The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-07-25
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

Aug. 4s SANS 9;i0-4s
Zone reading those notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures
indicated above.l
SUBJECT: SAMUEL DIRECTED TO ANoIST SAUL
PRELIMINARY INTERVIEWS.
1. Preliminary.
We remember the demand of the Tsraelites
for a King; the displeasure of Samuel ct
the suggestion; the final permission of Je-
hovah the direction given to Samuel to select
such ruler. Questions: How might Samuel
proceed to choose King2 Whom should he
name2
The condition Of the Jsraelites was, indeed,
lamentable. Something must be done. A leader
was tho grand demand of the circumstances.
The Philistines held sway over Gods people,
who were therefore in great need of relief.
Samuel, by reason of extreme age, was not fitted
for the hour. g.: 81 Joel and Abiah (8:2)
had proved unworthy.
Who would become King2 "Make them q
King" was tho order of Jehovah to Samuel.
g.: BY But God did not leave the choice to Sam
uel 1t was not desirable to abandon the idea
of the theocracy. The people had asked Sam
uel TO designate their King. Is: 81 Samuel
would not assume power of charging the gov
eminent, and so he referred the matter to Je-
hovah. 80 Then when God granted per-
mission to have a King, Samuel would have
been unwise had he selected the man for that
OlbCO. SeoHiiRIy hubBOTlJy Was leIb W MIN
in the case. (B;22.l Samuel, not unlikely by
direction of Jehovah, decided to settle the So
lection by lot, thus referring the choice to God.
prov, 18: 49, Indeed, it is plainly said that
the Lord chose the King. (10:24; ISL;
Acts - 81
A curious feature about the election Of Saul
was the fact that the matter was practically set
tied beforehand, not by lot, but by the arbitrary
choice Of Jehovah. OF this fact nobody had
knowledge save Samuel and Saul. Every pre-
caution was taken to keep secret the selection
of Jehovah. We notice how careful Samuel
was to have even the servant of Saul kept in
ignorance of the fact. (9:T.) Though adj
mitted to the feast, %: 3d. the servant was ex-
cluded from the interview In which Samuel
declared TO Saul the determination of God that
lie be King. The object of this plan was to
prepare Saul for his election and confirm in his
mind the result of the lot when it should be
cast.
But how would Samuel know what person
was thus ultimately to be Jehovah's choice
We have a splendid illustration of what is call
ed the doctrine Of Providence. Samuel and
Saul must meet How this be brought
about? 1t is curious that God should give con-
sent to that which he did not approve, and help
bring about result contrary TO Interpretation.
But Jehovah has constituted us free moral
agents, and permits US free range Of action,
limited only by our powers and environments
Saul's father missed some of his asses and set
his son, along with servant, TO look for them.
They searched u long time, and became quite
discouraged by failure. They thought the
search useless aud were about to 20 back home,
when the servant bethought him of the fact
they CHANGED TO be near where Samuel could be
easily reached, and he proposed they call on
him and seek his assistance prophet in de-
termining the whereabouts of the missing ami
mails. Thus in most wonderful way Samuel
and Saul were brought face to face.
2. Tine.
We date the lesson 2909 A. NJ, or 1905 B. C.
Samuel was about IS years of age. That was
about 100 years before Homer. 1t was nearly
5000 years ago.
For all practicable purposes we may locate
the lesson at Ramah. q: 49, 7: I'D 1t would
seem that we are to understand the place Of
residence of Samuel. Notice the account says
the seers house." (9:l5) Samuel seems
To have been Mt some place where he was very
sure to be found. ". 60 Then verses % aud
~ speak IA though Samuel was very familiar
with tho house. At the same time thore are
some difficulties in understanding Rtmah.
We remember saul lived at Gibeah, in tho
tribe OF Benjamin. 40: 26) And Samuel re-
sided at Ramgh, ia the same tribe. The places
were about the same distance from Jerusalem,
and not much more than three to four miles
apart Both said places are north of Jerusalem.
tJud., 10: i3l But going home from Ramah TO
Gibeah, surprising Ramah TO be the place oil the
interviews of our lesson Saul would have no
occasion TO pass by Rachel's sopulcher. tl0:2
We recall the fact Samuel went on a circuit as
Judge, Il: 10, H. aud would therefore feel
quite at homo In different towns. We would
suppose from 10 = that the interviews of our
lesson occurred south OF Bethlehem. Some
critical scholars take strong grounds on this
as,A 81.
place where Samuel aud Saul met, toasted and
eommuncd rs fully fixed geographically.
4. AHoiatin9.
The custom OF amounting 10 very ancient
God furnished 4 receipt Tor the composition of
the oil used in amounting. lex, 80: - 49, The
ointment WAS supposed TO symbolic the be-
stowment Of the Holy Spirit. CIsa 6: Acts,
10: 35; ! John, 2 30, ~ Utensils sacred
were anointcd. Even places rendered holy by
association were anontod. (Gen., 20 49, God
ordered that tho priests when set apart for
their Office should DO anointed. Eek, 29:7;
80: 30; 40: 49, So rulers were anointed. tJud.,
9:s; Sa.. 10: 3, IL; XII, 10 : 10. 10; XII,
1850 So Samuel was directed to anoint Saul.
%: 10; 1851; l6:l.) Prophets, priests and
Kings were anointed. IL was not supposed
man could occupy either position acceptably
without divine assistance.
5. The Anointer.
Ne nhu saul was Amounted by SamueI. TOO
directed Samuel SO TO do. 90: Is 49, The two
were alone, aud the locality was the fields near
the gate Of entrance to the city. 1t took place
very early In the morning, before the popnlace
had risen TO prevent the privateness of the In
terview. II WAS prior to his election by lot ut
the hands of the people. It was his Inaugural
ton into Office. Ii was modest act on the
part of Samuel, since il was practically Civ
ing up his virtually regal power by its trans
ference to Saul.
9. The An0inted
The person chosen King Was Saul. The
name of his father was Kish, 90: /, ) written Cts
in Acts, Is: 81. He was of the tribe of Benja-
min. He was a man mighty in power,
choice young man. and goodly; and there
was not among tho children of Israel goodler
person than he" lie was giant in hight and
strength. Tvs. l, 81 No wonder Samuel said,
when introducing him, Behold the man."
". H. And yet Saul was very modest. ".
21.)
z. The Interviews.
Samuel and Saul had four interviews
l. At the city gate. AS Saul was about to
enter the city, Samuel was leaving it, on way
to the high-place or spot where no aud his
guests were to assemble. The two did not
know each other, but Samuel by some divine
intimatiou at once recognized the candidate
for kneshp Doubtless Samuel had full idea
of what WAS to occur, and knew no was to
meet the person chosen Of God as the first King
of the Israelites.
2. AT tho high place Samuel invited Saul and
his servant to join in the saerificial meal