Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-03-12

LESSON TEXT-I Samuel, chapter II.
GOLDEN TEXT-He that is slow to an
ger is better than the mighty: and hs
ruleth his spirit, than he that takethii
a city.-Prov. 1852.
In order to repay IsraeI's victory IN
der Jepthah, Nahash the Ammonite de-
manded the right eye 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 COW
enant with the Ammonites was con-
trary to Gods commands Eek. 1889;
Deut. $3.50.
l. The Cry of Jabesh, w. 1-3. This
event probably occurred about a month
after the previous lesson. It 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 are
always blind leaders of the blind Matt
1874; 6:22). The demand of Nahash
would also bring reproach upon Israel,
yet this same king afterwards showed
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.
IL. The Conquest of Amrnon, w. 4
II. Nahash granted the request for
a seven days respite. Here was SauIs'
opportunity-wrongs 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 messengers
did not find Saul at home idle. The
tidirgs of this insult were told to the
people who lifted up their yoiceg and
wept. ". A.. The news of this threat
ened calamity reached SauIs 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, under
take to relieve Jabesh, for the Spirit
of God came upon him" ". 6; see also
Judges $40; 1929; 1925; Luke "a
40; Acts 1888. 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
to execute their oxen in like manner
if they failed to obey ". y.
The Holy Spirit gave Saul clear as
surance 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 news of a better de~liverance
from a more subtle foe to proclaim
in the present age. They all resorted
to Beck, west of the Jordan. The
messengers returned bearing a mes
sage having two meanings ". 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 Sin
the morning watch" and completely
overwhelmed them and put them te
rout. As the Ammonites had refused
!; to show any mercy, they in turn wert
judged unworthy of mercy ". II, sex
/ also James 2:13; Matt. 7:2).
III. The Growing of Saul, w. 1915
Saul's victory so impressed the peopl,
that they demanded to know of Sam
uel who it was that had refused hin
: as king, desiring to put them to death
f Saul showed his wisdom by not per
3 hitting such a course of action. Man,
today refuse Gods divinely appointe'
king who will yet be glad to acknowl
+ edge him luke 1927; Phil. 2:10)
+ In the next place Saul did not CLAIM
credit for the victory for, said be
4 1.-The Lord hath wrought d~eliveranc
n in Israel" ". 13 R. W. All real vic
0 tories come from God FPS. 44:4-S;
e Cor. 1910. This was the true king
n ly spirit. Saul reaped the reward O
e his humility, his ~forbearance, coul
age and activity in the loyalty an
pride of the people. Samuel gladl
shared in the success of Saul and le
the people to Giigal for the crownin
i ceremony. This was the place wher
!. Israel had first encamped under tn
leadership of Joshua and where tn
twelve stones from the river had bee
: set up as a testimony to Gods res
q presence and deliverance. Surely thi
was a suggestive place for Saul t
receive his crown and be ratified a
king for all real victories are by God
q help and should be acknowledged b
9 sacrifices and peace offerings upon b
affairs. In chapter 10 we have th
e story Of Saurs election; here we hav
the contamination of that previou
!, election at Mizpeh, which is mos
properly accompanied by religion
J. services, sacrifices and peace offering
before the Lord.
a Saul had natural and physical cha
acteristics calculated to make him
great and useful king-self-restrain
d modesty, military invention and a CT
pacity for leadership.
He was shrewd, patient and gene
u
He thus stood on the threshold {
a. his kingdom with the possibilities
!. untold usefulness and blessing.
!. We are kings and priests unit
" God" He has ushered US into b
kingdom. Power, usefulness, inf
ence, helpfulness, victory ove- sin al
before us. Napoleon said that b
nobility dated from Arcole and Mare
go. May ours date from the ~victorit
ic of love we the evil within US and
d. the world" This is the victory TIL
ic overcometh the world, even O
faith" q John 5:4).
P~rivilege~of Prayer.