The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-07
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson 1.-Third Quarter, For
July II, 1908.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Text of the Lesson, ] sam. x, if-Sf
Memory Verse, 24-Golden Text, ]
Sam. xiii, documentary Prepared
by Rev. .. M. Stearns.
lCopyright, 1905, by American Press Association
Mizpeh. first mentioned in Gen. XXI,
40. is at least suggestive of Gods
Watchful care, as we learn from that
incident. The name is used seven
times in Sam. vii. where we see not
only His watchful care, but also the
great deliverance which He wrought
for them as they humbled themselves
before Him. In the lesson today the
people are, gathered that the king whom
they had asked for and whom God had
agreed to give them might be publicly.
chosen by the people themselves, evi-
dently by lot, selecting thus. the tribe.
and then the family and then the man.
(verses 20. 21.. See also the same PLAN
in Josh. vii, 1913. God approved of
this way and guided His people by it
Lev. xvi. s; Nun. XVI. So. Sc; Prov.
xvi, 33). While the people seemed to
be deciding the matter it was really
the Lords decision and choice (verse
24).
Turning to the special lesson verses.
we notice that Samuel, having gathered
the people, reminded them how the
Lord God had brought them out Of Egypt
and delivered them from all their op-
pressors and that they were that day
rejecting God; who Himself had saved
them out of all their adVersities and
tribulations oversees 1S. 19). They were
redeemed that they might glorify their
God and magnify His name before 9th
er nations and show to them how great
a God they had, even the only living
and true God, in order that others
might learn to know and trust Him
too But now they turn from their
high calling and descend to the level
Of the nations before whom they were
called to honor Jehovah. How sad
and sinful and heartbreaking to Je-
hovah it all wasL Hear Him after He
had borne long years with them as He
calls heaven and earth to witness. II
have nourished and brought up chill
dren, and they have rebelled against
me" Qsa. l. 2, 81. To US He says
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.
whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption" Eph. iy,. 3O-32). for we
are here for Him that the world may
believe on Him and know Him. When
we live to please or magnify self, then
we are saying that we prefer to be
like other people, to be conformed to
this present world, and thus we reject
Him.
When Saul had been elected that
day he could not be found, for with
seeming meekness or humility he had
hidden himself. They inquire Of the
Lord. for this was Samuers way and
Davids way and should be our way
always, according to Prov. iii, 5, 6.
The Lord revealed his hiding place,
and they ran and fetched him. and as
he stood among them. head and shoul-
ders above them all, no goodlier person
in all Israel the people shouted. "God
save the kingw and Samuel said. See
We him whom the Lord hath chosen"
oversees 1924 and chapter *, p. When
any person or thing cannot be found. it
is we'll to remember "He that is per-
feet in knowledge is with thee" Qob
xxxyi, A., and consulting Him with all
humility, If we have His amounting on
our ears, we may hear His voice re-
vealing the place Of the lost person or
thing. Many time have l and others
seen it proved. but we must be in His
will and seek to magnify Him.
Samuel. having told the people the
manner Of the kingdom and written it
in book and laid it up before the
Lord. sent all to their homes, Saul also
going to his home God raised up a
band of friends who went with him,
but there were some who despised him,
and to these he was as though he had
been deaf (verse 27, margin). See also
Ps. 1xxviii, 13. and let US so act when
the occasion arises. Returning to the
story in chapter tx Of the way God
provided and pointed out Saul to Sam
uel, we learn how in all the most ordi-
nary events of daily life God is work
ing out His purposes On Sauls side
of the story we simply see some !oSt
asses and Saul and one OF his fathers
servants out seeking them. After
long and unsuccessful search Saul
urges that they return lest his father
should be anxious for them instead OF
the asses. The servant suggested that
as they were near city where lived
man Of God whose every word came
to pass (verse g. they should consult
him before returning home, to which
Saul consented. On Samuel's side we
read that the Lord had said to him,
Tomorrow about this time I will send
thee a man" (verse 16). and Samuel
had accordingly made all preparation
to welcome him. Now see the consum-
nation. the arrival of the weary trav-
elers, the welcome, the surprise party.
the night at Samuel's home, the setting
forth next morning of Saul and his
servant. Samuel's startling communica-
ton to Saul, the amounting. the incl
dents which would happen as Saul
went on his way and the saying which
some of us are finding so rcStful and
helpful in chapter x. I. "DO rs occasion
serve thee. for God is with thee Let