Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-04

1NTRODCCTION.-A SIX floHeis
of study in the life OF Christ we return TO
the Old Testament, resuming the history
of Israel at about the point of departure
from 1t in December. This alienation by
order of the international committee. first
to the pre-Christian and then to the new
dispensation. has many advantages. II
causes one to consider the value OF the
entire Bible and prevents that one-sided
view in which many indulge. We need to
bear in mind what Paul said concerning
''all Scripture" and reverently hold the
whole of 1t as a divine message. worthy
of attention. This attention from old to
new also presents some striking contrasts.
The actions and spirit of men in ancient
times, unlike the actions and spirit of
men % later times. when rightly studied
sets off the latter in way to make II
exceedingly interesting. That contrast,
SO marked in some instances. should be
carefully noted. constituting the back
ground upon which the gospel narrative
appears. From Jesus back to Samuel is
a stretch of eleven centuries, twice as
long time as elapsed between our day
and the discovery of America. We are
entered upon a half years work that
shall conduct us as to the time of Solo
mon. covering the first three kings of
Israel.
SAMUEL REPORTED Verse 1O).-
The people of God. after the death Of
Joshua. successor to Moses. constituted
pure theocracy. the story of which is told
in part in the book of Judges. God was
sovereign, and in times of peril, as when
other nations waged wars. deliverers
were raised up and intrusted with a meas
ure Of authority. Gradually these as
sumed the right to govern. Samuel the
of ALL was also a prophet. He rendered
valuable service. But as he approached
the end of life the people became fearful
that his successor might not be equally
wise and good. and hence they proposed
change in the form of government, de-
string a monarchy. Their wishes were
made known to Samuel. and he, like a
faithful servant, presented them to the
Lord. See the verses preceding the les
son. The Lord directed Samuel to grant
their request. and to anont a king but
not until he had laid before the people
the results Of such an act Samuel, there
fore, returned from the Divine presence
and reported Gods answer. We are.
therefore. to think Of him, first Of all, as
the mouthpiece of God, the bearer of a
message to Israel which had been deliver
ed to him. He is Gods representative
This position accorded with all previous
service.
KINGDOM DESCRIBED Werses H.
lO.-He first Of all gave account of what
would come to Israel in the change which
they sought. 1t was important that they
should know. To enter it without con-
Slderation would be a lamentable blunder
If they persisted in their request after this
information is given they would be re-
sponsible. 1t was proposed to let them
choose, to place the government in their
hands. not by revolution. but by peace
able measures. Here is a divine sanction
of the popular sovereignty. Civil insti
tutlons are made to rest on the will Of the
people. Perhaps by inspiration. perha ps
by clear foresight. Samuel told what the
king would do and be. First he would
create an army. the universal require
ment of king. and in maintaining that
army he would take the young men, the
flower and hope of the population. Sec
ond. in maintaining the palace. he would
require servants. and these would be
taken from the daughters of Israel Here,
then. for military and domestic purposes,
there will be required a levy upon the
young people of the land. it's pride and
hope. Third. all this would involve
heavy expense. and so the king to sup
port his government would seize the fruit
of the fields. Of the olive trees and the
best Of the flock
COMPLAINT UNHEEDED Verse
1S.-Samuel then told the people that these
heavy burdens (sons. daughters and prop
erty being taken) would be considered by
Israel as highly oppressive. There would
be strong contrast between their pres
ent simple and inexpen sive life and the
life under the new regime. Many COM
forts would disappear. Family life would
be disturbed. The ties that bound sons
and daughters to parents would be sew
cred. Peace would give place to war
The quiet and rest and sweet repose
would be exchanged for anxiety, alarms
and poverty. Under these circumstances
of general distress Israel would recall the
fact that they We're the people of God
who had promised to care for them in all
time of trouble. and they would naturally
turn to Him for relief from their mis- for
tunes. This had been the course through
perity Israel had forgotten God, but in
times of adversely they had inquired after
God. So under the kings they would cry
out for redress of grievances. But God
would not heed their cry. They must
abide the consequences of their own
choice.
PEOPLE DEMANDED-verses 49,
2O.)-It might have been expected that
such speech would make profound
impression. Samuel had been a most
faithful administrator-he had won the
confidence of all. old and young. How
could any one refuse the message of
such a man? Who would not thought
fully and promptly accept his advice?
Besides. 1t was known to all that he had
spoken for the Lord. who had been the
God and hope of Israel from the time Of
the exodus. Who would dare to reject
the counsels of the Almighty. the SOW
ereign of the whole earth? And. finally.
the predictions covered what any person
might have anticipated. A king required
an army and retinue of servants and all