The Green Forest tribune., 1915-03-05

people petitioned for king (ch. S:5). They are told plainly what to expect if king is set in authority (ch. 8:19). God, however, granted their petition and spoke "in the ear" of Samuel, say ing, q will send thee man," telling him of the work which this man is to undertake (ch. 9:15, 16).
 l. Samuel Saw Saul" w. 17-21. Saul was man to gaze at and to admire (ch. 9:2). His fruitless search for his fathers asses leads him to the city wherein Samuel was residing. There he is advised to consult the man of God" about his difficulty-a good sug- gestion for us all. This experience (ch. 9:6-14) exhibits Samuel in a new light. The word seer" indicates lone who sees," one who sees the things God makes manifest in dreams (Num. 24:4-16). While the word is similar to the modern term "clairvoyant" yet the latter are not the successors of these Old Testament "seers" or prophets" They are rather the successors of the false prophets (Jer. 17:14), and of those who dealt with familiar spirits q Chron. 10:13-14 Isa, 8: 1920; 2 Kings 21:1, 2, @. Saul evidently did not know Samuel (vv. 16-18).
 Samuel took Saul with him for the night to take his mind off his fathers asses and to prepare him to receive the word from God. Christians take far too little time to withdraw them selves and take their restless minds off the things of time and sense to be still and hear the word of God. What were a few asses to Saul, to him flor whom all that is desirable in IsraeI' (v. 20 R. VI? Christians who are heirs to the heavenly kingdom ought not to set their affections on the poor possessions of earth (Col. g. 2; 2 Cor. 4:1S). In response to SamuePs infor- nation, Saul disclaims any greatness; indeed, is he not from one of the least of the families of one of the smallest of the tribes (v. 2D. Such humility gave great promise for Saul's future usefulness. Such was the mental and spiritual attitude of the man whom God chose to be king (ch. 15:17). It was later, when pride and power had puffed him up, that the kingdom was taken away from him (ch. 15:23; 16:1; Luke 14:11; Heb. 13:D.
 II. Samuel Took Saul" w. 22-24. Saul was then led into the guest cham. Der and placed in the chief seat. Read l4:7-11. Samuel then bade the cook bring the thigh, which was a choice piece of meat especially reserved for those thus honored (Ezek. 24:4. Such } portion belonged to the priest dev. 7:32). That which did not belong up- on the altar Saul was to eat (v. 24. Samuel and Saul may have had the preference and eaten before the other guests (v. 13), and Saul is made ac- luainted with the special honor con- 9erred upon him. Following the feast, they return to SamuePs home, where Saul is conducted to a couch upon the Hat housetop (Acts 10:9). Here Sam lel had private converse with Saul (v. 25 R. VI. What that converse may have been we know not, but we are reminded of one such nocturnal conversation which gave to the world Gods most precious summary of his love (John 3:1-16).
 Samuel poured oil upon Saul's head. Prophets, priests, kings and cleansed lepers were so anointed, type of the anointing by the holy spirit q Kings 1915, 16; Lev. SIP, 14:2, 16-18; Isa. 51:1; 1 John 2:20 R. V). This act was also a symbol of lentire consecra- tion to God, and pointed forward to the coming king (Messiah, Anointed One) whom God himself would anoint CPS. 45:D.
 Saul was anointed to be "a prince" and to save Gods people (ch. 9:16; Acts 5:3D. His ear is always open to the cry of his people. Even though they had sinned, and their sorrow was because of their own disobedience, yet God regarded their affliction CPS. 1O6:43, 44. Only Gods anointed ones can save Qsa. 61:1-3).
 Saul's selected task was to save Israel out of the hands of the Philis- tines (See Luke 1:69-7D. Gods eye sees the oppression of mankind and his ear is always open to the cry of the poor and needy; of innocent chil- dren suffering because of the sins of parents; of men defraudcd of justice.
 But the delivering remedy will not be brought by any earthly king. Man. kind is today crying for king (some- times it is termed "democracy'O and will not have God to rule over them.
 Heedless of his warnings, blessed by his bounty, they struggle and scheme to heal their own hurt.
 SauIs humility rapidly gave place to pride and pride to ambition, ambition to oppression, and finally to an un- timely end, due to disobedience. When our king comes the skillfully constructed scheme of mans govern ment, wherein graft and pride, ambi- tion and lust, find such prominent place, will be set aside for kingdom wherein justice and love, equity and service, will be meted out to every
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