Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-04-09

on the n6art.-l Samuel 1871 IL ".
After the events recorded in Last
Sundays lesson Samuel retired to
Ramah never again to see Saufs ace
Samuel incurred" 05:35) i. g., be-
walled and lamented the deposed king
1t was noble for Samuel thus to be
grieved over Saul's sin; still, God had
work for him to do. There is a sou
row that "worketh repentance" which,
is pleasing in the sight of God. u
that idle sorrow which spends itself
in improbable mourning is detrimeE-
tai to man and a hindrance to ths
kingdom of God (ch. 81; 15:1). Mem
may fail but the kingdom goes foE-
ward. We do not interpret verse z
as suggesting any subterfuge on Gods
part but rather that God refused to
a any attention to SamuePs fear
God answers fear by giving US duties
to perform and in their performances
we are delivered from our fears.
l. David Chosen to Be King, w. 4fQ-
Saul, the clamorous choice of the peo-
pie, was not succeeded by David-'tbe
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 owW
heart (b) in 1871 he is told to go
and find the king whom God had pro
vIded; (c) in verse IL Samuel
is at last definitely told whom God
has selected. This selection is in ae-
cordance with the prophecy made cen
turtles before regarding the kingiy
scepter Gen. 49:1O).' Of course 5e
was high treason, this act Samuel was
about to perform, and Saul yet had
many friends and supporters w. ~
God seems to have permitted Samuel
to use one avowed purpose TO coz
ceal the real one, but such a course -
to use but sparingly" (Maclarenl
God can and Goes protect those whom
he sends Cps. 34:D and man is in-
mortal till his work is done" lust
what or how did not concern Samuel
for he had Gods promise (v. 81. A
step at a time was sufficient and in
taking each step Samuel was to teth
the exact truth.
Thus God guides and tests his serv-
ants. Samuel was q judge as well as
a prophet (ch. 7:16) and the people
of Bethlehem were agitated at his
arrival. 1t may be, too. that these
elders were fearful of mourning the
displeasure of Saul. There was nN
occasion for fear, as Samuel's 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
! Davfd's greater son" was ushered intB
the world. Jesse was a grandson OK
Ruth the Moabitess and also a de
scendant of Rahab the harlot. 0E
4 his fathers side he belonged to the
strong tribe of Judah. He was evt
t IDENTIFY a man of some wealth, certaiC-
Q ly in his children. After the sacri
. flee and before the feast Samuel is
q made acquainted with the sons OF
g Jesse. The first, Elijah, was tall and
q good to look upon and at once Samuel
n fixed upon him as the certain choice
Il for Jehovah. Samuel made this choice
u IL oPAtS - hAo IL AeA
a likewise of attractive physique. There
8 are no more eloquent words in the
Bible than those found in verse 4.
We have only to read of Fliab's sub
sequent unjust treatment of David
!, Q7:2S) to see that God was amply
justified in his judgment of this candE
date. Social rank, lineage, fortune
: physical prowess or age will never
be a sufficient substitute for charac
ter. 1t is a subtle snare to be de
i, ceived by outward appearances. II
: l take care of my character my repu
, tation will take care of itself" Cd. L
Moody. The Lord looks upon the
: heart; what does he see in yours?
Il II. David Amounted King, w. 10
10. Seven sons are set aside and We;
q Samuel did not hear the voice O
Gods approval. In seeming dismay hS
asks, Are here all thy children
Il Jesse seems to have made a careless
IS and reluctant reply that the youngesi
If was away from home tending sheep
Thereupon Samuel asserts that I'VE
If will not sit down Ito the sacrificia
d feast) till he be brought hither." 1t Ii
II from such lowly positions that God Is
it constantly promoting men to position:
of responsibility and prominence
o Witness Carey, Livingston, Moody ane
n a hundred others past and present
e. David at this time was about fftees
1t years old ~(Beecher). His name mean,
Ie darling" significant of the Affection
% of his mother, whose name is un
e, known, but to whom David twict
makes reference FPS. S6:16: 116: 1Si
David was short, compared with hi
= brothers, but had bright eyes (v. L
marg.) and a fair face-a 'comei
person" ". 49,. David was agile aHt
strong and though seemingly scoffes
at by his brothers and neglected b,
his father it did not pervert his goo,
n nature nor turn him from the performs
10 ance of his duties. Samuel did ne
n greet David as he had greeted Saul
he may have been disappointed. Thi
N gives emphasis to the words in vers.
IL, arise anoint him: for thi
>. is he" How God spoke to Samus
IS is of small moment. The man VIII,
m Ices not believe God is able to com
ir lear to his creatures and communicate
his will to them might as well not be
IN lieve in God at all.
David is anointed, set apart, for tn
kingship, but is not equipped nor doe
he enter upon his Offices till later.
Saul had been thus set apart whe
to none were present (s:27; 1e:1).
b. So it is possible that Jesse and hi
,r. family connected this ceremony wit
some work for God rather than Wit
the kingship.
Verses 13 and Ia tell Of the develop
he Ing contrast In the lives of Saul an
at David. David the young king. peter
lis tial only at this time, is q great IL
spiration to the young Of all ages
that, ID He did his lowly wor
thoroughly; (2) While doing it b
-. .zxo1k &a cultivate a-I ,.-z-. "a