The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-07-08
The SABBATH SCHOOL
Lesson Comments For
July IL.
Subject: Saul Chosen King, Sam. T., i7.,o-
Golden Text, lisa. xxxii. 10 Memory
Verses, "a, lS-- Read Chapters Xxx.
Commentary on the Days
Lesson

I. Samuel's Introductory discourse Tvs
l7-l9). H.. Samuel" In this lesson the
prophet-judge appears in a unique attitude
as one who assists in the revolution which
Is to take from himself the supreme power
and bestow it upon another. What un.
selhsh and noble conduct! Though evi.
IDENTIFY much panied, yet, at the command
OF God, he sank all personal feelings and
set himself to the work of finding the best
man for king. And after Saul was chosen
Samuel proved his best and most faithful
friend and adviser. Most men would have
wished the experiment to fail; Samuel did
his best to make it successful. Called
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-.
cpmped, and to some extent armed. Unto
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. "To Miz.
peh. The location is uncertain. but is
supposed to be a high hill not far from
Romah, Sampels home, SSeveral, other i'm.
IS. And said" Samuel first points out
to the assembled people that jehovah had
always done for them the very thing for
which they desired king. He had de-
livered them from all kingdoms that had
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 idolatrp
before victory could be theirs. What
they wanted now was national independ.
ence, freed from this condition, and se-
cured by an organization of their military
resources. Samuels discourse sets before
them in vigorous style the mighty deeds
which God had done Tor them.
SRniaota1 Go,,,ol oh,,o,oJ ,ba,,o
with ;ngrattude and unfaithfuness. as
expressed in the demand for a king. God,
in the character of a king, had governed
the Israelites 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; if not
adversity 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
conditions. God had always faithfully
kept the promises made them. "Set a
king. Their fault consisted not in the
simple desire for a king, but in the con.
tempt they manifested for Jehovah. They
were not satisfied with God, but desired
a visible king. clothed in purple robes,
with his guards and officers, who should
rule with great pomp like the nations
around them. Present yourselves Ar
range yourselves in systematic order for
Represented by. twelve princes. Your
thousands" This means the same as fam
lies. The number OF heads of houses in
the several families OF tribe might easily
reach u thousand. Samuel knew the peev-
ishness OF that people, and that there were
those who would not be satisfied with the
choice. if it depended on his single testi.
mony, but by this method the people would
see that God had appointed Saul for "the
disposal OF the lot was with the Lord"
This would prevent disputes.
III. Saul chosen king Tvs. 90. 2D. 20.
2l: Benjamin was taken" We are not
told expressly, by, what process the selec-
casting lots. The lot was in common use
among all nations OF antiquity. 1t is re-
garded in Scripture, not as a chance de-
cision, but as 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 Matri was taken. The successive steps
are then passed over. At last Saul Of the
of kish was taken. Gould not
be found" He withdrew in hopes they
would proceed to a new election. We may
suppose that at this time he was really
ment, because, !. He was conscious OF un.
fitness for 50 great trust. .. 1t would
expose him to the envy OF his neighbors.
3. He understood that the people had
,inned in asking lins. T. The affairs OF
Israel were at this time in bad condl'
ton"
). III IT, Saul .Sud declared king tys 2227 22
whether Saul was present or was to be
sought for elsewhere. Among the stuff"
The baggage which was usually placed IN
.he centre OF the camp. Ran, ETC." There
appears to be have been much haste and
excitement. Higher than any" Saul was
tall and commanding in person. 1t Is sup
posed that he was at least seven feet m
height. 1t was an age when leaders stood
in the forefront OF the battle, and giant
would strike terror to his foes.
"a 25. "See We him" Saul's distin-
yuished stature and great strength helped
much to recommend him to the people.
There was none like him in majesty of APP
The Lord hath chosen" But God had,
N this, yielded to their demands against
His own will and wisdom. Manner OF
The kingdom" The constitution and laws
Df the new government, with the respect.
We duties OF king and people towards each
other and towards God. Wrote it,"
That is, the charter of this constitutional
was recorded and deposited in
Inc custody of the priests, along with the
most sacred records OF the nation"
26 27. "Saul-went home" To his IA
ther's hause. Saul modestly left the pub.
lie affairs for Samuel to manage, as he had
been doing. There appeared no great de.
sire to rule in Saul. Such humble spirit
rs this, when he was advanced to such
, high position. appears beautiful, lie was
humble, for God was with him then.
went with him." Not the whole com.
pany, but few select friends, perhaps, or
those who regarded it conscientious duty
to escort their new king to his home.
'Hearts-touched." Such as were moved
BY him to do their duty and recognize the
OF Saul. These were the sub
ects who would help to have a peaceable
reign, and would be loyal subjects. Chill
iren of Belial" Those who were wicked,
Drohigate and not disposed to be con-
.rolled. "Despised him" Did not recog'
lize him, but only scorned his manner,
md doubted his ability. mo presents"
They gave no proofs that they acknowl-
edged either the Divine appointment. or
MS authority Held its peace" Having
no ambition for the position, he quietly
submits to their offense, and thus prevents
all occasion for uproars. So far from re-
senting this affront Saul seems not to
notice it.