Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-11-07
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
by REV. j. 0. SHERBURN


says lnaC samuel came no more 10 Sc
Sul until the day of his death. This ma
have been prudence, or propriety. After Go
departed from Saul and another spirl
possessed him, it may have been hardl
safe for the man who pronounced hi
degradation to come into his presence. o
il may be that, as God had Withdrawn
from Saul, it was not considered prope
for the prophet of God TO company will
him. However that may be Samue
mourned for Saul. Though he was oppose'
TO having king, yet having anonted on
by divine direction, and having seen God
favor attending his reign, and genera
victory over the enemies OF Israel. Samue
was greatly grieved that all should seen
10 90 for nothing because Saul had prove
IN unfit man for the place.
Indeed Samuel seems TO have been quit,
Won to Saul; and well he might be. Sau
possessed many noble traits, and save tina
be was rash and restless, had shown him
sch Il model ruler Samuel seems to hav
looked upon the situation as almost hope
les. His people were under king, q
they had desired 10 be; but God had for
saken their king, and what could now b,
donee
But God saw IL way out of the trouble
though Samuel did not. So he speaks Il
his servant somewhat in reproof that hi
should mourn so long for Saul. He bid
his prophet take his horn OF oil and 60 t.
Bethlehem, for there he has provided
or looked out king among the sons o
Jesse. God might have directed him to
David by name as easily as to his father I
house, but other lessons were TO be taugh
in the transaction. Samuel natural,
feared 10 90 on such an errand, and we
he might; if it were generally known i
would disturb the people, who would b'
divided in sentiment between Saul ant
David, j. might create a meeting in lh,
army. and was sure to stir the anger o
Saul. But it was not the divine plan ha
the matter should be made public
at once, The purpose seems to have been
to have king in training. So Slmuel j..
directed in the matter. God does no,
teach him deception, but simply shows
him how the evils which he feared may be
averted. 1t was fitting that the amounting
should take place in connection will
solemn religious exercises. So Samuel i,
10 take with him a heifer, or 'calf of th'
herd" and go 10 Bethlehem, and call the
family of Jesse and the people of Belhle
hem togehe for the purpose ofa sacrifice
God promises that. then and there, he viii
direct hi.a TO anoint the one whom he has
chosen. Samuel followed the command OF
God, rs he always did, and came to Beth
lehem
The elders OF the town we're disturbed
at his coming, as it was without doub'
unusual. He was also man of great
authority among the lsraeites, and these
simple people doubtless feared that be had
come 20 visit vengeance upon them for
some of their sins. Being assured that
he came peaceab'y, they are relieved, ana
appear to have consented to partci pate in
the sacrifice.
1t is not perfectly Gear under just what
circumstances David was anointed. Some
hi, ,nyt1 dad hot hnfC h.
feast and before the sacrifice even, putting
it at the time when Samuel sanctiied the
family, that is attended TO their ceremon-
iaI publication, others that it was after
the sacrifice. and before the feast that fol
lowed; others that at some time during
the exercises Jesse and his family were
taken aside privately, and the amounting
performed. The account reads throughout
as though there was no gathering save the
family of Jesse, and that after the sacri
flee, and before they partook of the feast
that followed, David was anointed. Pos
sibly the elders may have been willing
enough to stay away from the gathering
when they found that it meant no danger
% them. Jesse appears 10 have been
informed of the purpose of the proph
cts visit and calls his sons together, only
omltting one, not yet come TO manhood,
who was away with the flocks. AS the
eldest scr was presented TO Samuel, he
seems 10 have concluded at once that this
WAS Tie chosen king of Israel. 1t is inter-
eslng TO notice that Samuel's own thought
IN the matter is intensely human; he ls
looking for a king of good physical parts,
and thinks he sees such an one in Eliab
But God speaks in his heart and his opin
ION changes, be sees that something more
Is needed, and Eliab is passed by. At first
samuel Judged rs a man, later, as an
inspired man. One after another the sons
are brought in and introduced 10 Samuel
but God makes known to him that none Of
Vie seven who were present was his
chosen. God saw differently than did
Jesse or Samuel. The former had moi
thought ii necessary TO call his youngest
son llom among the flucks, and the latter
lad thought that he need look no furth, r
Vhcn he had seen the first. born. Now the
Feast is delayed until David Can be brought
home and as soon rs he appears, though
having no, look of king about him. the
Lord said This is he" Samuel makes
10 question, but at once anointed him in
'he midst of his brethren.
And SO we leave this divinely anointed
shetherd lad for the time, having however
very significant statement concerning
nlm; The Spirit of the Lord came upon
Aln from that day forward. We may
expect then to learn that he can keep
sneep well; or carry loving salutations
and thoughtful home gifts safely TO bis
brethren, who are in the army; or give
ueIlVerance to Il trembling people, and
say their chief enemy; if only God calls
n'm to do these things. The Spirits
pfeSenCe n1aans Sunooar ond vio,orr