The Yale expositor., 1908-07-03
ISRAEL ASKS
FOR A KING
Sunday School Lesson for July S. 1908
Specially Prepared for This Papsr

| and princes decree justice. PROV o'iO.
| TIME.-Near the close of Samuers ad-
mInIstration. b. c. llOO-lO94 CUssher).
| COUNTRY.-Samuelw was born at Ra-
| NAH a few miles northwest OF Jerusalem;
and there for the most of his life ne mace
the center of his administration from
which he made 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 or
mountains and hills, skirted through
it's 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 mads
natural barriers between tribes, where
the means of communication were 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 a 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 peo-
pie, unframed in the arts of war,
lovers of home and of peace. Their
wealth consisted in hocks, 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 fields. vineyards and pasture lands
were exposed.
Their enemies were warlike 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 kind of re-
public. "The organization was at
best exceedingly primitive" FIRE.
quent reference is made to the men
of the town" Gas for example Judg.
9:2, 6, %, 26, ct seq), suggesting that
most matters of public interest were
decided by council including all the
free men of city.
The Transition Period.-The condi.
tons 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 a strong unifying FORCE
q Samuers irresistible eloquence for
a revival Of true religion found
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 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.
4. 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.
g. 1t must be noted that Just at this
period lsraels greatest enemies. the
Philstines, were transformed into
kingdom.
! V. 6. But the thing displeased
Samuel" 1. 1t was the choosing OF
the second best" when the best
was possible to them. Hence IL was
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
al nations.
So Esau bartered his birthright for
a mess Of pottage
2. IL was a rejection of God. VI
They have rejected me that I should
not reign over them" 1t 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
Samuel They simply were not good
enough to have the best government.
Practical Points.
Like the Israelites, we are tempted
to insist on our own Wills and choices
We are apt TO look too intently and