Middletown transcript., 1915-03-06

Because of the acts OF Samuel the
people petitioned for a king (ch. 8:5).
They are told plainly what to expect
If king is set In authority (ch. 8:19).
God, however, granted their petition
and spoke "in the ear" of Samuel, say,
ing, Il will send thee a man." telling
him of the work which this man is to
undertake (ch. 9:15, 16).
!. Samuel Saw Saul" w. 17-21. Saul
was a man to gaze at and to admire
(ch. 9:2). His fruitless search for
his fathers asses leads him to the city
wherein Samuel was residing. There
he Is advised to consult the man OF
God" about his difficulty good sug-
gestion for us all. This experience
(ch. 9:6-14) exhibits Samuel in a new
light. The word seer" indicates 'one
who sees." one who sees the things
God makes manifest in dreams (Num.
24:4-16). While the word is similar to
the modern term "clairvoyant" yet the
latter are not the successors of these
Old Testament "seers" or prophets"
They are rather the successors of the
false prophets (Jer. 1919, and Of
those who dealt with familiar spirits
Il Chron. 10:13-14; lisa, 8: 1920; 2
Kings 21:1, 2, g.. Saul evidently did
not know Samuel wv. 1919. There
is no necessary conflict in this account
and that recorded in the tenth chap
ter. Samuel's warning to the people
was useless and lots were then cast
that the people might have a visible
token that the choice of this obscure
youth was from God.
Samuel took Saul with him for the
night to take his mind of his fathers
asses and to prepare him TO receive
the word from God. Christians take
far too little time to withdraw them
selves and take their restless minds
of the things Of time and sense to be
still and hear the word Of God. What
were a few asses to Saul, to him "for
whom all that is desirable in Israel"
". 20 r. W? Christians who are
heirs to the heavenly kingdom ought
not to set their affections on the poor
possessions Of earth (Col. 81, q; 2 Cor.
4:18). In response to Samuel's infor-
nation, Saul disclaims any greatness;
! indeed, is he not from one of the least
of the families of one of the smallest
Of the tribes ". 21). Such humility
gave great promise for Saul's future
usefulness. Such was the mental and
spiritual attitude of the man whom
God chose to be king (ch. 1910. 1t
was later, when pride and power had
puffed him up, that the kingdom was
taken away from him (ch. 1923; 1871;
Luke 14:11; Heb. 13:I.
n. "Samuel Took Saul" w. 22-24.
Saul was then led into the guest cham.
ber and placed in the chief seat. Read
our Lords parable found in Luke
14:7-11. SamUel then bade the cook
bring the thigh, which was a choice
piece of meat especially reserved for
those thus honored (Ezek. 24:4). Such
portion belonged to the priest (Lev.
7;S2). That which did not belong up
on the altar Saul was to eat ". 24).
Samuel and Saul may have had the
preference and eaten before the other
guests ". 13), and Saul is made &C.
quainted with the special honor con-
ferred upon him. Following the feast,
they return to Samuel's home, where
Saul is conducted to a couch upon the
fiat housetop (Acts 10:9). Here Sam
uel had private converse with Saul
". 25 R. W. What that converse
may have been we know not, but we
are reminded of one such nocturnal
conversation which gave to the world
Gods most precious summary of his
love (John S:1-16). Such rare expert.
ences are of short duration and the
summons to be of came to Saul at the
Spring of the day." /. e., about dawn,
the usual time Of departure in that hot
country. Our summons is to those
duties which lie between US and our
promised crown. There are times for
us to be up and away ". 26), but there
are also times when we should hear
the command stand thou still awhile.
that l may show thee the word of
God" ". 27). Many fail to hear God
speak because they are ever SO busy.
the noise Of the rattling of things
browns out Gods voice from their
ears. Even in some prayers we rattle
along perhaps charmed by the sound
of our own voices, or admirinE our
own sentences, and God cannot make
himself heard.
Samuel poured oil upon Saul's head.
Prophets, priests, kings and cleansed
lepers we're so anointed, a type of the
amounting by the holy spirit Il Kings
1915. 16; Lev. S:12. 14:2. 1918; lisa.
61;1; l John 2:20 R. W. This act
was also a symbol of entire consecra-
tion to God, and pointed forward to
the coming king messiah, Anointed
One) whom God himself would anoint
FPS. 45;O.
Saul was anointed to be "a prince"
and to save Gods people (ch. GIG;
Acts 5:S1). His ear is always open
to the cry of his people. Even though
they had sinned, and their sorrow was
because of their own disobediehce. vet
God regarded their afniction (Ps.
106:43, 44. Only Gods anointed ones
can save lisa. 61:1-3).
Saul's selected task was to saye
Israel out of the hands Of the Philis-
tines (See Luke 1:69-71). Gods eve
sees the oppression of mankind and
his ear is always open to the cry of
the poor and needy; of innocent chill
dren suffering because of the sins of
parents; of men defrauded of justice;
of Europe, because of bloodlust, and
the struggle for commercial su-
premacy. These cries will surely come