear and come upon them opposite the mulberry trees. And it shall be, when thou hearest the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself; for then is the Lord gone out before thee to smite the host of the Philistines."

And David did so as the Lord commanded him, and smote the Philistines, and subdued them.

And he smote Moab. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

And David put garrisons in Damascus; and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought tribute. And the Lord gave victory to David whithersoever he went.

And David got him a name when he returned from smiting Edom in the valley of salt, even eighteen thousand men. And he put garrisons in Edom; and all the Edomites became servants to David.

And the children of Ammon hired the Syrians. And it was told David; and he gathered all Israel together, and passed over the Jordan. And the Syrians set themselves in array against David, and fought with him. And the Syrians fled before Israel; and David slew the men of seven hundred chariots of the Syrians, and forty thousand horsemen, and smote the captain of their host.

And when all the kings saw that they were smitten before Israel, they made peace with Israel, and served them. So the Syrians feared to help the children of Ammon any more.

And it came to pass, at the return of the year, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon. And David went to Rabbah, and fought against it, and took it. And he brought forth the spoil of the city exceeding much. And thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon.

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David a house. And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake.

C. DAVID'S KNIGHTS

And at one time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. And David longed, and said, "Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!"

And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the Lord. And he said, "Be it far from me, O Lord, that I should do this: shall I drink the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives?" therefore he would not drink it.

These things did these three mighty men.

THE MEANING OF THE STORY

257. David spent many years as captain of his outlaw band, first in the mountains of Judah and then in Philistia. The Philistines thought he had given up his own people and become one of them. Fortunately, however, they did not wish him to fight against Saul, so he was not obliged to meet that difficulty. He had simply to wait till the end of Saul's reign. It came very tragically.

258 (Sec.74A). The battles of Israel were generally fought on the broad plain of Esdraelon. Find it on the map southeast of Mt. Carmel. In this case, however, Saul had entrenched his army on the high ground to the south of the plain. But the terrible enemies who had troubled Israel so long were too strong for him. How did the battle result? Who were killed? How did Saul die?

259 (Sec.74B). David was still in the Philistine town of Ziklag. He had been fighting the Amalekites who had attacked him. How was the news of the battle of Gilboa brought to him? How would you expect him to feel about Saul's death? how about Jonathan's? As a matter of fact he forgot all his wrongs, and remembered only how he had loved Saul and honored him in the early days, and of course he remembered his great friendship with Jonathan. Was this "magnanimous"?

260 (Sec.74B). A dirge means a song for the dead. David was a fine poet and he sang this beautiful song of lamentation over the king and the prince. Notice the six stanzas. The first and the last are a refrain. The second is a hope that the Philistines will not know the sad news. The third is a praise of Saul and Jonathan. The fourth is a special praise of Saul, whose victories had brought spoil to Israel. The fifth is the tender lament of the singer for his friend. This would be a noble poem to learn by heart.

261 (Sec.74C). After Saul's death, it was a question whether David should return home. Tell what happened. Find Hebron on the map in the south. But Saul's general had another policy. What did he do? So there was war between the north and south. At last Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, was murdered by two men who thought they would get reward from David. He punished them of course, but the way was open for David to be king of the whole land. Tell how David was elected king.

262 (Sec.75A). When the thirteen American colonies adopted the Constitution and became the United States, it was necessary to have a capital that should not be in any one state. So two of the states gave a piece of land, which was called a District: what is its full name? What is the name of the city that was built to be the capital of our country? Does it belong to any one of the states in particular? Saul had not had a definite capital, except his own town. David had his headquarters at the old town of Hebron. But it would not do to have a town of Judah as capital of all Israel. There was a strong town that had never been conquered and occupied by the Israelites, but was still inhabited by the old Jebusites. David decided to capture this city and make it his capital. What is the name of the city that is still after 3,000 years the chief city in Palestine? Find it on the map. The fortress was so strong that there was a proverb that it could be defended even by the blind and the lame. Tell the story of the capture.

263 (Sec.75B). The first necessity was to prevent the enemies all around Israel from interfering with the new kingdom. Who was the first enemy subdued? Locate their territory. In several campaigns these old enemies were prevented from giving any more trouble. The next enemy was in the southeast: who were they? Locate their territory. The next was an old city in the north, then a people in the south, then a nation to the east who hired northern allies. Locate all these, and note that David subdued all his troublesome neighbors. One people was left on the northwest coast, but they were a commercial and not a military people. What alliance did David make with them?

264 (Sec.75C). David was able to conquer all these enemies because he had a noble company of knights about him. They were brave and loyal to their king. We study one fine passage that tells of a heroic deed during one of the Philistine campaigns. What do you think of the bravery of the heroes and the conduct of the king?

WRITTEN REVIEW

Draw an outline map of Canaan. Mark Jerusalem which David made his capital. Mark the territory of each of the enemies whom David conquered. You will find that you will have to go all around the map showing that David had to defend his people on every side.

XXV. DAVID AND HIS REBEL SON

THE STORY

=Sec.76. The Treacherous Son and the Loyal Friends= (II Sam. 14:25, 26; 15:1-15, 18-37)

A. ABSALOM'S BEAUTY AND TREACHERY

Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head, (now it was at every year's end that he cut it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he cut it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight.

And Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, "Of what city art thou?"

And he said, "Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel."

And Absalom said unto him, "See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee." Absalom said moreover, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!"

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.

And it came to pass at the end of four years, that Absalom said unto the king, "I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron."

And the king said unto him, "Go in peace."

So he arose, and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, "As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, 'Absalom is king in Hebron.'"

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they knew not any thing. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered the sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.

B. DAVID'S FLIGHT

And there came a messenger to David, saying, "The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom."

And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, "Arise, and let us flee; for else none of us shall escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us quickly, and bring down evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword."

And the king's servants said unto the king, "Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall choose."

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, "Wherefore goest thou also with us? return, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile; return to thine own place. Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us, seeing I go whither I may? return thou, and take back thy brethren; mercy and truth be with thee."

And Ittai answered the king, and said, "As the Lord liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, even there also will thy servant be."

And David said to Ittai, "Go and pass over."