The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-07-11
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

lnuicateu abOve.l
SUBJECT: THE PHrLIsTINEs CONQUERED BY
THE DISABILITIES NEAR MIZPEH-GoD,
PRAYER AND LIGHTNING VS.. BAAL, BLUs-
TER AND SWORDS.
/. Preliminaries.
The lesson should begin at verse g. Thus we
shall have greater unity of thought. There is,
however, n connection between clause in verse
and the paragraph for study. The occasion
of the meeting of the people at Mspeh ". 81
and the lamentaton mentioned in verso are
intimate. 1t was the sad plight of the people
that moved Samuel to take some steps for re-
lief. While there was signing for the "good
old times while the people were thus in
tractable state of mind-an opportunity was
furnished warranting Samuel in the hope no
could benefit the nation over which he had be-
come judge. a.: IL He seized on it.
q Samuel as Judge.
We read, in verse G, Samuel judged the
children of Israel in Mizpeh" After his en-
trance to the tabernacle, being but n child, we
hear nothing of him till he was about so years
of age, when we learn the word of Samuel
came to all Israel" (4:1.) Then, probably,
20 years intervene, and he is not far from so
years of age when VIC read that he judged Is
rael. ". O of the lesson.) BY Judged we
mean that he in religious sense told the people
how to return to God. Further he aided them
in adjusting difficulties then existing among
themselves as u natural result OF LnelT wan
dering away from the true worship. For over
90 years the people had recognized Samuel rs
an established prophet. g: 20, 21.) He exer-
cised civil functions, as in Ex IS: 1876. Also,
like Othniel, Ehud. Barak, Gideon, he was a
military judge. Then, ut Mizpeh, as a conse-
quence of the long continued lack of genuine
religious culture and principle, there was much
for Samuel to do as judge in ecclesiastical and
ethical matters. Probably at Mizpeh there
may have been some occasion to exercise prim-
tive powers In the cases Of such us refused TO
relnguish idolatry.
3. The Call for he Meeting.
1. The time. 1t took place in about the year
1884 A. NJ, or 1120 Il. G. It is thought Samuel
was 40 to 80 years of age. Eli had been dead
for about 20 years.
2. The place. 1t was Mizpeh. ". g. That
place was in the tribe Of benjamin, Josh, 10:
II, 26,) and about four and half miles north
west from Jerusalem. Mizpeh is known as
Nebi SamioiH. 1t was o historic place. aud made
sacred ms point for assemblage and consnlta-
ton. (Jud., 20: /; 81: ~ Again, Samuel
called for n meeting at Mizpeh to choose king.
Il Sam, 10 ~ Then, it is thought Samuel
pnrposed leading the Israelites against the
Philistines, and so had the place of rendezvous
on the border OF the land of tho Phlistines
3. BY whom called2 1t is evident that Sam
uel originated tho call. He first gathered
about himself number of influential men who
could be easily reached, and instructed them.
Then he sent them abroad to proclaim more
generally the proposed meeting. We can see
that he, as their prophet, anxious TO relieve the
people from their distressing condition, issued
"A call summoning the people. 1t is likely
the gathering was a representative one. The
leading men from all parts met Samuel for
consultation. A time aud place were likely
fixed ON for the gathering
4. Nature of the call. While the occasion
partook of political and military character,
set it was mainly religious and reformatory.
The call itself gave tho people full idea of
Samuels purpose in wanting a meeting. We
sec why the house of Israel" ~ 81 had be.
come so desolate; why they were subject to the
PhiIisifnes; why they lamented ". 2); why
their bondage TO foreign power was so pro-
tracted. They had leaned toward idoiatry.
They secured the Promised Laud through the
aid aud guidance of the true God. For long
time they succeeded in yanqushing the hea.
then inhabitants. They had been warned
again and again that il they waned mt all in
their dependence OH Jehoyah-if they yielded
an iota to the worship of heather gods they
would lose their power, be deprived of Gods
help and left TO the mercy of their enemies.
Now We see why they were subject TO the Phil
istines. They had compromised their God
They began to sympathize with heather wor-
ship. IL would seem they actually Joined in
the alteration of idols. The names of two
classes Of the gods Of the Phiistines are given,
10 wit, Ashtaroth and Baalim. which are plurals
Of Ashtareth aud Baal. Those were chief
dyiuities Of the Canaahites. Ashtareth cor
responded with Venus or Astarte Of the Greeks
and ishtar OF the Assyrians. Baal was proba-
bly, paralleled 10y Jove or Jupiter. Ashtaroth
collectively represented the female deities,
while Baalim included the male. We may I'M
derstand, then, all the gods and goddesSes Of
the Canaanites. 1t is astonishing that after all
the precautions OF God through Moses, Joshua,
aud others against the worship OF idols-after
all the evidences of Gods power as shown In
his dealings with tho Israelites, that yet the
people seemed 90 have proeliyity toward gods
aud goddesses. Their sins had involved them
in grieyous troubles. Reformation was de-
manded The only way in which 10 was posi-
BILE for them to escape WIS by return to the
service exclusively of the One True and Only
God. AS soon as the people thus gave up idol
airy they were assured God, who delivered
them from Pharaoh, God. who tumbled down
the walls of Jericho. would again come to their
rescue, enabling them to defeat the Phlistines
Hence they were called on TO prepare their
hearts. lSee V. 81 We see the tractabilty of
the people and the influence of Samuel in the
fact of ready response To his urgent appeals
The people turned from idols, resumed worship
OF God only, believed the promise of deliver
ance. oheyed Samuel's orders. We notice how
God always accompanies his commands by
encouragements 10 obedience IL they reformed
| they were guaranteed victory over the Philis-
tines If they assembled as Samuel directed
they were promised the influence of his prayers
to God. ". 81
4. The Meeting
| We notice the several acts of the people at
! Mizpeh. i. They drew water and poured it
| out before the Lord" ". 81 Many aud adj
verse opinions have been held as to what We
| are 10 understand by this. The most generally
received is that they repented-shed tears over
their sinfuness. They may literally have
| poured water out as symbolic of their contri-
ton (Ps %; Ia; 2S.l g They tasted Feel
ing as they truly did, there would be little dis
| position for banqueting. Fasting is not so
/ much formal matter us n natural aec0mpani-
| ment Often, however, il Is not only a eouse-
| quent but an anteeedent It is wolf to fast ms
religious exercise quickening to the subjective
| process of determination. g. They confessed
| their SINS That was q most impressive relig-
| ious gathering It was season of critical self
| inspection. IL was fit preparation for refor-
nation and reeonsecration. Doubtless il was
| genuine work of grace.
| According TO the Hebrew method of worship
II