The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-03-11

der Jepthah. Nahash the Ammonite do
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 AHmonites was con-
trary to Gods commands LEX. 23:32:
Deut $3.50.
!. The Cry OF Jsbesh, w. i-3. This
event probably occurred about month
after the previous lesson. Il 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 contemph
". 81. Compromising Christians an
always blind leaders OF the blind Matt
1874. 6:22D. The demand OF Nahash
would also bring reproach upon Israel.
yet this same king afterwards showed
Kindness TO David Oil Samuel l0:2b.
History records that Emperor Basil
II actually sent an army Of 1850
sightless men back to the king OF Bull
garia. who died OF grief and horror.
u. The Conquest Of Ammon. w. 4
~. Nahash granted the request for
a seven days respite. Here was Saurs
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 Tho
tidings OF this insult were 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 erectually put to silence
those worthless fellows" who de
spised him and had brought no pres
ents at HIS amounting (l0:27D. Instead
OF tears Saul Is moved TO deeds Liks
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" w. 6: see also
Judges 3:l0: ii:29: 1925: Luke 20:
80: Acts i0:3s). 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 ~ II "A -.
surance OF call from God. and he re-
sponded with unquestioned faith
Rom. SID. The people responded
With great rapidity. for the fear Of
God came upon them also. We have
the good news OF a better deliyerance
from more subtle foe 10 proclaim
In the present age. They all resorted
TO Beck. veg. Of the Jordan The
messengers returned bearing a mes.
sage having two meanings ". l0). and
that helped 10 keep Nahash ignorant
Of Saul's actions on the other side OF
the river. Dividing his army into COM
panies Saul attacked the enemy in
the morning watch" and completely
overwhelmed them and put them TO
rout As the Ammonites had refused
10 show any mercy. they in turn were
Judged unworthy OF mercy ". IL. see
also James 2:l3; Matt 7;2).
~. The crownins Of Saul. w. f2.t5.
Saul's victory 80 impressed the people
hat they demanded TO know OF Sam
iel who II was that had refused him
rs king. desiring TO put them 10 death.
Saul showed his wisdom by not per-
hitting such a course OF action Many
.oday refuse Gods diyinely appointed
ding who will yet be glad to acknowl-
edge him (Luke 1927: Phil. 2:l0l.
In the next place Saul did not claim
credit for the victory for, said he,
The Lord hath wrought deliverance
n Israel" ". l3 II. W. All real vic
cries come from God FPS. 44:4-s; l
,oF. 1870. This was the true king
y spirit Saul reaped the reward OF
iis humility. his forbearance, cour-
'ge and activity In the loyalty and
pride OF the people Samuel gladly
ihared In the success OF Saul and led
he people TO Gilgal for the GROWING
ceremony. This was the place where
srael had first encamped under the
leadership OF Joshua and where the
welve stones from the river had been
yet up as a testimony TO Gods real
'esence and deliyerance.
Saul had natural and physical char
calculated to make him a
'reat and useful elfrestraint,
nodesty. military invention and a ca
'acity for leadership.
He was shrewd. patient and gener
JUS
He thus stood on the threshold OF
lis kingdom with the possibilities OF
lntold usefulness and blessing.
We are kings and priests unto
iod.' He has ushered US into his
Iingdom. Power. usefulness. infu-
nee, helpfulness. victory Owe sin are
'efore us. Napoleon said that his
Iobility dated from Arcole and Maren.
20. May ours date from the victories
y love over the evil within us and in
ne world This is the victory that
'yercometh the world. even our
aith" Il John $50.