The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-07-03

"H AHN HEH 'A""AH'AN
COUNTRY Samuel was born at Ra
nah a few miles northwest % Jerusalem
ana there for the most ~ his life he made
the center Of his administration from
which De made a wider circuit as judge
and as teacher o. religion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The country was but little larger
than Wales. and. like Il. "a land OF
mountains and hills. skiried through
its whole length By the deeplying 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 made
natural barriers between tribes. where
the means OF communication were so
difficult and rare.
The twelve tribes were OF one blood.
n religion. one language. and one
history. but there VAS 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 focks, grain fields
and vineyards. Hence they were ex-
posed 20 the raids OF their warlike
neighbors. as the Lowlanders OF Scot
land were 20 the forays OF the High
landers. The people lived in walled
villages Tor 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 a kind Of re-
public. The organization was at
best exceedingly primitive" Ere
Quent reference is made to the men
Of the town tas for example Judg
90. 6. q. 20. e, seq). suggesting that
most matters Of public interest were
decided BY a council including all the
free men OF a city
The Transition Period-The condi
tons hat tended TO unity were central
lied in samuel Graetz' History OF the
Jews. volume l. furnishes an excel
lent account OF which the following is
q summary
J. Samuel himself. the most strik-
ing figure Of the nation. was in him
self a strong unifying FORCE.
> SamueI-s irresistible eloquence for
a revival OF true religion found a
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 Il 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.
& At divine services Samuel offered
sacrifices. introducing the use OF
strinret instruments TO arouse de-
Won't feelings, and added a new ele-
ment. songs 81 praise. Samuel. the an
cestor Of the celebrated psalmists. the
son OF Korah. was the first who CON-
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 10 unite
with the other tribes They brought
an accession Of strength and religious
activity.
S II must be noted that just at this
period IsraeIs greatest enemies. the
Philstines. were transformed into a
kingdom.
V g. But thc thing d~ispleased
samuel /. II was the choosing az
the second best when the best"
was possible 10 them. Hence IT was
a great disappointment 10 Samuel
His long life Of teaching and training
had not accomplished its purpose.
They refused their high privilege OF
being unlike all the nations. the chosen
people Of God. the means OF blessing
all nations.
50 Esau battered his birthright for
a mess Of po'tage.
?. II was a rejection Of God. V. 7.
They have rejected me that I should
not reign over them II is quite prob
able that they half consciously want
ed a 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 10 God.
But the king might not press them so
but conquer by his skill and
organizing power.
v 70. The people refused to obsy
r v. 70 hearken untO-"the voice OF
samuel They simply were not good
enough 10 have the best government.
Practical Points.
Like the Israelites. we are tempted
10 insist on our own wills and choices.
We are apt TO look too intently and
see too exclusively the evils In our
lot. as did the Israelites.
a.