Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1908-07-08
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson II.--Third Quarter, For
July IL, 1908.
the INTERNATIONAL SERIES
Text Of the Lesson, Sam. x, 1927.
Memory Verse, 24-GoIden Text, u
Sam. xiii, s--cOmmentsry Prepared
by Rev. D, M, Stearns.

| 10 - AZ iSdot ouSScSlAfS VI OOu
watchful care, as we learn from tina
incident The name is used seve
times in / Sam. vii, where we see no
only His watchful care, but also tn
great deliverance which He wrough
for them as they humbled themselve
before Him. In the lesson today tn
people are gathered that the king whom
they had asked for and whom God haC
agreed to give them might be publicl.
chosen by the people themselves, evi
IDENTIFY by lot, selecting thus the tribe
and then the family and then the mar
oversees 20, 2D. See also the same plar
In Josh. vii, 1918. God approved Of
this way and guided His people by Il
Uev. xvi, s; Mum. XVI, 80, &c; Prov
xvi, 33). While the people seemed t.
be deciding the matter it was really
the Lords decision and choice (verse
pa.
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 ali their adversities and
trlbulations oversees Is, 19). They were
redeemed that they might glorlfy their
God and magnify His name before 9TH
er nations and show to them how great
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 1t all was Hear Him after He
had borne long years with them as He
calls heaven and earth to witness, 81
have nourished and brought up chill
dren, and they have rebelled against
me" Qsa. |, 2, 81. To us He says,
"Grleve not the Holy Spirit of God,
whereby We are sealed unto the day of
redemption" (Eph. iv, 30-32). 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 Samuel's way and
Davids way and should be our way
always, according to Prov. Iii, 8, G.
The Lord revealed his hiding place, |
and they ran and fetched him, and as
he stood among them, head and Shout |
lers above them all, no goodiler person |
n all Israel, the people shouted, GOD |
save the kingr and Samuel said. "See
ye him whom the Lord hath chosen" |
verses 1924 and chapter tx, p When
any person or thing cannot be found, it |
: We! p eiGte1ioer "He Per
ect in knowledge Is with thee" Dob
XVI, ~, and consulting Him with all
humility, If we have His amounting on
ur ears, we may hear His voice re-
ealing the place of the lost person or
hing. Many a time have and others
cen 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
d a book and laid 1t up before the
ord. sent all to their homes, Saul also
oing to his home. God raised up a
and Of friends who went with him,
ut there were some who despised him,
nd to these he was as though he had
cen deaf Verse q, margln). See also
IS. xxXviii, 13. and let US so act when
he occasion arises. Returning to the
tory in chapter TX of the way God
rovided and pointed out Saul to Sam
eel, we learn how In all the most ordi-
airy events of daily life God is work
lg out His purposes. On Sauls side
f the story we simply see some lost
sses and Saul and one of his fathers
ervants out seeking them. After
)ng and unsuccessful search Saul
rges that they return lest his father
hould be anxious for them instead of
ne asses The servant suggested that
5 they were near city where lived
ian of God whose every word came
} pass Verse O. they should consult
i'm before returning home, to which
all consented On Samuel's side we
eaG that the Lord had said to him,
Tomorrow about this time will send
lee q man" (verse 16), and Samuel ,
ad accordingly made all preparation I
welcome him. Now see the consum-
lation, the arrival of the weary tray
ers, the welcome, the surprise party,
lie night at Samuel's home, the setting :
,rth next morning Of Saul and his
,rvant, Samuel's startling communica- ,
on to Saul, the amounting, the incl +
ents which would happen as Saul Z
ent on bis way and the saying which r
me of US are finding so restful and 3
elpful in chapter K, Z, "Do as occasion s
rive thee. for God Is with thee" Let Z
8 believe that In the commonplace
life, with all their discouragements,
cd is leading us on to a kingdom
ct us trust Him for anolnted ears ]
lat He may whisper IN our ears /
K, 15) and that He may not need to T
mock us down before He can make |
5 hear. AS to being chosen by Him ]
Ike comfort from John XIV, 16; Eph !
4.