The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1915-04-07


GOLDEN TEXT-Man looketh on the
outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh
on the heart.-I Samuel 15:7 r. V.
After the events recorded in last
Sundays les on Samuel retired to
Ramah never again to see Saul's face.
Samuel "mOurned" Q5:35) i. e., be-
walled and lamented the deposed king.
1t was noble for Samuel thus to be
grieved over SauI's sin; still, God had
work for him to do. There is a sor-
row that ''worketh repentance which
is pleasing in the sight of God, but
that idle sorrow which spends itself
in Improbable mourning is detrimen-
tai to man and a hindrance to the
kingdom of God (ch. ST.; 15:D Men
may fail but the kingdom goes for
ward. We do not interpret verse 2
as suggesting any subterfuge on Gods
part but rather that God refused to
pay any attention to Samuel fear
God answers fear by giving us duties
to perform and in their performance
we are delivered from our fears
!. David Chosen to Be King, w. 40.
Saul. the clamorous choice of the peo-
pie, was not succeeded by David-''the
man after Gods own heart"-for sew
eral years after this lesson. Gods
Will in this matter was shown to
Samuel progressively: (a) in chapter
1874 Samuel is informed that God
hath sought "a man after his own
heart" (b) in 1871 he is told to go
and find the king whom God had pro-
-
is at last definitely told whom God
has selected. This selection is in ac-
cordance with the prophecy made cen
turtles before regarding the kingly
scepter Gen. 1910. OF course it
was high treason, this adC Samuel was
about to perform, and Saul yet had
many friends and supporters ". -.
God seems to have permitted Samuel
to use one avowed purpose to con-
ceal the real one, but such a course is
one to use but sparingly" (Maclare9)
God can and does protect those whom
he sends (Ps. 34;7) and man IS i'm
mortal till his work is done Just
what or how did not concern Samuel
for ne had Gods promise ". 81. A
step at a time was sufficient and In
taking each step Samuel was to tell
the exact truth.
Thus God guides and tests his serv-
ants. Samuel was a judge as we'll as
a prophet Cch. 7:16) and the people
of Bethlehem were agitated at his
arrival. 1t may be, too, that these
elders were fearful of incurring the
displeasure of Saul There was no
occasion for fear, as Samuers purpose
was to sacrifice and his mission one of
peace even as the angelic messengers
who quieted the shepherds with their
message of peace" when great
David's greater son" was ushered into
the world Jesse was a grandson OF
Ruth the Moabitess and also a de
| scendant of Rahab the harlot On
his fathers side he belonged to the
strong tribe of Judah He was evI
| IDENTIFY a man of some wealth, certain.
/ ly in his children. After the sacri
nee and before the feast Samuel is
made acquainted with the sons OF
/ Jesse The first, Eliab, was tall and
! good to look upon and at once Samuel
/ fixed upon him as the certain choice
/ for Jehovah.
u. David Anointed King, W. II
/ 13. Seven sons are set aside and yet
| Samuel did not hear the voice oi
/ Gods approval In seeming dismay he
asks, Are here all thy children?'
| Jesse seems to have made a careless
and reluctant reply that the youngest
was away from home tending sheep
ThereupOn Samuel asserts that I'VE
] Nrril1 cff 4 10
feast) till he be brought hither" 1t is
from such lowly positions that God is
constantly promoting men to position:
of responsibility and prominence
Witness Carey, Livingston, Moody anC
a hundred others past and present
David at this time was about fifteeI
years old (Beecher). His name mean:
darling" significant of the affection
of his mother, whose name is un
known, but to whom David twice
makes reference (Ps. S6:16; 116:16l
David was short, compared with hi:
brothers, but had bright eyes ". 1:
marg) and a fair face-a ''comely
person" ". 1S). David was agile anC
strong and though seemingly scoffeC
at by his brothers and neglected by
his father it did not pervert his gooC
nature nor turn him from the perform
ance of his duties. Samuel did mo-
greet David as he had greeted Saul
he may have been disappointed. Thi:
gives emphasis to the words in verse
u. Arise anoint him: for this
is he"
David is anointed, set apart, for the
kingship, but is not equipped nor doe:
he enter upon his offices till later
In this he is a type of Jesus whC
shall yet reign on Davids throne.
Verses Is and IA tell of the develop
ing contrast in the lives of Saul and
David. David the young king, poten
tial only at this time, is a great IN
spiration to the young of all ages il
that, % He did his lowly worl
thoroughly; C2) While doing it he
sought to cultivate and improve him
self (v.1S); and CS) He gave himself
wholly to God: hence the record "anc
the Lord is with him" ". 49,.
Five and 1Oc goods at Anstin's n,