Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1908-07-02
ISRAEL ASKS
FOR A KING
Sunday School Lesson Tor July 5. 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper

LESSON TEXT Samuel siO.22 Mem
DRY Verses. 49, ~.
GOLDEN TENT by me kings reign
and princes decree Justice" Prov. s:i5.
T1ME.-Noar the close NJ Samuers ad-
minlstration. n. G. ilOO-iON tUssher).
COUNTRY. Samuel was born at RAJ
NAH. "A few miles northwest OF jerusalem;
and there for the most OF his life he made
the center OF his administration, from
which he made a wider circuit as Judge
and az teacher OF religion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The country was but little larger
than Wales, and. like II, "a land OF
mountains and hills skirted through
its whole length by the decplying Jor.
dan valley ON the east. and the harbor.
less coast OF the Mediterranean on the
west The lay OF the land gradually
developed different qualities, and made
natural barriers between tribes. where
the means Of communication were so
| difficult and rare
The twelve tribes were Of one blood,
one religion, one language, and one
history. but there was little Of the
solidarity OF nation. The social unit
was the tribe Each tribe had its own
! political organization. They were
loosely held together, and sometimes
! broke out into open war
The people were an agricultural PEG.
| pie. unframed in the arts Of war.
| lovers OF home and Of peace Their
wealth consisted In iocks. grain fields
and vineyards. Hence they were ex.
| posed To the raids OF their warlike
ncighhors. as the Lowlanders OF Scot.
land were to the forays Of the High.
landcrs. The people lived in walled
villages for safety, while their outly.
| Ing fields. vineyards and pasture lands
were exposed
Their enemies we're warlke and on
every side, always more or less hos.
! tile. The warlike commercial Philis.
tines lined the western shore with its
rich plains. The Amalekites on the
south, and the desert tribes on the
east OF the Jordan were ever seeking
whom they might devour
! The government was n kind OF re.
! public. The organization was AT
best exceedingly primitive" Ere.
! quent reference is made TO the men
Of the town" Cas for example Judg.
| 9:2, 6. %. 30 ct sea-. suggesting that
most matters OF public interest were
decided by a council including all the
free men of n city.
The Transition Period.-The condi
| lions that tended to unity were central.
lied in Samuel. Graetz' History of the
Jews, volume l, furnishes an excel.
lent account OF which the following Is
summary:
l. Samuel himself. the most strIk.
ing figure OF the nation, was in him.
self strong unIfyng force.
. Samuel's irresistible eloquence for
a revival of true religion found a
powerful response in many hearts.
3. He travelled the whole land. ap-
pointed public meetings, and an.
nounced to the mutitudes the les.
sons revealed TO him by the spirit Of
God. Year after year he called TO.
gether the elders OF the people. At
Ramah, his residence, frequent meet
ings OF the tribes took place
(. At divine services Samuel offered
sacrifices. introducing the use OF
stringed instruments TO arouse de.
vout feelings, and added a new ele-
ment, songs OF praise Samuel, the an.
cestor OF the celebrated psalmists. the
sons of Korah. was the first who COM
! posed songs OF praise for divine
service.
5. The tribe OF Judah. who, during
the entire period OF the Judges had
not taken the slightest share in pub.
lie events, was now driven by the in.
cursions OF the Philistines to unite
with the other tribes. They brought
an accession OF strength and religious
activity.
6, II must be noted that Just al this
| period lsraels greatest enemies, the
Philstines. were transformed into n
| kingdom.
V. 6. But the thing displeased
! Samuel" l. II was the choosing OF
the second best" when the best"
was possible to them. Hence II was
a great disappointment to Samuel
His long life Of teaching and training
had not accomplished It's purpose
They refused their high privilege OF
being unlike all the nations. the chosen
people Of God, the means OF blessing
all nations
So Esau bartered his birthright for
J a mess OF pottage.
?. II was a rejection Of God. V. =
They have rejected me that should
not reign over them" II Is quite prob.
able that they half consciously want.
ed king, because they were tired OF
having their prosperity depend on
their good behavior. The leaders
God chose for them could succeed
only when the people turned to God.
But the king might not press them SO
hardly, but conquer by his skill and
organizing power.
V. 10. The people refused TO obey"
R ". TO hearken unto-"the voice OF