The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1908-07-16
.--ll--.N i.lfflE7l7I5
Samuel Warns Saul
and His People
Sunday School Lesson for July lS. 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper

heart; for consider how great things he
hath done for you'll Sam. n:A.
TIME.-About 3. c. 1894 CUssher).
PLACE.-Gilgal, in the Jordan valley;
a little north of east Of Jerusalem.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The Scene.-It 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. 9:6; 10:43). Here the
first king had been crowned with i'm
pressive ceremonies.
Saul had returned in triumph, every
inch a king" The people we're now
enthusiastic over the splendid looking
man. Every tongue of opposition was
silenced. II was probably the last op-
portunity Samuel would have OF meet
ing the nation as 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
dialogue. Read It.
Samuel goes on 10 say that although
the people seemed to fear that God
would not continue to save them as of
old by judges, and thus showed 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. V. IA "If ye will fear the Lord. I"
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
| % fear the Lord: (2) serve him; (3)
obey his voice. (4l not rebel against
his commandment; (5) continue (per.
severe) In following the Lord "Then
shall both ye," etc. A better transla-
| tlon continues the condition: "And II
both ye and also the king that reign
eth over you continue following the
Lord your Cod" The conclusion, per-
haps 1T shall be we'll with you," Ia to
be supplied, as in Elk. 32:32. Samuel
| pf1ng M hA
tions of their happiness, and then from
the depth OF his emotion breaks of,
leaving the blessed consequences of
their obedience unsaid Dean Payne
| Smith
2. Negatively Is. But II ye 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 a
stream is against an oarsman that
pulls up II.
Samuel was to be no 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 lido
anything that pretends to help you
For all things outside of, or contrary
to, the service of God are vain
things" ". 2D, mere "nothings,
emptiness" "bubbles" that burst with
touch.
3. Trust God, "for the Lord will
not forsake his people" ". 22). YOU
can trust him to the uttermoBt
4. Realize your destiny, your pur
pose and work in the world. to which
God has set you apart. This is one o
the great sources Of strength, when We
realize that we are doing what Goo
made US for.
5. Serve God because you shal
have the continued help OF the
prophet.
(a) Samuel would pray for then
without ceasing. And they had jus
seen how the prayer of the righteous
availeth much.
| (b) He would continue to teacl
them the good and right way. Instruc
ton and devotion, teaching and praye
are the need OF all men.
6. Feel the force OF the great mo
tives, which will be a perpetual inspir
alton.
(a) Gratitude for what God haC
done w. 2D.
(b) The certain consequences o
wrongdoing ". 26).
To realize this fact is not abjec
fear, but a reasoning common sens
judging of any course of action by II
consequences.
Practical Points.
"If we .fill the corner where we ar
with light, we shall sooner or later b
set ON a candlestick high enough TO