The Geography. During these centuries, our forefathers continued to live in Palestine. At first, we occupied only a narrow strip of territory, extending a few miles on each side of the Jordan; but, later, once under Solomon, and again under Jeroboam II, our empire was bounded on the west, and south by the desert, on the east by the Mediterranean and on the north by the Orontes. Our nation came in contact with many other peoples, so that we will have to learn where the Edomites, the Moabites, the Ammonites, the Midianites, the Philistines, the Phoenicians, the Arameans and the Assyrians lived. Locate these countries on the map.

The Leading Actors. The chief characters will be kings and prophets, and I think you will come to like the prophets better than you do the kings. The kings made our nation; the prophets built up our religion. The kings fought battles; the prophets taught the difference between right and wrong. The history of other peoples is constructed around their kings; the history of our people is centered around the prophets.

The Chief Periods. The year's work falls into two great periods:

1. The Period of the United Kingdom (1030-937 B.C.E.), which we did not complete in the first volume. 2. The Period of the Divided Kingdom (937-721 B.C.E.).* Suggestion. Let the pupils color map No. 1 in The Littlefield Outline Political Maps.

Lesson 31. A KING'S MEAN JEALOUSY. Saul's Attempt to Kill David

(Taken from I Sam. 18:6-19:17.)

1. THE TEACHER'S PREPARATION.

The Method of Teaching. Re-read the Introduction on page 5 below. In Gregory, The Seven Laws of Teaching study pp. 1-14, and in your note-book write answers to the following questions: 1. Define the word Teaching. 2. State

*Additional suggestions for the "preview" may be found on pp. 135

the Seven Laws as Rules. 3. Estimate the value of enthusiasm in a teacher's success.

The Material for Teaching. Do all the work assigned in Lesson XXXI of the Junior Bible. Consult Montefiore, The Bible for Home Reading, Part I, pp. 200-203; Graetz, History of the Jews, Vol. I, pp. 90-100; Ginzberg, Legends of The Jews, Vol. IV, pp. 89-101; Shepard, Young Folks' Josephus, pp. 137-139; the articles "David" in the Jewish Encyclopedia and The Standard Bible Dictionary.

The Religion of Israel. In Addis, Hebrew Religion study pp. 1-14, and in your note-book write answers to the following questions: 1. Why is it necessary to follow the historical method of inquiry in studying the religion of Israel? 2. Make an outline of the Chief Divisions in the History under seven headings.

2. THE AIM.

Saul, whose young life opened with such promise, becomes today a disappointment. Heretofore, his modesty, bravery and prompt action called forth our warmest admiration. These qualities, together with his trust in the Lord, won for him the kingship. From now on, however, we can find but little in his conduct worthy of commendation. It was an insignificant trifle that started him on the decline-merely a petty feeling of jealousy implanted in him by the chorus of a popular song, a feeling which, however, left unchecked, soon grew so to dominate his life that it first mastered, and finally destroyed, the nobler traits of his character. Teach this lesson, therefore, so that when your pupils leave the class room they will have determined to drive from their hearts the very first traces of envy that seek lodgment there.

3. POINT OF CONTACT.

Have you ever seen an eagle? Why is the eagle called the king of birds? Yes, because of its strength, size and powers of flight. There is a fable about an eagle that was chosen king of these kings of birds, because it could fly farther than any of its rivals. One day, however, there came along a young eagle that could out-do even the best record of the king. From that moment, the old bird began

secretly to plot the ruin of the innocent new-comer. While seated on a tree one morning, it chanced to observe a huntsman and thus addressed him, "Mr. Hunter, will you please shoot that conceited young eagle that you see flying there in the distance?" "Gladly, if I could," replied the adventurous youth, "but my arrows lack the feathers necessary for such a long shot.'

"Here, take this," eagerly responded the old king-bird, plucking one of the largest plumes from its own wing.

With a twang, the missile was sent on its way, but fell a little short of its mark.

"Here are two more of my most beautiful feathers," exclaimed the old eagle.

Equipped even with these, the arrow could not reach the distant bird. Again and yet again, the jealous king plucked the feathers from its back, until boiling with rage, it was forced to recognize that all its efforts had been in vain. After angrily rebuking the huntsman, it raised its wings to fly away! But, alas! Jealousy had robbed those strong pinions of their accustomed power. With a thud, the old eagle fell to the ground, where the huntsman, chafing under the scolding, quickly put an end to the unhappy bird.

Do you know why I told you this story? Because jealousy against an innocent young rival once robbed a strong old king of Israel of his strength.

4. EXPLANATORY NOTES.*

Ethical Topic-Jealousy.

Date. About the first quarter of the eleventh century B.C.E.

Place. Gibeah in Benjamin, the capital of Saul's kingdom.

Underwood & Underwood Stereograph-10934, Gibeah of

Saul.

THE WELCOME HOME.-The joyful news of David's bravery in slaying Goliath, and of Israel's victory over the Philistines was quickly carried to Gibeah. The enthusias

*The Explanatory Notes in these lessons do not re-tell the Bible story. Their primary purpose is merely to explain and amplify the text.

tic inhabitants immediately prepared to welcome their heroes home with a grand triumphal procession. The women and girls always played a conspicuous part in such celebrations, dancing before their deliverers and singing songs in praise of the nation's champions. On the present occasion, as the women danced, they "sang one to another"; that is, antiphonally. For example, one group sang the line, "Saul has slain his thousands"; and another group responded, "And David his ten thousands." This refrain became so popular that it was soon well known even among the Philistines,* and forms only a fragment of a much longer song, the remainder having been lost. One wonders whether the princess, Michal, was leading the maidens who sang and danced in honor of David.

JEALOUSY AROUSED.—It was nothing more serious than the chorus of this popular melody that first implanted in Saul's blood the germs of envy. Had he at once nobly striven to drive out these early impulses from his heart, he doubtless would have been able to continue his reign unto the end as gloriously as he had begun it. But, instead of attempting to master himself, he yielded to the first, second and third impulse, until jealousy so infected his entire being that it almost completely destroyed his former power. However, in seeking to be just to Saul, we must remember that there were at least three reasons that rendered it easy for envy to find lodgment in his heart. First, every oriental king must constantly be on his guard lest some popular hero rise up and slay him; secondly, the founder of a kingdom in any country sits too insecurely on his new throne to welcome cordially to the army a warrior more able than himself; thirdly, Saul was subject to fits of melancholia induced probably by the numerous difficulties and intense mental pressure under which he was reigning. JEALOUSY CREATES FEAR AND SUSPICION.-Jealousy is caused by an anxious longing for that which some one else already possesses, or may in the future possess; and the jealous man usually seeks to attain the object of his desire, not by proving himself more worthy of it than is his rival, but by plotting to ruin his rival. Saul longed for David's popularity, and decided that the best way to win *See I Sam. 21:11.

that popularity was by slaying David. The moment the king heard the refrain of the song, his imagination began to conjure up all sorts of groundless suspicions that led him to fancy that his life was unsafe in the presence of this young champion of Israel. Accordingly, having determined to keep David at a distance, Saul at once removed him from his position as court musician, and appointed him "commander over a thousand," or, as we would say, colonel of a regiment. Constantly on the firing line, the young colonel would be likely to be killed at any moment. In this new position, however, David conducted himself so well that it afforded him merely another opportunity to become better acquainted with the soldiers and to win the love of all Israel and Judah.

DAVID'S MARRIAGE TO MICHAL.-Thus thwarted in his first attempt, Saul now formed a second treacherous design against the young colonel's life. So unnatural a father had the king become that, in order to further his nefarious scheme, he did not hesitate to make base use of his daughter's pure love for David. He craftily caused the following false message to be delivered to this popular son of Jesse: "See, the king is pleased with you and all his servants love you; now, therefore, become the king's sonin-law." Since it was customary for the bridegroom to present a generous marriage-gift to his prospective fatherin-law, David modestly replied that he was not rich enough to aspire to the hand of Michal, nor indeed well known enough to become the son-in-law of a king. Having planned on this reply, Saul with an outward show of magnanimity but with the inner hope that David would lose his life in the undertaking, declared that, in lieu of the usual marriage-gift, he would be content to accept the scalps of a hundred Philistines. It was not a very difficult matter for the slayer of Goliath to meet this requirement. Thus, Saul's plot defeated itself; for David, as the king's son-in-law, had a better chance now than ever before of ascending the throne.

JONATHAN INTERCEDES IN BEHALF OF DAVID.-Having failed in his secret plans, the king now called a meeting of his cabinet which was attended by "all his servants,' or ministers, and Jonathan; but instead of discussing some