The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-05
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST 2,
Subject: snrnuel Anoints David, l. Sam.
XVII, 4-13-Golden Text, 1 sam. xvi, -
Memory Verses, 11-I3-Study verses'
70 ho r,or = osoon

1-13-Commentary on the Days Lesson.
I. Planning for a new king Tvs. l-5).
SanueHs grief because OF Saul's rejection
was great. This showed his affection for
Saul and his interest in the kingdom.
hinder him in his public duties as prophet
and also dishonor God. 1t was Samuefs
duty to recognize God S will as supreme
and not continue to cling to Saul when
God had rejected him The divine cure
for grief is greater faith in God.
4. ''Samuel-came." The Lord told
Samuel to 20 to Bethlehem and anoint
one of the sons of Jesse. But Samuel said,
How can l go? If Saul hear it he will
kill me- w. o. The Lord then told Sam
uel, to take heifer and go to Bethlehem,
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 Saul 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 pronouncing
some judgment upon them. "Peaccabiy:"
If he had come with no hostile purpose his
visit would be considered a blessing.
5. "Sanctify yourselves" Change your
clothes, and wash your bodies in pure wa
ter, and prepare your minds by medita-
the spirit of sacrifice, We may offer accept
Jesse and his sons" Samuel himself took
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's
family were a devout religious family:
Samuel instructed them in the nature of
the sacred ordinance and by his counsels
attend to it acceptably and profitably. 1t
is probable from the acts and words of
Samuel on this occasion that he privately
informed Jesse of his purpose to anoint
one of his sons. but it nowhere appears
that Jesse was informed as to the object
OF that anointing This was left for future
Developments to disclose.
II. The Lord chooses David Tvs. 6-l2).
6. When they were come. Alter the
public sacrifice there was the sacrificial
feast, and in order to partake of this feast
Samuel went to the home of Jesse. BE,
tween the sacrifice and the feast several
hours would necessarily elapse as the vic
tim would have to he 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. "Eliab:"
Jesse's oldest son, one of SauEs army in
the Palestine war Il Sam. F:l3). and
afterwards the ruler of Judah under David.
In Chron. 27:l8 he is called Elihu. We
have an exhibition of his rude and over.
bearing temper in Sam. l7:28. Surely"
etc. Samuel was impressed with his
stature and beauty and remembered that
Saul had been similarly recommended, Il
kings were chosen because they were head
and shoulders above the rest"
7. Look not" etc. Even Samuel was
still judging from outward appearances.
That which chiefly recommended Saul to
the favor of Israel was his size and beauty,
but now in selecting a man after his own
heart Jehovah shows that his divine juds-
ment is based not on external form or
comeiiness, 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, OF social
rank, or family history. or literary attain
ments, or natural ability, for He does. not
judge from appearances, not even from
religious manifestations-such as many
tears, many prapers, serious department.
a solemn tone to the voice, ETC.; but God
looks on the heart, the inner life, the char.
acter. and judges accordingly.
$40. Abnadab-Shammah. These
two, with Eliab, were the sons Of Jesse
lchap. i7:l3). Again" Jesse, no doubt.
brought his sons before Samuel in the
order in which he considered them to rank,
bringing the most likely first. mot chosen
these" Davd's seven brothers. had passed
before Samuel and the Lord had refused
them all. This expression implies tina;
Jesse of the object of his coming.
ready to give up. He quickly surmised
that there might be one overlooked or
counted unfit by the father. Jesse Lad
offered all Of his sons, whom he supposed
were at all likely to suit. But the Lord
had sent Samuel, and the crrand could
not be in vain. "The youngest" Jesse
having evidently no idea OF David's wis.
don, and bravery, smoke OF him az the
most unfit God in His providence so or:
dered it. that the appointment of David
might the more clearly appear. to be
divine purpose and not the design either
of Samuel or Jesse. His name signifies
"heloved," and he was an eminent tyre
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. Samuc! did
not propose to have that family gather
round the table of the peace offerings
with one of the sons absent. Here a lesson
bearing on family worship may be learned.
l2. "Ruddy" The word denotes ;he
red hair and fair skin which arc regarded
as a mark of beauty, in southern countries,
where the hair and complexion are gen.
eraily dark. Beautiful countenance.'
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 MRS
evidently a beautiful young, man as he
stood there before Samuel. "This Is he.
This was Gods choice and Samue! was
commanded to anont him at once. We
can see here how little stress the Lord
really puts on outward forms aud ccre.
monies, for David was not present wien
Samuel sanctifed desSes sons with alri
great care.
iii. David set apart for his work (v.
l3). l3. "ArointcA HIM" David was
anointed in the presence Of his brethren,
though it is not at all like. ~ that they un-
dsrstood at this time to what position he
wa, being called. 1t is extremely doubtt:i
if David understood the meaning, OF the
act. Spirit came nightly. Such a set
ting apart would have a mighty influence
unon his life. The amounting was rot an
empty ceremony, bur divine power at,
tended it. SO that David was inwardi'
advanced in wisdom and courage and con
cern for the public, with all the qua,,iiica,'
tons of a prince. though not at all A.
yanced in his outward circumstances. Inc
Gift of the Holy Spirit is the greatest aI'
best gift of God to man.
Uafar Pill