Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-30

INTRODUCTION. This book is in
tended to exhibit the condition OF society
in Israel during that long period between
Joshua and Samuel 1t records the IRE
quent apostasies OF the people and the
Judgments Of God visited upon them in
consequence. Among the chief forms of
judgment were the captiv!ties to sur
rounding peoples. resulting from the with
drawal of divine favor. But in every in
stance Of captivity the Lord came to their
rescue, intending only to chastise then,
for their good He raised up men who
delivered the nation out OF the hands of
enemies and restored measure of order
and prosperity with returning peace.
There was a succession of such captivities
and deliverances. The men whom God
raised up became conspicuous for their
bravery as public benefactors. Samson
was one of them. and We shall study the
close of his eventful career.
PRISONER. Oversees .21-22.D Sam
son. who had so signally repuised the
Philistines. came into their power in a
singular manner. BY reason of his great
strength he had evaded effort to capture
him. AT last Delllah, a woman Of many
wflesS gained influence over him ard per-
suaded him to disclose the secret of his
physical prowess, which lay in his hair.
While asleep his locks were shorn. and he
was bound and male helpless. Then the
Phalistines took him, put out hiS eyes,
brought him down to GAIA. bound him
with letters of brass. and made HIM grind
grain in their prison. This humiliating
service, not unlike that which is now as
signed to horses in the treadmtll, made
him somewhat profitable to his captors.
who had suffered much injury at his
hands and who sought compensation In
hi rr>r,Nv UnnISH ,Arf,A kha ncy7
and the hair which had been cut grew
until It reached fits ordinary length.
WORSHIP. Oversees % and 24.) The
Ph1listines like all the peoples Of an
tiquity, were extremely religious. Every
good fortune that came to them was as
cribed to the favor OF their god They be-
lieved as earnestly as does now the most
devout Christian that supernatural power
ass sted them in every good fortune. Ac-
cord1nsly, when day of religious OBJ
arrived, kind OF public ac-
of benefits they proceeded
in their way to offer to the deity whom
they served appropriate Thanksgiving for
the capture Of this man Of might who had
so long been to them a terror They Of
fe.ed sacrifice to Dagon. their god, and
rejoiced excee dinghy. saying: Our god
hath delivered Samson. our enemy, Into
our hand" In all this there was no doubt
of their sincerity. According to the light
they had they were genuinely and thor
oughly religious. In this heather devotion
there was much that we must commend.
MERRLMENT Verse 25.) The
spirit OF joyful worship and thanksgiving
among the people of GAIA passed over
very naturally into the spirit of merry.
making. This was common throughout
the ancient world among 1srae1ites as we'll
as heather. They sacrificed, they ate.
and then they rose up to play BY this
method they made religion popuiar by in
dulglng the fun-loving disposition that Is
very prominent in human nature every
where. Accordingly it was determined
that Samson should be brought from the
prison into the place OF public assembly,
where all might see him. and make sport
for the multitude. Kings frequently re-
sorted to such modes of entertainment
A blind man might be set to all sorts Of
antics. playing to the delight of the spec
tators and winning, their applause. The
people-3,Oo0 in. all--had assembled for
this purpose. and 1t was in response to
their clamor that Samson was brought
before them. The strong man was to be
made fool for the delight of his captors
DECEPTION oversees &c and :7).-
an object OF pity: Unable to
see where his steps should be placed.
he was led by the hand by a lad Once
mighty, a man to be feared. he is now
without strength, guided in the way by
one who previously might have trem-
strong man was not wholly subdued.
There remained strong will. and he
felt within him some Of his oldtirna
vigor returning. He resolved on final
exhibition of his power. and Re used
deceit to gain HIS opportunity. The
lords of the Philistines and the vast
throng of the people should witness
what they. least desired. Speaking to
the lad. he asked the privilege to feel
the pillars Of the house. that he might
thereby support himself under the try
ing circumstances. The request was
granted, there being no suspicion Of the
purpose in the request. 7
PRAYER (verse 2s).-When Sam
sons hands touched the pillars there
was an upward movement of bis soul.
He knew that in his own unaided
strength there was no possibility Of
securing his liberty. He was prisoner
blind. surrounded by enemies. But he
believed also that there was help for
him, to supplement his weakness and
results impossible to him
alone. Most earnestly he prayed. per-
haps in silence. perhaps aloud. so that
those near him might hear: % Lord