Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-07-10
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Commeh'S ="
July II.
srbi,c,: Saul Chosen King, SAM X, h'Zo -
Golden Text, lisa. sssli' zl-M y,
Verses, a, 15-Rcad Chapters H. L.
.. Commentary Oh the Days
Lesson.

l. Samueps Introductory discourse VS.
l7-l0. II. Samuel" In this lesson Inv
prophet Judge appears in unique attlCEaI
as one who assists in the revolution "hlon
is to take from himself the supreme power
and bestow it upon another. What un
selfish and noble conduct! Though evl
IDENTIFY much panied, yet, at the comma anS
of God, he sank all personal feelings anu
set himself to the work OF finding the Des'
man for a king. And after Saul was cnosei
Samuel proved his best and most talthful
friend and adviser Most men would havs
wished the experiment to fail; SamuSi aid
his best to make 1t successful :I"nti,,
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. Onto
the Lord" This expression does not neces'
sarily imply that the ark was present
Samuel publicly invokes the Divine pres.
ence and blessing and has everything done
as in the presence of Jehovah 10 MH
peh." The location is uncertain, p9t ~
supposed to be high hill not Tar from
Ramah samgels home ho Sey o4 Mi 0tair i
Isl. 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;
l;vered them from all Kingdoms that had
onpressed 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 ld4Iatrg
before victory could be theirs. What
they wanted now was national lndepeho'
ence. freed from this condition, ana Sc.
cured bv an organization OF their military
resources Samuel's discourse sets before
them in a vigorous style the mighty deeds
which God had done for them.
10. "Rejected" Samuel charged them
with :ngratitude and unfaithfulness,. as
exnressed in the demand for a king. God,
in the character of king, had governed
the Israelitcs for 400 years. He ruled
on terms which He Himself, through, the
agency of Moses, had proposed to them,
VIZ. that if they observed their allegiance
to Him, they should be prosperous; II not
adversely and misery should be, the con-
sequence. We learn 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 m,
conditions. God had always faithfully
kent the promises made them. Set
king" Their fault consisted not IN the
simnle desire for king, but in the con-
tempt they manifested for jehovah. They
We've not satisfied with God, but desired
q visible king. clothed in purple robes,
with his guards and officers, who should
rue with great pomp like the nations
around them. Present yourselves: Ar
range yourselves in systematic order Tor
the casting IF the lot. "By. your tribes.
Represented by twelve princes our
/ thousands" This means the same as lam:
lies. The number of heads OF houses II. IN
the several families of tribe might easlly
reach a thousand. Samuel knew the peev-
| ;shnn,s of that people. and that there were
! those who would not be satisfied with the
choice. if it depended on his single testl,
monv, but by this method the people would
see that God had appointed Saul, Tor the !,
J;snosal of the lot was with the LORD"
This would prevent disputes. an
IT. Saul chosen king Tvs. 20: ~. ~.
81 BENJAMIN was taken" We are not
told expressly by what process the selec.
ton was made, but it was probably Dy
casting lots. The lot was IN common use
among all nations of antiquity. 1t Is re-
parded III Scripture, not as q cnaice ue'
cisiop. but as legitimate method OF ascer.
ta;nina the Divine will. The lot among
the tribes fell on the tribe OF BENJAMIN
which was the smallest of the tribes.
"Famiiv of Matri.' The heads of the tribe
Of BENJAMIN next appeared and the family
Of Matri was taken. The successive steps
ore then passed over. At las Saul OF the
household of Kish was taken. Gould not
/ he found" "He withdrew in hopes they
would proceed to a new election. we may may
suppose that at this time ne was reaily
! ayerse to taking upon himself the govern
ment, because, /. He was conscious OIL uh
fitness for so great trust, q ~ Moul
expose him to the envy OF his neighpIrsJ
8. He understood that the r,p eoPgte ~ na ~
sinned in asking king. 4. The aifalrs ~
In,noI ,rora at this time in a bad condl
ton" t o. o., %
o. IL .Is 't there ee yet man. They inquired
1Thetbar Saul was present or was to 6t
snwght for elsewhere. Among the stuff:
The baggage which was usually pl,acssd II
tbe centre Of the camp. "Ran, etc" There
annears to be have been much haste AM
excitement. Higher than any" saul wa
tall and commanding in person. IL is sup
posed that he was at least seven lees o =,
HEIGHT. 1t was an age when leaders stoo'
in fhe forefront of the battle, and gan
would strike terror to his Toes :, ,...;.
"a. %. See We him." Sauls dlstln
riished stature and great strength helpe'
much to recommend him to the people
There was none like him in majesty Oh az
pearance, and he became popular ms
prhe Lord hath chosen" But God had
in this Welded to their demands agalns
W;s ' own will and wisdom. Manner o
The kingdom" The constitution and law
Of the new government, with the respect
i've duties of king and people towards eac
other and towards God. Wrote It,.
"That is, the charter of this constitutions
monarchy was recorded and deposited l
tbe custody of the priests, along with IN
most mo- sacred records of the nation" r.
o. d. "Saul-went home 70 his Il
tbcr's hause. Saul modestly lett the pun
lie affairs for Samuel to manage, as ne ma "a
hepn doing. There appeared no great d,
Gre r. rule in Saul Such a humble splrl
90 this when he was advanced to sue
q high nosition. appears beautiful. lie wa
humble for God was with him theI
Went with him." Not the whole con
many Int a few select friends, perhaps, {
those who regarded it a conscientious out
70 escort their new king to his nom
SsHeartsEtouched." Such as were move
Nv him to do their duty and recognize tl
authority of Saul. These were the SUI
;ects who would help to have peaceea,o
yecn. and would be loyal subjects. en-
dren of Belial." Those who were ,wlcke.
nrodigate and not disposed to be col
trolled. "Despised him." Did not reco
nee him. but only scorned his name
and doubted his ability. NO presents
The cave no proofs that they acknnow
edged either the Divine appointment,
his authority. Held its peace. naaii
no ambition for the position, he qulee
submits to their offense, and thus proven
ali occasion for uproars. 60 far from
on - th;s offront Saul seems not