2. David sees himself in his tent on the plains of Bethlehem. There it rises covered with black skins, a rough-made dwelling- place, a shelter from the scorching heat of noon or the drenchino- dews of night; a place where he turns aside to eat his meals, and where he keeps his supply of food. Some day he sits in the door of the tent, the sheep moving quietly about him or lyinor down in the green pasture, when afar off in the distance he sees one flying for very life. David starts, and, shading his eyes, stands fixed, watching eagerly. For a moment the fugitive appears on the height of the limestone cliff, then leaps down the steep path and rushes on his way. Now on the height appears the enemy that pursues him — the avenger of blood. Instantly is hurled the spear that rattles on the rocks beside the hunted man. On comes the fugitive madly; a moment's hesitation, a falter, a slip will mean certain death. He has caught sight of the shepherd's tent, and makes for it. Now he has reached the plains, and the sheep scatter as the runner comes near. The avenger sees his last chance, and puts forth all his strength in
^ R. Lovett, James Chahners, 168.
474 ENTERTAINMENT, ENRICHMENT
pursuit. David stands lifting the folds of the tent. Another minute, and the man rushes within its folds, and falls fainting on the ground. Now he is safe. Here he is " the guest of God," as it is called to this day. The avenger has reached the tent door, and stands with eyes flashing in furious hatred, the hand grasping the hilt of the dagger. But no foot of an enemy dare come within the tent. Its folds are as buttressed walls. Within its kindly shade David kneels, and lifts the fainting man, and holds to his lips the cup of milk — the cup that runneth over. Now the languid eyes open. The man feels the arm that supports him ; he hears the voice that comforts him. He sips the proffered cup. He starts as he catches sight of the avenger, then turns and blesses the kindly shelter and the friendly succour: "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies." ^
^ There was another sacrament no less reverend in Oriental eyes and no less potent for the ratification of a covenant than the blood of sacrifice. It was the sacrament of food. Let men once eat in company, sharing table and salt, and they were forthwith bound one to the other by an inviolable bond, yea, though they had aforetime been enemies and had eaten together only by accident or inadvertence. It is told of a Bedouin sheikh whose son had been slain by an unknown hand, that, while his sorrow was yet green, a stranger came to his tent craving food and rest, and was welcomed with the generous hospitality which obtains among the sons of the desert. As they communed, the sheikh discovered that the stranger was none other than the slayer of his son. His impulse was to rise and smite him; but the stranger had eaten from his dish and drunk from his cup, and the bond of hospitality restrained him. He sat in silence, his soul burning within him ; and, when the meal was ended, he led him to his son's grave and told him who lay under the mound of sand ; and he bade him haste away lest the lust for vengeance should prevail and drive him to sin against the sacred covenant of hospitality .2
Dear Jesus ! Thou earnest. Thy glory forsaking, In quest of Thy sheep that had wandered away.
Ssveet Jesus ! true Shepherd ! on me pity taking, 0 draw me unto Thee no longer to stray.
^ M. G. Pearse, In the Banqueting House, 160. 2 D. Smith, The Pilgrim's Hosince, 73.
PSALM XXIII. 5 475
I am the lost sheep in misery lying;
From Hell's mouth devouring, Jesus, me free. If Thou cleanse me from sin in the blood of Thy dying,
0 Jesus, my soul's love Thy guerdon shall be.
Thou comfort of sadness, Thou heart of all gladness, Love, Fountain of grace, Delight of all lands,
Good Saviour, true Shepherd ! from th' Enemy's madness Protect me, and pluck me at death from his hands.
Jesus, hov^r fair Thou art. Spouse of my ravished heart, Than honey more sweet, more serene than the sun !
May Thy free grace relieve me, Thy mercy forgive me, Thy glory receive me when life's course is run.
3. The Psalmist did not close with the fourth verse, other- wise so natural a climax. For he knew that weariness and death are not the last enemies of man. He knew that the future is never the true man's only fear. He remembered the inexorable- ness of the past; he remembered that blood-guiltiness, which sheep never feel, is worse to men than death. As perchance one day he lifted his eyes from his sheep and saw a fugitive from the avenger of blood crossing the plain, while his sheep scattered right and left before this wild intruder into their quiet world, — so he felt his fair and gentle thoughts within him scattered by the visitation of his past ; so he felt how rudely law breaks through our pious fancies, and must be dealt with before their peace can be secure ; so he felt, as every true man has felt with him, that the religion, however bright and brave, which takes no account of sin, is the religion which has not a last nor a highest word for life.