Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-01

CONTENTION hearing Samuers
last. words (chap. xv:20. referred to in
last lesson, Saul repented. exclaiming, II
have sinned in obeying the people rather
than God" (Acts. v:2W. Pleading for par
don, he forcibly detained the prophet. who
declared that the kingdom had been given
to another Dan.. v:2S. Samuel tarried
long enough for Saul to worship. Then
calling for Agag. the Amalekite king, he
hewed him to pieces. proclaiming the
judgment of God for offenses. After that
the two men separated. never to meet
again. Saul returned to Gideon a doomed
man. Samuel went to his home in Ra-
nah. sorrowing for the rejected king. He
could not dismiss from his mind the fate
Of one whom he had anointed, with
whom he had held sweet counsel. from
whom, because of a promising beginning
(chap. x:90), he had reason to expect val
liable service. Any disturbance in civil
affairs brings anxiety to the ministers OF
religion, who are always grieved when
rulers go aStray. knowing that the people
also will suffer DER. KID.
MESSAGE-Samuers grief for Saul
may have continued for many months
(chap. xv:1D. At last he was aroused by
the voice of God expostulating with him.
He was informed that the rejection was
absolute and final DER. vi:3O). and that
longer mourning would be improper Il
John. VIC. 1t is the duty of good men
to bow submissively to the Divine will
Matt. xxvi:42). Besides. he who re-
moveth one and setteth up another dan.
ii:21 had already found among the thou
sands OF Israel successor to Saul. one
who would be true and faithful (Acts.
xiii:29. God is never disappointed. His
resources are unfailing. There is. there
fore. work for Samuel vastly more i'm
portant than to sit gloomily lamenting
what has been q Kings. xix:4. Fiji
thine horn with oil'' Oh Kings. fx:D was
the message Turn to the future n let tne
send thee to jesse he continued. a pi-
Gus man in Judah. as appears by his sac
rifices later on, in which he was like
patriarch dob. i:5). Il have provided
me king among his sons
The old prophet must repeat service
rendered a few years before (ch. KID,
the supply OF oil being more plentiful, as
indicating more abundant blessing.
DANGER.-Samuel felt that the
peril his life. He had openly reproved the
king and destroyed the trophy by which
1t was proposed to support the royal van
ity. He had withdrawn from the court
and ceased to advise and bless. All this
was calculated to awaken ill-will in the
heart of one who had rejected God. 1t
was his life time. How can 1 go?" Sam
uel inquired Of the Lord. The question
did not proceed from fear-his former ac-
ton was proof on that point (ch. xv:2D.
But he desired instruction concerning the
method of procedure in order to succeed
1t was a new experience to him, and he
needed guidance Matt. x:16). When the
path of duty Is plain one may go for
ward without hesitation. But when OBJ
stacles arise. when peculiar trial is likely
to come. then prudence requires that the
Divine wisdom should he invoked to know
how to do. 1t is not enough to do what
God directs-man should do that after
wards Gods purpose may be obtained.
Failure frequently results from prayer
less and thoughtless effort Games. 1:5).
COUNSEL.-The desired advice was
given. Samuel was instructed to go to
Bethlehem to sacrifice. He must take
errand. The journey would attract no
particular attention. because he had fire.
quently gone on such business (ch.. ix:13).
in performing the duty Of his office: This
was no deception, but genuine religious
act Arriving at Bethlehem he was told
to declare his purpose in coming. To
offer sacrifices was only part OF his bust
ness. He was not required to tell the
whole truth. but he was not permitted to
tell falsehood. He was particularly d.
feast that followed the sacrifice. and wait
for further instructions. Thus Samuel
was to proceed step by step as he might
be personally led. So was it with Moses
eek. iv:15, and with Saul of Tarsus
(Acts, tx: 81. Samuel obeyed. The elders
of Bethlehem trembled at his appearance
fearing rebuke or chastisemen Num-.
vi:a). Quieting their fears he called the
people to sanctify themselves (Ex.. xix:
14. by washing their bodies. changing
their clothes and preparing their minds.
Entering the house Of Jesse. wher, proba-
bly, he took up lodgings. he must have
made known the real object Of his visit.
giving special attention to the consecra-
ton Of the household.
SELECTION-The sons Of Jesse
were presented one at time to the
prophet that the Almighty might name
the chosen one. Eliab. the first born,
seemed to be a proper person. but the
Lord refused him. saying that He looked
not at the outward appearance as men
do but at the heart e Sam, xiv :25.
Abinadab and Shamgar followed. but nei-
Their was chosen. Seven sons entered and
retired. but no king. 1t was then learned
that one son, the youngest David the be-
loved. had not been called. He was in the
field tending the sheep. lad too busy or
too young to be invited. Samuel required
him to be brought. He came-fresh from
contact with nature. he bore ruddy
countenance. and was beautiful to look
upon. This is he.'' said the Lord to
Samuel Many a great genius has been
called out of obscurity. where he has
been growing for an after career of
honor From the sheepfold to the throne.