The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1907-06-22
had done with the result Just ret forth
in the opening of our story.

III tAC OESuluS u our 6tOly.
Some years before when SamueFs
increasing years made it more and
more a burden to go about and dis
charge the duties of judge, he had ap-
pointed his two cons, Joel and Abiah,
to aid him in this work. and had es.
tablished their headquarters at Beer.
sheba, while he continued to dwell at
Ramah. This arrangement at first
seemed to give entire satisfaction, but
the people of Israel loved and honored
Samuel, whom they recognized as the
one chosen of God to be judge and
prophet owe the nation, and they will
lingly acknowledged his right to name
his sons as judges in his stead. But
as time passed and it was found that
Joel and Abiah were act men after the
integrity and uprightness Of their IA
Their, but that they let money influence
their judgments, the dissatisfaction
grew, until at last the murmuring had
become so bitter and the protests so
loud that the elders were forced to
take action. They were loath to go to
Samuel with the matter and had at
last decided that they would go to the
accused judges themselves. Joel and
Abiah received them with seeming
cordially and listened with feigned
surprise while the charges of cOrrup-
ton were being made. They at first
Indignantly denied that they had been
guilty of wrong-doing, but when the
indiSputable proofs were shown, their
manne had changed to naughty dis
dain. What right had any II to
call in question the conduct of a son
of Samuel? Had not he been called OF
God to judge Israel. and had he not
appointed them to their office? Were
they not entitled to their living? and
had they done more than receive re-
muneration/ foS their services? Did
not both parties to a controversy have
to bring their offerings before the case
would be considered, and why should
not the one in whose favor the judg-
ment was given make special offering
of gratitude?
In such Ipanner did Joel and Abiah
make answer to the elders of Israel
and then abruptly dismiss them.
Why exclaimed Joel, after they
had gone, "one would think that the
elders Of Israel and not our father were
the head over Israel"
Yes" replied Abiah, 'it IS we'll to
have it understood who are In author
ity. Our father is growing old and ii
Will not be long before the sole respon-
sibility of judging Israel will rest
upon our shoulders. 1t therefore be-
hooves us to look we'll to our place
and authority"
And what think you, will our father
say when the elders go to him with
their tale?" asked Joel.
Il think it were we'll il we, too,
went to our father and presented III
side of the case. He will be slow to
believe evil concerning his sons" Abb
ah replied, confidently.
Then let us go at once" urged his
brother.
The next day Samuel vas visited by
the elders of Israel. but not until after
his two sons had seen and talked
with him, giving him their version Of
the affair, and preparing him for the
coming of the elders.
What then can we hope for?" said
the elders one to another after they
had talked with Samuel and found
him u~nresponsive to their plea.
Whittier shall we look for judgment
when Samuel, who is old, is gomez"
Would that we had a king like the
nations about u.s." exclaimed n OF
the number.
"a king! A king" exclaimed the
others with one voice. This is our
hope"
Let us return, then, at once and de-
mand that Samuel give us a king in
his stead, so that when he is gone we
shall have one to judge u.s." urged
the one who had first suggested a
king.
The answer to this proposition was
an enthusiastic acquiescence, and
soon they were again in the presence
of the aged judge.
What! a king?" exclaimed Samuel,
in distress and sadness. why God
is your king. Would you desert him."
NAY, but we will have a king in our
midst to rule over us like the nations
about, for thou art old, and Wien thou
art gone, to whom shall we go"
But the thing displeased Samuel,
and the disappointment which he had
felt when the complaint was made
against his sons gave place to a deep
err sadness as he realized that the ma
| ton was rejecting God who alone was
their king. And Samuel prayed unto
the Lord concerning this thing, and
the Lord said: "Hearken unto the
voice of the people and make them a