The Washington times., 1903-07-11
FOR JULY IL.

the peoples prayer. If we study closely,
we can see that Saul was just such a
character as would suit the mood and
expectations OF the people-just such a
king as the people wanted. This was
shown as they got better acquainted
witE him. especially after his first great
victory in battle. He was OF heroic pro-
portions, not too rtyrannical in manner.
and full OF prowess infwar.
The Modest Saul.
God first indicated to Samuel his choice
of king for the nation. This was before
the meeting of the national assembly.
Saul had already been anointed private
" by Samuel at the instigation of God.
as king The prophet and Saul himself
had kept this knowledge to themselves.
On the day of the great national as
sembly the divine choice OF the king
was made known to the people by lot.
Gods choice was not from among the
great tribes Of Israel. but from the
least tribe-that OF Benjamin. This fact
prevented jealousy among the tribes.
True. 1t excited contempt on the part
of some for the new king at first, but
this did not last after SauI's first vic
terry. Neither Saul's tribe. nor his own
family. ncr he himself had any distinc-
tion in the nation at the time OF his
choice 20 be king, except that his father
was known as a brave man and a thrifty
farmer. These facts prevented the new
King from possessing any natural pride
on account of what he was himself He
owed his kingship to the choice of God.
and that alone.
1t is apparent that Saul was of modest
disposition naturally. He was contented
with the humble life and duties of a
simple farmer.
While the lots were being cast in the
great national assembly and be knew
how ali was going TO result. he did not
deck himself out in gay apparel and
strut around among the people waiting
with show of vanity for the moment
when he would be applauded as King.
In fact, his modesty swayed him too
much to be the proof of the best kind Of
manhood. Saul hid himself among the
baggage of the people who had Travelled
TO the great assembly. This was not only
modest, II was also undignihed. True
Kings are always modest and humble.
but they are never undignified Great
men generally shrink from the RESPONSE
bilities Of high Offices, but they do not
debase themselves In the sight of other
men, although they may do so in the
sight Of God True modesty Is always
lovely trait. 1t is far better that we
let honors seek us than that we should
seek them This, however, is one of the
'illustve presages' OF the opening OF
Saul's reign which failed to indicate
truly the real character OF the man -
The servile cringing of Saul among the
baggage does not impress US with a sense
OF true greatness on his part. 1t was a
kind Of morbid modesty. which is an
omen Of moral weakness rather than
trength. Such self-consciousness
which shrinks at first too much from
public observation. after a while re-
quires constant adulation and homage.
So IL proved with relation to Saul" IL Is
a mock modesty often that keeps many
people from taking their place among
the leaders in church work or public
duty.
The Royal Saul.
Judging from outward appearances
Saul was every inch a king He was
gigantic in stature-"he was higher
than any Of the people from his shoul-
ders and upward" In appearance Saul
must have measured up to the standard