He has heard no tidings since he was dismissed by Achish. How eagerly he would look for news! At length a runner arrives with every mark of mourning, his clothes rent, and earth upon his head. He bows himself before David as before the king of Israel. He has escaped from the camp of Israel. Mark the anxiety apparent in David's question. How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. The story of disaster is soon told, the people, etc. Half hoping it is not all true, David inquires, How knowest thou? etc. Ver. 6-10 contain the messenger's reply. Contrast the account of Saul's death with that of ch. xxxi. 1-6. Evidently the Amalekite's story was false. Probably what actually occurred was something like the following: the Amalekite found the body of Saul before it was recognised by the Philistines, ch. xxxi. 8, 9; he appropriated the crown, the royal helmet, and the bracelet, for the sake of the gold and the jewels with which they were studded. Then he imagined David would reward him highly if he brought him intelligence of the death of his implacable enemy, and the ensigns of royalty. To enhance his merit, as he thought, he lyingly ascribed to himself the death of the King. Let us see how his lie prospered. THE MESSENGER'S REWARD.-V. 11 -16. Ver. 11, 12 relate how David and his people mourned for the national disgrace and loss, for the fate of Saul and Jonathan. Whence art thou?-David's tone and manner, as well as his manifest grief, showed the He messenger he was in danger. answers, I am the son, etc.,-one who owed no allegiance to the King of Israel. David's next question, How wast thou not? etc.,-presumes that the Amalekite had lived among the Israelites, and understood the guilt of slaying the Lord's anointed. David's feeling was genuine; twice he had spared Saul's life for the very reason he had just given. When? Sentence is speedily pronounced: the Amalekite is executed. If he were put to death for a crime he had not committed, David was guiltless, he had acted upon the man's own word; Thy mouth hath testified, etc. 1. A lesson of magnanimity may be drawn from the manner in which David received the intelligence of Saul's defeat and death. Saul had persecuted David, had testified his hatred to him by word and deed. He being removed, the throne was David's. Yet the outlaw, who is now a king, mourns for him! Naturally we feel pleasure at the misfortunes of our enemies; only the grace of God can raise us above this sin. Cultivate a generous, a forgiving spirit. Remember Him Who" while we were yet sinners ..died for us.' 2. Our Lesson contains a warning against lying,-which often does not advantage the liar even temporarily. 3. "Thy mouth hath testified against thee,"-be careful of your words, lest David's saying to the Amalekite be true of us at the last day. QUESTIONS.-Where was David? How long had he been there! Who came to him? What tidings did he bring? Were they all true? How much was true? how much false? How did David receive the news! What followed? Point out the guilt of the Amalekite. What have you learnt about magnanimity? about lying? about words? DECEMBER 27.- -THE SONG OF THE BOW.2 Samuel i. 17-27. INTRODUCTION.-David's lamentation over Saul and Jonathan was intended to be sung or chanted. It was written in poetry, not in rhyme, but something like our blank-verse. The following translation and arrangement (see Kiel and Delitsch, and Kitto) will help the teacher and scholars to realise this: On thy heights, O Israel, is the ornament slain ! O, how are the mighty fallen! * Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph! Ye mountains of Gilboa, let not dew or rain *The lines in italics form the chorus. MORNING LESSONS. be upon you, or fields of first-fruit offerings: For there is the shield of the mighty defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan turn'd not back, And in death ye were not divided. Daughters of Israel, weep ye for Saul: How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan (is) slain upon thy heights. I am distress'd for thee, my brother Jonathan : O, how are the mighty fallen, THE SONG OF THE Bow.-In the 137 oil,' i.e., not cleansed and polished with oil, so that the marks of Saul's blood still adhered to it."-Kiel and Delitsch. Though they were defeated, yet the King and his son had fought bravely, for from the blood of the slain, etc. Lovely and pleasant, etc.-refers chiefly to the mutual affection of father and son. He arrayed you, etc.,—in the spoil of enemies conquered in battle: compare Judges v. 30. For his friend Jonathan, David mourns separately. Give instances of Jonathan's love to David. The ode concludes with "a. brief after-tone of sorrow." The weapons of war,-are the heroes themselves. Mark, again, David's noble spirit as shown (1) in his generosity to Saul; he tells all the good of him he can, says naught of the evil. (2) In his gratitude to Jonathan; he repaid eighteenth verse, the words, the use of, friendship with friendship. (3) In his are in italics. What does that mean? That they are not in the Original, but have been supplied by the translators. Read without the italics, the passage would be, Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the Bow. "The Bow" being the title given to the elegy. See Illustration. The Book of Jasher-is not now extant; probably it was a collection of poems. The ornament of Israel,-Saul and Jonathan. Thy heights.-Gilboa belonged to Israel; so ver. 25. Gath..Askelon,the two principal towns of the Philistines. Lest the daughters, etc.,-in allusion to the custom of women celebrating victories with songs and dances, Exod. xv. 20, 21; Judges xi. 34; 1 Sam. xviii. 6. The Philistines' joy would increase David's grief. Fields of first-fruit offerings,-fields from which first-fruits could be taken, therefore the most fertile. As is frequent in poetry, the singer calls upon nature to sympathise with his sorrow. The shield..not anointed with oil.-The shield had been defiled with the blood of its owner. "Not anointed with concern for God's honour; he would not have the heathen rejoice in the defeat of God's people. (4) In his love for his country; he mourned over her disaster, though it advantaged himself. Jonathan's love to David may illustrate Christ's love to us. What had Jonathan done and borne for David? What has Christ done and borne for us? Isai. liii. 4-6; Gal. iii. 13, 14; Phil. ii. 5-8. Jonathan's love for David won David's love for him in return. Can you say this of Christ's love to you? His love to you is wonderful, "passing the love of woman," of mother even. Can you say of and to Him, Very pleasant art Thou to me? QUESTIONS.-Is this elegy poetry or prose? Explain the title of the song. What was "the Book of Jasher"? Explain "the ornament of Israel," "thy heights," "lest the daughters," etc., "fields of first-fruit offerings,' "the shield...not anointed with oil," "he arrayed you in scarlet," etc., "the instruments of war." How does this elegy indicate David's character? How may Jonathan's love to David illustrate Christ's love to us? Illustrations.-I. THE SONG OF THE BOW. "That 'the Bow' should be the title assigned to this lamentation will not surprise those who look to the titles of some of the Psalms, such as 'Hind of the Morning,' 'Mute Dove among Strangers,' the 'Lilies,' [Psalms xxii., lvi., xlv., etc.] and others, having some kind of reference to the contents, besides others which denote the instruments whose music accompanied them. It is easy to see why this poem should bear the name of Keseth, or 'The Bow.' First, probably, because it was occasioned by the Philistine archers:* and also, it would seem, with special regard to the bow of Saul and that of Jonathan, both of which are emphatically noticed in this lament [Kitto renders "bow" for "shield," v. 21]. And the allusion to the bow of Jonathan, which turned not back from the blood of the slain, could not but suggest to David another recollection of that bow, out of which, in a day tenderly remembered, was shot the arrow which was to be to him the signal of safety or of danger. At that time it was that the brotherly covenant was made, and that affection was expressed between the two which was greater than the love of woman."-Kitto. II. “THE BOOK OF JASHER.” "The custom of the Hebrews in giving titles to their sacred books from the initial word is well known; thus, Genesis is called Bereshith, etc. They also sometimes named the book from some remarkable word in the first sentence; thus, the Book of Numbers is sometimes called Bemidbar. We also find in their writings canticles which had been produced on important occasions, introduced by some form of this kind; Az jashar, ‘Then sang,' thus, Az jashir Mosheh, 'Then sang Moses.' (Exod. xv. 1.) Thus, 'The Book of Jasher' is supposed to have been some collection of sacred songs composed at different times and on different occasions, and to have had this title, because the book itself, and most of the songs began, in general, with the word Re-jasher."-Bible Cyclopædia. AFTERNOON LESSONS. BY THE REV. W. O. SIMPSON. DECEMBER 6.- -PAUL AT ROME.—Acts_xxviii. 15—31. SUMMARY.-Paul, on his approach to Rome, is met by two bands of Christian brethren. After his arrival, he seeks out a lodging, and sends for his fellowcountrymen, and a meeting is arranged for. Paul enforces the Gospel: the Jews are divided in opinion, and ultimately the unbelieving portion, the majority, depart. Paul betakes himself to "his own hired house," where for two years, he, still bound with a chain, preaches the Gospel freely. PAUL TAKES COURAGE.-V. 15, 16. We left Paul at Puteoli. Thence Julius and his prisoners march by a road as good as any in England, for a distance of seventy-eight miles, to a place called Terracina: through a very beautiful country, yet Paul felt sad; he was nearing Rome: but he was a prisoner, and the immediate future was uncertain. From Terracina, two routes were practicable; one by road, the other by canal on boats drawn by mules. Whether of the two was taken by the Apostle we do not know. Where road and canal met there was Appii Forum: there the boats were unloaded; travellers halted; horses were changed; and around and amongst the conveyances, and at the porches of the Rest-houses, crowds were gathered: for Rome, with its two millions of inhabitants, was now little more than forty miles away. The scene would not be very different from that at a posting-house, fifty miles from London in the old coaching days. Julius and his band approach one of the posthouses; persons rush from amidst the crowd, seize the hands of the wearied Apostle and his companions, and mutual joy expresses itself in mutual embraces. These were the brethren, ver. 15: amongst them probably Aquila and Priscilla, and many who had seen the Apostle in the cities of Greece and Asia, during the time of their own banishment. Eighteen miles further on, there was another Post-house, called the Three Taverns: here a second body of "brethren awaited the Apostle, and he took courage. Everything brightened: so, on, past villas, through narrow streets, to the barracks of the Prætorian guard. Here the prisoners were given up. Probably through the influence of * 1 Samuel xxxi. 3. AFTERNOON LESSONS. Julius, a kindly treatment was extended to the Apostle. One of the brethren, perhaps Aquila again, offered him 'lodging," and thither he went, with the unavoidable accompaniments of the soldier and the chain. PAUL'S FIRST INTERVIEW WITH THE JEWS AT ROME.-V. 17-22. The Jews were very numerous in Rome; as may be inferred from the fact that more than eight thousand of them signed on one occasion a petition to the Emperor. Their residences were confined to a particular portion of the city. After the custom of Jewish colonies, they would have a council, a counterpart of, though subordinate to, the Sanhedrim at Jerusalem. The members of it would be the chief men, whom Paul invited to an interview. They come, and Paul addresses them. In what words does he intimate the subject upon which he would most wish to speak? Jesus was the true hope of Israel. In the rulers' reply we find that no official letters concerning Paul had been received from the Sanhedrim; nor had any returning Jews brought news of Paul's accusation and imprisonment. This ignorance of theirs is easily explained. Until he appealed to Cæsar, Paul was a prisoner on trial before a local governor, and there was hope that his case might be decided in local courts. There was no need for any communications with Rome. But such communications were needed when once the appeal was entered. The winter which kept Julius and his prisoners in Malta, would close the seas against voyagers who would not run the risk of an early embarkation as he had done. So neither deputation nor letters had yet reached Rome. PAUL'S SECOND INTERVIEW WITH THE JEWS.-V. 23-29. These "chiefs of the Jews" would be learned men; they were going to have a conversation with a man "mighty in the Scriptures." For though they had not heard of Paul being sent amongst them as a prisoner, they must have heard of his conversion and missionary zeal. So these sages would take their Scriptures with them, and in the exciting converse which ensued, the scrolls which contained the Law and the Prophets would be freely handled and consulted. Paul broached the subject of conversation, 139 the kingdom of God, of which David sang and Daniel prophesied, and which was to be founded by the long-expected Messiah. Two words are used to describe the mode of his address. He expounded passages and prophecies out of the Old Testament. He testified, narrated the facts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus which fulfilled these prophecies. What was the issue? ver. 24. As the groups of eager disputants rose to their teet and were about to depart, Paul, by a quotation from Isaiah, uttered a solemn warning. What? ver. 26-28. The Jews had so long refused to see the truth, that now God would not let them see it! Two YEARS IN ROME.-V. 30, 31. A very long delay, but by no means an uncommon one, occurred before Paul was brought to trial; and during it Paul secured better accommodation for himself. The "lodging" of ver. 23 was exchanged for a hired house, the cost of which would probably be defrayed by the "brethren.' It is likely that the house was near the barracks of the Prætorian guard, for the convenience of the soldiers changing guard; and Paul alludes to his dwelling being near Cæsar's "palace," or prætorium, Phil. i. 13. Here he had perfect liberty to preach the Gospel, and in those two years he laid the foundations of the Christianity of the West. REFLECTIONS.-1. Love, courtesy, comfort: Christ creates the three.-The "brethren" loved Jesus, loved one another; will put themselves out of the way to greet the Lord's prisoner; their courtesy gives him courage. The world needs such graces still. 2. Do not be ashamed of Jesus.-Paul was not ashamed of his chain for Christ. See Phil. i. 7, 13, 14, 16; Col. iv. 18; 2 Tim. ii. 9. 3. Keep a clear conscience.-Paul does not shrink from summoning a meeting of the Jews. A good conscience makes a hero; a bad one, a coward. 4. Beware of abusing your privileges. -The Gospel which Paul brought to Rome soon reached England. We have it. Paul's warning (ver. 26) sounds in our ears. An Indian ascetic holds up his arm until it loses the power to move. The impenitence that will not yield, becomes ultimately the impenitence that can not yield. QUESTIONS.-Where did the first group of Christians meet the Apostle? the second? How far were these places from Rome? What arrangement was made for Paul on his arrival? For whom did he send? What statement did he make to them? What was the subject of argument when the Jews came a second time? What was the issue of the controversy? How long was Paul at Rome? Where did he live? How was he occupied ? DECEMBER 13.--PAUL'S WORDS ABOUT HIS "BONDS IN CHRIST."Philippians i. 12—30. For repetition, verses 12, 13. INTRODUCTION.-We left Paulat Rome, and the "Acts" finishes by telling us that he was two years there. What were his feelings during this time? Who were his helpers? What were his troubles? What his joys? How many things there are which we should like to know about him! How do you learn the doings and feelings of a friend at a distance? So we have letters written from Rome, to the Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians and Philemon. We have a paragraph from one of these for this Lesson. See what it tells us about the prisoner at Rome. It tells about PAUL'S BOLDNESS WHILST A PRISONER. -V. 12-14, 20, 30. That perpetual chain and sentinel; the coming trial; the probability of martyrdom; enough to make a man timid and quiet. No; says St. Paul; with all boldness, as always; in synagogues, on Mars'hill, before Agrippa; so now also. His bonds in Christ were manifest in all the palace: in Cæsar's court; see Margin. The soldiers when relieved of duty, by the Apostle's side, talked of him and his words to their companions, and his name became familiar through the barracks and among the household troops of the Emperor. The rumour spread to the servants and courtiers of the palace proper, ch. iv. 22; further still, to the streets of the city. Crowds came to see the notable prisoner. He held up his chain, and told his visitors that it was borne for Christ's sake. Who was Christ? What had He done? Then Paul preached the Gospel boldly. But others came besides soldiers, slaves and citizens; poor timid brethren who had been afraid to speak of Jesus. When they saw and heard the chained Apostle, they returned, saying, "I will never be ashamed of Jesus again; I too will speak for Him," ver. 14. Note here, 1. Jesus can make the most unfriendly circumstances helpful to us and to His cause. 2. Jesus can make us courageous against every foe. 3. One brave soul encourages many timid ones in the pursuit and profession of goodness. PAUL'S TROUBLE WHEN A PRISONER. -V. 15—18. Who were the men here spoken of? Those Jewish Christians of whom we have read before, who wished to make the heathens Jews, before they made them Christians, and who opposed and disliked Paul because he preached that "neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Yet out of his trouble, Paul brought consolation: even his enemies preached Christ, and Christ would be stronger than their bad motives or their errors of teaching. Beware of religious rancour. There are a great many sects in England; different views; often dislike one another; faith and love look to Christ, and say, "He is preached; He will be Conqueror." THE PRISONER'S "EXPECTATION AND HOPE."-V. 20-24. Paul's courage looks at both sides of his position. What does he say about life? ver. 21. He will labour for Christ; have grace from Christ; have communion with Christ. He will live for labour and for fruit, in the conversion of sinful men and the growth of good men, ver. What does he say about death? It would be gain. He gives his reason in ver. 23. He liked this best, to be with Christ in the "many mansions," 24. |