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Salmos 2

  • ¿Por qué se amotinan las gentes, Y los pueblos piensan cosas vanas?
  •  Se levantarán los reyes de la tierra, Y príncipes consultarán unidos Contra Jehová y contra su ungido, diciendo:
  • Rompamos sus ligaduras, Y echemos de nosotros sus cuerdas.
  • El que mora en los cielos se reirá; El Señor se burlará de ellos.
  • Luego hablará a ellos en su furor, Y los turbará con su ira.
  • Pero yo he puesto mi rey Sobre Sion, mi santo monte.
  • Yo publicaré el decreto; Jehová me ha dicho: Mi hijo eres tú; Yo te engendré hoy.
  • Pídeme, y te daré por herencia las naciones, Y como posesión tuya los confines de la tierra.
  • Los quebrantarás con vara de hierro; Como vasija de alfarero los desmenuzarás.
  • Ahora, pues, oh reyes, sed prudentes; Admitid amonestación, jueces de la tierra.
  • Servid a Jehová con temor, Y alegraos con temblor.
  • Honrad al Hijo, para que no se enoje, y perezcáis en el camino; Pues se inflama de pronto su ira. Bienaventurados todos los que en él confían.

Notas:

  • La palabra traducida aquí como “gentiles” proviene de la palabra hebrea goyim y a menudo se refiere a las “naciones”, especialmente a las naciones no judías que rodeaban a Israel. Posteriormente, la palabra gentil se convirtió en sinónimo de la palabra goyim para la mayoría de los hebreos.
  • La palabra “imagen” es la palabra hebrea hagah. Es la misma palabra que en el Salmo 1 se traduce como meditar. Las naciones alrededor de Israel meditaban sobre cómo destruir al ungido de Dios.
  • La palabra “ungido” es la palabra hebrea מָשִׁיחַ māšîaḥ.
    • מָשִׁיחַ māšîaḥ
      • ungido, generalmente se refiere a verter o untar aceite sagrado sobre una persona en una ceremonia de dedicación, posiblemente simbolizando el empoderamiento divino para cumplir la tarea o el cargo; el Ungido, el Mesías, el elegido supremo de Dios, identificado en el Nuevo Testamento como Jesús:
  • Versículo 2: Sin embargo, yo he puesto a mi rey sobre mi santo monte de Sion.
    • David conquistó la fortaleza de Sion (véase 2 Samuel 5:7).
    • Más tarde, David construyó una tienda en el monte Sion (véase 1 Crónicas 15:1). Luego llevó el Arca del Pacto allí y la colocó en la tienda (véase 1 Crónicas 16:1). De esta manera, Dios había puesto a su Rey sobre el “Santo Monte de Sion”.
  • 2:7 Proclamaré el decreto: Jehová me ha dicho: Tú eres mi Hijo; yo te he engendrado hoy.
    • Este versículo se cita dos veces:
      • Hebreos 1:5
        • Porque ¿a cuál de los ángeles dijo Dios alguna vez: Tú eres mi Hijo, yo te he engendrado hoy? ¿Y otra vez: Yo seré para él Padre, y él será para mí Hijo?
      • Hebreos 5:5
        • Así tampoco Cristo se glorificó a sí mismo haciéndose sumo sacerdote, sino el que le dijo: Tú eres mi Hijo, yo te he engendrado hoy. Observe algunos detalles:
  • Observa algunas cosas.
    • La palabra Hijo se usa para identificar al Mesías, ya que a Cristo se le llamó el “Hijo de Dios” (véase Mateo 8:29; 14:33; 27:54; Marcos 1:1; 3:11; Lucas 1:35).
    • También se usa el término engendrado, proveniente de una palabra hebrea que significa “dar a luz a un hijo”.
      • Se usa en el Nuevo Testamento cuando a Jesús se le llama el “unigénito del Padre” (Juan 1:14).
      • La frase “unigénito” se refiere a “único hijo”.
  • 2:8 Pídeme, y te daré las naciones como herencia, y los confines de la tierra como posesión tuya.
    • Cuando el Mesías (Jesús) se convierta en Rey y establezca su trono en Jerusalén, será Rey sobre toda la tierra y todas las naciones estarán bajo su dominio; por lo tanto, heredará las naciones gentiles.
  • 2:9 Las quebrantarás con vara de hierro; las desmenuzarás como vasija de alfarero.
    • La promesa de que el Mesías gobernará con vara de hierro se encuentra en ambos Testamentos.
      • Isaías 11:4 Pero juzgará con justicia a los pobres, y con equidad reprenderá a los mansos de la tierra; y herirá la tierra con la vara de su boca, y con el aliento de sus labios matará al impío.
        • La “vara” son las palabras de la boca del Mesías que matan a los impíos.
      • Esta misma imagen se usa en Apocalipsis 19:15.
        • De su boca sale una espada aguda, para herir con ella a las naciones; y él las regirá con vara de hierro; y él pisa el lagar del vino del furor y de la ira del Dios Todopoderoso.
      • En el versículo anterior, es con su boca que Cristo herirá a las naciones y las regirá con vara de hierro.
    • Aquí, David dice que el Mesías las desmenuzará como una vasija de barro que se rompe con una vara. Esto se refiere a quebrantar:
      • el poder
      • la influencia
      • la voluntad de las naciones, haciendo que se sometan al Mesías. 2:10 Ahora, pues, oh reyes, sed prudentes; sed instruidos, jueces de la tierra.
  • 2:10 Sed sabios, pues, oh reyes; aprended, jueces de la tierra.
    • La sabiduría y la instrucción deben ser la base de todas las decisiones que tomen los líderes.
    • También deben ser la base de las decisiones de todos los cristianos.
  • 2:11 Servid al Señor con temor, y alegraos con temblor.
    • El temor del Señor es el principio de la sabiduría.
      • Salmo 111:10
        • El temor del Señor es el principio de la sabiduría; buen entendimiento tienen todos los que practican sus mandamientos; su alabanza permanece para siempre.
    • La palabra hebrea traducida aquí como “alegraos” es giyl y significa “girar con emoción” o “dar vueltas en círculo”.
      • En el pensamiento hebreo, “alegrarse” no significa simplemente ser feliz en el Señor. La alegría va acompañada de una respuesta como gritar, girar o incluso bailar.
  • 2:12 Besad al Hijo, no sea que se enoje, y perezcáis en el camino, cuando se encienda un poco su ira. Bienaventurados todos los que en él confían.
    • El “Hijo” aquí es el Rey Mesías (v. 6), el hijo engendrado (v. 7) y el que gobierna con vara de hierro (v. 9).
    • “Besad”: Era costumbre en la antigüedad besar a un amigo cercano en la mejilla, o besar el anillo o la mano del rey o líder como señal de gran honor.
      • Aquellos que no honren a Cristo en el Milenio experimentarán diversas formas de juicio sobre sus naciones (véase Zacarías 14:17-18).

Chapter 4: A Message from Africa

Vocabulary

Measles: An infectious viral disease-causing fever and a red rash on the skin
Seaman: A sailor, especially one below the rank of officer.
Africa: The world’s second largest and second-most-populous continent
Hardtack (pilot-bread): Hard dry bread or biscuit, especially as rations for sailors
Anchor: A heavy object attached to a rope or chain and used to hold a ship in place to the sea bottom.

Chapter 4: A Message from Africa

That winter was a very cold one. And one night in December, when they were all sitting round the warm fire in the kitchen, and the Doctor was reading aloud to them out of books he had written himself in animal-language, the owl, Too-Too, suddenly said,

“Sh! What’s that noise outside?”

They all listened; and presently they heard the sound of someone running. Then the door flew open and the monkey, Chee-Chee, ran in, badly out of breath.

“Doctor!” he cried, “I’ve just had a message from a cousin of mine in Africa. There is a terrible sickness among the monkeys out there. They are all catching it-and they are dying in hundreds. They have heard of you, and beg you to come to Africa to stop the sickness.”

“Who brought the message?” asked the Doctor, taking off his spectacles and laying down his book.

“A swallow,” said Chee-Chee. “She is outside on the rain-butt.”

“Bring her in by the fire,” said the Doctor. “She must be perished with the cold. The swallows flew South six weeks ago!”

So the swallow was brought in, all huddled and shivering; and although she was a little afraid at first, she soon got warmed up and sat on the edge of the mantelpiece and began to talk.

When she had finished the Doctor said,

“I would gladly go to Africa-especially in this bitter weather. But I’m afraid we haven’t money enough to buy the tickets. Get me the money-box, Chee-Chee.”

So the monkey climbed up and got it off the top shelf of the dresser.

There was nothing in it-not a single penny!

“I felt sure there was twopence left,” said the Doctor.

“There was” said the owl. “But you spent it on a rattle for that badger’s baby when he was teething.”

“Did I?” said the Doctor-“dear me, dear me! What a nuisance money is, to be sure! Well, never mind. Perhaps if I go down to the seaside I shall be able to borrow a boat that will take us to Africa. I knew a seaman once who brought his baby to me with measles. Maybe he’ll lend us his boat-the baby got well.”

So early the next morning the Doctor went down to the sea-shore. And when he came back he told the animals it was all right-the sailor was going to lend them the boat.

Then the crocodile and the monkey and the parrot were very glad and began to sing, because they were going back to Africa, their real home. And the Doctor said,

“I shall only be able to take you three-with Jip the dog, Dab-Dab the duck, Gub-Gub the pig and the owl, Too-Too. The rest of the animals, like the dormice and the water-voles and the bats, they will have to go back and live in the fields where they were born till we come home again. But as most of them sleep through the Winter, they won’t mind that-and besides, it wouldn’t be good for them to go to Africa.”

So then the parrot, who had been on long sea-voyages before, began telling the Doctor all the things he would have to take with him on the ship.

“You must have plenty of pilot-bread,” she said-“‘hardtack’ they call it. And you must have beef in cans-and an anchor.”

“I expect the ship will have its own anchor,” said the Doctor.

“Well, make sure,” said Polynesia. “Because it’s very important. You can’t stop if you haven’t got an anchor. And you’ll need a bell.”

“What’s that for?” asked the Doctor.

“To tell the time by,” said the parrot. “You go and ring it every half-hour and then you know what time it is. And bring a whole lot of rope-it always comes in handy on voyages.”

Then they began to wonder where they were going to get the money from to buy all the things they needed.

“Oh, bother it! Money again,” cried the Doctor. “Goodness! I shall be glad to get to Africa where we don’t have to have any! I’ll go and ask the grocer if he will wait for his money till I get back-No, I’ll send the sailor to ask him.”

So the sailor went to see the grocer. And presently he came back with all the things they wanted.

Then the animals packed up; and after they had turned off the water so the pipes wouldn’t freeze, and put up the shutters, they closed the house and gave the key to the old horse who lived in the stable. And when they had seen that there was plenty of hay in the loft to last the horse through the Winter, they carried all their luggage down to the seashore and got on to the boat.

The Cat’s-meat-Man was there to see them off; and he brought a large suet-pudding as a present for the Doctor because, he said he had been told, you couldn’t get suet-puddings in foreign parts.

As soon as they were on the ship, Gub-Gub, the pig, asked where the beds were, for it was four o’clock in the afternoon and he wanted his nap. So Polynesia took him downstairs into the inside of the ship and showed him the beds, set all on top of one another like book-shelves against a wall.

“Why, that’s not a bed!” cried Gub-Gub. “That’s a shelf!”

“Beds are always like that on ships,” said the parrot. “It isn’t a shelf. Climb up into it and go to sleep. That’s what you call ‘a bunk.'”

“I don’t think I’ll go to bed yet,” said Gub-Gub. “I’m too excited. I want to go upstairs again and see them start.”

“Well, this is your first trip,” said Polynesia. “You will get used to the life after a while.” And she went back up the stairs of the ship, humming this song to herself,

I’ve seen the Black Sea and the Red Sea;

I rounded the Isle of Wight;

I discovered the Yellow River,

And the Orange too-by night.

Now Greenland drops behind again,

And I sail the ocean Blue.

I’m tired of all these colors, Jane,

So I’m coming back to you.

They were just going to start on their journey, when the Doctor said he would have to go back and ask the sailor the way to Africa.

But the swallow said she had been to that country many times and would show them how to get there.

So, the Doctor told Chee-Chee to pull up the anchor and the voyage began.

Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

This was fulfilled when Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a young donkey.

Matthew 21:1-9

  • And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
  • Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.
  • And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.
  • All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,
  • Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.
  • And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
  • And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.
  • And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
  • And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

On that day, the people cried out, “Hosanna to the son of David” (21:9). By calling Christ the “son of David,” the people were speaking truth that He was their savior and the fulfillment of the Davidic prophecy; however, they turned against Him when He did not prove to their satisfaction that He was their King. Note that Zachariah said the King would have salvation. “Hosanna” means “save us.”

The Davidic prophecy encompasses biblical predictions regarding King David and his lineage, particularly the expectation of a Messiah who would come from David’s line, fulfilling God’s covenant promises.

  • The Davidic Covenant
    • The Davidic Covenant is a key part of the prophecy about David, found in 2 Samuel 7:12-16. In it, God promises David that his throne will last forever, saying He’ll raise up a descendant from David’s own family to build a house in His name. This covenant is unconditional, depending entirely on God’s faithfulness rather than on David’s or Israel’s actions.
  • Messianic Expectations
    • The prophecies about the Davidic line play a key role in both Jewish and Christian end-times beliefs. In Jewish tradition, there’s an expectation of a future Davidic king who will restore Israel and bring back God’s kingdom on earth. This figure, often called the Messiah (Hebrew: Mashiach), is believed to gather the twelve tribes of Israel and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

Several key passages highlight the significance of the Davidic prophecy:

  • 2 Samuel 7:12-16:
    • And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.
    • He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.
    • I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
    • But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee.
    • And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
      • Establishes the Davidic Covenant and God’s promise of an everlasting throne.
  • Psalm 2:6:
    • Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
      • Speaks of God’s anointed king, interpreted as a reference to the Messiah.
  • Jeremiah 33:17:
    • For thus saith the Lord; David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel;
      • Declares that David will never lack a man to sit on the throne of Israel, reinforcing the enduring nature of the Davidic line.

Later, Christ was arrested and crucified (see Matt. 26:47-68; 15), but He rose the third day, conquering death and hell (see 1 Cor. 15:4; Rev. 1:18).

Directions

Gather 20 nickels and 100 pennies per child.

Have children complete the steps below.

Have children practice until they perfectly master each task.

STEP 1 – WHAT IS A NICKEL?

Children identify the nickel.

  • Direct the children to examine the front and back of a nickel. Ask the children to verbally describe what they see.
  • Have children hold up a nickel and recite, ‘1 nickel is worth 5 cents.’

STEP 2 – COMBINE AND SEPARATE

Children combine and separate groups of pennies and nickels.

  • Ask children to group 5 pennies together.
  • Tell children to move 1 nickel next to the 5 pennies. Have them recite, ‘1 nickel is worth 5 pennies.’
  • Ask children to group 10 pennies together.
  • Tell children to move 2 nickels next to the 10 pennies. Have them recite, ‘2 nickels are worth 10 pennies.’
  • Ask children to group 25 pennies together.
  • Tell children to move 5 nickels next to the 25 pennies. Have them recite, ‘5 nickels are worth 25 pennies.’
  • Ask children to group 100 pennies together.
  • Ask children to divide the 100 pennies into 4 groups of 25.
  • Tell children to move 20 nickels next to the 100 pennies. Have them recite, ’20 nickels are worth 100 pennies.’

STEP 3 – PLAY STORE

Play store with children, where children show the amount of money required to buy pretend items.

  • Give each child 2 nickels and 5 pennies. Say to children, ‘A toy ring costs 8 cents. Show me how many nickels and pennies must you give to the cashier.’
  • Give each child 5 nickels and 5 pennies. Say to children, ‘A toy monkey costs 24 cents. Show me how many nickels and pennies must you give to the cashier.’
  • Give each child 10 nickels and 5 pennies. Say to children, ‘A banana costs 42 cents. Show me how many nickels and pennies must you give to the cashier.’
  • Give each child 2 nickels. Say to children, ‘A piece of candy costs 9 cents. Show me how many nickels you must pay to the cashier. How many pennies should the cashier give to you as change?’
  • Give each child 5 nickels. Say to children, ‘A piece of candy costs 21 cents. Show me how many nickels you must pay to the cashier. How many pennies should the cashier give to you as change?’
  • Give each child 10 nickels. Say to children, ‘A piece of candy costs 47 cents. Show me how many nickels you must pay to the cashier. How many pennies should the cashier give to you as change?’
  • Give each child 20 nickels. Say to children, ‘A peach costs 87 cents. Show me how many nickels you must pay to the cashier. How many pennies should the cashier give to you as change?’

 Map the Story

  • Look at the map below to get a rough idea of the voyage that Dr. Dolittle and the animals took to Africa.
  • Although we don’t know the exact location of the imaginary town of Puddleby, we know Puddleby is somewhere in England.
  • Although we don’t know the exact location of the imaginary kingdom of Jolliginki, we know Jolliginki is somewhere in Africa.
  • Trace the path from England to Africa with your finger. Remember, Dr. Dolittle and the animals travel by ship, so they do not cross any land.
  • Would you like to go on a sea voyage someday?

Traducido de «Historias de madres del Nuevo Testamento», de autor anónimo. Se trata de una colección de relatos religiosos de principios del siglo XX, creada principalmente para niños. Su objetivo es ayudar a las madres y a los cuidadores a compartir las enseñanzas e historias del Nuevo Testamento de una manera fácil de entender y atractiva para los jóvenes lectores. El libro recopila algunas de las historias más destacadas del Nuevo Testamento, resaltando las lecciones morales y los valores de la fe, la compasión y la bondad. Incluye relatos como la visita de los Reyes Magos, las parábolas de Jesús, sus milagros de curación y sus afectuosas interacciones con los niños. Cada historia está acompañada de ilustraciones que enriquecen la experiencia de lectura y ayudan a transmitir los mensajes de amor y redención que son la esencia de la fe cristiana. Este formato accesible no solo enseña a los niños sobre el Nuevo Testamento, sino que también fomenta los valores fundamentales del cristianismo de una manera cercana y comprensible. Todavía estoy trabajando en la traducción de estas historias.

Contenido:

  • The Good Samaritan
  • Importunity Rewarded
  • The Unmerciful Servant
  • The Good Shepherd
  • The Lost Piece of Money
  • The Prodigal Son
  • Peter’s Wife’s Mother Cured
  • The Unjust Steward
  • The Rich Man and the Beggar
  • “Avenge Me of My Adversary”
  • The Pharisee and the Tax Gatherer
  • The Laborers in the Vineyard
  • La higuera estéril
  • The Wicked Husbandman
  • Without the Wedding Garment
  • The Foolish Virgins
  • The Parable of the Talents
  • Man with the Withered Hand
  • Jesus Ascends to Heaven
  • The Philippian Jailer
  • Timothy and His Mother Eunice
  • Christ Blessing the Children

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What does the Bible say about studying it in the Old Testament? How does that compare to what the New Testament Says? Read on to find out.

Laws of Torah Study

  • To learn Torah
    • Deut. 6:7
      • And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
    • Romans 15:4 ESV
      • For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
    • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
      • All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
    • Hebrews 4:12 ESV
      • For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
    • James 1:25 ESV
      • But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
    • 1 Peter 2:2 ESV
      • Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation
    • Matthew 5:17-19 ESV
      • “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
  • To honor those who teach and know Torah
    • Lev. 19:32
      • Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord.
    • Hebrews 13:17 ESV
      • Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV
      • We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Notes:

Paul teaches us in Romans 15:4 (ESV) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. This means that the Old Testament including the Torah (1st five books of the Old Testament) in our instructions. Those things, when we learn it, gives us hope. Notice how it is written in the KJV: For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. This clarifies that the Old Testament was written for our learning. We are supposed to learn and be instructed by the Old Testament so that we can have hope. That hope has many purposes. However, we have a commandment as to 1 thing we are to do with that hope.

  • 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The word hope is the same in both 1 Peter 3:15 and Romans 15:4.

Hope

  • Strong’s G1680 – elpis
    • ἐλπίς elpís, el-pece’; from a primary ἔλπω élpō (to anticipate, usually with pleasure); expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence:—faith, hope.

We are to learn so that we can have hope and then be ready to give a reason of having the hope with meekness and fear.

It was quite natural that the professional fighting-men of the Middle Ages should try to establish some sort of organization for their mutual benefit and protection. Out of this need for close organization, Knighthood or Chivalry was born.

We know very little about the origins of Knighthood. But as the system developed, it gave the world something which it needed very badly—a definite rule of conduct which softened the barbarous customs of that day and made life more livable than it had been during the five hundred years of the Dark Ages. It was not an easy task to civilize the rough frontiersmen who had spent most of their time fighting Muslims and Huns and Norsemen. Often, they were guilty of backsliding and having vowed all sorts of oaths about mercy and charity in the morning, they would murder all their prisoners before evening. But progress is ever the result of slow and ceaseless labor, and finally the most unscrupulous of knights was forced to obey the rules of his “class” or suffer the consequences.

These rules were different in the various parts of Europe, but they all made much of “service” and “loyalty to duty.” The Middle Ages regarded service as something very noble and beautiful. It was no disgrace to be a servant, provided you were a good servant and did not slacken on the job. As for loyalty, at a time when life depended upon the faithful performance of many unpleasant duties, it was the chief virtue of the fighting man.

A young knight therefore was asked to swear that he would be faithful as a servant to God and as a servant to his King. Furthermore, he promised to be generous to those whose need was greater than his own. He pledged his word that he would be humble in his personal behavior and would never boast of his own accomplishments and that he would be a friend of all those who suffered, (with the exception of the Muslims, whom he was expected to kill on sight).

Around these vows, which were merely the Ten Commandments expressed in terms which the people of the Middle Ages could understand, there developed a complicated system of manners and outward behavior. The knights tried to model their own lives after the example of those heroes of Arthur’s Round Table and Charlemagne’s court of whom the troubadours had told them and of whom you may read in many delightful books which are enumerated at the end of this volume. They hoped that they might prove as brave as Lancelot and as faithful as Roland. They carried themselves with dignity and they spoke careful and gracious words that they might be known as True Knights, however humble the cut of their coat or the size of their purse.

In this way the order of Knighthood became a school of those good manners which are the oil of the social machinery. Chivalry came to mean courtesy and the feudal castle showed the rest of the world what clothes to wear, how to eat, how to ask a lady for a dance and the thousand and one little things of every-day behavior which help to make life interesting and agreeable.

Like all human institutions, Knighthood was doomed to perish as soon as it had outlived its usefulness.

The crusades, about which one of the next chapters tells, were followed by a great revival of trade. Cities grew overnight. The townspeople became rich, hired good school teachers and soon were the equals of the knights. The invention of gunpowder deprived the heavily armed “Chevalier” of his former advantage and the use of mercenaries made it impossible to conduct a battle with the delicate niceties of a chess tournament. The knight became superfluous. Soon he became a ridiculous figure, with his devotion to ideals that had no longer any practical value. It was said that the literary character of the noble Don Quixote de la Mancha represented the last of the true knights. In the story, after his death, his trusted sword and his armor were sold to pay his debts.

But somehow or other that sword seems to have fallen into the hands of a number of real men in history. General George Washington carried it during the hopeless days of Valley Forge amid the American Revolution. It was the only defense of British Army officer Major-General Charles George Gordon, when he had refused to desert the people who had been entrusted to his care, and stayed to meet his death in the besieged fortress of Khartoum in Sudan.

And I am not quite sure but that it proved of invaluable strength in winning the Great War.