Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-06-27
had done with the result ins, set fort.

had done with the result just set forth
in the opening of our story.
Some years before when Samuers
increasing years made IL more and
more burden TO go about and dis
charge the duties of Judge, he had APP
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 over 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 not men after the
integrity and uprightness of their ia.
Their, but that they let money influence
their judgments, the dissatisfaction
I.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
Ablah 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
| n ri n nfc oh bn{r
manner had changed to naughty dis
dain. What right had any one 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 for their services? Did
not both parties to controversy have
to bring their offerings before the case
would be considered, and why should
not the one in whose favor the judy
ment was given make special offering
Of gratitude?
In such manner did Joel and Abiah
make answer to the elders of Israel
and then abruptly dismiss them.
Why" exclaimed Joel, after they
had gone, zone would think that the
elders Of Israel and not our father were
the head over Israel"
YES" replied Abiah, ut is well to
have 1t understood who are in author
ity. Our father is growing old and it
will not be long before the sole respon-
| 81 Of nd ui1 of
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. 49,.
} II think it were well If we, too.
went to our father and presented our
, 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 was visited by
the elders of Israel. but not until after
Z his two sons had seen and talked
with him, giving him their version Of
! the affair, and preparing him for the
D 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 unresponsive to their Slea
whittier shall we look for judgment
when Samuel, who is old, is gomez"
would that we had king like the
K nations about us" exclaimed one Of
'. the number.
B "a king king" exclaimed tbs
! others with one voice. This is oul
hope"
< Let us return, then, at once and de
mand that Samuel give us kiAG IL
3 his stead, 50 that when he is gone We
! shall have one to judge u.s." urged
y the one who had first suggested h;
< king.
Z The answer to this proposition wa
< an enthusiastic acqulescence, ant
4 soon they We're again in the presenc'
D of the aged judge.
& What! a king?" exclaimed Samuel
= in distress and sadness. why, Go,
K is your king. Would you desert him?
~ May, but we will have king in on
K midst to rule over us like the nation
3 about. Cor thou art Old and when tho
= art gone, to whom shall we go?'
& But the thing displeased Samue
Y and the disappointment which he ha
K felt when the complaint was mad
Z against his sons gave place to a deeI
@ err sadness as he realized that the n;
ton was rejecting God who alone wa
their king. And Samuel prayed unit
i, the Lord concerning this thing, an
49, the Lord said: "Hearken unto tn
% 'oi ,e of the people and make them
.oI king"
ok