The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1915-04-06

! outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh
| on the hearth Samuel 1871 r. V.
After the events recorded in last
| Sundays lesson Samuel retired to
| Ramah never again to see Saul's face
Samuel "mourned" (15:35) i. e., be-
walled and lamented the deposed king
| 1t was noble for Samuel thus to be
grieved over Saurs sin; still, God had
work for him to do There is a sor-
row that "worketh repentance which
| is pleasing in the sight of Cod but
that idle sorrow which spends itself
in improbable mourning is detrimen-
tai to man and 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 Samuels 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. 4-10
| 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.
vided; (c) in verse IL Samuel
| is at last definitely told whom God
has selected. This selection is in &C.
turtles before regarding the kingly
scepter Gen. 49:10) Of course it
was high treason, this adt Samuel was
about to perform, and Saul yet had
many friends and supporters ". p.
God seems to have permitted Samuel
to use one avowed purpose to con-
ceaI the real one, but such a course is
one to use but sparingly'' (Maclaren)
| God can and does protect those whom
| he sends Cps. 34:O and man is inn
mortal till his work is done" Just
what or how did not concern Samuel
| for he had Gods promise w. 81. A
step at time was sufficient and in
the exact truth
Thus God guides and tests his serv-
ants. Samuel was judge as well as
a prophet Och. 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 no
occasion for fear, as Samueps purpose
was to sacrifice and his mission one of
peace even as the angelic messengers
who quoted 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 de-
scendant of Rahab the harlot On
| his fathers side he belonged to the
strong tribe of judah. He was EVIL
IDENTIFY man of some wealth, certain
| ly in his children. After the sacri-
flee 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.
II. David Amounted King, we H.
13. Seven sons are set aside and yet
Samuel did not hear the voice of
Gods approval In seeming dismay he
asks, Are here all thy children?"
Jesse seems to have made careless
and reluctant reply that the youngest
was away from home tending sheep.
Thereupon Samuel asserts that I'VE
will not sit down Ito the sacritictal
FEAST till he be brought hither" 1t is
from such lowIy positions that God is
constantly promoting men to positions
| of responsibility and prominence.
Witness Carey, Livingston, Moody and
a hundred others past and present
| David at this time was about fifteen
years old (Beecher) His name means
darling" significant of the affection
| of his mother, whose name is I'M
known, but to whom David twice
| makes reference Cps. S6:16; 116:16l.
David was short, compared with his
brothers, but had bright eyes ". II
marg.) and a fair face-a "comely
| person" (v. 49,. David was agile and
strong and though seemingly scoffed
at by his brothers and neglected by
his father it did not pervert his good
| nature nor turn him from the perform
| ance of his duties. Samuel did not
greet David as he had greeted Saul,
he may have been disappointed. This
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 does
he enter upon his Offices till later
III this he is a type of Jesus who
shall yet reign on David's throne.
Verses Is and Ii tell Of the develop
ing contrast in the lives of Saul and
David David the young king, poten-
tial only at this time, is great IN
spiration to the young of all ages in
that, ID He did his lowly work
thoroughly; CD While doing it he
sought to cultivate and improve him
self (v18); and (3) He gave himself
wholly to God; hence the record "and
the Lord is with him" ". 49,.
No Expense Attached.