patriarchs and prophets-第176章
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of idolaters。 In a town wholly separated for their use they might worship
God with more freedom than they could if they remained in Gath； where the
heathen rites could not but prove a source of evil and annoyance。
While dwelling in this isolated town David made war upon the Geshurites； the
Gezrites； and the Amalekites； and he left none alive to bring tidings to
Gath。 When he returned from battle he gave Achish to understand that he had
been warring against those of his own nation； the men of Judah。 By this
dissembling he was the means of strengthening the hand of the Philistines；
for the king said； 〃He hath made his people Israel utterly to abhor him；
therefore he shall be my servant forever。〃 David knew that it was the will
of God that those heathen tribes should be destroyed； and he knew that he
was appointed to do this work； but he was not walking in the counsel of God
when he practiced deception。
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〃And it came to pass in those days； that the Philistines gathered their
armies together for warfare； to fight with Israel。 And Achish said unto
David； Know thou assuredly； that thou shalt go out with me to battle； thou
and thy men。〃 David had no intention of lifting his hand against his people；
but he was not certain as to what course he would pursue； until
circumstances should indicate his duty。 He answered the king evasively； and
said； 〃Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do。〃 Achish understood
these words as a promise of assistance in the approaching war； and pledged
his word to bestow upon David great honor； and give him a high position at
the Philistine court。
But although David's faith had staggered somewhat at the promises of God； he
still remembered that Samuel had anointed him king of Israel。 He recalled
the victories that God had given him over his enemies in the past。 He
reviewed the great mercy of God in preserving him from the hand of Saul； and
determined not to betray a sacred trust。 Even though the king of Israel had
sought his life； he would not join his forces with the enemies of his
people。
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Chapter 66
The Death of Saul
Again war was declared between Israel and the Philistines。 〃The Philistines
gathered themselves together； and came and pitched in Shunem；〃 on the
northern edge of the plain of Jezreel； while Saul and his forces encamped
but a few miles distant； at the foot of Mount Gilboa； on the southern border
of the plain。 It was on this plain that Gideon； with three hundred men； had
put to flight the hosts of Midian。 But the spirit that inspired Israel's
deliverer was widely different from that which now stirred the heart of the
king。 Gideon went forth strong in faith in the mighty God of Jacob； but Saul
felt himself to be alone and defenseless； because God had forsaken him。 As
he looked abroad upon the Philistine host； 〃he was afraid； and his heart
greatly trembled。〃
Saul had learned that David and his force were with the Philistines； and he
expected that the son of Jesse would take this opportunity to revenge the
wrongs he had suffered。 The king was in sore distress。 It was his own
unreasoning passion； spurring him on to destroy the chosen of God； that had
involved the nation in so great peril。 While he had been engrossed in
pursuing David he had neglected the defense of his kingdom。 The Philistines；
taking advantage of its unguarded condition； had penetrated into the very
heart of the country。 Thus while Satan had been urging Saul to employ every
energy in hunting David； that he might destroy him； the same malignant
spirit had inspired the Philistines to seize their opportunity to work
Saul's ruin and overthrow the people of God。 How often is the same policy
still employed by the archenemy！ He moves upon some unconsecrated heart to
kindle envy and strife in the church； and then； taking advantage of the
divided condition of God's people； he stirs up his agents to work their
ruin。
On the morrow Saul must engage the Philistines in battle。 The shadows of
impending doom gathered dark about him； he
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longed for help and guidance。 But it was in vain that he sought counsel from
God。 〃The Lord answered him not； neither by dreams； nor by Urim； nor by
prophets。〃 The Lord never turned away a soul that came to Him in sincerity
and humility。 Why did he turn Saul away unanswered？ The king had by his own
act forfeited the benefits of all the methods of inquiring of God。 He had
rejected the counsel of Samuel the prophet； he had exiled David； the chosen
of God； he had slain the priests of the Lord。 Could he expect to be answered
by God when he had cut off the channels of communication that Heaven had
ordained？ He had sinned away the Spirit of grace； and could he be answered
by dreams and revelations from the Lord？ Saul did not turn to God with
humility and repentance。 It was not pardon for sin and reconciliation with
God； that he sought； but deliverance from his foes。 By his own stubbornness
and rebellion he had cut himself off from God。 There could be no return but
by the way of penitence and contrition； but the proud monarch； in his
anguish and despair； determined to seek help from another source。
〃Then said Saul unto his servants； Seek me a woman that hath a familiar
spirit； that I may go to her； and inquire of her。〃 Saul had a full knowledge
of the character of necromancy。 If had been expressly forbidden by the Lord；
and the sentence of death was pronounced against all who practiced its
unholy arts。 During the life of Samuel； Saul had commanded that all wizards
and those that had familiar spirits should be put to death； but now； in the
rashness of desperation； he had recourse to that oracle which he had
condemned as an abomination。
It was told the king that a woman who had a familiar spirit was living in
concealment at Endor。 This woman had entered into covenant with Satan to
yield herself to his control； to fulfill his purposes； and in return； the
prince of evil wrought wonders for her and revealed secret things to her。
Disguising himself； Saul went forth by night with but two attendants； to
seek the retreat of the sorceress。 Oh； pitiable sight！ the king of Israel
led captive by Satan at his will！ What path so dark for human feet to tread
as that chosen by one who has persisted in having his own way； resisting the
holy influences of the Spirit of God！ What bondage so terrible as that of
him who is given over to the control of the worst of tyrantshimself！ Trust
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in God and obedience to His will were the only conditions upon which Saul
could be king of Israel。 Had he complied with these conditions throughout
his reign； his kingdom would have been secure； God would have been his
guide； the Omnipotent his shield。 God had borne long with Saul； and although
his rebellion and obstinacy had well…nigh silenced the divine voice in the
soul； there was still opportunity for repentance。 But when in his peril he
turned from God to obtain light from a confederate of Satan； he had cut the
last tie that bound him to his Maker； he had placed himself fully under the
control of that demoniac power which for years had been exercised upon him；
and which had brought him to the verge of destruction。
Under the cover of darkness Saul and his attendants made their way across
the plain； and； safely passing the Philistine host； they crossed the
mountain ridge； to the lonely home of the sorceress of Endor。 Here the woman
with a familiar spirit had hidden herself away that she might secretly
continue her profane incantations。 Disguised as he was； Saul's lofty stature
and kingly port declared that he was no common soldier。 The woman suspected
that her visitor was Saul； and his rich gifts strengthened her suspicions。
To his request； 〃I pray thee； divine unto me by the familiar spirit； and
bring me him up； whom I shall name unto thee；〃 the woman answered； 〃Behold；
thou knowest what Saul hath done； how he hath cut off those that have
familiar spirits； and the wizards； out of the land：
