Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-07-11
TIE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments Fol
jaly l..
:abi:c': Sau! Chosen k.Eg. Sam. T., i7.26-
Golden Text, lSa. xxxiii.. 22-Memory
Verses. q, 2s-Rcad Chapters Xxx.
documentary on the Days
Lessen.

la-lJl. IL. samuel. III TINS lesson tAt
prophet Judge appears in unique attitude,
a. one who assists IL the revolution which
Is 10 take from himself the supreme power
and hs>taw II upon another. W hat Ui-
selfish and noble conduct. Though eVi-
IDENTIFY much panied. yet. at the command
of God. he sank all personal feelings and
ret himself to the work OF finding the best
man for a king. And after Saul was chosen
Samuel proved his best and most faithful
friend end adviser. Most men would have
wished the experiment TO fail: Samuel did
his best 10 make il successful "C ll,ed
the people. The assembly was evidently
partly representative. made Up OF elders
and heads OF tribes; and partly popular,
many OF the people being present. en-
camped, and to some extent armed. Unto
the Lord This expression does not rcces-
sari.y imply that the ark was present.
Samuel publicly invoices the Divine pres
ence and blessing and has everything done
as in the presence of Jehovah. TO Miz-
peh" The location is uncertain. but Is
Ramah. Samuel's home. Several other i'm.
portant meetings were held at Mizreh.
IS And said Samuel first points out
to the assembled people that Jehovah had
always done for them the very thing Tor
which they desired a king, He had de,
oppressed them. But this deliverance had
been made to depend upon their own con
duct: they were always required To repent
of sin and purge the land from ido.atIe
before victory could be theirs. What
they wanted now was nauona! ndepend-
ence. freed from this condition, and Sc
cured by an organization o! their military
resources. Samuei's discourse sets before
them in Il vigorous style the mighty deeds
which God had done Tor them.
10. "Hcjected.' Samuel charged them
with :ngratitudc and unfaithinlness. as
expressed in the demand for a king. God.
in the character OF a king. had governed
the Israe,ites Tor 400 years. He ruled
on terms which He Himself through the
agency OF Moses. had proposed to them,
viz. that ii they observed their allegiance
TO Him. they should be prosperous: If not
adversely and misery sholld be the con-
sequence. We le2rn from the Whole book
of Judges. and from the first eight chap
tiers OF Samuel, how exactly the result,
from Joshua to Samuel. agreed with these
conditions. God mad always faithfully
kept the promises made them. set 4
king Their fault consisted not IN the
simple desire for king but in the con
tempt they manifested for jehovah. lhey
were not satisfied with God. but dcs red
visible king. clothed in purp.e robes.
with his guards and officers, VINO should
rue with great pomp like the nations
around them. Present Yourselves Ar
range yciirse ives in systematic orde~ Tor
the casting of the lot. by your trim.
Represented hv twelve princes. "Ho2r
thousands" This means the same as fam
lilies. the number OF heads OF houses IN
the several families of a tribe might easily
reach thousand. Samue, knew the peev-
lshness of that peop.e. and that there were
those who would no; bc satisfied with the
choice. ii it depended on his single testi-
monv hut by this method the peop,e would
see that God had appointed Saul, for the
dsroSal OF the lot was with the Lord.
This would prevent disputes.
H. Saul chosen king tvs. ~. cD. %
q. benjamin was taken" We are not
told expressly by what process the seiec-
ton was made but il was probably by
casting lots. the lot was in common use
emong all nations OF antiquity. 1t is re-
garded in Scripture. rot as chance de-
cis;on. but as a legitimate method of ascer-
tanning the Divine will. The lot among
the tribes fell on the tribe OF Benjamin
which was the smallest of the tribes.
Family OF Matri" The heads OF the tribe
OF benjamin next appeared and the family
OF lfatri was taken. The successive stems
arc then passed over. At last Sau! oi the
household OF Kish was taken. Could not
be found" He withdrew IN hopes they
woald proceed to new election. We may
suuuose that at this time he was really
averse To taking unon himself the govern
ment. because. l. He was conscious OF IN,
fitness tor so great tra>t,, :. y ,%'a'd
expose him to the envy oi his u, .-hocrs.
3. He understood that the .peon.e hal
sinned il. asking king. !. The affairs OF
Israel we're a. this time IL bad eo@G:-
ton
iii. Saul declared king. *: e2-21. =;
oS. is there yet man. They inquired
whether Saul was present or was I" re
The baggage which was usually placed n
the centre u the camp. Ran. etc. There
auuears to be have been mach haste and
excitement. Higher than any. Saal was
tall and commanding IN person. l. i sup
posed that he was AZ least seven feet IN
height. Ii was an age when leaders stood
in the forefront OF the bate, and SAINT
would strike terror to his foes:
u. 25. Sec We him." Saul's di.tin,
cuished stature and great strength helped
much 10 recommend him to the people.
There was none like him III majesty OF ap-
pearance and he became popular instantly.
The Lord hath chosen" But God bad,
in this. welded to their demands against
His own will and wisdom. Manner oil
the Kingdom The constitution and laws
OF the new government. with the respect
i've duties of king and people towards each
other and towards God: Wrote II.
That is. the charter OF this constitutional
monarchy was recorded and depos!.eo ~
the custody of the priests, along with 'he
most sacred records OF the nation.
%. -. "Saul-went home. To his IA
Tiers hause Saul modestly left the pub,
lie affairs for Samuel to manage. as he had
teen doing. There appeared no great de-
sire to rule in Saul such humble to sp I,,@b
a nigh position. appears beautiful. He was
humble fGr God Was %o+ with 18th mime him t aS
many. but a few select friends. perhaps. or
those hos who regarded it a conscientious duty
to escort their new king to his home;
: "Hearts-.ouched." Such as were moved
! hv him to do their duty and recognize the
authority OF Saul These We're the sup 7, >
reign. and would he loyal subjects. Chill
dren OF Relial." Those who were wicked,
protligate and not disposed to be con
| troiled. 'Despised him. Did not recog'
nize him. but only scorned his manner;
and doubted his ability. No presents,
| They gave no proofs that they acknowl.
edged either the Divine appointment. or
his authority. Held its peace, Having
no ambition for the position; ne quietly
| submits 10 their offense. and thus prevents
| all occasion for uproars. So far from re-