The Red Cloud chief., 1908-07-03
ISRAEL ASKS
FOR A KING
Sunday School Lesson Tor July s. 1908
Specially Prepared for This Paper

DRY Verses. 10, ~.
GOLDEN TFXT.-"By me kings reign
and princes decree Justice" PROV. Sis.
TlME.-Ncar the close NJ Samuel ad-
ministratiun, II. G. 100 1904 Nfsshrrl.
COUNTRY. Samuel was born At Iia-
nah. "a few miles northwest OF Jerusalem;
and there for the most of his life he made
the center of his administration from
which he made n wider circuit ns Judge
and as teacher of religion.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The country was but little larger
than Wales, and, like II. IA land of
mountains and hills, skirted through
its whole length by the dceplying 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,
II religion. n language, and one
history. but there was little OF the
solidarity Of n nation. The social unit
was the tribe. Each tribe had it's own
political organization. They were
loosely held together. and sometimes
broke out into omen 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 OK.
posed to the raids of their warlike
~reighbors, as the ~Lowlanders of Scot.
land were to the forays Of the High.
landers. The people lived In walled
villages for safety, while their outly'
ing fields, Vineyards and pasture lands
were exposed.
Their enemies were warlikc and OF
every side, always more or less hos.
tile. The warlike commercial Philis.
tines lined the western shore with It's
rich plains. The Amalekites on the
south, and the desert tribes on the
whom they might devour.
The government was a kind Of re.
public. THE organization was AT
best exceedingly primitive" Ere.
quent reference IL made TO the men
Of the town' tas for example Judg,
9:2. 6, %. &c, ct 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 condj
tons that tended to unity were central
lied in Samuel. Graetz' History Of the
Inuya NyAlnn,n ftrntchnn On nNnnl
lent account of which the following Is
n summary:
/. Samuel himself, the most strik
ing figure of the nation. was In him
self a strong unifying force.
2. Samuel's Irresistible eloquence fo'
a revival of true religion found &
powerful response in many hearts.
3. He travelled the whole land, ap
pointed public meetings. and an
nounced to the multitudes the les
IONS revealed to him by the spirit Of
God. Year after year he called to
gether the elders of the people. Al
Ramah. his residence, frequent meet
ings of the tribes took place.
4. At divine services Samuel Offered
sacrifices, introducing the use o
stringed instruments to arouse de
o. feelings. and added a new ele
ment, songs Of praise. Samuel. the an
cestor of the celebrated psalmists, tn,
som of Korah, was the first who com
posed songs of praise for divin,
service.
8. The tribe of Judah, who, durln,
the entire period Of the Judges hat
not taken the slightest share In pub
lie events, was now driven by the in
cursions of the Philistines to unit,
with the other tribes. They brough
an accession of strength and religion
activity.
6. II must be noted that just at thi
period lsraels greatest enemies. tn
Philstines, were transformed into
kingdom.
V. 6. But the thing displease,
Samuel" l.. 1t was the choosing @
the second best" when the best
was possible to them. Hence II wa
a great disappointment to Samue
His long life of teaching and trainin
had not accomplished Its purposs
They refused their high privilege O
being unlike all the nations, the chose,
people OF God, the means OF blessin
all nations.
So Esau bartered his birthright 70
a mess OF pottage.
2. 1t was a rejection of God. V. ,
They have rejected me that | shout
not reign over them" Ii is quite prof.
able that they half consciously want
ed a king, because they were tired q
having their prosperity depend o.
their good behavior. The leader
God chose for them could succee,
only when the people turned to God
But the king might not press them s
hardly, but conquer by his skill an,
organizing power.
V. 10. THE people refused to obey.
r.. ", TO hearken unto-"the voice @
Samuel" They simply were not goo
enough to have the best government
Practical Points.
tln thn Ig,nalttaa me- %, 49,.