Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-07-16
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
July ~.
Subject: Samuers Farewell Address, Sam.
Kill, L3.2S-Gslden Text, Sam, Kill, a.
Memery Verses, z3'3S-Commentary
On the Days Lessoa.

Connecting Links. The attempt OF the
Ammontes to avenge themselves on &C
count of the defeat they had suffered at
the hand of Jephthah (Jud. 1889 gave
to Saul an opportunity to secure Tor nm
self recognition. The army. flushed WIZ
eytolled their king and actually. proposed
to put to death any who refused to recog
nize his authority. Samuel, who was with
the army (v. y, deemed this most OPP
FORTUNE time to establish Saul in the gov
eminent and secure for him national recog
milton. Accordingly he called the Peopt
together to Gilgal, and, with Impressive
ceremonies, ratified the election at Miz,
peh and formally inaugurated Saul lnta
his regal Office. 1t is quite probable that
Saul was publicly anointed at this time
/. Samueps integrity VS. l,5). Samuel,
though he was still to retain hia influence
and authority as prophet, now decides that
the time has come for the public, surrender
of his office as Judge, or ruler. 1here must
have been a mighty. struggle in his bosom
when he uttered this va'cdictory. to the
people whose interests had been the pur,
den of his heart and prayers Tor 30 many
wears. The nation had now reached
new era in its development, and Its future
veal or woe depended on the peeop.e,s
obedience to the commandments OF "0o'
This impressive truth the veneiah. e
prophet seeks. throughout his entire al
dress, to tasten indelibly upon their minds
He begins by challenging them to lmpeaGch
his official purity and is answered by tho
unanimous confirmation OF ms inics aroH,
1t is not unlikely that shadow had 1aleh
over Samuels career because OF tine per
verse course his sons had taken, and tins
naturally suggests the reason why tho
aged seer at this time so Wgeently cans
upon them for a complete vindlcation OF
his private as well as his official ME,
II. Israeps ingratitude Tvs G-l2). an
these verses Samuel recalls Jehovah
IA nnrcies and upbraidN them with I'M
belief and ingratitude for demanding a
king" He shows them how impious 1t was
to establish a kingdom like the heather
nations around them. Jehovah had never
failed them when they obeyed His word
and cried unit, Him.; why, then, should
they desire human king?' After refer
ring to the manner in which God had oe'
livcred them from Egyptian bondage. Sam
uel calls attention to the three. chIet np.
pressors of Israel during the period ct the
Judges: |. The Canaanitcs who We're .ed
bv Sisara. the general of the army OF Nm.
,Iabin (Jud. 4:5). .. The phIist'ncs qua
3:3l: lO7). 3. The Moabitcs under Eg'oh
(Jud. 8: l2.3O. He then mentlons tom
dc,iverers of the nation: !. ,lcrubbaai' OK
Gideon (Jud. chaps. GSl. ,. Bedan-pron'
ably Barak is meant tJud. l:3). 8. JePni,,
than. the Gilcadte (Jud. III. 1. Samrc,;,
III. Samuefs words confirmed Tvs To-
49, :, ,r, r.,
1915. aye have chosen Though tod
chose Saul, yet the people are SAID to
choose him, either because they chose mar
form of government, or because they con,
tirmed Coils choice. "!f we viii frar.
With whom or against whom j. the hand
of the Lord? The answer to this NueTt,'l
depends on whether one has gwen MN
self to be the Lords with his who'c hfHrt
and has submitted fully to the d'vinr WV;
See ,Jer. 1910. aye and ..so the N'nH'
There was no necessary evil in heir nav
ing king. and if both king and sn''ccts
reverence God. the nation shall as
prosperous and happy rs over. Some oihrr
form Of government micht have been BET
Tor, but ii the king and pconIc will meet
the true conditions of rational rcrmanencr,'
the monarchy shall he blessed and honorr'.
A failure to recognize ana observe t"c
commandments OF God will sooner or aver
ruin any nation, TO matter wat Its form
OF government.
1918. Wheat harvest That season
in Palestine occurs at the end OF June or
the BEGINNING Of July. when IT. seldom or
never rains and the shv is c'ond.csS. 1h"r"
could not, therefore. have been a stronger
or more appropriate proof OF F"H'"'
divine mission than the phenomenon OF
rain and thunder happening, without any
SIGN Of its approach. upoN the mere pre-,
diction of the prophet. May perceive
Samuel was led to DO this IN order TO M
press up,n them the truthGuness OF ms
uttrranrcs and arouse them to conscious,
ness of their great wickcdneSs. reared
the Lord" The pcop,c regarded this IS Is, a
miraculous display OF divine power. lbe
Elements are exclusively under the cor
troll OF the Creator, and He acne can say
what shall be in relation to the clouds
vnt for snecicl subsequently, moral ends
they have occasionally been paced tor
season at the service OF men, Tins IN,
stance is a parallel to that which occurred
III Israel comfortcd Tvs. 1920. 1921.
"Pray-that we die not They felt that
Samuols thoughts and feelings ant th1.e
OF Jehovah were the same. ''eho,yIah
true representative was among l'e'',
"Fcar not" Do not be despondent as
tho,,gh there was no hone. Turn yc not
aside" Samuel warns them against turn
inc aside to idois. as they had often done
before, and as they often did Afterwards
VAIN things" An idol is a mere nothing,
having no influence or power; ;.
% For His great names sake 'l''
hovah is jealous OF HIS giory: ana -" ~, -
sublime manifestations in defense OF l'S
people He could not we'll forget. T?n
forbid that J." The conduct OF Samuel i,
this whole affair of the kings appointmrn,,
shows him to have been great and gooli
man who sank all private and personal
considerations in DISTINGUISHED zeal tor MS
conntry's good; and whose last words IN
public were to warn IN" peop'e and thr'r
king of the danger Of apo'tasy IN as
obedience to God. "Fo pray. hou2h
rejected by this uneroteful people, the
prophet considers that it wou.l be 81
to cease praying for them. What excel
lency OF character and heart is revealed ~
this declaration II will teach yon.
Samuel does not Withdraw from pu9'l'
life: he rather prom Sos the continuance
Of his intercession and prophetic a6or' ~
respect to the whole peop'e 1t Is Wr,I
to notice that in some sense he also con,
timed as Judge. for in chap; - we read
that he Judged Israel all the DAYS OF NJ
life" and we know that repeatedly ne 1oNi''
it necessary TO interfere with Eau, gov
eminent. Shall be consumed. hN d'''
obedience and sin event the Lords Mno'n'.
ed as we'll az the chosen peop'e. SHAH most
certainly perish. With this most mpIreS..
siye warning the prophet closed ms as'
public address to the assembled nation.