Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-07-16
Samuel Warns Saul
and His People
Sunday School Lesson Tor July 10. 1908
crsxi.iv pxsc>x~d for Tbis p.c~.
Specially Prepared for This Paper

heart. for consider how great things lie
hath done for you."-1 Sam. l1;2i.
TIME.-About u. G. 1904 Unshcr).
PLACE.-Gilgsl. In the Jordan valley:
Q little nortl, OF east OF Jerusalem.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The Scene.--It Is midsummer with
clear skies. We are still present at
the great coronation assembly OF the
leaders OF all the tribes, which Samuel
had convened after Saul had proved
himself a great general and leader Of
armies by his victory over the invad.
Ing Ammonltes from the northeast.
Gilgal war hallowed by many sacred
associations, calculated to inspire
every patriotic heart. Here was the
heap OF stones set up to commemorate
the miraculous crossing Of the Jordan.
Here the covenant had been renewed.
Here was celebrated the first passover
In. the Promised Land. Here had been
maintained a camp during the early
conquest Josh. 9:6: 1919. Here the
first king had been crowned with i'm.
pressive ceremonies.
Saul had returned in triumph, every
finch a king" The people were now
enthusiastic 0ve the splendid looking
man. Every tongue Of opposition was
Silenced. II was probably the last Op.
portunity Samuel would have OF meet.
Ing the nation al q whole, flushed with
victory, and rejoicing in the king
that Samuel to his own cost, had
presented to them.
The account has almost the form OF
n dialogue. Read II.
Samuel goes on to say that although
the people seemed to fear that God
would not continue to save them az OF
old by judges. and thus showed a lack
of faith. yet God had proved. by tho
victory their new king had achieved.
that he would be the same to them
under the new regime as under the old.
The One Eternal Condition.. Posi-.
tive. V. IA. III yc will fear the Lord"
etc. Samuel proceeds to name five
things the king and nation must do.
II they would win Gods favor and
maintain their W safety: they must
% fear the Lord: GU serve him; CD
obey his voice; t4) not rebel against
his commandment; 60 continue (Jrr.
sevcrc) In following the Lord. Then
shall both ye." etc. A better transla
ton continues the condition: And II
both ye and also the king that reign.
eth over you continue following the
Lord your God" The conclusion, per.
haps 1T shall he well with you is to
be supplied. as in Tx, 32:32. Samuel
piles up n upon another the condi,
tons Of their happiness. and then from
the depth Of his emotion breaks Off.
leaving the blessed consequences OF
their obedience unsaid DEAN Payne
Smith.
2. Negatively. 10. "But II ye will
not obey" etc. IN stating the alterna.
tive Samuel James only two out Of the
five conditions just laid down: but
these are the most important. In.
deed. the word, obedience, would
include them all. Then shall the hand
OF the Lord be against you" not from
hatred, but OF necessity. Just az a
stream Is against IN oarsman that
pulls mp II.
Samuel was to be no longer CHIEF
ruler OF The nation, but was to con-
tinue his moral and religious work for
many years. az the chief religious fac.
tor In the development OF the nation.
Hence. he gives his farewell mes.
sage from his political vantage ground.
/. Fear Not.-IUrst assured OF the
forgiveness of your sins.
2. Serve the Lord with all your
heart. turning not aside to any idol
anything that pretcnds TO help you.
For all things outside OF, or contrary
TO. the service of God are "vaIn
things" ". ~, mere "nOthIngs,"
"emptlness." bubbles" that burst with
q touch.
3. Trust God, "for the Lord will
not forsake his people" ". 22). You
can trust him to the uttermost.
4. Realize your destiny, your pur.
pose and work in the world, TO which
God has set you apart. This Is one OF
the great sources Of strength, when we
realize that we are doing what God
made us for.
s. Serve God because you shall
have the continued help OF the
prophet.
ta) Samuel would pray for them
without ceasing. And they had Just
seen how the prayer Of the righteous
availeth much.
90 lie would continue to teach
them the good and right way. Instruc.
ton and devotion. teaching end prayer
are the need OF all q
g.. Feel the force Of the great mo.
tIves. which will be a perpetual inspir.