按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
the conviction that they have been in the wrong sometimes takes deep hold
upon their minds。 The Spirit of the Lord strives with them； and they humble
their hearts before God； and before those whose influence they have sought
to destroy； and they may change their course toward them。 But as they again
open the door to the suggestions of the evil one； the old doubts are
revived； the old enmity is awakened； and they return to engage in the same
work which they repented of； and for a time abandoned。 Again they speak
evil； accusing and condemning in the bitterest manner the very ones to whom
they made most humble confession。 Satan can use such souls with far greater
power after such a course has been pursued than he could before； because
they have sinned against greater light。
〃And Samuel died； and all the Israelites were gathered together； and
lamented him； and buried him in his house at Ramah。〃 The death of Samuel was
regarded as an irreparable loss by the nation of Israel。 A great and good
prophet and an eminent judge had fallen in death； and the grief of the
people was deep and heartfelt。 From his youth up Samuel had walked before
Israel in the integrity of his heart； although Saul had been the
acknowledged king； Samuel had wielded a more powerful influence than he；
because his record was one of faithfulness； obedience； and devotion。 We read
that he judged Israel all the days of his life。
As the people contrasted the course of Saul with that of Samuel； they saw
what a mistake they had made in desiring a king that they might not be
different from the nations around them。 Many looked with alarm at the
condition of society； fast becoming leavened with irreligion and
godlessness。 The example of their ruler was exerting a widespread influence；
and well might Israel mourn that Samuel； the prophet of the Lord； was dead。
The nation had lost the founder and president of its sacred schools； but
that was not all。 It had lost him to whom the people had been accustomed to
go with their great troubleslost one who had constantly interceded with
God in behalf of the best interests of its people。 The intercession of
Samuel had given a feeling of security； for 〃the effectual fervent prayer of
a righteous man availeth much。〃 James 5：16。 The people felt now that God was
forsaking them。 The king seemed little less than a madman。 Justice was
perverted； and order was turned to confusion。
664
It was when the nation was racked with internal strife； when the calm；
God…fearing counsel of Samuel seemed to be most needed； that God gave His
aged servant rest。 Bitter were the reflections of the people as they looked
upon his quiet resting place； and remembered their folly in rejecting him as
their ruler； for he had had so close a connection with Heaven that he seemed
to bind all Israel to the throne of Jehovah。 It was Samuel who had taught
them to love and obey God； but now that he was dead； the people felt that
they were left to the mercies of a king who was joined to Satan； and who
would divorce the people from God and heaven。
David could not be present at the burial of Samuel； but he mourned for him
as deeply and tenderly as a faithful son could mourn for a devoted father。
He knew that Samuel's death had broken another bond of restraint from the
actions of Saul； and he felt less secure than when the prophet lived。 While
the attention of Saul was engaged in mourning for the death of Samuel； David
took the opportunity to seek a place of greater security； so he fled to the
wilderness of Paran。 It was here that he composed the one hundred and
twentieth and twenty…first psalms。 In these desolate wilds； realizing that
the prophet was dead； and the king was his enemy； he sang：
〃My help cometh from the Lord；
Which made heaven and earth。
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved：
He that keepeth thee will not slumber。
Behold； He that keepeth Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep。 。 。 。
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil：
He shall preserve thy soul。
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy
coming in
From this time forth； and even forevermore。〃
Psalm 121：2…8。
While David and his men were in the wilderness of Paran； they protected from
the depredations of marauders the flocks and herds of a wealthy man named
Nabal； who had vast possessions in that region。 Nabal was a descendant of
Caleb； but his character was churlish and niggardly。
It was the time of sheepshearing； a season of hospitality。 David and his men
were in sore need of provisions； and in accordance with the custom of the
times； the son of Jesse sent ten young
665
men to Nabal； bidding them greet him in their master's name； and he added：
〃Thus shall ye say to him that liveth in prosperity； Peace be both to thee；
and peace be to thine house； and peace be unto all that thou hast。 And now I
have heard that thou hast shearers： now thy shepherds which were with us； we
hurt them not； neither was there aught missing unto them； all the while they
were in Carmel。＇* NOT MOUNT CARMEL； BUT A PLACE IN THE TERRITORY OF JUDAH；
NEAR THE HILL TOWN OF MAON。＇ Ask thy young men； and they will show thee。
Wherefore let the young men find favor in thine eyes； for we come in a good
day： give； I pray thee； whatsoever cometh to thine hand unto thy servants；
and to thy son David。〃
David and his men had been like a wall of protection to the shepherds and
flocks of Nabal； and now this rich man was asked to furnish from his
abundance some relief to the necessities of those who had done him such
valuable service。 David and his men might have helped themselves from the
flocks and herds； but they did not。 They behaved themselves in an honest
way。 Their kindness； however； was lost upon Nabal。 The answer he returned to
David was indicative of his character： 〃Who is David？ and who is the son of
Jesse？ There be many servants nowadays that break away every man from his
master。 Shall I then take my bread； any my water； and my flesh that I have
killed for my shearers； and give it unto men； whom I know not whence they
be？〃
When the young men returned empty…handed and related the affair to David； he
was filled with indignation。 He commanded his men to equip themselves for an
encounter； for he had determined to punish the man who had denied him what
was his right； and had added insult to injury。 This impulsive movement was
more in harmony with the character of Saul than with that of David； but the
son of Jesse had yet to learn of patience in the school of affliction。
One of Nabal's servants hastened to Abigail； the wife of Nabal； after he had
dismissed David's young men； and told her what had happened。 〃Behold；〃 he
said； 〃David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master； and
he railed on them。 But the men were very good unto us； and we were not hurt；
neither missed we anything； as long as we were conversant with them； when we
were in the fields。 They we