The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-11-07

We do not read that God sent Samuel to Saul.
1t is implied in " l6. Between VS.. III and IL
we ARC to understand that a command was
given Samuel TO look up Saul, and declare to
him the displeasure of Jehovah with his rash,
self.importaut and self-dependent conduct.
The Accusation.
I. Preliminary. We have statement OF Gods
grievances against Saul; of Samuel's sadness
and prayer; of Samuel's search for Saul.
2. The time of the meeting of Samuel and
Saul. Probably might" in V. is. corresponds
with might" in V. IL. We would think the
two met early in the morning; but since Ra-
nah. the scene of the prayer in V. il, is about
16 miles from Gilgal the place Of the meeting
of the two, Samuel must have risen very early
". I2) if he reached Saul in the morning. 1t
is possible night" in Y. IS. was night sue
ceeding the one mentioned in V. II. and that
the morning of V. IL was the morning Of the
day following the second night.
g. Notice the salutation of Saul" Blessed be
thou of the Lord" " 13. Taken in connec-
ton with the account. and we seem TO rccog-
nize tone of guiltiness-an apparent anticipa-
ton of possible Gliding from Samuel.
4. There seems hiatus between the saluta-
tion in " IL, ending with the word Lord
and the beginning of the words II have per-
formed" We would think that after the salu-
tation of Saul, which Samuel probably returned,
Samuel accused Saul Of retaining the sheep,
oxen, etc. and of sparing Agag. 1t may be,
however that from, his conscious guilt in this
respect, aud from apprehension Samuel was
about to speak to him rebukingly, Saul burst
ont with the declaration, Il have performed
the commandment OF the Lord" If Samuel
did accuse Saul of his miscouduct-did so ac-
cuse him just after the accusation which we
suppose-then Saui's words were q contradic-
ton out and out Of Gods charge that Saul had
disobeyed. Perhaps his conscience told Sanl he
was in error and he opened the subject at once
seeing Samuel. Or. having been commanded
by Jehovah to fight. he might have felt it his
duty to report to Samuel as Gods representa-
tive.
). Samuel heard the bleating Of the sheep
and the lowing of the oxen. 50 How about
these sheep and oxen?" asked Samuel. "God
ordered that not one should be left alive Be
hold, Saul. these all cry out against you"
6. SauPs excuse. The people, the soldiers
under Saul, preserved the best of the sheep and
oxen to slay for sacrifices to God. If right at
al, it was correct to offer the best TO God in
worship. The object of the preservation was
good. TO wit, worship Saul made out the best
case possible. But he was not exactly truthful.
As Commandment in Chief he was responsible for
all the soldiers did. Then, lit is plain from
V. 9 that Saul was party to the reservation
of said sheep and oxen. Then it WAS cowardly
to lay the responsibility wholly on the soldiers.
z. But the excuse was too 1imsy. 1t offended
Samuel. He could not listen longer to ID, and
told Saul to stop further apology.
8. Charges va. Saul. a. He had grown
proud, self-important. V. IT, b. He was dis
obedient vs.. 10. 20 %. c. He was guilty Of
fasehOod. d. He contradcted God. c. He
did not hearken to God. VS.. /, %. T. He re-
belled against Gods government V. %.
@. He was stubborn. self-willed. V. %. h. He
was persistent in wrong, reiterating his
contradiction OF God. Y. 90 4. He was self
contradictory. While saying he had utterly
destroyed the Amalekites, lie declared that he
had brought away alive Agag. the King OF the
Amalekites. j. Granting the people were
wholly responsible for reserving the sheep and
oxen, he apologized for their sins K. He was
doubtless responsible for the preservation of
Agag J. All is summed up in the charge he
did evil in the sight of the Lord" V. 10.
Consequence: God declared his ultimate
deposition.
Suggestions.
]. Give God credit for victory rather than
erect personal monuments. V. IL.
9. Obey God-obey TO the letter. Obedience
is better than sacrifices. V. %.
8. Do not lay your sins on others. V. 81.
4. BE sure your sins will find you out. V.
IA.
5. Pray for those who do evil. VS.. II, 35.
6. BE grieved if others sin. V. II.
z. Do not steal, etc, aud comfort conscience
by giving part to religious ex penses. V. 10.
8. Be humble, little in your own sight. V.
II.
9. Do not backslide. VII
10. The ministry should reprove sin. " Is.
II. Not all prayer is answered. V. IL.
II. One sin leads to another. In the case of
Saul disobedience led to dissemblance. 10.
- If we reject God he will reject US.
IA Our Judge Christi and we sinners must
sometime meet. 1t will be solemn occasion.
We shall be obliged to account for our conduct
here. No deception can be practiced-no post
pOnement granted.