The Yale expositor., 1915-03-11

In order to repay Israels victory un.
der Jepthah, Nahash the Ammonite de-
manded the right eye of those besieged
in Jabesh in Gilead, knowing that the
left eye would be hid by their shields
and they would thus be incapable OF
warfare. For Israel TO make any COW
enant with the Ammonites was con-
trary to Gods commands (Ex. %: 80;
Deut. $3.50.
!. The Cry of Jabesh, w. 1-3. This
event probably occurred about a month
after the previous lesson. 1t was a
proud, naughty demand made of these
Israelites. Exhausted and hopeless,
they had offered to become servants in
order to live. So today we frequent
ly find men willing to compromise
with the world and the devil who only
hold them in derision and contempt
(v. p. Compromising Christians are
always blind leaders of the blind Matt.
Is: IA; 6:22). The demand Of Nahash
would also bring reproach upon Israel,
yet this same king afterwards showed
History records that Emperor Basil
II actually sent an army of 1850
sightless men back to the king Of Bull
garia, who died of grief and horror.
II. The Conquest of Ammon, w. 4.
II. Nahash granted the request for
a seven days respite. Here was SauIs
pportunity-wrongs to be righted and
people to be saved. Saul had held his
peace since being anointed by Samuel,
employing his time in everyday toll
and duties ". 81, for the messengers
did not find Saul at home idle. The
tidings of this insult were told to the
people who lifted up their voices and
wept. ". ~. The news OF this threat.
ened calamity reached Sauls ears and
his conduct effectually put to silence
those worthless fellows" who de-
spised him and had brought no pres
ents at his amounting (10:2O. Instead
of tears Saul is moved to deeds. Like
Cincinnatus and Israel Putnam, he left
the pillow to take up the sword. Saul
did not, in his own strength, under
take to relieve Jabesh, for the Spirit
of God came upon him" ". 6; see also
Judges $40; 1929; 1925; Luke "a:
40; Acts 10:3S). This moved Saul to
anger, not alone at such an evidence
of cruelty, but more at the contempt
Nahash had for God and his people
| Saul associated himself with Samuel
the man of God and summoned the ma.
| tion of Israel to his side.
The Holy Spirit gave Saul clear as
surance of a call from God and he re
sponded with unquestioned faith
| (Rom. SID. The people responded
with great rapidity, for the fear OF
God came upon them also. We have
the good news of better deliverance
| from a more subtle foe to proclaim
in the present age. They all resorted
! to Beck, west OF the Jordan. The
| messengers returned bearing a mes
sage having two meanings ". 10), and
that helped to keep Nahash ignorant
of Sauls actions on the other side of
the river. Dividing his army into com
panies Saul attacked the enemy 'in
the morning watch and completely
rout. AS the Ammonites had refused
to show any mercy, they in turn were
| judged unworthy of mercy ". II, see
also James 2:13; Matt 7:2).
III. The Growing of Saul, w. 1915
Sauls victory so impressed the people
that they demanded to know of Sam
uel who it was that had refused him
as king, desiring to put them to death
! Saul showed his wisdom by not per
hitting such a course Of action. Many
today refuse Gods divinely appointed
king who will yet be glad to acknowl
edge him duke 1927; Phil. 2:10).
In the next place Saul did not claim
credit for the victory for, said he,
"The Lord hath wrought deliverance
In Israel" ". Is r. W. All real vic.
tories come from God Cps. 44:4-S;
Cor. 1910. This was the true king.
ly spirit. Saul reaped the reward of
bis humility, his forbearance, cour.
age and activity in the loyalty and
pride OF the people. Samuel gladly
shared in the success of Saul and led
the people to Gilgal for the browning
ceremony. This was the place where
Israel had first encamped under the
leadership of Joshua and where the
twelve stones from the river had been
set up as a testimony to Gods real
pesence and deliverance.
Saul had natural and physical char
acteristics calculated to make him a
great and useful klng-self-restraint,
modesty, military invention and ca,
pacity for leadership.
He was shrewd, patient and gener.
Gus.
He thus stood on the threshold OF
his kingdom with the possibilities OF
untold usefulness and blessing.
We are "kings and priests unto
God" He has ushered us into his
kingdom. Power, usefulness, influ.
ence, helpfulness. victory ove- sin are
before us. Napoleon said that his
nobility dated from Arcolo and Maren
go. May ours date from the victories
of love over the evil within us and In