The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-11-09
LESSON STORY.

Saul after his election at Mizpah re-
turned to his farming at Gibeah; but an
appeal for the relief OF Jabesh-giieao
for rescue from the besieging Ammon-
ties was answered 80 promptly and eff
fectiyely by the young king, and the
victory over the Ammonites was 30
speedy and complete under his leader
ship, that his coronation became POP
ular demand, and was conferred at Gil
gal with great national rejoicing Sauls
subsequent assumption of the priestly
function, in Offering sacrifices, dis
pleased Samuel and caused him to proph-
e,y that Saurs dynasty could not De
lasting. But Saul continued to be brave
and victorious in battle, and he received
the cordial support Of Samuel during the
first ten years of his reign.
Then, at about the eleventh year OF
Saul's kingship, Samuel determined that
the old sentence of utter determination
against the Amalekites should be exc
cuted. The decree of extermination,-
however inhuman it may seem by our
Christian standard in accordance
with the ideal of Israel. 1t was de-
manded of the military power. by the
priesthood, that every living thing OF
the Amalekites which could be captured
should be "devoted;" that is, put to
death.
SAUL says Kitto, was charged with
the execution of the decree; and his
commission, as delivered to him by Sam
uel. was expressed in the most absolute
terms, and left the king no option to
spare aught that breathed. Under this
supreme order, the king made a general
call upon all the tribes, which brought
together an army of two hundred
thousand men, among whom there were
but ten thousand men of Judah. The
deficiency of that tribe in supplying its
due proportion is probably not noticed
by the historian on this and on former
occasion without some object, and that
object probably was to convey the init
nation that since the scepter had been
of old promised to that tribe, it was dis
contented at the government OF Saul.
and less hearty than the other tribes in
it's obedience. The king led his army
into the territory of Amalek. There he
made the most able disposition Of his
forces, seized the most favorable posi-
tions, and then turned his advan-
tages against the enemy. A general
action followed, in which the Israelites
we're victorious, and they pursued the
Amalekites to their most distant and
last retreats. Agag. the king, was taken
alive with all his riches. Blinded by
his ambition and his avarice to the dan
ger of acting in defiance of most posi-
tive and public command of Samuel,
Saul determined to spare the life of Agag,
and to preserve the more valuable parts
of all Il booty from destruction; but,
with a most insulting or weak mockery
of obedience, all that was vile and re-
fuse they utterly destroyed"
1.SamueI Distressed by Doubt
of Saul,-vs. 1918.
The statement that Samuel received a
word of the Lord saying, 1t repenteth
me that 1 hare set up Saul to be king"
expresses the fact that Saul had not
fulfilled in his kingship the divine re-
quirement, or the prophets expectation.
Samuel's vigilant eye had been on Saul,
the king of his own choosing, his own
protege. He now saw that, in turning
the battle for Jehovah into foray for
spoils, Saul had cast out all unselfish
faith in Jehovah. 1t was an agony Of
disappointment to Samuel to become
convinced beyond reasonable doubt that
Saul had become utterly regardless of
Israel's ideal. The aged man of God
spent whole night in grief, indignation
and prayer. He felt the divine wrath
which all noble souls feel when a great
opportunity is missed, a noble ideal
transgressed.
In the morning Samuel hurried to
meet Saul. He was early informed that
Saul had. at a place called Carmel, on
the southern frontier, set up monument
to commemorate his victory. and had
hurried on to Gilgal. the military center
of the nation.
When Samuel, after the journey of
fifteen miles between Ramah and Gilgal
had been completed. came into the pres
ence of Saul, he received from the flushed
victor an Extensively ELUSIVE greeting;