The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-07-09
Samuel Warns Saul
and His People
Sunday School Lesson Tor July 10. 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper

GOLDEN TEXT.-"Only fear the Lord,
and serve him in truth with all your
heart; for consider how great things he
hats done for you."-i Sam. i2:A.
TIME.-About h. c. 1904 (Ussher).
PLACE.-Gilgal, In the Jordan valley:
a little north Of east OF Jerusalem.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The Scene.-lt is midsummer with
clear skies. We are still present at
the great coronation assembly OF the
leaders of all the tribes, which Samuel
had convened after Saul had proved
himself a great general and leader OF
armies by his victory over the invad-
Ing Ammonites from the northeast
Gilgal was hallowed by many sacred
associations. calculated to inspire
every patriotic heart. Here was the
heap OF stones set up to commemorate
the miraculous crossing OF the Jordan.
Here the covenant had been renewed.
Here was celebrated the first passover
In the Promised Land. Here had been
maintained a camp during the early
conquest Josh. $50; 1O:43) Here the
first king had been crowned with i'm
pressive ceremonies.
Saul had returned in triumph. every
inch king" The people were now
enthusiastic over the splendid-looking
man. Every tongue Of opposition was
silenced. II was probably the last OPP
portunity Samuel would have OF meet
ing the nation as a whole. flushed with
victory. and rejoicing in the king
that Samuel TO his own cost, had
presented to them.
The account has almost the form Of
a dialogue. Read A..
Samuel goes on 10 say that although
the people seemed to fear that God
would not continue 90 save them as Of
old by judges, and thus showed a lack
OF faith. yet God had proved, by the
victory their new king had achieved.
that he would be the same to them
under the new regime as under the old
The One Eternal Condition.. Posi-.
tive. " IA. If ye will fear the Lord,
etc. Samuel proceeds to name five
things the king and nation must do.
II they would win Gods favor and
maintain their own safety; they must
(1) fear the Lord: 90 serve him; 90
obey his voice; "a not rebel against
his commandment: 90 continue (per.
severe) In following the Lord. Then
shall both ye," etc, A better transia-
tion continues the condition: And II
both ye and also the king that reign
eth over you continue following the
Lord your God" The conclusion. per
haps 1t shall be well with you" IL TO
be supplied, as in Eek 1892. Samuel
piles up one upon another the condi.
lions OF their happiness. and then from
the depth Of his emotion breaks of.
leaving the blessed consequences Of
their obedience unssid. Dean Payne
Smith
2. Negatively. 10. But IL We will
not obey" etc In stating the alterna-
tive Samuel names only two out of the
five conditions just laid down; but
these are the most important. In
deed. the one word, obedience. would
include them all. Then shall the hand
of the Lord be against you" not from
hatred. but Of necessity. Just as
stream is against an oarsman that
pulls up IT,
Samuel was 10 be 10 longer chief
ruler Of the nation. but was TO con-
tinue his moral and religious work for
many years, as the chief religious fac
tor in the development Of the nation.
Hence. he gives his farewell mes
sage from his political vantage ground.
!. Fear Not-Rest assured OF the
forgiveness OF your sins.
2. Serve the Lord with all your
heart. turning not aside TO any idol
anything that presends to help you.
For all things outside of, or contrary
10. the service OF God are vain
things" w. 2D, mere "nothings,"
emptiness" bubbles" that burst with
4 touch.
3. Trust God. "for the Lord will
not forsake his people" w. 22). You
can trust him TO the uttermost.
4. Realize your destiny. your pur-
pose and work in the world. to which
God has set you apart. This is one OF
the great sources Of strength. when we
realize that we are doing what God
made us for.
S. Serve God because you shall
have the continued help OF the
prophet
la Samuel would pray for them
without ceasing. And they had just
seen how the prayer of the righteous
availeth much.
(b) He would continue 10 teach
them the good and right way. Instruc-
ton and devotion, teaching and prayer
are the need of all men.
G. Feel the force of the great mo
tives. which will be a perpe lual inspir-
alton.
(a) Gratitude for wha, God had
done ". 24).
(b) The certain consec fences OF
wrongdoing ". 26).
To realize this fact is not AFFECT
fear, but n reasoning. common sense
judging of any course OF action by its
consequences.
Practical Points.
"If we I'll the corner where we are
with lighi. We shall sooner Ut later be
set on a candlestick high enough for
the light that is in us"
Self-seeking Is root of all evil.