The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-03-12
INTERNATIONAL.
LESSON
SAUL GAINS HIS KINGDOM.
By E o. SELLERS. Acting Director %
Sunday School Course. Moody Bible In
stitute. Chicago.)

SAUL GAINS HIS KINGDOM.
LESSON TEXT-I Samuel, chapter II.
TEXT-He that Is slow to an
ger Is better than the mighty: and he
that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketb
. city.-Prov. 16:S2.
In order to repay lsrael's victory I'M
der Jepthah, Nahash the Ammonite de.
manded the right y OF those besieged
in Jabesh in Gilead, knowing that the
left eye would be hid by their shields
and they would thus be incapable Of
warfare. For Israel to make any GOV.
enant with the Ammonites was con.
trary to Gods commands (Ex. %: 80:
Deut. $3.50.
!. The Cry Of Jabesh, w. 1-3. This
event probably occurred about a month
after the previous lesson. 1t was q
proud. naughty demand made of these
Israelites. Exhausted and hopeless.
they had offered to become servants in
order to live. So today we frequent
ly find men willing to compromise
with the world and the devil, who only
hold them in derision and contempt
". y. Compromising Christians ara
always blind leaders of the blind Matt.
1914; 6:22). The demand of Nahash
would also bring reproach upon Israel,
yet this same king afterwards showed
kindness to David Oh Samuel 1920.
History records that Emperor Basil
II actually sent an army of 1880
sightless men back to the king of Bull
garia, who died of grief and horror at
the sight.
H.. The Conquest Of Ammon, W.. f.
II. Nahash granted the request for
q seven days respite. Here was saul's
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to be righted and
people to be saved. Saul had held HIS
peace since being anointed by Samuel.
employing his time in everyday toll
and duties ". 81, for the messenger
did not find Saul at home idle. The
tidings of this insult we're told to the
people who lifted up their voices and
wept. ". ~. The news of this threat
ened calamity reached Saul's ears and
his conduct efectually put to silence
those worthless fellows" who de-
spised him and had brought no pres,
ents at his amounting (10:27). Instead!
of tears Saul is moved to deeds. Like
Cincinnatus and Israel Putnam, he left
the pillow to take up the sword. Saul
did not, in his own strength, underj
take to relieve Jabesh, for 1.-The Spirit
OF God came upon him" ". G.; see also
Judges $40; 1929; 1925; Luke 24:t
40; Acts 10:3S). This moved Saul to-
anger, not alone at such an evidence
OF cruelty, but more at the contempt
Nahash had for God and his people,
Saul associated himself with Samuel,
the man of God, and summoned the ma
ton of Israel to his side. He NOT only
challenged the people, but threatened
If they failed to obey ". y.
The Holy Spirit gave Saul clear as
uranc of a call from God, and he re.
sponded with unQuestioned faith,
(Rom. S:31). The people responded
with great rapidity, for the fear Of
God came upon them also. We have
the good new of a better deliverance'
from a more subtle foe t proclaim
in the present age. They all resortad
to Beck, west Of the Jordan. The
messengers returned bearing q mes
sage having two peanings ". 10). and
that helped to keep Nahash ignorant.
OF Saul's actions on the other side Of
the river. Dividing his army into com,
panies Saul attacked the enemy 'inl
the morning watch" and completely
overwhelmed them and put them to,
rout. AS the Ammonites had refused,
to show any mercy. they In turn were
judged unworthy Of mercy ". IL. see
also James 2:13; Matt. 7:2).
III. The Growing Of Saul, w. 1915.
Saurs victory SO impressed the people
that they demanded to know OF Sam
uel who it was that had refused him
as king, desiring to put them to death.
Saul showed his wisdom by not per.
hitting such q course Of action. Many
today refuse Gods divinely appointed
king who will yet be glad to acknowl-
edge him (Luke 1927; Phil. 2:1O).
In the e place Saul did not claim
credit for the victory for, said he,
THE Lord hath wrought deliverance
In Israel" ". 13 r. W. All real VIC
tories come from God FPS. 44:4-8; 7
Cor. 1910. This was the true king
ly spirit. Saul reaped the reward of
LAS LIE ouC0, COuTs
age and activity in the loyalty and
pride of the people. Samuel gladly
shared in the success of Saul and led
the people to Gilgal for the crowning
ceremony. This was the place where
Israel had first encamped under the
leadership Of Joshua and where the
twelve stones from the river had been:
set up as a testimony to Gods real
presence and deliverance. Surely this
was a suggestive place for Saul to
receive his crown and be ratified al
king zor all real victories are by Gods
help and should be acknowledged by
sacrifices and peace offerings upon his
affairs. In chapter 10 we have the
story of Saul's election; here we have
the contamination of that previous
election at Mizpeh, which is most
properly accompanied by religious
services. sacrifices and peace offerings
before the Lord.
Saul had natural and physical char
acteristics calculated to make him q
great and useful king-self-restraint,
modesty, military invention and q ca
pacity for leadership.