The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-07-02
ISRAEL ASKS
FOR A KING
Sendsy School Lesson Tor July S. 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper
Specially Prepared for This Paper

LESSON TEXT Samuel S:10-22 Mem
ory Verses, 10, 20.
GOLDEN TExT.-"By me kings reign
and princes decree Justice" Prov. 8:16.
TIME.-Near the close of Samuers ad-
ministratlon, b. c. 11OO-1O94 (Ussher).
COUNTRY.-Samuel was born at Ra-
nah, 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 as teacher Of religion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The country was but little larger
than Wales, and, like It, "a land OF
mountains and hills, skirted through
its whole length by the deep-lying 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 we're so
difficult and rare"
The twelve tribes we're 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 we're an agricultural peo-
pie, unframed In the arts Of war,
lovers Of home and of peace. Their
wealth consisted in focks, grain fields
/ and vineyards. Hence they were ex.
posed to the raids OF their warlike
neighbors, as the Lowlanders OF Scot.
land were to the forays OF the High.
landers. The people lived In walled
villages for safety. while their outly.
ing felds. vineyards and pasture lands
we're exposed
Their enemies were warlike and on
every side, always more OF less hos.
tile. The warlike commercial Philis.
tines lined the western shore with it's
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 a kind OF re
public. THE organization was al
best exceedingly primitive" Ere
quent reference Is made to the "men
of the town" (as for example Judg
9:2, 6, 23, 26, ct seq), suggesting that
most matters of public interest were
decided by a council including all the
free men of a city.
The Transition Period.-The condi
tions that tended to unity were central
lied in Samuel. Graetz' History of the
Jews, volume 1, furnishes an excel
lent account Of which the following Is
a summary:
l. Samuel himself the most strik
ing figure OF the nation, was in him
self strong unifying FORCE.
2. Samuel's irresistible eloquence fol
a revival of true religion found q
powerful response in many hearts.
3. He travelled the whole land, ap
pointed public meetings, and an
nounced to the multitudes the les
sons revealed to him by the spirit o
God. Year after year he called to
gether the elders of the people. A
Ramah, his residence, frequent meet
ings of the tribes took place.
4. At divine services Samuel offered
sacrifices, introducing the use o
stringed instruments to arouse de
vout feelings and added a new ele
ment, songs of praise. Samuel, the an
cestor of the celebrated psalmists, tn,
sons OF Korah, was the first who com
posed songs of praise for divine
service.
5. The tribe Of Judah. who, durini
the entire period of the Judges ha,
not taken the slightest share in pub
lie events, was now driven by the In
cursions of the Philistines to unit
with the other tribes They brough
an accession of strength and religion
activity.
6. 1t must be noted that Just at thi
period Israels greatest enemies, tn
Philstines, rc-e transformed into
kingdom.
" 6. But the thing displease
Samuel" /. II was the choosing c
"the second best" when "the best
was possible to them. Hence It wa
a great disappointment to Samue
His long life of teaching and trainin
had not accomplished its purpose
They refused their high privilege G
being unlike all the nations, the chose
people OF God, the means OF blessin
all nations.
SO Esau bartered his birthright fc
mess of pottage.
2. II was a rejection Of God V.
They have rejected me that shoul
not reign over them" II is quite pro-
able that they half consciously wan
cd Q king. because they were tired {
/, having their prosperity depend @
their. good behavior. The leader
, God chose for them could succee
only when the people turned to Go
But the king might not press them 1
hardly, but conquer by his skill al
organizing power.
VIE. "The people refused to obey
--R. ", to hearken unto-"the voice
: Samuel" They simply were not goo
enough to have the best government
Practical PoInta