The Sabbath-School by J. W. Scoles

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 9, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 35.

The Sabbath-School.

By J. W. Scoles

Notes on the International Lesson.

DAVID SPARING SAUL.

THE conduct of David as the servant of Saul had been humble and obedient. His life had been above reproach, but his faithfulness to God had been in such marked contrast to the rebellious course of Saul that it was a constant rebuke to him. Saul had therefore fully determined to leave no effort untried in order that David might be slain. This policy controlled the whole of his later life, and, notwithstanding the escapes of David were in some instances so clearly miraculous as to show the direct providence of God, yet in his self-idolatry, Saul sacrificed justice, humanity, and truth to his unholy ambition and pride.

WHATEVER doubts may have previously existed in David's mind in regard to the relations existing between himself and the king, it is evident that he now clearly understood them, and also that he clearly recognized his own ultimate right to the kingdom. Many of the Israelites also had reached this latter conclusion, and in one sense of the word, a provisional court was already gathering about him. Under these circumstances the lesson of today develops the widely different principles on which the two men acted.

NOTHING but the blindness of fiendish rage could have tempted Saul to pursue the outlawed husband of his own daughter among the crags and precipices of the mountains about En-gedi. With his force of three thousand chosen men, his search would doubtless have been successful had it not been for the overruling providence of God. As it was, he was brought into a position where he could see the wickedness of his conduct as compared with that of the man whom he was trying to slay.

As David and his attendants lay concealed in one of the caves with which the limestone cliffs of that region abound, Saul and his company passed that way. Resting perhaps in the mouth of the cavern, during the heat of the day, Saul retired further into the cave and probably fell asleep. Looking at the situation from a human standpoint, it would seem clear that God had led him in there to deliver him into David's hand. This was the view held by David's servants, and they were not slow to urge him to take advantage of this opportunity to rid himself of his foe.

BUT there are two ways of looking at every question, no matter how providential it may appear. There is such a thing as interpreting God's dealings solely in the light of self-interest, while again, it is possible for us to interpret them in the light of higher truth and to use them as means for the advancement of the purposes of the divine will instead of our own.

WE are too apt to look at both the providence and the word of God merely in the light of our own wishes. This is always the counsel of worldly wisdom. Had Christ acted on this principle, he might have yielded to the temptation of Satan in the wilderness, but the world would have been lost forever in consequence. Had he listened to those who were anxious to make him king by force, thousands of swords would at once have leaped from their scabbards in obedience to his command; but some of the grandest lessons of faith would have been lost to mankind.

THE following, from the pen of Rev. Geo. F. Pentecost, D. D., illustrates this point:—

"So do men now, who are no doubt sincere in their desire to see the kingdom of God established, yield to the temptation of haste and seek to gain by short-cuts the desired end. They conform to the world, and interpret providences in such a way as to justify them in adopting means that are not in harmony with God's high spiritual laws. . . . What have not individuals and churches suffered who have taken the 'short-cut,' justifying themselves on the ground that the end is according to the will of God, and the opportunity was presented by his providence? We shudder to think of the consequences of such conduct."

THE evident conclusion reached by David in this instance was that if the Lord had chosen him to be king, then the Lord would bring him to the throne according to his own will, and in his own time. He testified by his homage to Saul as "the Lord's anointed," that he was still loyal to God, and then by showing the fragment of Saul's robe which he had possessed himself of, he vindicated himself from any accusation of wickedness which could have been made against him. Saul's life had been in his hand, but he had spared him in order that the treachery and wickedness of the king might be made manifest to all, and also that God might work out his own will and judge between David and his enemies. By taking this course David gained a far greater victory than if he had slain Saul.

J. W. SCOLES.