The Brinkley argus., 1915-04-09

| LESSON TEXT-I Samuel 16:4-13.
 | GOLDEN TExT-Man looketh on the
 outward appearance. but Jehovah looketh | on the heart-I Samuel l5:7 k. V.
 After the events recorded in last 1 Sundays lesson Samuel retired to
 Ramah never again to see Sauls face. Samuel "mourned" G5:35) 1. C., be-
 walled and lamented the deposed king.
 If 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 unavoidable mourning is detrimen- tai to man and a hindrance to the
 kingdom of God (ch. ST; 15:D. Men may fail but the Kingdom goes for
 ward We do not interpret verse
 as suggesting any subterfuge on Gods part but rather that God refused to pay any attention to Samuels 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 sev- eral years after this lesson. Gods will in this matter was shown to Samuel progressively: ta) in chapter i3:14 Samuel is informed that God hath sought "a man after his own heart" tb} in 161 he is told to go and find the king whom God had pro- vided, (c) in verse F 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 klngly
 scepter Gen 49;10D. Of course it
 was high treason, this adt Samuel was
 about to perform, and Saul yet had
 many friends and supporters (v. 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'' tMaclaren)
 God can and does protect those whom
 he sends CPS. 34:7) and man IS i'm.
 mortal till his work is done.' Just
 what or how did not concern Samuel for he had Gods promise ty. 3. 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 a judge as well as a prophet (ch 7:16) and the people of Bethlehem were agitated at his arrival. It may be, too. that these elders were fearful of mourning the displeasure of Saul There was no occasion for fear, as Samuels purpose was to sacrifice and his mission one of peace even as the angelic messengers who quieted the shepherds with their 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 evi' dently a man of some wealth, certain. ly in his children. After the sacri. 1 ice and before the feast Samuel is made acquainted with the sons or Jesse. The first, Eliab, was tall and good to look upon and at once Samuel fixed upon him as the certain choice for Jehovah
 II. David Anointed King, w. il. t3. Seven sons are set aside and yet Samuel did not hear the voice of d dtCvr, ho 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 i've will not sit down (to the sacrificial feasD till he be brought hither It is from such lowly positions that God IS constantly promoting men to positions of responsibility and prominence. Witness Carey, Livingston. Moody and a 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; 116:16l David was short, compared with his brothers, but had bright eyes (v l2 marg.) and a fair face--a ''comely person" (v 1S) David was agile and strong and though seemingly scoffed at by his brothers and neglected by his father 1t did not pervert his good nature nor turn him from the perform ance of his duties. Samuel did not greet David as he had greeted Saul, he may have been disappointed This gives emphasis to the words in verse F, 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.
 h this he is a type of Jesus who shall yet reign on David's throne.
 Verses 13 and IA tell of the develop 1 ing contrast in the lives of Saul and David. David the young king, poten- tial only at this time, is a great ln- spiration to the young of all ages in | that. CD He did his lowly work
 thoroughly; t2) While doing it he
 sought to cultivate and improve him. self tv.1S); and (3) He gave himself