Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-11
Sunday School Lesson for July y Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education
SAIL CHOSEN KING. S,mu>l Z: iI2s.

IN this order upon Benjamin. Matri. h .sh
and saul II was witnessed by the min-
;sters Of religion and the civil oficfis.
There Nigh, wsll have been surprise Al
The result. \ young man in the smallest
tribe was taken. whereas IL was a matter
Of prophecy that the king should come
out OF Judah ,Gep.. Xl!x:lo). who lad
beer most prominent in The national his
tory. But 10 objection was raised az
least. none : recorded.
PROcLAMAT1oN.- noW remains
To bring forth. recognize and Announce
the chosen king. Bot u" could not ne
found. Moved by fear az motieSty ~ pol
ICY. lie had concealed himself An Cd
proverh SAYS ''Wh"soevar Hes domiDton.
him dominion follows luke. Niv:l1l. IL
became necessary. therefore, 10 inquire
further Of the Lord. This was done 10y
Trim Mum. Xxvii:2p ordinarily d!
the high priest. but no one filled that
Office at that time a priest oncisted.
Sauls hiding place being revealed, he
was brought forth before the assennN-
Samuel Immediately proclaimed. Gaining
attention TO his stature matter par
ticularly pleasing TO the people. VITO
looked With veneration upon a maJestlo
body Whom the Lord has chosen, ne
said thereby for the time putting an
into harmony--the Almighty. the propne';
the king the assembly. No one doubted
that IL was Gods choice. II went INTO
history thus. securing respect for David
| long after il had been forfeited by Sill.
And tho people proclaimed saul king.
| CRYING: God save the king. or. as II
! should be translated. Long live tie
king" The first time the expression was
used. but not the last. II Kings. i:2al
KINGDOM.-Theu came the more i'm
portant and difficult part in the work OF
| the day TO establish suitable regulations
| for the kingdom. As the servant OF God.
| Samuel undertook this task. He had not
/ surrendered his off1ce-he did not propose
| to surrender it. God had not abdicated.
! la1n al linn,
! intended to govern it FOR His own pur-
pose and glory. He can use the monarch,
! although it was against His Will Psaln.
! lXxvi:IW. Samuel told the form OF the
/ kingdom and wrote il in a book which
was laid before the Lord That book
had not been preserved and - the details
. cannot be given. lie may have repeated
to them what he had predicted at first.
that they might be suitably warned ana
prepared II is altogether probable that
he described the kings prerogatives and
duties. the relation between the civil and
| religious. and that he enjoincd what was
| contained in the writings OF Moses
| nDeut Xvii:14-oW. who had anticipated
what had now come to pass. 1t was ex-
! ceedngiy fortunate that one 'of Samueis
| age and experience was permitted 10 rem
! der this service. for otherwise the nation
might have -; .ed into despotism, IRE
! ligion or monarchy.
| SIPPORT-The strength of the new
! government is indicated in three particu
| lars The children of Belial Il Sam, IT'D
despised the young king and inquired.
! How can this man save u.s.? This was
! not surprising (Romaus, tx: 6l. Men OF
that class opposed Moses and afterward
rent the kingdom in twain d1 Sam. MID.
1t is probable that they saw in Saul ell
ovation. especially in the religious eNer-
cises employed. what would oppose their
evil ways They therefore brought no
presents-made no contribution or nus
support Oh Sam. viii:2)-the only mode OF
Al IA tno
| But there adhered to Saul band of M en-
whose hearts God had touched (Ezra, i:3,-
good men. under the influence of the Holy
| Spirit, who operates In all ages. upon all
(Arts. xvi:14) Here. then. were two par
ties moving in opposite directions But.
! what was most Significant, the great
body of the people did not appear TO take
much interest in the affair. They re-
turned quietly to their homes 10 engage
In their ordinary pursuits. and Sa,il did
the same. The government remained
! practically where 1t had been, in The
hands of Samuel. and there II would re-
main until there was a divine call.
CONCLI-SION.-The kingdom. AZ
finally established was but a slight modi-
fication of the theocracy. God vas still
the head of the nation. His representa-
tive. the great prophet WHO had so long
and faithfully defended His cause. was
the Interpreter of His will His laws. re-
corded in the book of Moses. We're in full
force and they covered all the institute
tons that conserved the public welfare.
not one Of them having been disturbed.
The new king had been chosen by the AL
mighty, approved by the assembly Of the
people and instructed concerning his du-
ties. That king. moreover. had been
touched by the spirit of God and had
manifested humility. patience and for
bearance. Opposed by wicked men, he
had been followed home by good men
and had retired to his own calling TO
wait until Providence summoned him to
public service. Surely the kingdom was
the Lords. Happy will ii be for Saul ii
he remains what he now is! Happy for
Israel If steadfast to its rightful sover-
eign!