The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-04-08
INTERNATIONAL,
SUNlAYSC[I(DQL,
LESSON
LESSON FOR APRIL II
DAVID AMOUNTED KING.
Ry e, O.. SELLERS, Acting Director OF
sunday sunday School Course, Moody Bible IN

DAVID AMOUNTED KING.
LESSON TEXT Samuel 16:4-13
GOLDEN TEXT-Man looketh on the
outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh
on the hcart.-I Samuel 1877 II. v.
After the events recorded in last
Sundays lesson Samuel retired to
Ramah never again to see Saul's face.
Samuel "mourned" (15:35) 1. e., be-
walled and lamented the deposed king.
1t was noble for Samuel thus to be
grieved over Saul's sin; still, God had
work for him to do. There is sor-.
row that "worketh repentance" which
is pleasing in the sight Of God, but
that idle sorrow which spends itself
in Improbable mourning Is detrimen-
tai to man and a hindrance to the
kingdom of God (ch. 81; 15:1). Men
may fail but the kingdom goes for
ward. We do not interpret verse 2
as suggesting any subterfuge on Gods
part but rather that God refused to
pay any attention to Samuers fear
God answers fear by giving us duties
TO perform and in their performance
we are delivered from our fears.
!. David Chosen to Be King, w. 4.1O.
saul, the clamorous choice OF the peo.
pie, was not succeeded by David-"the
man after Gods own heart"-for sew.
eral years after this lesson. Gods
Will in this matter was shown to
Samuel progressively: (a) in chapter
1874 Samuel is Informed that God
hath sought "a man after his own
heart" (b) in 1871 he is told to 60
and find the king whom God had pro-
Vided; (c) in verse IL Samuel
is at last definitely told whom God
has selected. This selection is in ac-
cordance with the prophecy made cen.
turies before regarding the kingly
scepter (Gen. 1910. OF course it
was high treason, this act Samuel was
about to perform, and Saul yet had
many friends and supporters ". p.
God seems to have permitted Samuel
to use one avowed purpose to con.
ceal the real one, but such course is
one to use but sparingly" (Maclaren)
GOD can and does protect those whom
he sends Cps. 34:O and "man is i'm
mortal till his work is done" Just
what or how did not concern Samuel
for he had Gods promise w. 81. A
step at a time was sufficient and In
taking each step Samuel was to tell
the exact truth.
Thus God guides and tests his serv.
ants. Samuel was judge as we'll as
a prophet (ch. 7:16) and the people
Of Bethlehem wero agitated at his
arrival. 1t may be, too, that these
elders were fearful Of incurring the
displeasure Of Saul There was no
occasion for fear, as SamueIs purpose
was to sacrifice and his mission one OF
peace even as the angelic messengers
who quieted the shepherds with theil
message Of peace" when "great
David's greater son" was ushered into
the world. Jesse was a grandson OF
Ruth the Moabitess and also a de-
scendant Of Rahab the harlot. On
his fathers side he belonged to the
strong tribe Of Judah. He was evt.
IDENTIFY man Of some wealth, certain
ly in his children. After the sacri.
fice and before the feast Samuel is
made acquainted with the sons OF
Jesse. The first, Eliab, was tall and
good to look upon and at once Samuel
fixed upon him as the certain choice
for Jehovah.
H.. David Anolnted King, we II.
13. Seven sons are set aside and yet
Samuel did not hear the voice OF
Gods approval. In seeming dismay he
asks, Are here all thy children?'
Jesse seems to have made a careless
and reluctant reply that the youngest
was away from home tending sheep
Thereupon Samuel asserts that eve
will mot sit down (to the sacrificial
feast till he be brought hither" 1t is
from such lowly positions that God is
constantly promoting men to positions
OF responsibility and prominence
Witness Carey, Livingston, Moody and
hundred others past and present
David at this time was about fifteen
years old (Beecher). His name means
darling" significant Of the affection
Of his mother, whose name Is un
known, but to whom David twice
makes reference Cps. S6:16; 116:16)
David was short, compared with his
brothers, but had bright eyes ". IL
margO and a fair face--a "comely
person" (v. 18). David was agile and
strong and though seemingly scoffed
at by his brothers and neglected by
his father it did not pervert his good
nature nor turn him from the perform.
ance Of his duties. Samuel did not
greet David as he had ggeeted Saul
he may have been disappointed. This
gives emphasis to the words in verse
IL, Arise anoint him: for this
is he"
David is anointed, set apart, for the
kingship, but Is not equipped nor does
he enter upon his offices till later.
In this he is type Of Jesus who
shall yet reign on Davids throne.
Verses 13 and Ia tell Of the develop.
ing contrast in the lives of Saul and
David. David the young king, poten.
tial only at this time, is great in.
spiration to the young of all ages in
that, Cd He did his lowly work
thoroughly; (2) While doing 1t he
sought to cultivate and improve him.
self (v.1s); and (3) He gave himself
wholly to God; hence the record land
the Lord Is with him" (v, 1877.