The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-12-11
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR DEC. Is BY THE
REV. I. w. HENDERSON.

REV. L. W. HENDERSON.
Subject: The Boy Samuel, /. Sam. 8:
1-21-Golden Text, I. Sam. so
Memory Verses, s-10-Read !.
Samuel il.
The prophet Samuel, says Rev. W. ,
G. Blake, D. D., in his commentary
on Samuel, like the the book which
bears his name, comes in as a con-
Meeting link between the Judges and
the Kings of Israel. He belonged to
a transition period. 1t was appointed
to him to pilot the nation between
two stages Of its history: from a re-
public to a monarchy; from a condi-
ton of somewhat casual and indef-
mite arrangements to n of more
systematic and orderly government.
The great object of his life vas to
secure that this change should be
made in the way most beneficial for
the nation, and especially most bene-
fetal for it's spiritual interests. Care
must be taken that while becoming
like the nations in having a king.
Israel shall not become like them in
religion, but shall continue to stand
out in hearty and answering allie.
glance to the law and covenant OF
their fathers God.
Samuel was the last of the judges,
and in a sense the first of the
prophets. The last of the judges,
but not a military Judge; not ruling
like Samson by physical strength,
but by high spiritual ties and prayer;
not so much wrestling against flesh
and blood as against principalities
and powers and the rulers of the
darkness of this world, and spiritual
wickedness in high places. In this
respect his function as judge blend
ed with his work as a prophet. Be-
fore him, the prophetic Office was but
a casual illumination; under him ii
becomes a more steady and syste-
matte light. He was the first of .
succession of prophets to whom God
placed side by eide with the kings
and priests Of Israel to supply that
fresh moral and spiritual force which
the prevailing worldliness Of the one
and Journalism Of the other rendered
so necessary for the great ends for
which Israel was chosen. With some
fine exceptions, the kings and priests
would have allowed the seed Of Abra.
ham to drift away from the noble
purpose for which God had called
them; conformity to the world in
spirit if not in form was the pre-.
vailing tendency; the prophets were
raised up to hold the nation firmly
to the covenant, to vindicate the
claims Of its heavenly King, to thun.
der judgments against idolatry and
all rebellion, and pour words OF com.
fort into the hearts Of all who were
faithful to their God, and who looked
for redemption in Israel. OF this
order of Gods servants Samuel was
the first. And called as he was to
this office at a transition period, the
Importance of it was all the greater.
The first thing that engages our
special attention in this chapter is
the singular way in which Samuel
was called to receive Gods message
in the temple. .
The word of God was rare in those
days; there was no open vision, OF
rather no vision that came abroad.
that was promulgated to the nation
as the expression Of Gods will. From
the tone in which this is referred to.
it was evidently looked on as a want,
as placing the nation in a less de-
| sirable position than in days when
God was constantly communicating
His will. Now, however, God Is to
| come into closer contact with the
people, and for this purpose He is
to employ a new instrument as the
medium of His messages. For God
is never at a loss for suitable instru-
ments-they are always ready when
peculiar work has to be done. In
the selection of the boy Samuel as
His prophet there is something pain
| full, but likewise something very in"
teresting. 1t is painful to find the
old high priest passed over, his ven
cradle years and, venerable oft1ce
would naturally have pointed to him;
but in spite Of many good qualities,
in one point he Is grossly unfaithful,
and the very purpose Of the vision
now to be made Is to declare the out
come of his faithlessness. But it is
interesting to find that already the
| child Of Hannah is marked out for
this distinguished service. Even in
his case there is opportunity for veri.
flying the rule, eThem that honor
Me / will honor" His entire devo.
ton to Gods service, so beautiful in
n Of such tender years, is the sign
| of a character we'll adapted to become
the medium of Gods habitual COM
munications with His people. Young
though he is, his very youth in one
sense will prove an advantage. 1t
will show that what he speaks is not
the mere fruit of his own thinking,
but is the message of God. 1t will
| show that the spiritual power that
goes forth with his words is not
his own native force, but the force
of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him.
1t will thus be made apparent to all
that God has not forsaken His peo-
Pile, corrupt and lamentably wicked
though the young priests are.
We cannot but remark what a dan
gerous position, in a mere human
| noint of view, Samuel occupied. The
danger was that which a young mar
| encounters when suddenly or early
| raised to the possession of high spiri-
tual power. Samuel, though little
more than a boy, was virtually the
| chief man in Israel. Set so high, his
| natural danger was great. But God,
who placed him there. sustained in
him the spirit of humble dependence.
After all he was but Gods servant.
Humble obedience was still his duty.
And in this higher sphere his career
was but a continuation Of what had
been described when it was said,
The child Samuel ministered to the
Lord in Shiloh
An Ancient Sepulchre Found.