DAVID SPEAKING FROM HE HILL-TOP.-" In the till, clear, mountain air (of Palestine) sounds are heard with much greater distinctness than in humid climates."

HUNTING THE PARTRIDGE." In the East the falcon is employed for this purpose. He is launched from the sportsman's hand and swoops down upon his victim like an eagle hasting to he prey. There is something almost Satanic in his eyes, and in the ferocity with which he drinks the warm life-blood of his victim."-Thompson.

DAVID was the one poor partridge for whom Saul and his 3,000 were hunting.

leep of
econd temptation S

SE

lay pear taken from peech of David to in confessed by FORBEARANCE. Sir Eardley Wilmot being told he had a fair opportunity of taking advantage of a bitter enemy replied, "I wish not to plunder him, but there are things I wish to take from him-not his honour, his wealth, or his life, but his malice and illwill."

March 13.-Morning.

David's Forbearance.

READING, 1 Samuel xxvi. 5—25 GOLDEN TEXT,
Prov. xvi. 32.

David is presented in our lesson as a ruler over the kingdom of self. We have him

I.-Tempted to slay his Enemy. Vers. 5-8. This not the first temptation (chap. xxiv.). He resisted the first, seemed to have turned his enemy into his friend; result showed that he had only taken off the top of the weed of Saul's enmity, the root still in the ground of his heart now springs up again. Note the circumstances under which presented, and by whom. Abishai, a friend. "A man's foes of his own household." He pointed out (ver. 8) what God had done-it must surely be providential; and what he proposed to do. Would David give the word?

II.-Forbearing to slay his Enemy.

Ver. 9-12. His refusal is marked by promptness. Had he paused to argue, the pause might have been fatal. Was this second seeking to slay David the reward of David's first forbearing to slay Saul? First words in the hour of temptation, like first fruits, tell the character of the tree. His refusal revealed loyalty (ver. 9), faith (ver. 10), patience (ver. 11), wisdom (ver. 12).

III.-Words to his Enemy.

Ver. 13-20. Picture Saul's waking, the first voice which greets his ears being that of David. Notice words of questioning (ver. 18). The presence of the spear and cruse in his hands told of the absence of evil from his hands. Words of suggestion (ver. 19). Words of appeal (ver. 20).

IV. Confession from his Enemy.

Ver. 21-25. As to his own sin-" sinned, played the fool, erred exceedingly." This was what he had done, observe what he would no more do. No doubt honestly meant at the time, just as are "the sorrows and resolutions of many into whose consciences the light has for a time fallen." As to David's future the hand that can restrain itself from doing evil things is the hand of which we may prophesy that it will surely do great things.

W. H. WHITBREAD.

ONE OF THE PHARISEES. -Simon-a man otherwise unknown-not Simon the leper (Matt. xxvi. 6).

SAT DOWN, RECLINED (see page 111).

A WOMAN.-Otherwise unknown. There is no proof that she was either Mary Magdalene or the sister of Lazarus (John xi. 2).

FIVE HUNDRED PENCE. -Roman pence, denarii, each worth 7d.; altogether about £15.

NO WATER FOR MY FEET. As the Orientals wore sandals their feet became hot, blistered and dusty with walking, and to wash them was one of the first duties of hospitality (Gen. xviii. 4; xix. 2; xliii. 24).

KISS.-The customary salutation in the East even among men (Gen. xxxiii. 4; Exod. xviii. 7). Not to kiss a guest was an insult.

ANOINT. See Ruth iii. 3; 2 Sam. xii. 20; xiv. 2; Psalm xxiii. 5.

S

THE
inner's Friend.
eeks and
aves the Lost.

A great monarch was
accustomed on certain
occasions to entertain all
the beggars of the city.
Around him were placed
his courtiers, all clothed in
rich apparel; the beggars
sat at the same table in
their rags of poverty. On
one occasion a courtier
having spoiled his silken
apparel, put on the rags
a beggar, and he saw the
king's face as well as if he
had worn his scarlet and
fine linen. If you cannot
come to Jesus as a saint
come as a sinner, come
with simple faith to Him,
and you shall receive joy
and peace.

of

Seen in the woman.

It does not appear how she was brought to feel the sinfulness of her past course, but that she did feel it is evident. She came to Jesus weeping. She had probably heard His instructions— seen His kindness to those whom the Pharisees despised. See the expression of her grateful love (ver 38).

II.-Proud Self-Righteousness.

Seen in Simon. He invited Jesus to his house more to obtain gratification for himself, than to express respect to the Saviour. Regarded the woman with the utmost scorn; indulged in prejudice against Jesus because He permitted her to touch Him. Christ's argument with him indicates that he had thought but very little of his own sinfulness and need of pardoning mercy. His conduct towards Christ manifested anything but love (ver. 44—46).

III.-Christ's Compassion.

Not only permitted the woman to approach Him, but while He remonstrated with Simor He kindly explained the motive of the woman's conduct. He spoke of her love in the company of those who despised her most. How comforted she must have been! If the conduct of Simon had discouraged her, He who had seen and known all her offences, who only had the power to forgive and save, pronounced pardon. Gave her two assurances (ver. 48, 50). So great is the Redeemer's compassion.

LESSON.-Never be ashamed or afraid to acknowledge yourselves sinners against God. Beware of pride and self-righteousness. Seek every opportunity of showing love and gratitude to so gracious a Saviour.

QUESTIONS.-What customs are alluded to? How did the woman show her penitence? In what way were Simon's self-righteousness and pride manifested? How did Christ make His great compassion appear?

MOUNT GILBOA.- A range on the eastern side of the Plain of Esdraelon, or valley of Jezreel. This valley is the naturally provided battle-ground of Palestine."

ARCHERS.-From the earliest times the bow was employed in the chase and in battle. Among the Jews captains and kings' sons used it (1 Sam. xviii. 4; 2 Sam. i. 22); the tribe to which Saul belonged, Benjamin, were expert in its use (1 Chron, xii. 2).

DISCREPANCIES IN THE ACCOUNTS OF SAUL'S DEATH.-Compare with 1 Chron. x.; 1 Sam. xxxi. 3-6; 2 Sam. i. 1-10. "The precise way in which he died cannot be affirmed with certainty.

Certainly he asked his armour-bearer to put him out of his misery, but found him unwilling to touch the Lord's anointed. Then he seems to have fallen on his own sword, the armour-bearer following his example. And very possibly, ere life was quite extinct, the wild Amalekite came up and finished the work."

DIED ON THE
Bad day for Israel.
Archers wound Saul.
The last request.
The Philistines triumph
Loyalty of men of Jabesh
End of self-will.

FIELD.

THE LAST MORNING OF SAUL'S LIFE." In experimenting on the chemical agency of light we find that there are certain circumstances un der which the very rays of the sun itself falling on an object will make its colour black. Such must have been the effect of the morning on Saul."

Ver. 3-7. Suicide one who kills himself, dies by his own hand. Such was Saul. A suicide in two senses, the first common to every sinner (Hos. xiii. 9). Taking away life because of its misery does not lessen but only increases it. Think of his last request, his last thought, his last act. All thought for his body, none for his soul.

III.-Stripping the Garments from Saul.

Ver. 8-10. This but one of several acts, all of which manifested the Philistines' triumph over their foe. All that was left of Saul was in their hands. The head carried in procession was perhaps the great retribution for the fall of their champion at Gath (1 Sam. xvii. 54). One of the race whom he had spared takes his crown (2 Sam. i. 10).

IV.-Seizing the Body of Saul.

Ver. 11, 12. By whom? Why? We are too prone to remember injuries, too apt to forget kindnesses (1 Sam. xi.). Compare (2 Sam. i. 15; ii. 4—7). V.-Self-will the Ruin of Saul,

Ver. 13, 14. Note how "his sin found him out." Doing our own will always wretchedness, doing God's will always blessedness. Illustrate by contrast: Paul, and his last recorded words about his soul (2 Tim. i. 12; iv. 6—8).

David's words concerning Saul after his death are of a piece with all said about him during his life, and teach us never to perpetuate injuries.

W. H. WHITBREAD.

RULER OF THE SYNAGOGUE.-One of those who, as men of credit and piety, were 'selected in every town to direct the worship in the synagogue, and to govern its affairs.

DAUGHTER ABOUT TWELVE.-After that age, according to Jewish custom, she would have no longer been called little (Mark V. 22)-she would be spoken of as a young

woman.

BEWAILED.-Avery loud mourning, made by friends and persons hired for the purpose. Customary to mourn thus up to the time of burial (Jer. ix. 17; Amos v. 16; John xi. 19, 31 -33).

SLEEPETH.-That He might make them bear witness to the reality of the miracle; or He might intend to remind them of the true nature of death. It was but as a sleep (John xi. 11; 1 Thess. iv. 13-15).

LAUGHED. Rudely and contemptuously ridiculed what He had said.

IN

ILLUSTRATIONS. ELIJAH raised a dead young man, but he cried unto Jehovah, &c. (1 Kings xvii. 21, 22). ELISHA brought the son of the Shunammite to life, but he did it by praying to the Lord (2 Kings iv. 33). PETER kneeled down and prayed before he restored Dorcas (Acts. ix. 40). CHRIST, as Lord of life and death, takes hold of the maiden, and speaks with tenderness and authority, and her spirit returns.

March 20.-Afternoon.

The Daughter of Jairus.

READING, Luke viii. 41-56. GOLDEN TEXT, ver. 54. The teaching must centre round the miracle specially named, treating the healing of the woman (ver. 43 -48) as we go along. Picture

I-Sorrow in the Home.

The chief presiding officer of the synagogue at Capernaum has an only child, the light of his homedying. No other bright face to occupy her place should she be really taken away. Sorrow indeed! Hard to bear without Christ.

II.-Sorrow taken to Jesus.

Trouble often sends people to Christ who would otherwise not go at all. The ruler no doubt knew of others whom Christ had blessed. He would ask His help. "Helping others, O help me!"

III.-A Lesson by the Way.

A woman reduced to a very pitiable state of deep poverty by her affliction. She seeks Jesus and is healed. The ruler when he

saw her would learn that his was not the only case of sorrow, and he would be encouraged. What sorrows there are now to be soothed! sinful souls to be healed!

IV.-Sorrowful Message from Home. Worst fears realized. The suggestion of the messengers, "Trouble not," &c. Jesus comforts him. The heavier our trouble the greater His sympathy— the more precious He is.

V.-The Return Home with Jesus.

The mourners laughed and scorned Jesus. They could see the child was really dead. What Jesus did. His tender words, "Talitha, cumi," i.e., "Little maid, arise." The witnesses to this wonderful miracle. The awed parents.

LESSONS.-Bring every want and sorrow to Jesus. Do not be the least superstitious. Come boldly to Him, like the leper (Matt. viii. 2). Tell gratefully of what Jesus does for you. Have faith like the ruler, without which it is impossible to please the Author and Finisher of our faith.

GIBEON. Situate six and a half miles from Jerusalem, in the tribe of Benjamin. There the old faded and worn tabernacle was still standing.

WISDOM.-The wisdom Solomon sought was not wisdom in spiritual things -heart-religion-of which his father had so large a measure, but "that of which he had already enough to be able to appreciate the value of its increase-practical wisdom, sagacity, clearness of judgment and intellect in the administration of justice, and in the conduct of public affairs, with aptitude for the acquisition and use of the higher branches of philosophical knowledge, natural and moral, which constituted the learning of his age."

an

HUMILITY.-Wise men know their own ignorance, and are ever ready to learn. Michael Angelo was found by the Cardinal Farnese walking in solitude, amid the ruins of the Coliseum, and when he expressed his surprise the great artist answered, “I go yet to school that I may continue to learn."

The beginning of a new reign a trying time. Would be more so to Solomon than to David. Circumstances of his early life so different. Nursed in the lap of luxury; knew nothing of the discipline of trial (read Tuck's "First Three Kings of Israel," part ii., p. 83). Still God had given him a work to do, and at the beginning of it says in effect, "What can I give you to help you to do it?"

I.-The Offer made to Solomon. Ver. 3-5. When he had made an offering to God, God makes an offer to him. He had shown no stint in what he had given to God, God shows none in His offer of a gift to him. When? Night-the beginning of his reign. How? In a dream. What? One likely to bring out his real character.

II. The Request made by Solomon. Ver. 6-9. The acknowledgment made in the request. Before he asks anything for himself he thanks God for what He had given to his father. The spirit manifest in the request. Shows that the subject of his work had been the theme of his thought. Reveals humility, "a little child," "a great people." Read Prov. xv. 14. Contrast-Absalom (2 Sam. xv. 4). The subject of the request. Wisdom to govern. "He showed his wisdom by asking for wisdom."

III. The blessing conferred on Solomon. What he asked (ver. 11, 12). Note in what measure. Read chap. iv. 29. More than he asked (ver. 13, 14). What God said in a dream to Solomon He says in His word to us (Matt. vii. 7). What Solomon needed we need. Each one of us enters this world a little child in the midst of a great people. Shall we ask for wisdom, heavenly wisdom, "Christ the wisdom of God"? (Prov. iv. 7; Job xxviii. 28; 1 Cor. i, 24). We shall receive what we ask (Prov. ii. 6; Jas. i. 5), more than we ask (Matt. vi. 33). Close the lesson with verses, "A king for earthly wisdom prayed" (Whately's Evidences, page 82).

W. H. WHITBREAD.