which had diverse colors, came into Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar." "There was also another great eagle, with great wings and many feathers." In speaking of long life, David used the eagle in comparison, as specimens have lived to a great age in captivity; and how long in freedom, no one knows. In. exhorting the people to bless God for His mercy, he cried: 66 'Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; In his great battle chant over the death of Saul and Jonathan, David used the eagle in comparison, and originated two phrases that are every-day quotations with us: one concerning the keeping of a secret, and the other referring to close friends who go out of life together. After he had recovered somewhat from the shock of the news brought him by the Amalekite, who confessed he had killed Saul at his request, David broke forth: Publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon; Lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew nor rain upon you, Neither fields of offerings: For there the shield of the mighty was vilely cast away, Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their And in their death they were not divided: They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions. Ye daughters of Israel, Weep over Saul, Who clothed you in scarlet delicately, Who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel. How are the mighty fallen in the midst of battle! I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan : Thy love to me was wonderful, How are the mighty fallen, And the weapons of war perished?" Another reference to the eagle is where Isaiah grew poetical in comforting the people of God, and addressed them thus: "Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, That the everlasting God, the Lord, There is no searching His understanding. He giveth power to the faint, And to them that hath no might He increaseth strength. Even the youth shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not faint." 1 THE SPARROW "Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, Even Thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God." -DAVID. |