The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-11-07
the SUNDAY SCHOOL,

International Looo0n for Nov. 10, 1895
saul Chosen King-1 Sam. 1Oi17-N5.
Specially Arranged from Peloubets Nossa
GOLDEN Tnxr--The Lord feigneth: let shs
earth rejoice.-Psa. N:L
TIE SECTION includes chapters 70 IL, the
governments, and the beginning Of Saurs
Trnn-ioos or ioss twenty years after the
battle Of Ebenezer In our last lesson We
must remember that the chronology 10 uncer-
tsin. and the judseship Of Samuel and the early
part Of Saul's reign may have overlapped.
PrACn -CD The great assembly described in
the last lesson Was OF MiEpeh, hill near Ra-
NAH (2) Samuel's home was ct Ramah. four
or fve miles northwest OF Jerusalem ~ The
place where Saul met Samuel flrst was In the
district Of Zuph, not far from the tomb Of
Rachel. which is mile north Of Bethlehem
EXPLANATORY.
THE IsRAEL1TEs DESIRE A KINe.-
Chapter s:1-5 We are now on the verge
of q new era Of government, q new de-
velopment Of the chosen people. When
Samuel was about seventy years old,
the leaders Of Israel, who formed "the
popular assembly which seems In all
times to have existed in Israel" (Elli-
cott), came to Samuel and asked that
he would change the government to q
kingdom, and aid them in finding a
king.
REASONS FOR DESIRING A KING.-
Samuel was growing old, and could not
well lead their armies against the we'll
organized enemies around them.
There was also cloud gathering be-
yond Jordan, which threatened to
sweep the Hebrews from the land their
fathers conquered. All saw it coming.
That cloud was horde of eastern plum
derers, led by Nahash, king of Ammon
(11:1-3; 1919. Another cloud in the
southwest was the formidable league of
the Philistine chieftaius (9:16). There
fore they wanted military leader, one
ito go out before them and fight their
battles" (S:20; 1919. :
1t is quite probable that they half
consciously wanted a king because they
were tired of having their prosperity
depend on their good behavior. The
leaders God chose for them could sue
ceed only when the people turned to
God. But king might conquer by his
skill and organizing power, and they
imagined that they need not be so par
ticular as to their duties toward God.
SAMUEL AND THE New ERA.-s: 6-22:
This proposal was a great trial to Sam
uel, and sent him to God in earnest
prayer to know what he should do.
This request seemed charged with in
gratitude towards their aged leader,
who had spent whole lifetime in un-
selfish devotion to their interests.
1t is hard to be laid aside, to lay down
the precious work still unfinished and
clet another neglect what has been
done, and take up different and in
ferior mode of procedure. Their re-
quest was q rejection of God as their
king. He had given them victory after
victory, always victory and prosperity
when they had obeyed Him so that He
ould bestow these blessings, and pow
they could not trust him.
Hence it was disappointment to
Samuel that the people refused the
splendid possibilities before them,
which he had labored all his life to re-
alize. And they chose only the second
best.
VS.. II. Samuel called the people to
Mizpeh:" the hill near Ramah, his
home, where the great assemblies were
often held.
10. "By your tribes, and thousands"
as the people were organized.
20. The choice was first made by lot,
so that it would be shown to the people
that the king was selected by God, and
therefore they could safely accept him.
21. when they sought him, he could
not, be found:" Knowing that he had
been Divinely chosen, and therefore
that his name would be drawn in the
lot, his bashful modesty led him to keep
out of sight. He could not know that he
would be received by the people, nor
Just what to do If he were accepted.
%. "They inquired of the Lords"
Probably through the high priest. "Hid
himself among the stuff:" The bag
gage.
%. HE was higher than any of the
peoples" This fact impressed the people,
who looked at the outward appearance,
for they could not see his heart and
character.
"a. "God save the kings" These ac-
clamations were the peoples accept
ance of the Divine selection.
25. Samuel told the people the man
ner of the kingdom:" He laid down the
principles, and limitations of the kingly
power.
20. "And Saul also went home to
Gibeah." In Benjamin, four miles north
of Jerusalem, and about two miles
from Ramah. He had much quiet
work to do in preparing himself for
his work, and there was no immediate
occasion for his taking any public
part in affairs. "With him q band of
men (R. ", "the host" or ''men Of
valor, " whose hearts God had touched"
That they should accept him as king,
and be willing to aid him. The highest
prudence and sagacity marked all the
early period Of the reign of the first
king
81. Butt There was opposition at
first from certain sons of Belial. That
is, ''sons of worthlessness," lawless,
worthless, wicked persons.
ssR,,t ha hold his Daaca - He patianf.