Middletown transcript., 1915-03-13

that ruleth his spirit. than he that taleth
a city.-Prov. 1872.
In order to repay IsraePs victory un
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 GOV.
enant with the Ammonites was con
trary to Gods commands lex. 1882;
Deut 23:S).
|. The Cry of Jabesh, w. 1-3. This
event probably occurred about month
after the previous lesson. 1t was
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
". p. 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
kindness to David III Samuel 1920.
History records that Emperor Basil
II actually sent an army of 14,S50
sightless men back to the king of Bul
garia, who died Of grief and horror at
the sight
u. The Conquest Of Ammon, 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
| tidings Of this insult were told to the
people who lifted up their voices and
wept ". ~. The news Of this threat
ened calamity reached Saurs ears and
his conduct effectually put to silence
those worthless fellows" who de
spised him and had brought no pres
ents at his amounting (10:2O. Instead
of tears Saul is moved to deeds Like
Cincinnatus and Israel Putnam, he left
the plow 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; 1923; 1925; Luke "a:
40; Acts 10:3S). 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
tion 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 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 better deliverance
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 ". 100, and
that helped to keep Nahash ignorant
of Sauls 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
to show any mercy, they in turn were
judged unworthy Of mercy ". IL, see
also James 2:13; Matt. 7:2).
III. The crownlna Of Saul, w. 1915.
Saul's victory so impressed the people
fhaf thnU dam nd IN .le Co,
uel who 1t was that had refused him
as king, desiring to put them to death
Saul showed his wisdom by not per-
mitting such a course OF action. Many
today refuse Gods divinely appointed
king who will yet be glad to acknowl-
edge him Uuke 1927; Phil. 2:1O).
In the next place Saul did not claim
credit for the victory for, said he
The Lord hath wrought deliverance
in Israel" ". 13 r. W. All real vic
tories come from God FPS. 44:4-S; /
Cor. 1910. This was the true king
ly spirit. Saul reaped the reward of
his humility. his forbearance, cour-
age and activity in the loyalty and
pride of the people. Samuel gladly
shared in the success of Saul and led
the people to Gilgal for the crowning
ceremony. This was the place where
Israel had first encamped under the
leadership of Joshua and where the
twelve stones from the river had been
set up as a testimony to Gods real
presence and deliverance. Surely this
was a suggestive place for Saul to
receive his crown and be ratified as
king for all real victories are by Gods
help and should be acknowledged by
sacrifices and peace offerings upon his
affairs, In chapter 10 we have the
story of Sauls election; here we have
the consummation of that previous
election at Mizpeh, which is most
, properly accompanied by religious
services, sacrifices and peace offerings
before the Lord.
, Saul had natural and physical char
acteristics calculated to make him a
great and useful king-self-restraint
modesty, military invention and a ca
pacity for leadership.
He was shrewd, patient and genor-
Gus.
, He thus stood on the threshold of
) his kingdom with the possibilities of
} untold usefulness and blessing.
. We are kings and priests unto
, God" He has ushered us into his