The Tupelo journal., 1915-04-09
INTERNATIONAL
SUnDNYSQIOOL
LESSON
LESSON FOR APRIL II
DAVID AMOUNTED KING.
fBy Il. o. SELLERS, Acting Director of
sunday School Course, Moody Bible In
%stitute, Chicago.)

LESSON TEXT Samuel 16:4-13.
GOLDEN TEXT-Man looketh on the
outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh
on the heart Samuel 1871 r.. V.
After the events recorded in last
Sundays lesson Samuel retired to
Ramah never again to see SauPs face.
Samuel incurred" (15:35) i. e., 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 sor-
row that "worketh repentance" which
is pleasing in the sight of God, but
that idle sorrow which spends itself
in improbable mourning is dctrimen-
kingdom Of God (ch. ST; 15:1). 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 fears.
4. David Chosen TO Re King, NV. 40.
! saul. the cIamorous choice of the PEG
pie, vas not succeeded by Dayid-"t5e
man after Gods own heart"-foF sew
eral years after this lesson Gods
Will in this salter was shown to
Samuel progressively: (a) in chapter
1914 Samuel is informed that God
hath sought "a man after his OWN
hearts" o. in 1871 he is told TO so
and find the king whom God had pro-
vided; (c) in verse ~ Samuel
IS at last definitely told whom God
has selected. This selection is in ac-
c~ordance with the prophecy made CEN
turtles before regarding the kingly
scepter (Gen. 40: 100. OF our it
was high treason, this act Samuel was
about TO perform, and Saul yet had
many friends and supporters ". p.
God seems to have permitted Samuel
to use one ayoWed purpose to con-
ceal the real one, but such a course IS
one to use but sparingly" (Maclaren)
God can and does protect those whom
he sends FPS. 34:D and man Is inn
mortal till his work is done" Just
what or how did not concern Samuel
for he had Gods promise ~. 81. A
step at a time was sufficient and in
taking each step Samuel was to tell
the exact truth.
Thlss rcd guides and tests his serv-
ants. Samuel was a 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
d|ispleasur Of Saul. There was no
occasion iuG fear. as Samuel's purpose
was to sacrifice and his mission u OF
peace even as the angelic messengers
who quoted the shepherds with their
message Of peace when great
Dayid's greater SON. was ushered into
the world. Jesse was a grandson Of
Ruth the Moabitess and also a de-
~seendant of Rahab the haTlot. On
his fathers side he belonged to the
strong. tribe of Judah. He was evil
IDENTIFY a man of some wealth, certain
ly in his children. After the sacri-
fee 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, W. 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 a 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 sacr11clal
feasD till he be brought hither" 1t is
from such lowly 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 FPS. S6:16; 116:161-
David vas short, compared with his
brothers, but had bright eyes ". IL
marg.) and a fair face-a 'comely
person" (v. 49,. David was agile and
st-ong 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
II, Arise anoint him: for this
is he"
David is anointed, set apart, for the
kingship. but is not equipped o does
he enter upon his Offices till later.