Notes on the International Lesson.
By J. W. Scoles
WHEN Saul and David returned from pursuing the Philistines, after the death of Goliath, the women of the cities came out to meet them with songs of rejoicing and demonstrations of great joy. So terrified had been the children of Israel on account of the threats of the Philistines, that when Goliath was slain by David, it caused the singers to raise the glad song, "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Instead, however, of being grateful to God for the victory gained, Saul was filled with cruel jealousy against David, through whom this great work had been wrought. THE people esteemed David and loved him, and because of this, and because Saul no longer enjoyed their love and confidence, he watched an opportunity to slay David. In his insane rage, he nearly accomplished his purpose on one or two occasions, but God, who watches all his work with deeper interest than we can know, sent his angels to preserve the life of him through whom such great results should afterward be wrought. "God works in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform." IT is not always the case that we can see the justice of God's dealings with us, but of one thing we may feel satisfied, and that is, that he will do what is right. Therefore, if we are walking with our hand in his, whatever comes to us will not come without his knowledge and consent, and in his own good time all will work out for our best good. David did not discern the hand of God in all that took place during the period of his trial, but yet the Lord was overruling everything connected with it for David's good as well as for his own glory. IN our own experience, when trials come upon us to such an extent as to almost seem unbearable, how often it is that deliverance arises from some unexpected source. When David was fleeing for his life, the Lord raised up a friend for him in the person of Jonathan, the son of the very man whom David had cause to fear more than anyone else on the earth. THE secret of the friendship thus formed between David and Jonathan was that the fear of the Lord was in it. God had been called upon by both of these men to witness the covenant made between them. This friendship existed until it was broken by death, and was apparently as strong upon the part of David as that of Jonathan. Scarcely anything could be more pathetically and beautifully expressed than David's lament over the death of the latter. "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." 2 Sam. 1:26. BUT there is a friendship even closer than this. "There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Prov. 18:24. The love of Christ for sinful men is a love that passeth knowledge. Here is a love higher than heaven, deeper than the grave, and wider than the world. And the love of God is manifested toward us "in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Rom. 5:8. Oh, then, let us love him because he first loved us, and gave himself for us. J. W. SCOLES.