(A word to the young.) Prince Jonathan went out into the country, by the stone Ezel, to practise archery of his famous bow (2 Samuel 1:18, 22), and took with him a lad, "a little lad" (ver. 35), to carry his arrows and gather them up after they had been shot at the mark. This lad -

1. Had learnt a great lesson, the first and most important lesson of life - obedience. He was a young soldier, and had learnt a soldier's chief duty. "Children, obey your parents" (Ephesians 6:1). "Servants, obey your masters" (Colossians 3:22). "Obey" your teachers (Hebrews 13:17). "Obey magistrates" (Titus 3:1).

2. Had learnt his lesson well. He did what he was told to do willingly, cheerfully, quickly ("make speed, haste, stay not"), fully, "without asking any questions."

3. Was very useful to his master. Though but a little lad, he could be of service to a prince and great hero.

4. Did a greater service than he was aware of. He was seen by David from his hiding place in the rock, and was useful to him as well as to Jonathan. "And the lad knew not anything" (ver. 39). In doing our duty One sees us whom we see not, and regards it as done to him.

5. Did not go unrewarded. He pleased his master, and would be more highly valued for this service and promoted to a higher position, for which it helped to prepare him.

6. Set a pattern of the kind of service we should render to God. "We ought to obey God" (Acts 5:29) above all. "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth." - D.

I propose to enquire into the moral meaning of this incident; to see whether there is anything in it that applies to our own circumstances. I think it impossible to read this story without having the mind arrested as several points of unusual interest.

I. HERE IS THE SADDEST OF ALL SIGHTS — MAN ARRAYED AGAINST MAN. Not man against a savage beast; but man against his own kind.

II. HERE WE HAVE THE RUPTURE OF THE MOST SACRED BONDS. Who is it that is offended in this case? It is not a stranger; it is the son that rose in fierce anger, being grieved for David and ashamed of his own father. When fathers occupy their right positions, sons, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, will be likely to occupy theirs. A good example is never lost.

III. Here, too, is THE ASSERTION OF THE HIGHEST INSTINCT. What is it that asserts itself in this case? It is the spirit of right. Men that get up from dinner tables and say, "Not I am ashamed of your evil doing; and I will not taste your bread!" We, poor hounds, tarry at the trough and satisfy our appetites, and slake our thirst, but the man that is going out will save the world!

IV. HERE WE HAVE A DISPROOF OF A FAMILIAR PROVERB. The familiar proverb is, "Blood is thicker than water." Jonathan says, "Right is thicker than blood."

V. Here we have THE ESPOUSAL ON A NOBLE POLICY. What was the policy of Jonathan? He espoused the cause of right against might. David had no resources.

(J. Parker, D. D.)