The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-11-14
TGE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

International Lesson for November ~.
1s95-eaul Rejected-1 Sam. 16'10sS0.
Specially Arranged from Peloubet's Notes
GOLDEN TExr-To obey 10 better than SEQ.
riflce-L Sam l6:s2.
TEE eEorIoN includes chapters lS 10 ~ to-
gether with . view Of the closing period Of
TIM. s.rPerhaps about B. G. 1885, at least ten
years after the inauguration OF SauL-KeL
According to Usher, B. G 107o
PLACk-Gilsal. In the Jordan valley, nsaf
Jericho
LESSON NOTES.
The FIRST TEST OF SAUL, 18:2-1B.--
This occurred about two years after
Saul began to reign. The whole Phil
istine nation had been aroused. Saul
assembled the Israelites at Gibeah, but
they were poorly armed, whereas their
opponents were we'll equipped. Sam
uel had agreed to come within seven
days and make known the will Of God.
Six days had gone and Samuel had not
appeared. To a commander like Saul,
who saw that every moments delay
weakened his own forces and strength.
ened the enemy, such delay seemed al
most intolerable. At the last moment
Saul yielded to the temptation to offer
the offerings, contrary to Gods law
and his agreement with Samuel, and
press into action. just then the
prophet appeared on the scene. Saul
had failed in the hour of trial.
The SECOND TEST, 15:1-9.-Samuel
brought commandment of the Lord
to Saul that he should declare war
against the Amalekites, and utterly de-
stroy them and all their possessions.
The kingdom of God could not extend
according to Gods promise, unless these
people were either peaceful or out Of
existence. They would not be peace
full; therefore they must pass out of
existence.
The marauding Amalekites were rich
in cattle, sheep, camels and asses. and
they carried their wealth with them
wherever they went But the Israel
ties were commanded to destroy all this
wealth. The reason was no doubt to
hold the motives of the Israelites on 6
high plane
Saul led two hundred and ten thou
sand Israelites against the Amalelxites
and nearly annihilated them; but he
spared their king, probably to grace
his triumph on his return; and, with his
consent, the people brought home alive
for their farms the best of the cattle
and sheep, destroying only the vile and
the refuse.
SAUL BROUGHT FACE TO FACE WITH
HIS SIN.-Vs. 10. Game the word of
the Lord unto Samuel Probably at
Ramah. his home. 1T repenteth me-"
He did not regret his action, but his
feelings and his action were changed
toward Saul. "And it grieved Samuel"
Literally, it burned lin him). "And he
cried unto the Lord all night:" This
shows how deeply Saul's disobedience
cut his very heart.
10. saul came to Carmel:" Not
Mount CARMEL but city about seven
miles southeast of Hebron. "And, be-
hold, he set him up places" a monu-
ment. "And is gone about" taken an
other road than that by which Samuel
had come. "And gone down to Gilgal."
10. Blessed be thou" ETC., form Of
welcome. II have performed the COM
mandment of the Lord:" So he tried
to persuade himself, by looking only at
that part of his conduct which was in
accordance with the command.
IA. What meaneth then this bleat-
ing of the sheep?" Saul is convicted Of
falsehood by the voices of the animals
which he has spared, contrary to Gods
command.
SAUL's VAIN ExCUsEs.-Saul makes
four excuses for what he had done.
First, he did obey, in making the ex-
pedition and almost exterminating the
Amalekites.
Second, he saved only the best, that
it would be SO unwise to destroy.
Third, the people were to blame. Is.
"The people spared the best"
Fourth, they broke the command for
the Lords own sake. ITO sacrifice unto
the Lord thy Gods" Even If the cattle
spared were really intended as sacri-
fees to the Lord, not only the people,
but Saul, also, would have had their
own interests in view, since the flesh Of
thank-offerings was appropriated to
sacrificial meals.
II. when thou vast little y the
Lord anointed thee king" All you
have and are is the gift of God.
1s, 1.-The sinners the Amalekites:"
Here we see why they were to be de-
stroyed.
10. "Didst fly upon the spoil:" ely"
expresses his eager. passionate craving.
20. II have obeyed:" Saul was not
penitent, but blind still. "And have
brought Agag:" Contrary to the ex-
press command Of God, and yet he sees
in it proof of obedience.
SAUL CONDEMNED; and rejected from
the Divine plan to which he was selected
by God. ''And Samuel said" Inspired
by the Spirit of God. Hath the Lord
as great delight" etc.
From its very nature, ito obey is bet
ter than sacrifice" for it is the very
thing for which the sacrifice is required.
%. Rebellion is as the sin of witch
craft" Public disobedience was trea-
son to God, a renouncing of God, as
really as was seeking from witches and
demons what could only come from