The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-07-29
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
August 2.
subject: Samuel Anoints David, I Sam xvi,
4-i3-Golden Text, Sam. xvi, Mem.
ory Verses, II.I3-Siudy Verses I.iJ
--commeniary on the Days
Lesson.

Lesson.
]. Planning for new king Tvs. l-5)
Samuels grief because OF SauPs rejection
was great. This showed his affection for
Saul and his interest in the kingdom
But to continue long in such grief would
hinder him in his pubic duties as prophet
duty to recognize Gods will as supreme
and not continue to cling to Saul when
God had rejected him. The divine cure
Tor grief is u greater faith in God.
4. ''Samuel-came." The Lord tod
Samuel to 90 to Bethlehem and anoin.
one of the sons of Jesse. But Samuel said.
How can / go? If Saul hear it he will
kill me" ". p. The Lord then told Sam.
uel, to take heifer and go to Bethlehem
and sacrifice unto the Lord. "The elders
Men who acted as civil magistrates.
Troubled" Some think that the breach
between Samuel and Saul was now 80 great
that they feared the anger OF Sapl if they
entertained the prophet; but it seems
more probable that they feared that his
coming was for the purpose OF Furnishing
some sin among them, or of yronouncing
some judgment upon them. "Peaceably."
If he had come with no hostile purpose his
visit would be considered blessing.
s.. "Sanctify yourselves Change your
clothes, and wash your bodies in pure wa.
ter, and prepare your minds by medta.
ton, reflection and prayer, that, being in
the spirit of sacrifice, We may offer accept
ably to the Lord. See Ex. 1914, 10.
Jesse and his sons" Samuel himself tool,
the greatest care in the sanctifcation OF
,Jesse's family. Some think the elders
were invited only to join in the sacrifice.
while the family of jesse were invited by
themselves to the subsequent feast 1t ap.
pears from chapter 20:27-29, that Jesse q
family. were devout religious family.
Samuel instructed them in the nature OF
the sacred ordinance and by his counsels
and prayers assisted them in preparing to
attend to it acceptably and prohtably. 1t
is probable from the acts and words OF
Samuel on this occasion that he privately
informed Jesse of his purpose to anoiat
one of his sons. but it nowhere appears
that Jesse was informed as to the object
OF that amounting. This was left for future
developments to disclose.
ii. The Lord chooses David Tvs. G-l2).
6. ''When they were come" After the
public sacrifice there was the sacrifcial
feast, and in order to partakc OF this feast
Samuel went to the home of jesse. BE.
tween the sacrifice and the feast several
hours would necessarily eiapse as the vic.
tim would have to be prepared and cooked.
During this interval the sons of jesse were
made to pass before Samuel, for it appears
from verse ii that David was sent for be!
fore they .partook of the meal. "Elab.'
Jesse's oldest son, one OF Saul's army in
the Palestine war Il Sam. I7;l3l. and
afterwards the ruler OF Judah under David.
In | Chron. 27:lS he is called Elihu. We
have an exhibition of his rude and over.
bearing temper in l Sam. l7:2S. Surely
etc. Samuel was impressed with his
stature and beauty and remembered that
Saul had been similarly recommended q
Sam. 1924. But the day was past when
kings were chosen because they were head
and shoulders nhoye the rest -
Z. Look not" etc. Even Samuel was
still judging from outward appearances.
THAT which chiefly recommended Saul tc
the favor OF Israel was his size and beauty,
but now in selecting a man after his own
heart Jehovah shows that his divine judg.
ment is based not on external form OF
comeliness, but on the inner life, David
also, however, was of a goodly appearance
". l2). "On the heart" God does not
look at ones earthly possession, or social
rank, or family history, or literary attain
ments, or natural ability, for He does not
religious manifestations-such as many
tears, many prapers, serious department
solemn tone TO the voice, etc; but God
looks on the heart, the inner life, the char
acter, and judges accordingly.
$40. Abinadab-Shammah." These
two, with Eliab, were the. sons of jesse
seHt seHtr by war AGAINST the Philistne' hi aSt
brought his sons before Samuel in the
order in which he considered them to rank,
bringing the most likely first. Not chosen
these David's seven brothers had passed
before Samuel and the Lord had refused
them all. This expression implies that
Samuel had already privately informed
Jesse of the object of his coming.
IL. care here all" Samuel was not
ready to give up, He quickly surmsed
that there might be one overlooked or
counted unfit by the father. Jesse had
offered all of his sons, whom he supposed
had sent Samuel, and the errand could
not be in vain. 'The youngest" jesse
having evidently no idea of David's wis.
dom and bravery. spoke of him as the
most unfit. God in His providence go or.
dered it, that the appointment of David
might the more clearly appear to be a
divine purpose and not the design either
Of Samuel or Jesse. His name signifies
"beloved," and he was an eminent type
OF the beloved Son of God. "Sit down"
| The word thus rendered means "to sur.
round" and here suggests the sitting down
or reclining around table. Samuel did
! not propose to have that family gather
round the table OF the peace offerings
with one of the sons absent. Here lesson
bearing on family worship may be learned
| IL. "Ruddy" The word denotes the
red hair and fair skin which are regarded
| as mark OF beauty IN southern countries,
where the hair and complexion are gem
orally dark. Beautiful countenance. u
Literally, of beautiful eyes. This indicates
that his eyes were keen and penetrating
enlivened by the fires of genius, and beam
ing with a generous warmth. David was
evidently a beautiful young man as he
| stood there before Samuel. This is he
J This was Gods choice and Samuel was
commanded to anoint him at once. We
! can see here how little stress the Lord
really puts on outward forms and cere
monies, for David was not present when
Samuel sanctified Jesse's sons with such
| great care.
III. David set apart for his work "
49,. Is. Amounted him." David was
anointed in the presence of his brethren
though it is not at all likely that they un
derstood at this time to what position he
was being called. 1t is extremely doubtful
if David understood the meaning of thu
act. spirit came nightly" Such set
ting apart would have a mighty influence
upon his life. The amounting was not al
empty ceremony, but o divine power at
tended it. so that David was inward,
advanced in wisdom and courage and con
cern for the public, with all the qualihca
tions Of a prince, though not at all ad
vanced in his outward circumstances. Th'
gift OF the Holy Spirit is the greatest an,
best gift Of God to man.