The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-07-18

The interview between Samuel and the ell
ders was held at Ramah. ". A. Samuel re-
sided there. Jerome says it was about six miles
north OF Jerusalem. 1t was on Mount Ephraui.
in the tribe of Benjamin. The Hebrew for
Ramah means simply high place, aud hence
it is not wonderful we have several diGrrcut
Ranahs mentioned in the Bible. 1t was also
called Ramathain-zaph meaning the emf
ncnces of the watchers. This name originated
from the fact that tbs elevation was once occu.
pied by bodies OF military officers, who exposed
beacons, and who from said high point took
observations. From Ramsh Samuel went forth
annually on u judicial round or circuit for adj
justing national aud eecesiastic matters. a.:
1910
The incidents of this lesson can be pnt in the
year 1892 A. ~. or u. G. l112. So VIC are 1900
years off from the time ut which occurred the
events which wo now study.
IL is thought Samuel was about 60 years of
age. lie had two SONS, fulgrown men. In
the year 2553 A. NJ God foresaw the demand
to he made by the Israeites 10 have a King.
(Dcu, IL; 49, That was $50 years before cur
lesson-the interval between Moses and Samuel.
3. Data
We shall mako the entire eighth chapter our
lesson, thus gaining full unit orftbought aud
taking into our study all facts necessary ia or
der to understand that great turning point in
the government of the lsraelitrs.
d. Subject.
Since the death of Joshua the Israeites had
been ruled and guided by series of Judges.
Othniel having been the first. Samuel became
the last. Thus il had been for about 300 years.
The time arrived when the people wanted a
King. 0ns lesson gives an account of their
demand, with their assigned reasons.
s. The Occasion.
The neighboring nations had Kings, and the
custom was ono which the Israeliles iunged 10
initiate. As rule the Judges had been yasea
acceptable. Samuel himself was popular ,eea8 G
the masses. 1t is possible the people were not
pleased with the prospect of having Joel aud
Abiah AS successors OF Samuel, who was becom-
ing aged aud likely soon TO pass away from life
The sons OF Samuel were even then acting as
Judges. They were probably under ns;rue-
tions from their father, and acted merely rs his
assistants. But the jndgeship was not an in
herited position. IL was filed by n man speci-
ally called TO tho Office ut the command of God.
There wond, however. probably not have been
so much desire for King had the sons of Sam
ue been filter persons. They did not inherit
their fathers goodness and integrity. Various
serious charges were made against them, aud
that without contradiction. /. They were sell
FISH, avaI icious, more concerned for seif-aggran-
dizvment than for the welfare of The people.
9 They accepted brides, and were thus guilty
Of one Of the grossest official outrages. 3 They
perverted judgment; they did not give fair de-
eisions; they could be easily bought up by those
in the wrong. Money governed more than just
ice. With three such Objectionable qualities
in his sons IL was great lack of propricty for
Samuel TO appoint them 10 office. The Judge
ship was thus brought into repr0acb. As rule
nepotism IL not ia good taste. even when the
persons appointed are most worthy. In such
matters Ely showed much better judgment
than Samuel exhibited.
What probably governed much in the decis-
ion OF the people WAS desire TO become gov
ernmcntally fashionable. They wanted to be
like all the nations" ". 81 Notice ALL
They were the one exception. God wanted
them to be a peculiar people. (NG., %: o;
Dca., % 25.l
G. Position Of Samuel.
1t was delicate matter for the elders 10 sug-
gest cbange of government. AZ the same timc
IL WAS Il great compliment TO Samuel for the
elders 20 lay the whole matter before him, and
10 give him full power TO select King Sam
uol was displeased. The request might be in
terpreted rs a reflection on Samuel. IL mi ght
be a rcbuke ofhis own judgments, or a reprooi
Ia him FOR choosing his sou5 for such important
aud eminent services. The sons were OF course
young men, and. besides having some very base
qualities, they may have exhibited some youth
lnl seli.importaueea aud hautiness. Then the dis
pleasure of Samuel may have originated in part
ut least from the fact that the request of the
elders was a serious blow Mt iheOcTacy, and thus
insult To jehovah. true prophet yea, a
Christian, will always rise for the defense OF
bis God. Samuel had reached deplorable state
OF things. He told God all about the matter
aud sought by prayer w. 81 to secure light aud
help. There was a call for divine assistance
Cody man seeks his Heavenly Father in all
emergencies. Samuel could see no way con.
sistently Ia grant the request OF the people.
King WAS not at ell admissible in the proposed
economy of the Jewish nation. To the mind o
Samuel the demand of the elders WAS an open
remuneration of the true God. Samuel prayed
Ia God for wisdom 10 guide him in that critical
moment How should he meet the demand
Of tho peopiep
z. Position Of God
1t Is clear Jehovah opposed but permitted
the petition OF the people wanting King. In
deed God anticipated such demand, speaking
OF IL over 800 years before the request was
made. tDeu., IL Ia lie showed Samuel thai
the appeal of the elders was as great an oifense
10 Deity AS To Samuel, thus trying to convince
Samuel that he had company in his displeasure
aud indignation. The Almighty attributed the
conduct OF the Israeites 20 the influence of the
hcathen worship about them aud 10 the forget
fulness OF the people of the wonderful inter.
positions OF Providence in general, and espec-
tally his wonderful assistance at the exodus
While God assented 10 the appeal. he yet babe
Samuel TO protest against its wisdom. In q
certain sense il was Gods purpose to punish
| tho people by granting their prayer. The the
ocEacy could not be totally blotted out, since no
King can annihiate Deity. God was very
| frank with the people. He let them see the
facts ia the case, not allowing them to have s
| King without becoming informed of the obiee-
tions To snch change Of government. As God
encourages us 10 do his will by blessed prom
ises, SO he intimidates us from dsobedience by
threatenings of serious consequences. He ar
gued the case with the Israelites, setting forth
the reasons why it would be better not 10 come
under the regal power, as follows;
a. The King would take their sons for his
charioteers force them TO become chariot run
ners and 90 care for his horses.
b. lie would force their sons into military
service. Saul did that very thing. IA: 81. J
IL is very common procedure for absolute
rulers to conscript for their armies. III: 49,
22:7,)
c. He would oblige them TO do all his agri-
cultural aud pastoral work. To 'ear" is 70
pillow. So SHAKESPEARE says Let them 90 to eur
the land"
d. lie would set their sons TO manufacturing
all kinds of military weapons
e. lie would compel their daughters to be-
come confeetoners or perfumers, cooks and
bakers.
]. lie would seize on their personal effects
and real estate for his own uses. See case OF