Evening star., 1915-03-06

az IeaSt head. He was every inch
king.
He would not only be an imposing
military figure. but he had the ability
TO reign Qiterally coerce and control,
over Israel and deliver the nation from
the hands of the Philistines who once
more were building garrisons in the
land.
This was Gods reason FIR giving them
a King after their own worldly desires
who would free them from the threat
end difficulties. Saul also would control
them by his kingly power in accord
ance with the predictions of Samuel
the prophet. like the kings of other
nations did their subjects.
God gave to Samuel a confidential
revelation of the character of the COM
ing King. who was to become the cap
tain of the people and deliver them
out of the power of their enemies In
a natural and providential manner he
brought Saul into the company OF Sam
uel
In that land where there are no
fences marking the boundaries of the
farms it is easy for the cattle to roam
and get lost The father would nat
uraliy send his son to search for the
missing asses. Warned the day pre-
viously of his coming, Samuel, with a
of the Lord Jesus. commenced to make
proper preparation for the entertain
ment Of the king. He invited thirty
Of the leading citizens of the city to
guest
The invitation to be entertained by
the prophet and judge of the nation
was unsolicited and a high honor to
stock that belonged to his father, that
he gladly accepted when the prophet
assured him that they had been found
Assigned to the chief place at the
table and the giving to him the spe-
cially prepared dish. "the shoulder Of
the Offering" usually reserved for the
priest, probably suggested to Saul. to
whom the mysterious words of greet
ing as the desire of all Israeli had
aroused some curiosity in him, that he
and the priest would probab bly, hence
forth be under the protection of the
prophet.
1t was not until after a refreshing
sleep upon the housetop. the usual
place of sleeping In warm weather,
that Samuel secretly communicated the
plans of God for him as the ruler of
israel and anointed him with oil. He
did this before he sent him away early
in the morning, SO that he might reach
his home before the heat of the day,
to await the call of the people to serv-
ice.
Saul Selected.
Saul became a changed man from
that hour. The responsibility that
awaited him grew upon him as he care
fully considered Gods call to be king
and silently waited the forthcoming de-
cision of the nation, whom Samuel was
to summon once more to Mizpah, the
place of remembrance, to select its king
Before the lot was cast which was
the method by which they learned
the divine will. Samuel reminded them
of their sinful rejection of God as
their ruler as an evidence or their
ingratitude after His services upon
their behalf.
The lot fell upon Saul, who was not
member of any prominent tribe,
which Of itself was an important fac
tor in allaying the spirit of Jealousy
that existed among the tribal, leaders.
When they sought the newly chosen
king he could not be found. He was
hiding-not because he was coward
or was unwilling to assume the burden.
He was humble as he faced the great
task.
We are apt to underestimate the
greatness of Saul because we are IA
miliar with the weak points in his
career. If we would remember the con-
dition of Israel at the commencement
of his reign. the empty treasury. the
unequipped and unframed forces, the
intense hatred and Jealousy that exist
ed among the tribes that ought 10 nave
been of one mind in their devotion to
Jehovah, and the strength of the enc
mics that he was called upon 10 de-
feat even when he was trying to bring
a spirit of unity out OF the units OF
his people as he laid the foundation
of constitutional government, and then
consider the condition OF the nation
upon his death. we propapiy would see
how the power of David and the glory
of Solomon owe more thdn We nave
been accustomed to give to Saul
Several things encouraged the new
king when he returned TO MS nome
after his inauguration. God had caAed.
Sa anuel had set him apart. The peo-
ME accepted him, and band of men
whose lives God had touched followed
him to his home.
The men behind the guns give the
victory to the army. 1t was the en-
thusiastic encouragement and support
that this bodyguard gave to Saul that
made him the man OF the hour He
showed his greatness by keeping 81
lent when the proud and disappointed
ones sneeringly asked, Can this man
save u.s.
We may not all possess the quali-
fcations for leadership, but We can all
exercise a personal influence in pre-
pairing for the coming of the King of
k,ngs by pointing men to Christ, the
coming King, as Samuel pointed out
Saul to the nation.
The signs of the times are in the
Judgment of many students of the
Scriptures pointing today to the COM
ing Of the Messiah. the Prince Of Peace
and Lord of lords, whose reign was
typified by the reign of the kings of
Israel
Let us be prepared, SO that when tho
shout shall go up. Behold the king
cometh," to go out to meet Him, fear
ing God and seeking to honor the
king.