The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-11-28
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

david AnOlnted klng-1 Sam. 10, 1.13.
Specially Arranged from Peloubet's Notes
GOLDEN THxT.-Man looketh on the outward
appearance. but the Lord looketh on the heart.
II Sam. 1897.
THE SECTION includes chapter 10 Soc also
TIxE-About b c. 1906 to 1863 Not long
after the last lesson. The exact time 10 un-
certain.
PLAcE-u) Ramsh, Samuers home four
miles north Of Jerusalem. ~ Bethlehem, six
miles south Of Jerusalem
EXPLANATORY.
In cur last lesson we learned that
Saul was rejected from founding line
of kings, because he proved himself un-
at for the place and the work. Sa 1uel,
after giving his last faithful warning
to Saul, returned to his home at Ramah,
and henceforth saw him no more.
1. "And the Lord said unto Samuel,"
not a great while after He left Saul.
and yet the expression: How long,"
implies that some weeks or perhaps
months had elapsed. wilt thou mourn
for Saul?" God gave Samuel time for
the natural expression for his greif;
but, too long continued, his grief
would imply dissatisfaction with God
and His providence. Fill thine
horn;" the horns were followed out
and polished, and used as cups or bot
ties. Hence the horn became the SYM
Dol of power and plenty (cornucopia).
with oil:" either the usual olive oil
or perhaps the sacred oil used for the
tabernacle lights and for amounting
priests, and composed of olive oil,
cassia. cinnamon, calamus and myrrh.
II will send thee to Jesse. the Bethle-
hemite." Jesse was the grandson of
Boaz and Ruth. and was probably the
chief man of Bethlehem, "the sheik
of the village" For l have provided
me king" He had not only selected
one, but had endowed him with the
needful training and talents, and had
found him making {. right use of them.
2. "And Samuel said, How can
go? If Saul hear it he will kill me-"
for the act of amounting another king
would be regarded as little less than
high treason. Take a heifer with
thee and say, am come to sacrifice"
Samuel was accustomed to go on cir
cult to Judge, and it is probable that
on such occasions he held religious
services, taught the people and offered
sacrifices. 1t may have been the GUS
tomary annual sacrifice at Bethlehem
(2O:6).
8. And call Jesse to the sacrifice"
The sacrifice was religious service, rep
resenting communion with God, and
was accompanied with acts of devotion,
prayers, and sometimes, at least, with
addresses. "And l will show thee
what thou shalt do:" So usually God
shows us the way little at a time.
4. "And the elders of the town
trembled at his coming" perhaps be-
cause friendliness to Samuel might be
regarded by Saul as taking sides
against him, and the royal displeasure
would be visited upon them. "Comest
thou peaceably?" Does your coming
betoken peace. goodwill, the favor of
God, or otherwiseP
8. ''sanctify yourselves" by the pre-
scribed ceremonial cleansing, which
was a symbol of the publication of the
heart by repentance, obedience, and
conservation to God. "Called them to
the sacrifice:" All were present at the
public sacrifice, but the sacrifcial feast
ing that followed would be by families,
and Samuel went to Jesse's house for
this purpose, doubtless as welcome
guest.
o. HE looked upon Eliab:" Jesse's
eldest son, tall and fine-looking.
"Surely the Lords anointed is before
Him" Even Samuel still judged by
outward appearances, and this stalwart,
soldier-like, middle-aged man seemed
"every inch king"
"The Lord seeth not as man seeth:"
For the Lord sees all; knows all. The
most hidden things are as plain to Him
as the sun at monday. For man look
eth on the outward appearance, but the
Lord looketh on the heart" God knows
the real man, his inner nature and pos
sibilities, and these depend far more on
on the heart and intellect than on out
ward appearance.
II. "There remaineth yet the young
est" If some one must care for the
sheep, David would be the least missed.
12. 'Now he was ruddy:" Red hair
and fair skin are regarded as mark of
beauty in southern countries, where
the hair and complexion are generally
dark. "And withal of a beautiful coun-
tenance:" Literally, of beautiful eyes.
His countenance was beautiful with
that kind of beauty which belongs to
expression rather than to features; it's
power and attraction lay in the eye.
IS. "Then Samuel anointed
him in the midst of his brethren:" In
their presence. The amounting was the
symbol of a setting apart for some
special mission appointed by God. 1t
is not at all probable that David's
brethren knew the high destiny for
which he was anointed. The anoint-
ing might be for successor to the aged
prophet or to some position in the
schools of the prophets. 1t is doubtful
if the meaning of the act was then re-
vealed even to David.
"And the Spirit Of the Lord came
(mightily, R. W upon David:" The gift
of the Holy Spirit is the greatest and
hest Gift Of God tn man throuOh JeSus