The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-17

CCNNECTIN L1NK.--Last lesson, the
choosing OF Saul as king. ended Win
tho tenth chapter. The anointed soVer-
elgn soon had opportunity to display ms ms
ability and win the confidence OF nus
countrymen. It occurred on this wise.
The Ammonites came up against Saoesh-
c;ilead, city on the cast OF the JORDAN.
On learning of the siege Saul, prompted
by the spirit, Of God. sent messengers
into all parts OF the land, and more man
10000 men rallied to his standard.
with these he gained an easy and COM
plete victory over the enemy, VINO were
nar,ly slain and partly scattered. and
the invested city was delivered. as con-
sequence OF this splendid triumph the
people were greatly pleased. and at the
suggestion OF Samuel q general conTen-
tion was called at Gilal, where, Win
Teasing and rejoicing the Kingdom was
confirmed. The prophet then felt that his
work was done, and he. therefore. de-
llvered his farewell address, the latter
part OF which will be studied to-day.
DESIRED KING.-(Verse 13) In the
early part of his address Samuel testiteo
to his integrity as public servant, anu
received the hearty and united approval
OF the people. He then briefly renewed
the events In the history OF Israel, be-
had been faithful to his covenant: but
that the monarchy had been sought as
means OF defense. Our lesson begins at
a point In the speech where he called
attention to the king, whom they had
desired, whom the Lord had set over
them. behold the king" he said, q Sam.
x:23). Look upon the man. so strong and
courageous" who was conspicuous for
his physical ability and military achieve
ments the pride and Joy OF all. He de.
sired that they might now become loyal
to him whom they had chosen. that there
might be no division OF sentiment, that
the entire nation might at once surround
the reigning king with whose conditions
that would ensure his perfect success.
The words were in tho interest OF the
government.
PERMITTED CHO1CE.-tYerse Il and
l5.) Samuel was not in these last hours OF
his public career proposing any spirit
or measure of secularism. He did not sup
pose that nation could prosper mere
~ through steady support OF its king,
important and even necessary as that
might be- He knew that although mon
archy had been established Israel was
still a theocracy. God was sovereign, and
Saul was vice-regent. Hence he proceed
ed to present the mater Of loyalty to the
AlIUlSnCy. buL tHlS ne Oiu do W i2cCiACA's
those who had right to choose.
Whereas. in all other countries men were
then subjects. here they weer acknow-
lodged to be capable Of deciding what
they would do. An alternative was Of
fered. On the one hand they might serve
and fear God. and continue following
the Lord and so fulfill the destiny mark
ed out in their deliverance from Egypt.
eek. iii:l7.). Or. they might rebel against
the commandment Of the Lord, they might
refuse to be longer under the guidance
of Heaven. In the latter case. the hand
of the Lord would be against them, and
they would suffer for their SINS
PROPOSED sIGN.-(Verses l6 and 17)
All through the earlier centuries. espe-
cially In the time before Christ. men were
reluctant to accept any statement. par
.ticularly on important public matters. un.
less 1t weer correlated by something phe-
nomenal that was supposed to give It
supernatural or divine authority. This Is
still true In eastern countries, mark OF
low intellectual and spiritual develop
ment. Matt xii:39), while In western
civilization, reliance is placed more fully