The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1903-07-08
(coPyRioHr, DAVIS W. cLARK)
PLEASANT FIELDS
OF HOLY WRIT.
Save for my daily range
Among the pleasant fields Of Holy Writ.
might despair. -TennYsOn.
The International Sunday School Lesson,
Third Quarter---LessOn n. Samuel ,
1917, July ~, 1908.
SAUL CHOSEN KING.

SAUL CHOSEN KING.
1t il fascinating picture Of print
tive, rural life. The son of a rich BEN
Jamie farmer is rounding up the stock
which has been allowed to Craze az
large. Toilsome and vexatious work
At the suggestion Of his servant who
also furnishes the gift which etiquette
required, the young man turns aside
to the town whore the seer lived.
Meeting the village girls at the com
mon fountain, they inquire for the
prophet. They are hidden TO hasten, IL
they would see him before he begins
the religious festivities Of the day. The
seer and the searcher for lost asses
meet, end the latter with his faithful
attendant, is given the seat and portion
Of honor. That night, on the fiat roof
Of the house, the most retired portion
of an Oriental home, the patriot and de-
voted prophet, poured out his soul to
the rustic hero, the predestinated king.
No doubt he dwelt upon the national
perils and how TO avert them. He
kindled a new passion-patriotism-in
his young auditor. Then began that
change, which was consummated on
the morrow, by which a farmer was
metamorphosed into king.
The secret JUNCTION, official salute, and
triple sign are given, and Samuel and
Saul separate. AS further prepare.
ton for his high calling. the untutored
youth seeks a school Of the prophets
own founding, and familiarizes himself
with the triangle Of Hebrew education,
Mosaic law, inspired poesy, and sacred
music. The change of character and
occupation, so unlikely and unexpected,
gives rise to the proverb, us Saul also
among the prophetsH'
On the very scene Of his immemOrial
victory, Samuel assembled Israel to
publicly and officially renounce the
power he had welded 20 long and
faithfully. This was the public ratifca-
ton Of what had been done in secret
The same process which marked Achan
as the offender, and Matthias as apostle
designated Saul as king. The element
Of chance was stricken out, and trickery
fOrestalled by superhuman guidance.
The ordeal for Saul was trying in the
last degree. He could have no doubt of
the lOt-oasting. The responsibilities Of
an Office so novel in Israel, bore down
upon him like a food-a national de-
cline to be stemmed, invasion to be re-
sisted, public morals to be reformed.
No wonder the inexperienced youth hid
himself in the camp baggage 1t was a
game Of hide and seek, but the seekers
were successful; a moment later they
led the king-elect into the presence Of
the national assembly. 1t was crisis
hour in Hebrew history. Would he
acceptH Would the civil Legislature APP
prove the choiceH
The patent ingenonsness Of spirit, the
heroic physique, gigantic stature, rudy
countenance, piercing eye, all predis-
pose in the candidates favor, and the
ratification is proclaimed in the proverb-
ial greeting to the king. True, there
was recalcitrant minority, base ele-
ment that hoped to make merchandise
out of their opposition They withheld
their homage, and their token Of fealty.
but the person Of the king was provided
with a body-guard, loyal and alert.
The craftsmanship of Samuel shines
with increased luster at this instant
He does not sulk at the slight put upon
him, and his judgeship. He is bent on
his country's veal He knows that lima
itations can be put upon the monarchy
while still plastic, which cannot be when
once set. He is conversant with the divine
restrictive rules relating to kingship,
recorded by Moses. He announces them
in the hearing Of the king and the as
sembly. Both parties consent TO them.
A transcript is made, and deposited
among the national archives. Thus is
safely launched upon the stream Of
history the first constitutional monarchy
known to man.