make the Omniscient God the Judge of our innocence and integrity?

A PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE.-V. 5-12. In ver. 4 David says that by obeying the word of God he had kept himself "from the paths of the destroyer;" he had not trodden in Satan's ways. So weak did he feel, that he knew he was not safe even in God's paths, if he were left to walk alone. He prays Hold up, etc. - He is certain his petition will be answered, ver. 6. Note the title of God in ver. 7. Thou that savest, etc.-The Lord is good alike to all them that trust Him; what He had done for others, He would do for David; will do for us. The double metaphor of ver. 8 sets forth the relation of God's followers to Himself, their preciousness to Him, their union with Him, and their conscious security. The apple of the eye is the pupil men guard it almost involuntarily; instinctively the eyelid falls at the approach of danger. Then how tenderly the hen hides chickens under her wing; how safe they feel, how comfortable! The hawk cannot harm the chickens without first disabling their protector. Can you remember other uses of the same simile? Truly David had need of Divine guardianship. His enemies were deadly, sought his very life; wicked, would hesitate at nothing to obtain their end; proud, ver. 10; compare Deut. xxxii. 15; Ps. lxxiii. 7. They believed themselves sure of success. They laid their plans cunningly, they compassed David in his steps, endeavoured to surround him so that he could not escape. They set their eyes bowing down to the earth,tracing his foot-marks as warily and resolutely as the hunter searches out the slot of the deer. Already they had

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couched like a lion in the act of springing upon its helpless prey. So Satan lays snares for us; he is "a roaring lion..seeking whom he may devour;" we are as sheep before him. But we may trust in the marvellous lovingkindness and saving strength and watchful guardianship of Him Who is our God as well as David's.

THE CONTRAST.-V. 13-15. David's

foes were triumphant, himself a fugitive. Yet David was God's servant, they God's foes. How came it that their positions were not reversed? Because the former were men of the world, who had their portion in this life. They chose this world; what they chose they obtained, see Luke xvi. 25. David had other desires and prospects. He could not be satisfied with this world, he wanted something better. What? To behold God's face in righteousness, to possess God's likeness. He hoped for heaven and holiness. Prosperity in this life was not compatible with that; therefore he did not envy the men of the world their portion. When I awake,-after the sleep of death. Mark, two characters, two portions, two lives, two sources of satisfaction. Which of them is yours? Often God gives His people temporal prosperity; not always. Do not be ambitious of riches here; poverty now, wealth by and by, are frequently joined together. Ponder Luke xviii. 24, 25; 1 Tim. vi. 9, 10; James ii. 5; Matt. v. 3.

To this Lesson many QUESTIONS are unnecessary. Press home these three, one to each division:-Is God's justice for you or against you? How may we obtain deliverance from the (otherwise) overmastering temptations of Satan? In which life have you your portion?

INTRODUCTION. - In studying_these Lessons on the outlaw life of David, two points should be kept in view carefully: first, that every event was ordered by Divine Providence; second, that God had definite purposes in all. David himself must be fitted for the throne; he must learn humility, implicit obedience

to and unwavering trust in Jehovah. Saul had ascended the throne an untried man, without preparatory discipline; David's virtues must be tested and strengthened. Therefore on the one hand David was repeatedly assured that eventually the kingdom would be his; on the other hand, his privations and

dangers steadily increased. The affections of the people, too, were to be turned from Saul to David; they were to be taught to regard him as their future monarch, so that immediately on Saul's death he might succeed him, not only unopposed, but also with national rejoicing. Now, David's residence with the Philistines and the Moabites must have damaged him in Israel's eyes; our present Lesson informs us how he began to recover their favour; and also how the cloud that hung over him grew darker.

THE RELIEF OF KEILAH.-V. 1-6. David hears that a predatory band of Philistines has attacked Keilah. The corn, just reaped, lay upon the floors ready for threshing. The Philistines were carrying it away. Keilah was situate somewhere in the lowlands of Judah, not very far from the forest of Hareth. Many a man in David's place would have rejoiced in the misfortunes of his countrymen. Now, he might have thought, they will learn my worth; they will regret that I was banished; they will be dissatisfied with Saul, who cannot or will not protect them. Not so David, he will repay good for evil. Abiathar is with him; the priest had brought the ephod, thus David can inquire of the Lord. He puts the question, Shall I go and smite these Philistines ?-The Lord answers Go, etc.-This was tantamount to a promise of success. But the men that were with David were fearful still, they wanted a distinct assurance of victory. The enterprise certainly appeared foolhardy. We can scarcely wonder at their remonstrance, Behold, we be afraid, etc., we are in danger even here; there we shall have two enemies instead of one, and Saul cannot but discover our whereabouts. For his company's sake, not for his own, David puts the question to the Lord a second time. The answer leaves no room for doubt, Arise, etc.-The expedition is undertaken with complete success, ver. 5.

THE INGRATITUDE OF KEILAH.-V. 7-15. Soon Saul hears that David is in Keilah, and that he had driven off the Philistines. He takes no notice of the service David has rendered to him and to Israel, but exults in the hope of capturing him at last. He gathers his fighting-men together to attack Keilah.

He seems to have thought David would stand a siege. David had some thoughts of it, too. He inquires of God, Will Saul come down? The reply is, He will come down. Can he resist him? He will the Keilahites help him? asks again, Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?-again the reply is in the affirmative. The little army hurried away, and went whithersoever they could go,-i.e., with safety. David's next encampment was in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph.-No better observatory could have been devised. Thence he had an uninterrupted view of the country for many miles. The wilderness was the whole tract between the northern boundary of Judah and the Dead Sea. Of this Ziph was a part, the hill was some four miles to the south-east of Hebron. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand,-is a general statement introductory to the accounts of attempts on his life that follow. And David saw, etc.,-every attempt was discovered by him, his natural sagacity being assisted by God.

REFLECTIONS. 1. Upon David's generosity and patriotism. - Personal feelings should always yield to our country's interest.

2. David inquired of God, and God answered him.-This method of communication between the Lord and men

is no longer employed. But God still hears prayers, prompts and guides men by His Holy Spirit. How may those who "lack wisdom" obtain it?

3. God reads all men's hearts.-Illustrate from the Lesson.

4. The hatefulness of ingratitude.— Yet

5. Men are naturally ungrateful.— Compare Eccles. ix. 14, 15.

6. The fear of ingratitude should never deter us from benefiting our fellows.Who is it that is kind to the unthankful and the unworthy?

7. Prov. iii. 5, 6.-Illustrate from the Lesson.

QUESTIONS. What were the objects of David's trials? Can you find any examples in this Lesson? What message was brought to David? How did David act? What answer did God return? Why had David to ask the same question again? What was the response this time? The issue of the expedition? Where was Keilah? How came it that David

left Keilah? Whither did he go? What wilderness is meant? Where was Ziph? How

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does this Lesson illustrate David's character and God's Providence?

SEPTEMBER 27.- -A NARROW THE BROTHERLY COVENANT.--V. 16 -18. Recall previous Lessons, Saul's hatred and persecution of David. Through all this the friendship of David and Jonathan remained unaltered. Describe their last parting, ch. xx. 35-42. How the two friends would long to communicate with each other! There was no post in those days. David could not come to Jonathan, so Jonathan sought out David. The visit was very welcome to David, not only because he was glad to see his friend again, (Prov. xxvii. 17,) but also because he strengthened his hand in God,-comforted, encouraged him. They would talk of God's promise, of David's innocence, of the certainty of his success. The gist of the conversation is given in ver. 17. Mark Jonathan's friendship, his unselfishness, his faith. For part of his hopeful prophecy he had Divine warrant,- for that which related to David; but he never occupied the position his affectionate humility designed for himself. His death preceded David's reign. The two never met on earth again. This was mercifully hidden from them then. Knowledge would only have deepened their sorrow. Before they part, they renew solemnly the covenant made before. Do you remember what its terms were? Learn,

1. One chief use of friendship.-Each should strive to strengthen the other's hands in God.

2. The kindness of God in concealing the future from us.-It conduces to our happiness; it compels us to trust Him Who alone can read the future.

THE TREACHERY OF THE ZIPHITES. -V. 19-24. In this world evil and good stand side by side. From Jonathan's faithful friendship we pass to the treachery of the Ziphites. David had departed from Ziph, and had travelled South to the hill of Hachilah. His every motion was visible to the Ziphites. They sent word of his hiding-place to Saul. The King receives the messengers with gladness, and dares to say, Blessed be ye of the Lord,-perhaps for the

ESCAPE.-1 Samuel xxiii. 16-28.

Yet

moment he believed they had done a compassionate and charitable deed. But the wickedest men will sometimes invoke God's blessing upon those who have rendered them a service; thus showing that in their secret souls they believe the blessing of God to be the most valuable of possessions. Saul must have deceived himself terribly before he could make such a speech to men who were injuring him whom he knew was the man of God's choice. The King dismisses the traitors to watch David very closely, for he was skilful in hiding himself. Meanwhile David had removed to the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon,-only a short distance from Ziph, from whence it was visible.

A NARROW ESCAPE.-V. 25-28. David's little band were stationed on the top of a rock "in the wilderness of Maon." They could see Saul and his warriors, who could not see them. When the hostile army drew near, they began to descend the hill. Which way will Saul turn? If he turn this way, he must meet David at the foot of the mountain; if he turn that way, David may possibly escape. The wrong turn is taken; David and his warriors are fleeing in hot haste. Saul has not stayed his pursuit; the fugitives are almost surrounded, when, lo! a messenger reaches the King. His tidings are important, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land.-The King returns, David for a while is safe. From this event the hill obtained its name, Sela-hammahlekoth," the rock of divisions," because it divided the two armies; or, the rock of smoothness, i. e., of slipping away or escaping. Perhaps some one wonders why so brave and renowned a warrior did not risk a battle. Perpetual flight looks cowardly. Not improbably many of Saul's own soldiers would have espoused the side of their old general. Two answers may be given :-David was acting under the direction of the Lord; he could only do as he was bidden: David regarded Saul as the

legitimate sovereign of Israel so long as he lived. Our next Lesson will show that the second reason is correct. On the position he occupied with regard to Saul, see Portfolio in July "Sunday-School Magazine.”

This Lesson affords an illustration of God's Providence, and His protection of His people. How many apparently accidental and trivial occurrences combined to effect David's escape. It seemed an accident which way Saul should turn, which side of the hill David should choose. Most likely the Philistines' invasion was

caused by Saul's absence; but how remarkable that the messenger should reach him just at the moment when the capture of David appeared secure! Events, both great and small, are under the control of the Almighty. Read Luke xii. 6, 7. Such care God takes of all His children.

QUESTIONS.-Who came to David? Where did they meet? What passed between them? What news did the Ziphites bring to Saul? How did he receive its bearers? What instructions did he give them? Whither went David? Describe what happened? What name was given to the hill? its meaning? Why did not David risk a battle?

SEPTEMBER 6.

INTRODUCTION.-Even geography becomes interesting when we know something of the places of which it speaks. We do not forget the street in which our home is; we can remember the little Lincolnshire town where Wesley was born, the place were Nelson won his greatest sea fight; where Wellington conquered Napoleon. So now going on board ship with the Apostle of the Gentiles, we shall call at islands and ports, and if we study the Lesson well, we shall remember, these places because of what happened to Paul there.

Coos.-An island opposite Miletus on the South; ship sailed the day on which the farewell was given to the Ephesian elders: the wind fair, blows from the N.W.; for weeks together in those seas at that season; about six hours' sail; ere night falls, the coaster drops anchor. What would Paul think as he looked over the ship's side and thought of the disciples at Ephesus and Troas ? "I shall never see them again; but God can keep them," ch. XX. 32. Overhead the stars: would they not tell the same tale to Paul as they did to Isaiah? ch. xl. 26.

RHODES.-Through narrow straits, round a promontory, a course of fifty miles, and then the ship drops anchor near the beautiful city of Rhodes, on the island of the same name. "The

sun shone every day at Rhodes," and the vegetation was exceedingly rich. You may think of that. In the old time there was a huge statue there, one hundred and five feet high, called the Colossus: one of the seven wonders of the old world. But let us remember it most because out there, amongst a group of ships, there is a little craft which has on board the great Apostle Paul.

PATARA.-A town on the mainland reached during the same day as that on which the coaster left Rhodes. Snowy mountains would greet the eye of the travellers; but Paul's mind' would be over the mountains. There lay Perga, Lystra, Antioch in Pisidia, Phrygia, Galatia. Sad at heart he was in anticipating the future; but thankful he must have been in recalling that past in which his hand had sown the seed of life in all those regions. Our little vessel must now be left; it is going no further, or it is about to continue its tedious course of taking in and taking out cargo at every little port on the Southern coast of Asia Minor. Paul will never at that rate get to Jerusalem by Pentecost. Here, in the harbour, is a large vessel about to sail across the open sea to Phoenicia. So the little company change ships, and ere the sun sets, sail out of Patara. Let us remember Patara because there

Paul said good-bye to the little coaster which had brought him from Assos and his company from Troas, ch. XX. 13, 14.

TYRE.-V. 3-6. The ship sails on through the night, and on the next morning Luke looks over the bright sea; what is that Northward ? A cloud? No, land: comes closer; soon past; but no little talk amongst the missionaries about that island, of a journey there long ago. What was it? Compare ch. xiii. 4. On the third day, the voyage of three hundred and forty miles is completed, and the ship enters the docks of Tyre. Very likely she has brought corn from the Black Sea, and now must unload. Disciples not numerous here: had to be sought for. A church formed in the days of the dispersion, ch. xi. 19. Paul must have passed through Tyre on the journeys referred to ch. xi. 29, 30; xv. 3. The disciples are found; many happy meetings, and at least one Lord's day with them: like that one at Troas. Some here know of the afflictions that await Paul; but they misinterpret the Spirit's meaning, and say "Do not go." The day of separation comes; some distance from the town to the docks; the whole body of disciples, children included, accompany the missionaries : pass under the city gate; reach the sea-beach; yonder is the ship shaking out sails; they can only say farewell upon their knees. Now we have something by which to remember Tyre; the crowd kneeling by the sea, and Paul in the midst of them.

PTOLEMAIS, V. 7,-the modern Acre, a little to the south of Tyre; here the ship terminated its voyage, and the missionary company halted only one day.

CÆSAREA. V. 8 14. Several things by which to remember this town; we meet an old friend here, Acts vi. 5; viii. 5, 26, 40; at Cæsarea we still find him. What is Philip called here? He had become a missionary, working from Cæsarea as a central station into the country round. So we remember Cæsarea by Philip and his four daughters. Peter would remember Cæsarea, Acts x. 24. Philip, Peter; now another "P," Paul. We find the Apostle in a new position: a

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grave man from a distant city (who?) takes the cord or sash from Paul's waist; binds his own hands and feet with it. How every one looks at him! What does it mean? ver. 11. That action was like one of the old prophets, Isai. xx. 2; Jer. xiii. 1-7. The disciples now saw what was coming; they misinterpret the events foretold. The victim alone knew their true meaning, ver. 13. The sorrowing friends saw God's will in the Apostle's determination, ver. 14. That last scene is enough to make Cæsarea for ever memorable.

JERUSALEM.-V. 15, 16. The phrase, took up our carriages, should be rendered, "packed up our luggage;" similar use of the words Judges xviii. 21; 1 Sam. xvii. 22. Mnason, a Cyprian by birth, has settled in his old age at Jerusalem; he offers a home to the Apostle; and so, with a group of Cæsarean sympathisers, Paul for the last time enters Jerusalem, so far as our records serve.

REFLECTIONS. 1. Prayer is the natural expression of strong feeling,love is purified, grief assuaged by it. See ch. xx. 36; xxi. 5.

2. A good man seeks good men,-see ver. 4. Young Christians are safest and happiest in the fellowship of the Church.

3. A man must, after all, be the judge of his own duty.-The love of the disciples both at Tyre and Cæsarea, mistook the path of duty. Paul dared not to listen to them. Natural affection must not be allowed to interfere with duty.

4. Godliness is the nerve of courage.See Paul's words, ver. 13. So also Luther at Worms.

5. Such courage is always influential for good.-Weak men are perverted by inconsistency and compromise in others. But all look up to the strong will of a good man.

QUESTIONS.-What is the peculiarity of this Lesson? What was the first island at which St. Paul called? Where did Paul see one of the wonders of the world? Where did he change vessels? To what port did the new ship sail? What happened there? Who was found at Cæsarea? Who brought sad forebodings there? what? How did Paul act in reference to them? Who became Paul's host at Jerusalem?