The Tupelo journal., 1908-07-17
Samuel Warns Saul
and His People
Sunday School Lesson Tor July l9, 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper

TIME.-About b. c. 1894 (Ussher).
PLACE.-Gilgal, in the Jordan valley,
. 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 h 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; 10:43). Here the
first king had been crowned with Inn
preSsive ceremonies.
Saul had returned in triumph, every
inch a, king" The people were now
enthusiastic over the splendid-looking
man. Every tongue of opposition was
silenced. 1t 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 it.
Samuel goes on to say that although
the people seemed to fear that God
would not continue to 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. V. IA. IF We 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
% fear the Lord; ca serve him; 60
obey his voice; (4) not rebel against
his commandment; 60 continue (per-
severe) in following the Lord. Then
shall both ye," etc. A better transla-
ton continues the condition: And if
both We and also the king that reign
eth over you continue following the
Lord your God" The conclusion, per
haps 1T shall be we'll with you" is to
be supplied, as in Elk. 32:32. Samuel
piles up n upon another the condi-
tons of their happiness, and then from
the depth of his emotion breaks off,
leaving the blessed consequences of
their obedience unsaid."-Dean Payne
Smith.
q. Negatively. Is. But if 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 a
stream is against an oarsman that
pulls up it.
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 idol
anything that pretends to help you.
For all things outside of, or contrary
to, the service of God are vain
things" ". 21), mere "%nothings,"
emptiness" bubbles" that burst with
a touch.
3. Trust God, "for the Lord will
not forsake his people" ". 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.
5. Serve God because you shall
have the continued help of the
prophet.
(a) Samuel would pray for them
without ceasing. And they had just
seen how the prayer Of the righteous
availeth much.
(b) He would continue to teach
them the good and right way. Instruc-
ton and devotion, teaching and prayer
are the need of all men.
6. Feel the force of the great mo-
lives, which will be a perpetual inspir-
alton.
(a) Gratitude for what God had
done ". 24).
(b) The certain consequences of
wrongdoing ". 25).
To realize this fact is not abject
fear, but a reasoning, common sense
Judging of any course of action by it's
consequences.
Practical Points.
eff we fill the corner where we are
with light, we shall sooner or later be
set on a c~andlestick high enough for
the light that is in u.s."
Self-seeking is a root of all evil.
the curse of politics, of business, and
of society.
Samuel was a good man. The in
vestment of his sanity character has
yielded large dividends.
1t often requires some heavy calam-
lty, such as the loss of friends, or
health, or possessions, to dethrone our
pride and make us see that happiness
and Success depend ON God alnna