The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-04
THE suNDAY-sCHooL LESSON.
For July IS. "sauI Chosen King" Il
Samuel Z, 17-27o

INTRODUCTI0N-The promise of Samuel
having been given TO anoint a King over
Israel the elders repaired TO their homes.
not doubling that he would be faithful to
his word. Samuel then waited for the
guidance OF Providence, expecting that God
would in his own time indicate the man to
be chosen. At length he appeared in
Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin. went forth
in search OF some lost asses belonging to
his father. tCh. IX.J Failing to find them.
he sought Samuel, who had come into those
parts tor religious service. Instructed by the
Spirit OF God. Samuel recognized the young
man as the future King, communed with
him on the subject. gave him prominent
seat at the feast, and ended by secretly
amounting him with oil. a symbol of the
Holy Spirits grace. saul returned home
with a new heart. keeping the matter OF
the kingdom secret
CONN ENTlON-Shortly after Samuel
called an assembly to establish the king
dom. The text says that the people came
AS it was unnecessary and impossible to
bring the entire population together this
must refer TO the elders. who. derived from
the patriarchal system Gen. !. y. formed
Moses. lex. iii, 16) There may have been
included with them the captains OF hun
dreds and thousands, class of officers.
constituted in the wilderness by advice OF
Jethro (E.x. xviii. 2D. who. it seems. were
retained after the settlement. Il Sam. viii.
12) The assembly was convened at MZ-
confines of Judah and Benjamin. where. in
the early part OF Samuels career tch. vii,
5-l5), the nation repented and began its
career of holier living. where, also. Samuel
was accustomed to administer justice. och.
vii 49, The assembly was before the Lord
it was religious. introduced by appropriate
ceremonies. The intention was to make all
feel that they We're accountable to God for
the action about to be taken. that they
were in his presence psalm cxxxix %. 24J.
and that their motives were all known to
him. II was expected, moreover. that God
would override to accomplish his purpose
and to give his blessing.
ADDRESS-Being so assembled. Samuel
addressed the people. He did not utter his
own thoughts. but became the mouthpiece
Of God. beginning, Thus saith the Lord. !"
municated to him. This was his highest
function to hear and repeat. (Ch Ill 10 }
His speech was in two parts. Gods care OF
rebellion; here briefly noted. but spoken
doubtless in greater detail. He declared or
rather God declared by him. that the delv-
| erance from Egypt and from surrounding
Exodus to the present. had been by divine
power. This must have been familiar to
| them as a matter OF history tEx. viii. XII.
for it was frequently recalled even in the
| latter centuries Psalms cvi. SID BY David
! and others. tNeh. tx. 9-12) He then re-
proved them for demanding King as I'M
! warranted. in view CT the protection
granted and therefore. 4 mark of distrust
| The object OF the address is not stated.
| Some think IL was intended to move to re-
| pentance. But. inasmuch as Saul had al
! ready been chosen. II is not probable that
! God would now recede from his purpose to
| set up a King. He desired to make them
! know that the change in the form of gov.
| eminent was not according to his own wis
/ dow. but against it. concession to their
| folly.
| PRESENTATION-Ha spoken. Sam
| ue! did not announce what had transpired
| with reference 10 Saul. tCh. TX, ~ 1t would
| have been unTise to do so. Had all the
| circumstances been rehearsed some would
/ have doubted and criticised. Unwilling to
| abide under pure theocracy, having in
t fact, openly and persistently rejected it
| they would not now be likely to accept the
much as they had honored him in years
| gone BY. What had been done in secre,
| must be repeated in public. The whole pro-
ceeding must be so conducted as to leave nc
| home and say that the King had been hon.
| orably chosen That was necessary. not
| only to the stability of the government. but
to the popularity. of Samuel and the educa-
| ton Of the neople. And SO. after the ad.
i dress the congregation was ordered to pass
| before the Lord. before the holy place
! where the altar was erected. och. vii. O.,
| male population for the position. placing al
| the men on an absolute equality. leaving
Jehovah to select whom he desired. II
! tined to be secured in the gospel John will
SELECTION-In those days there were
no the he mode aaz no Nv vo at
! xviii. 81. very ancient custom indeed
| Gev xvi. 81. and. therefore. generally ap
| tablets or in drawing from a vessel. which
it was believed God instituted and con
trolled. Prov. xvi. 33o Divine sovereignty
the former subordinating the latter mer
enolorirg method of learning the divine