(1 Sam. 19:10.)

Imagine the hero of Elah, the conqueror of the mighty Goliath, fleeing from his father-in-law! And that right after he had fought so valiantly with the Philistines, and had slain them with a great slaughter, and "they fled from him." It is on his return from that victory that he faces a far different foe. Within the family circle, in the house of Saul, he whose fingers had lately drawn the bow with telling effect plays on other strings to soothe his royal sire. But the music has no charms for him who is seeking even then to smite the sweet singer with his spear. Twice before he had sought to quench his jealous rage in the psalmist's blood. But David "slipped away out of Saul's presence," A most strategic retreat! Nothing cowardly about it, It was really the only course to pursue. This foe must be fled, not fought. "So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him."

Every child of God has similar foes, foes that he may not fight. "Flee fornication," "Flee idolatry," "Flee also youthful lusts," are the instructions of the Spirit of God. It is just as defiling to struggle with these things as to trifle with them. The smutty story, the salacious tale, the suggestive picture-avoid them! Defiling conversation, degrading influences, companions who resist the sweet overtures of divine grace-"Man of God, flee these things." Slip away to Him who dwells in Ramah's heights, tell Him all, and He will renew thy mind and refresh thy soul. Carl Armerding