The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-11-06
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
NOVEMBER 10.
Lesson Text: <fSaul Chosen King,'
Samuel K, ,17-27--Golden
Text: Psalms xcvii.,1
commentary.

II. "And Samuel called the people to-
gether unto the Lord to Mizpeh." Israel
was chosen to be special people unto God
above all people on the earth: separated
from all others unto the Lord, that Hs
might show through them who and what He
was. that thus all Nations might know Him
for their good (Ex. XIX, 5. g. Deut. VIII. g.;
II Sam. viii. 23). When therefore they de-
sired to be like other Nations q Sam. viii, s,
20), they went right contrary to the will OF
how the king they desired would treat them
viii, 11-l9), but they insisted on having
their own way. The steps by which the Lord
brought Saul to Samuel are fully recorded in
chapter tx, and the first part of this chapter
Y, and form one Of the most interesting, in
structive and practical of all Bible stories.
A precious nugget which enjoy and love to
pass on is found in X. 7. "Do as occasion
serve thee. for God is with thee"
1s. 'Thus saith the Lord God Of Israel, I
brought up Israel out Of Egypt" The sug-
gestiveness Of Mizpeh was seen in our last
lesson, and there the people saw the power
OF the Lord on their behalf Now they are
again before the Lord, but turning their
backs upon Him deliberately in order to be
like other Nations. He reasons with them
concerning their conduct, reminding them
OF His love to them when they were slaves in
Egypt and how He delivered them from all
their oppressors. They should therefore
consider that they were His property. peo-
pie for His own possession CHitus H., IA. r.
W.. and that He and not they should have
the right of deciding in all things concern
ing their welfare.
19. "Ye have this day rejected your God,
who Himselfsaved you out Of all your ad-
yersities and your tribulations." Samuel at
first felt that they had rejected him, but the
Lord said, "Thev have not rejected thee, but
they have rejected Me, and He added that
in doing as they had done they were only
treating Samuel as they had always treated
Him (chapter viii, Z. 81. When Israel muir
INJURED. it was not against Moses and Aaron,
but against the Lord (Ex. xvi, 81. See the
application to us in Luke X. and let MS con-
slider we'll that all that touches the Lords
people touches the Lord Himself (zach. H.,
s. Acts TX, 4. 81, and all rebellion or COM
planning on the part of His people is against
Him.
20. q. "When they sought him, he could
not be found" All Israel presented them
selves before the Lord by their tribes, and
the lot was cast for the tribe, and for the
family, and for the man, and the result was
that Saul, the son Of Kish, Of the tribe of
Benjamin was taken, but he could not be
found. God kew the man whom they would
like and had chosen such a one for them,
and now He guided the lot to bring him be-
fore them, for "The lot Is cast into the lap,
but the whole disposing thereof Is Of the
Lord" prov. xvi, 33).
%. "The Lord answered B9hold he hath
hid himself among the stuff The word
translated ''stufr' has nine different mean
ings given to it in this book alone. 1t Is
translated furniture, armor, carriage, artil-
lery, weapons, vessels, things, etc. Some
where and somehow, and for some reason.
Saul hid himself. He knew through Samuel
that God had selected him (chapter K, y,
and knowing this it was a becoming thing
not put himself forward, but let all see that
he had no hand in the election. 1t did not
cost him penny for votes; the place sought
him not he the place. Whata contrast con-
trast to many elections in our day.
%. when he stood among the people, he
was higher than any Of the people, from his
shoulders and upward" In addition to this
statement we find in chapter IL. Q, that he
was choice young man, and that there WAS
not goodlier person ..in all Israel. Size is
not everything, however, else Goliath and
other giants might be envied, neither is out
ward appearance, as Samuel afterward
learned when he heappointed man after Gods
heart instead of one to please the people
(chapter xvi, 6. y. Contrast the youth and
probable slight figure Of David (Xvii.. asl;
also what is written OF Saul Of Tarsus (H
Cor. X. 10).
a. "Sea We him whom the Lord hath
chosen, that there is none like him among
all the people? And all the people shouted
and said, God save the king" As We said IN
q previous verse, Saul was the Lords choice
that He might please The people and for the
time being satisfy them and so in due time
humble them. AS on another occasion, "He
gave them their request, but sent leanness
into their soul" CPS evil. 15). The people
have now visible king, a choice man and
noble looking one; they are like other Ma
tions in the matter Of king, but the invisl-
BILE one, their Redeemer, Is rejected and they
prefer to walk by sight.
25. "Then Samuel told the people the
manner Of the kingdom and wrote 1t In
book and laid it up before the Lord" All
this state Of affairs had been foreseen by the
Lord and fully written about In Deut. xviii,
1920. This it was, probably, with perhaps
additions, that Samuel wrote in the book.
Now if the king would consider himself the
Lords representative, and act for the Lord
toward the people, in all things consulting
Him and obeying Him and honoring Him, all
might yet be we'll, but to please self or the
people or to rely on human wisdom or
strength will spoil ell.
&c. "Aud Saul also went home to Gibeah,
andsthere went with him band of men,
whose hearts God had touched" God would
help him by giving him helpers and friends.
He does everything to make it easy for us to
do right if We are only willing to serve Him
in sincerity and truth. He Is the same God
who saw that it was not good for Adam to be
alone (Gen. H., 18); who also sent the dis
ciples out by twos Nuke x, y, and He al
ways, in due time, provides helpers for such
as are willing to dwell with Him for His
work.
az. "But the children OF Bslial said, How
shall this man save US? And they despised
him and brought him no presents. But ne
held his peace" Saul was In the place OF
Gods representative and as such had his
friends and his enemies. 1t has been and
will be everso. See John xv., IS. AS king
Of Israel he in sense typiiled Christ. the
true King of Israel (John l., 49, and before
his enemies held his peace. or, as in the mar
gin, "was as though he had been deaf" See
also Pa. xxxvlil., IS. The wise men from the
East brought Jesus gold and frankincencs
and myrrn. but many who bear His name to-
day bring Him no presents. See Rom. xiii,
l, 2.-Lesson Helper.