DAVID DELIVERS KEILAH.-The story opens with David's outlaws encamped in the cave of Adullam (A-dú'-lam), a stronghold two or three miles south of Elah where Goliath had met his death. Since Saul, instead of safe-guarding his country, was wasting his time pursuing an imaginary foe, the Philistines took advantage of this strife between Israel's leaders to make a raid on the inadequately protected threshing-floors of Keilah (Ké'-lah), a walled city about three or four miles south of Adullam. By rendering aid to the hard-pressed citizens, David proposed to perform the duty that the king was neglecting. But beie this outlaw chieftain would undertake any venture of importance, he was careful first to ascertain the will of the Lord by consulting the Urim and Thummim* which the fugitive priest, Abiathar, had brought with him from Nob. The response being favorable, David, who as yet seems to have exercised only a general authority over his men, consulted them as to the advisability of attacking the Philistines. His followers, lacking his depth of patriotism, were for abandoning Keilah to its fate; but after the previous interpretation of the divine will had been confirmed at a second consultation, the outlaw band marched forward and delivered the city. Saul, far from feeling grateful for this service, exulted over the supposed predicament into which his enemy had so unwarily fallen.

DAVID'S ESCAPE from Keilah.-Declaring that the Lord had now sold David into his hand, the king summoned a large army to go down and besiege Keilah-a step which he had neglected to take when the city was being plundered by the Philistines. But since Saul had driven Abiathar with the Urim and Thummim into the fugitive camp, the king appears to have had no accurate means of ascertaining the divine will; hence, his triumphant declaration proved to be erroneous. David, on the other hand, now having ready access to the ephod—a portion of the priestly garment associated in some way with the Urim and Thummim-learned both that the king would attack Keilah and that the ungrateful citizens, out of fear of punishment,

*The Urim and Thummim seem to have been two objects, possibly stones, the drawing of one indicating an affirmative, and the other a negative answer,

would surrender their deliverer into the hands of his enemy. Moreover, it was perfectly evident to David that his position in a fortified city which could be easily starved into submission was fraught with greater danger than his freedom to carry on a hide-and-seek game of warfare in his native hills of Judah.

DAVID SPARES SAUL'S LIFE.-Accordingly, he led his company into the rocky wilderness of Ziph, a few miles to the southeast of Keilah. The inhabitants of this plateau immediately reported to Saul that the fugitives were hiding in the hills of Hachilah (Hách'-i-lah). The king with three thousand men marched in haste into this district, barricaded his camp and, trusting to his general, Abner, to keep proper guard over his royal person, soon fell asleep. So exhausted, however, were the soldiers by their forced marches, and so certain were they that they would not be attacked by the outlaws, that they failed to keep careful watch. Hence, David, always ready for adventure, accompanied by only a single attendant, Abishai (A-bish'-a-i), experienced no difficulty in creeping up under cover of the darkness to the very side of the soundly slumbering king. It was easy to locate the royal tent even at night; for it was marked then, as is that of the sheik to-day, by a spear stuck in the ground. In case he should want a drink during the night, Saul, true to oriental custom, had within easy reach a jug of water. Carry on the conversation between David and Abishai in low hurried whispers. Abishai regarded the occasion as one providentially sent, for the purpose of ridding David of his pursuer. David, however, who had a clearer conception of the Lord's will, was content to withdraw quietly, taking with him merely the spear and the jug as evidence that the king had been in his power.

DAVID'S GENEROSITY CAUSES SAUL'S REPENTANCE.-From the top of an adjoining hill, David, who no doubt possessed a far-carrying voice, shouted aloud until he finally awoke the sleeping Abner. He taunted the general in these words, "You are a fine sort of a fellow to keep guard over a king. You ought to be put to death for being so recreant to your duty. Look now! Where is the king's spear and jug of water?" Abner did not recognize the voice; but Saul soon

awoke and knew at once that it was the outlaw chief himself who was calling. David then addressed the king direct, "If you feel that it is the will of the Lord that you slay me, offer a sacrifice in my stead (as Abraham did for Isaac); but if it be men who are instigating you to commit this crime, cursed be they; for they are driving me out of the land over which the Lord rules into Philistia or Moab, where I will have to serve the gods of those countries, Dagon or Chemosh.* Do not seek to shed my blood in a land not belonging to the Lord; and, further, it is scarce worthy of a king to be away as though hunting a mere partridge, when there are so many weighty matters of State demanding attention." David's generous spirit and prudent words awoke a nobler echo in Saul's jealous heart; and the king, at least for the moment, was so moved to repentance that he pronounced a blessing on his son-inlaw and predicted for him a great future.

V. ILLUSTRATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS.

Questions. Think of all the reasons David might have given in an attempt to satisfy his conscience that it was right for him to permit Abishai to slay Saul. Why then did he not do it? Have you ever tried to do what Lev. 19:17, 18 bids you do? Referring to a great college president who recently died, a friend of his said, "To injure him was to insure generous treatment." What did he mean?

What bearing has Prov. 25:28 on today's lesson?

Illustration. The Talmud tells us that at one time the two famous rabbis, Gamliel and Joshua, were enemies. In those days, before the regular calendar was in use, it was customary for the Nasi (Chief Rabbi) to announce the seasons for the various holy days, Gamliel, who was the Nasi at that time, appointed the day on which, according to his reckoning, Yom Kippur was to be observed. Joshua replied that the Nasi had made an error in his figures and that Yom Kippur really fell on a different day from that announced. Gamliel retorted by issuing this sharp command to his opponent, "Joshua, I order you to appear be

*The belief that each god holds sway over a limited region, and must be worshipped by every one living in that region, is called henotheism or monolatry.

fore me on the day which you declare to be Yom Kippur, and to carry in your hand your staff and your purse.'

Now, of course, it would be a most grievous sin for a rabbi to carry his staff and purse on this, the most sacred of all the holidays; but so generous a spirit did Joshua entertain toward his enemy that he faithfully obeyed the Nasi's command. As the rabbi approached at the appointed time with staff and purse, the great Gamliel arose from his seat, saluted Joshua, kissed him and said, "Peace be unto thee, my master and my pupil-my pupil, for thou hast done as I have bidden thee; my master, for thou hast taught me how to show a generous spirit toward my enemies. Blessed be the generation in which the greater men obey the less."

Suggestion. Read to the class Ps. 54, which David is supposed to have sung when the Ziphites sent the message to Saul. Show the pupils the model of an eastern tent and of a water jar. These and other Bible models may be procured from the Bloch Publishing Co.

Helpful Thought. "Hatred is increased by hatred, and can be overcome only by love."-Spinoza.

Lesson 34. A WOMAN WHO WAS A PEACEMAKER. Abigail's Wise Counsel.

(Taken from I Sam. ch. 25.)

I. THE TEACHER'S PREPARATION.

The Method of Teaching. In Gregory, The Seven Laws of Teaching, study pp. 48-64 and write answers to the following questions: 1. How would you deal with the child who in response to a question replies, "I know the answer, but I cannot express it"? 2. By what means other than language, may one convey his thoughts? 3. Mention five "Dont's" suggested to you by this chapter.

The Material for Teaching. Do all the work assigned in Lesson XXXIV of the Junior Bible. Consult Montefiore, Bible for Home Reading, Part I, pp. 213-216; article "Woman" in the Jewish Encyclopedia; Shepard, Young Folks'

Josephus, pp. 143-144; Kohut, Hebrew Anthology, Vol. I, pp. 166-170.

The Religion of Israel. In Addis, Hebrew Religion, study pp. 53-71, and write answers to the following questions: 1. Upon what evidence does Addis rely to prove that Moses was an historical character? 2. In what respect was the early religion of Israel unique? 3. Upon what achievement does the enduring merit of Moses rest?

II. THE AIM.

To-day's story furnishes an example of the wholesome influence that a discreet and tactful woman could exercise in ancient Israel. The biblical author in writing this. chapter was not so much interested in exposing the folly of Nabal, as in explaining how it came about that David married a woman who, especially at the beginning of his career, proved to be of inestimable help to him. Had she not prevented him from committing the contemplated murder, it is altogether probable that he never would have become king over a united Israel. Hence, so narrate this story as to lead the children to appreciate the high respect in which great men hold good women.

III. POINT OF CONTACT.

Print on the board the name of the book, "My Mamie Rose." Although the children's curiosity will doubtless be aroused by this title, begin the lesson without making any reference thereto.

Have you ever heard of Owen Kildare? When Owen was as old as you now are, he could not read; indeed, he did not even know one letter from the other. Consequently, it is not at all surprising that he grew up to be a rough and a prize-fighter. One morning, when he, surrounded by a few of his pals, was sitting on some empty barrels in front of a saloon, a teacher on her way to school chanced to pass by. One of the half-drunken loungers made what he intended to be a humorous remark about her, whereupon Kildare and his companions began to laugh boisterously. The teacher turned around calmly, and in a courteous but firm voice said, "Is there not one gentleman among you who has respect for a woman?" Instantly,