One winter's day there came a man, in great haste, crying out, "There is a lion prowling about just outside the city gate." All the children were greatly frightened and ran into their houses and shut the door to keep the mad lion from entering their homes to destroy them. It was a cold, long winter, and the lion was hungry. He had been unable to find his food in the wild woods, and had come to the walls of the town in search of food. Wolves and other wild animals do the same thing. All the people were alarmed, so they sent their messenger in haste to the brave soldier with the mighty sword. He was urged by this messenger to make haste and come out and kill this lion before its hunger should drive it to enter into the town and carry off some man or woman, or perhaps some little boy or girl. When the brave man heard this he quickly took his sword and followed the guide to the place where he had seen the lion. Some of the people informed him that it had fallen into a pit and was struggling to get out and roaring with madness. When the brave man saw this, he sprang into the pit with the lion, and after a terrible struggle killed it with his sword. He was so handy with his sword, that I think, just as the lion was about to make a mad rush upon him, he gave him such a mighty sword-thrust that the lion fell back dead into the pit. So we see he was not afraid of man or beast. He knew how to give a fatal sword-thrust that gave him victory at last.
What was his name? Such a brave man should have his name written in letters of iron in the temple of the mighty swordsmen of the world. Just hear me again, and then I will tell you his name.
One day the king, his master, who was now getting old, was in the camp. It was a hot day, and the great king felt thirsty and was eager for a drink of water. The king thought of the clear cold spring of water in his old home town, to which he had often gone on a hot summer day to drink of its cool refreshing water. He had often bathed his hands and face with it. He could even now see its waters dancing in the sunlight before him, But alas, that old home town was in the hands of the enemy. How could he ever get that water to his lips. Half unconsciously he cried out, "Oh that some one would get me a drink from that spring near to the gates of the old home town!" Our brave soldier boy overheard this wish expressed by the king, and so called two of his companions and said to them: "I heard the king say just now, that he longed for a drink from the water of the well near the gate in his old home town, where he was born. The enemy is in possession of that town, and it may cost us our lives, but the king is old, and it would greatly please him. Shall we try?" His friends said, "Yes, we will, and let us start at once." So they started off with quick steps and brave hearts. So quickly did they move that before very long they were in sight of the little town. They could see the soldiers moving about the spring, but, like good soldiers, they secretly drew nearer and nearer without being seen. When the enemy was not looking these brave soldiers slipped down, and before the enemy knew what was happening, they thrust the flask into the waters of the spring and let it fill itself with the good water for the king. A shower of darts from the enemy flew about them, but they made their escape and safely reached their camp and king. Tears filled the eyes of the old king when he saw the flask and remembered the perils his faithful men had passed through. He did not drink of the water. It had cost too much. It was too precious for the lips of man. So he poured it out on the ground, which was the way this ancient people had of giving it to God. So you see our brave swordsman had something more than a strong arm, that would give a sword-thrust with mighty effect; he also had a big strong heart.
He loved the king. He served him with his heart and hand. His name is written on this sword. What was the name of this forgotten hero? I will read it for you, I have it written on this sword. Benaiah was his name. David was the name of the king. The well was just outside the little town of Bethlehem.
Let us speak his name again. Let us all repeat it together, and often, when we think of Bethlehem at Christmastime let us repeat the name of the brave hero, the swordsman of King David, and tell the story of the fight for water just outside the gates of Bethlehem, and then tell the story of the Child Jesus who came to bring us the Water of Life from heaven, for did he not say, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life"?
In delivering this lesson hold the sword in your hand and refer to it whenever you use the name of Benaiah the swordsman.
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WHAT CAN TAKE AWAY MY SINS?
OBJECTS: A Number of Lettered Cards