Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-07-23
The SABBATH SCHOOL
international Lesson Comments Por
July 26.
Subject: Saul Rejected a King, Sss. ~.
l3.H-0eiden Text SAN. ~, 2l-Ae1-
Org Verses, 7e-1z-csnneatafy %
the Days Lessse.

Connecting Links. After Samuel had
made his farewell address to the people
at Gilgal, Saul quietly assumed the work
of king Of Israel. His reign seems to have
been one OF almost constant warfare.
Chapters 1915 of l Samuel contain de-
tailed record of three great errors OF TINS
first king of Israel: !. His disobedience. in
failing to wait at Gilgal for the coming
of Samuel to offer burnt offerings; ana
there, where he had been confirmed in the
kingdom, it was so.emnly declared to
him that his kingdom would not be pee.
petuated in his own posterity Il Sam.
1878, LAY. 2. His rash and foolish vow,
which he was unable to fulfill, but which
brought great suffering to the people and
well-nigh cost the life of Jonathan his son
Il Sam A:24-45). 3. His failure to execute
the divine judgment, on the Amalek'tes as
Jehovah commanded, the details of which
are given in this fifteenth chapter, All
the subsequent misfortunes of Saul and
his insane pursuit of David were fruits OF
judicial blindness, the penal consequences
of these three fatal errors.
T. Saul's act of disobedeTcc Tvs. l0-l4).
The command was to utter,y destroy the
Amalekites and their possessions; but the
great wealth which they possessed was
Strong temptation to Saul and his army,
and the command no doubt appears un-
reasonable to them. Then it was that they
Welded to the temptation to appropriate
TO themselves the riches of their con-
uuered foe. and with Saufs consent the
people brought home the best OF the focks
and herds alive for their farms, destroying
only the poor and worthless. This re-
vealcd their covetousness and their dispo.
sition to satisfy themselves rather than
obey Gods pain command. -
Ii. IA. Samuel came The Lord in
formed Samuel of Saul's disobedienee. and
Samuel was grieved ard spent the whole
night crying to God. His great soul was
stirred to its profoundest depths. !. he
was disappointed in Saul. 2. He saw the
evil effect Saul's act would have on the
morals of the people. 3. He saw that this
rejection of Saul would result in great
calamity to the new government and TO
the prosperity of the country. He prayed.
no doubt, that the king might be forgiven
and the threatened calamity, averted. saul
said" Saul was either blinded by partial
and delusive self-love, or he was IN his
declaration to Samuel acting the part Of
n bold and artful hypocrite. Perhaps Saul
tried to persuade himself to believe that
because he had gained victory he woI,d
not be brought to strict account Tor ms
actions: hut success will not take the
place of obedience; neither will partial
obedience answer. Samuel SAID Samuel
had very unpleasant duty to perform,
prepared for it. Saul is convicted o. false
hood by the voices of the anima.s which
he has spared contrary to Gods comman l..
Ills eagerness to declare his obedience was
evidently an effort to quiet his conscience
and cover his sin. -
IT, Sanps vain excuses I've. l5.21). ID
"Saul said" After distinctly stating that
he had performed the commandment OF the
Lord ne now proceeds to make three cx.
cuses for not having performed it: l. The
people we're to blame. 3, Only the best
had been spared. g. They disobeyed for
the Lords sake The people spared
This was a shameful excuse for strong
king like Saul. Had his people overruled
him and spared these AM ma is: then he
would have had cause TO plead his sorrow
10 Samuel. when they met. " 10 sacrihce',
What goodness cou.d they claim by such
an act? God APPOINTED these ANNA Is to
be sacrificed to Him in the field. and there.
fore will give no thanks TO those who bring
them to be sacrificed at His altar. a good
intention will not justify bad action.
God hates robbery for burnt offerings.
Ease pretenses. will tell thee" Here
follows an oracle Of prophecy az direct,
fearless and powerfu,as any in the Bible
Lord hath said" Samuel carefully avoids
further reasoning. until he should let Saul
hear Gods message about the matter. ne
had not come against him to set forth
his own opinions., but only offered GOD :
to look back to the time when Samuel had
anointed him. and when the people had
chosen him for their king. and to remem
her his modesty and humility at that time.
He would more quickly see the contrast
ION journey" The work which God
had assigned to Saul would have, been
more like II prosperous journey than a
l.. ha - ut n
Lord God would have so abundant!y
supplied his needs that there would have
been no call to spare any of the enemies
spoil. "The sinners" Here we see the
real reason why the Ama.ekites were to
be destroyed. ,
1921. but didst n.y." With great
greedlness, as hungry bird or beast upon
the great sin in Gods sight. Such. dis;
position will include all forms of sin. II
have obeyed." Saul still contends for hi.
uprightness. lie had gone against the
Amalckites. and so far he obeyed, and he
will not accept the charge offered against
him. "Have brought Agag.'' God babe
him kill all. and yet he puts in among the
instances of his .disobeedence, that ne mad
brought Agag alive. which he thought was
as good as il I've had killed him. He in
s'sts that he had utterly destroyed the
AmaIs ties themselves. which was the
main thing intended Agag was probably
an official title like pharaoh among the
Egvptians and like president among Ms
Which should have been Here Saul
admits his knowledge OF Gods command
ment IN telling what shon'd have been
destroyed
VII. Saul condemned and rejected Tvs
"2-3N.
30. as great delight Nothing can
take The place of obedience. Greater zeal,
oScying outward ordinances. many prayers,
greater generosity-none OF these things
viii answer. Outward forms are nothing
ii the heart is not moved: God wants our
love. our trust, our lie ITO obey is bet
tcr." For because OF hisobedlence is the
very reason why sacrifices are required.
u j, much better not to take poison and
t,ru br Obliged to call the physician and
take his remedies.
23 "Rebeliou witrhrraft." The mean,
ing is that Sau,s rebeious and stubborn
opposition to God was as bad az witch
craft and ido,atry. A witch was liable to
be put to death according to law 1Ex.
22:lS: Lev. 1926, 81; Deut. 1910. Ter.
aphim" These were small household
gods Hath also rejected" A man dis
o5cdient to God is unfit to govern his
peop'e. Bv disobedience, Saul turned him.
self out OF office God would not subject
His people TO the rue OF man who re-
jccted Gods rule over him.