Article October 23, 1915 Issue

"The son of David"

ETTA M. GILBREATH

When Christian Science first awakens thought to the healing power of Truth, and we realize that God, divine Love, is ever present and all powerful, and that this truth needs to be demonstrated in order to experience the healing, there is apt to come the discovery that our "old things" must pass away; that the love we have hitherto cherished is on a material basis, while the demand of Science is for purely spiritual affection. In meditating upon this subject, there was presented a question which at first seemed to have no bearing on the point at issue. It was this: Why was Jesus called "the son of David"? Why could he not have been called the son of Solomon, or of some other Israelitish king?

In the Bible story David is first introduced to us when Samuel comes to Bethlehem, sent by God to anoint him king of Israel. Soon thereafter the call comes for David to go and play on the harp for Saul, with the hope that his music will soothe the king's torment. He does this, and Saul is healed. Next comes the fight with Goliath, after which we read of the beautiful friendship between David and Jonathan. Then the tide turns abruptly and we have a long account of persecutions. We see David fleeing from his country and friends. He is driven from home, and his life is sought everywhere.

We have a clear and detailed account of it all, but there is no word of malice in answer to malice, no fierce resentment, no self-pity, no complaint at the injustice of it all,—only a plaintive, humble statement, when the chance comes to him to rid himself of his enemy: "The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord." How easy, how human it would have been to open his ears to subtle suggestions of human injustice, inspired by resentment! David himself had been anointed by divine authority. This king, Saul, had disobeyed God's commands, had been unfaithful to his charge, and was a menace to Israel,—how easy for one whose heart was not stayed on God to feel that God had given his enemy into his hands to rid himself and Israel of him! Jesus once said to his disciples that the time would come when they who killed them would think that they did God a service.

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