The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-07-24

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Ia our last iesson We left Saul well
established on his throne. Nth q wise
counsellor 10 samuel. Several years
we're spont 10 ofEaniIlns b army. ar.
ranging the government. IN resisting
tho endoschmsnts Of the PhlIisslnes.
and In various victorious canpsfsnt Id
sslfdefensc against the surrounding
nations. Saul showed himself TO be .
skiliful general. and proved that he
had In him tho possibilities OF a great
king. Only the wariiks Philistines
vetc able TO resist him and his peo-
pie. and these were worry troublesome
and oppressive. There are hints Of q
royal court. and those kingly exactions
Of which Samuel had ~forewsrned the
people (compars l Sam. SILL with /
Sam. 1852.
The Long Waiting. In their des-
perate circumstances neither king nor
people dared make a move without the
sanction OF God. Samuel had agreed
to come within seven days and OFFER
sacrifices and make known the will OF
God. Six days had gone, and the sev-
enth day vas passing, yet no Samuel
appeared. To a commander like SAUL,
who saw his army melting away like
snow In spring, and knew that the
enemy might swoop down upon them
at n hour. like the eagle from his
eyre, or the wolf upon the fold; that
every moments delay weakened his
W forces and strengthened the en-.
emy-such a delay was almost intoler-
able. The temptation was very strong
to be his own priest, to offer the offer
ings, contrary to Gods law and his
agreement with Samuel, and press in
10 action. He yielded to the temptation
at the last moment, and offered the
burnt offerings.
The Sudden Appearance Of Samuel.
The prophet had delayed his COM
ing probably on purpose to test Saul,
or he may have been unavoidably de-
tanned.
Ctrddnn1p hn nynnnraI m thn rnnnn
Saul had failed in the hour of trial.
He did not trust God. He openly be-
fore all the people d~isobeyed a clear
commandment OF God. Samuel an
nounced the consequences to the king.
The kingdom could not continue in his
family, nor reach its highest success
under him. A portion of his posi-
bilities was lost; only "the second
best" remained to him. But he was
not deposed; other opportunities were
open to him. Possibly he might re
trieve what was lost If he would.
A powerful nomadic tribe roaming
over southern Palestine and the desert
beyond, ven as far as Sinai and the
Egyptian frontier-the Amalekites-
were a continual danger to Israel and
to all that Israel stood for in the
progress of the world. Descended from
Esau's grandson. Amalek. a fierce, I'M
tamable race Of wanderers, Israers
most harassing and unconquerable
enemies, these fierce marauders con
stantly lowered on the borders,
swelled the Philistine armies, or fol.
lowed in the rear, like Tartar hordes,
pillaging and massacring, and as the
Israelites had no cavalry, retreated
without loss to the security of their
deserts"
The Communicates Saul, for the
first time, the nation was strong
enough to assume the aggressive.
Samuel brought a commandment OF
the Lord to Saul that he should utter
ly destroy them and all their posses
sions, as one would destroy wild beasts
and poisonous serpents, or any rob.
bers that were running homes. ravish.
ing wives and daughters, corrupting
morals and religion.
Why was this right?
For the same reason that 1t Is right
to punish criminals. In all wars, In
all punishments Of criminals, their
wives and their children suffer great
ly. It is not the fault Of the executors
Of the law, but the fault Of those who
break the law. and bring all these sor'
rows upon their families.
An Ancient Testimony.-"Such OF
the wicked as escape immediate pun
ishment receive, not after a long time
but during a long time, not a slower
but a longer punishment. Such an one
is kept in life as in a prison that has
no outlet or mode of escape; yet he
may enjoy frequent feasts. may tran
sact business, may receive presents
and k~indnesses. like the men who play
with dice, or at draughts In prison
with the rope hanging over their
heads "-plutarch. I'm "Tha DELAY al