Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-14
Saul Gains His Kingdom
Sermon by
REV. FLOYD w. TOMKINs.
Text: Samuel. Chapter ri.

In oldcn times Kings did not ALWAYS
give up their occupation when they
we're chosen rs rulers. This seems TO
nave been the case with Saul lie went
"ack 10 the farm and continued his
work How many strong men come
from the farms even In these modern
lays. il Is tho relationship to the
SOIL that seems to breed simplicity and
strength IF more of our young men
would be willing to work on farm
instead Of leading a somewhat uncer-
tam and unhealthy life In the city II
would be better for them and better
Tor the country.
Ent soon there came n call which
tested 10 the full Sauls courage and
wisdom. The Inhabitants of Jabesh-
filc3d (who were tho descendants OF
Mahassasek. Joseph's son. and so mem
hcr" OF the great family Of Israeli were
threatened by the cruel Ammonites
nEGAN his REIGN
WITH GREAT VICTORY
They lived in an attractive hill coun-
NY On the east of the Jordan and were.
u bravo people. But now IL looked
rs II they were to be destroyed. and
they called on their new King 10 helm
them He adopted plan which was
somewhat common in thosc DAYS
though rather shocking to our modern
ideas. and called the people to the CON
nict. Tho lsraclitcs from all over the
IcsI'onIcu, ana inc AmInOniteS
were absolutely defeated Thus did
saul began his reign with a victory over
INC enemies OF his people. II appealed
20 the lSraclites and seemed to fulnll
ih'ir desire that Il king should lead
them out to battle II served to estab-
lish loyalty and unity. and was alto
Scth"r AN suspicious beginning for Saul.
III" happy Hebrews wished to J,ut TO
death Immediately tho few who had OPP
posed Sauls reign Il Samuel x. 90. but
q. I,,,,
saying: There shall not man be put
I" death this day, for to-day the Lord
bath wrought salvation in Israel
FUTURE OF STRUGGLE
BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
!. Now. for our practical lessons, APP
pIE!nE this story 10 our modern life.
FIRST. II was Il struggle between good
and evil. Wickcdncss In the Bible is
represented by the Children OF Arn!uon
and God commanded Ills people to de
Stroy their enemies. This seems 10 us
cruel, but those enemies represented sin.
and with sin there can be no compro-
mise. Later on in Sauls life he tried TO
compromise and the result was disas-
trous. No matter how bold sin may be,
and no matter how overwhelming it's
attack, we must resist IT fcrccly and
overcome IL There can be no tr!NinE
with evil. More trouble comes III this
world through trying to compromise
trying to compromise with the evil OF
drink. Some people want to compro-
mise with the evil OF impurity. In these
modern days many people. supposed TO
nc Intelligent, are striking nj the homo
by teaching that marriage IS only n
matter OF convenience and does not
stand II husband and wife grow tired
81 each other. Unless we have Z, posi-
tive hatred of sin Il Will soon get tho
better OF us. Those Psalms which are
called 'lmprecatory." like the l37th
lSalin. are really pcrsoniiications OF evil
and express the hatred OF the Psalfnist
against all that is ungodly and un-
righteous. We need in these days a
good. powerful hatred of'sin.
EVERY MAN CALLED TO
HIS SHARE IN WARFARE
>. Every man was called upon TO do
his share In the warfare. and saul ut
tered dire threat In order TO arouse
th"m 10 their responsibility. Sometimes
people to-day have to be threatened in
order that they may realize their duty
10 Cod to their fellow men and TO their
country No man can be fire." from re-
sponsihil!ty. There is something for
every ono TO do. Deborah in her won
derful song Judges V. 30 said: Curse
20 MeroZ because the inhabitants there
OF came not 10 the heip OF the Lord
AGAINST the mighty Every man, and
woman. and boy and girl. must take n
share In the fight against sin and for
righteousness All can prav. All can
tAc"r, all can defeat the enemy in one
LILLE part OF the battlefield or another
When child fights against bad tenn
Hcr ne Is helping to bring general VIC
Z f"TE. When woman fights against
r"cvishness and compla lining she is lift
ing tho standard of righteousness All
along tho limo there must be loval,v 10
Gods viii and Gods truth
WORK WAS DONE
MOST SYSTEMATICALLY
:. Tho work was done systematIcallv
saul divided the people into three camps
rs they went out 10 the conflict God is
God of order and when we have work
:" d"' as FAR as possible we want to do
not In a haphazard way. but sys-
i'm"ucally and strongly. Much good
""lN Is defeated because II has not
''H thought out carefully, and fire.
'. liiN a cause is lost because the en-
~ assn OF people has not been wisely
=" We must never let our planning
'' re important than our doing: but.
t' "e other hand we must not let our
lois :. he defeated because we have not
planned. The designs Of the architect
are very important. hut they can never
iake the place of the building. What
ever we do for God let us do It with
~ our might. but. at the same time
lot all the wisdom that we possibly can
hrinS be brought to bear upon it,
PRAISED TO GOD FOR
GREAT VICTORY
T. One other lesson calls US. Saul
POKE to the people and said: Let us
20 GIlPal and renew the kingdom
ere. This was after the victory, and
'rarently the plan was 10 praise God
Tor what Hc had done and to recon
'er"ato both the King and the people TO
'i0d and His service Gilgal was ono
OF the three sacred places. Mizpah and
''e1thei being the other two. in the his
tory Of the Hebrews. 1t is well to turn TO
Tho history Of GilGal and read the in
ieresting associations between the
riace and the people. That Saul called
no people to so thfthcr proves that
ne teit that they must all acknowledge
GOD and worship Him. and then, that
''n must once moro be anointed in order
-Lat he might be q true and loyal Cor