The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1915-03-04
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNl6YSQl00L
LESSON
LESSON FOR MARCH 7
SAUL AMOUNTED KING.
ny r. .. SELLERS, Acting Director of
stitute, Chicago) ~

LESSON TEXT Samuel g:17-1O:1.
GOLDEN TExT-Fear God, honor the
king.-I Peter PLY
Because of the acts of Samuel the
people petitioned for king (ch. $3.50.
Ihey are told plainly what to expect
II a king is set in authority (ch. S:19).
God, however, granted their petition
and spoke Gin the ear" of Samuel, say
ing, Il will send thee a man." telling
him Of the work which this man is to
undertake (ch. 9:15, 16).
/ ]. samuel Saw Saul" w. 1921. Saul
was a 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 dificulty-a good sug-
gestion for us all. This experience
Och. 9:6-14) exhibits Samuel in a new
light. The word "seer" indicates zone
who Sees" one who sees the things
God makes manifest in dreams (Num
"a: 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 Ger. 1910, and of
those who dealt with familiar spirits
Kings 21:1, 2, g.. Saul evidently did
not know Samuel (vv. 1919.
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 few asses to Saul, to him "for
whom all that is desirable in Israeli
". 20 r. W? Christians who are
heirs to the heavenly kingdom ought
not to set their affections on the poor
possessions of earth (Co1 81 2; 2 Cor.
4 :18). 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 ". 21. Such humility
usefulness. Such was the mental and
spiritual attitude of the man whom
God chose to be king Och. 15:17. It
was later, when pride and power had
pulled him up, that the kingdom was
taken away from him (ch. 1928; 1871;
Luke 14:11; Heb. 13:D.
III. "s7muei Took Saul" Wv. 22-24.
Saul was then led into the guest cham
Der and placed in the chief seat. Read
our Lords parable found in Luke
14:7-11. Samuel then babe the cook
bring the thigh, which was a choice
piece of meat especially reserved for
those thus honored (Ezek. 24:4. Such
a portion belonged to the priest (Lev.
1880. That which did not belong up
on the altar Saul was to eat ". 24).
Samuel and Saul may have had the
preference and eaten before the other
guests ". 49,, and Saul is made &C
1uainted with the special honor con-
ferred upon him. Following the feast,
they return to SamueIs home, where
Saul is conducted to a couch upon the
Hat housetop (Acts 10:9). Here Sam
lel had private converse with Saul
". rs R. w.. What that converse
may have been we know not, but we
are reminded of one such nocturnal
which gave to the world
Gods most precious summary OF his
love John 3:1-16).
Samuel poured oil upon Saups head.
priests, kings and cleansed
epers were so anointed, type of the
!, al orc
1915, Is; Lev. S:12, 14:2, 1918; lisa.
SILL; John 2:2O r. W. This act
was also a symbol of entire consecra-
lion to God, and pointed forward to
he coming king messiah, Amounted
One) whom God himself would anoint
FPS. 45:D.
Saul was anointed to be "a prince"
and to save Gods people (ch. 9:16;
Acts SGD. His ear is always open
10 the cry of his people. Even though
hey had sinned, and their sorrow was
because of their own disobedience, yet
God regarded their affection FPS.
LOG: 43, Az. Only Gods anointed ones
can save Elsa. GLIB.
Saul's selected task was to save
israel out of the hands of the Philis-
ines (See Luke 1:69-71). Gods eye
sees the oppression of mankind and
MS ear is always open to the cry of
he poor and needy; of innocent chill
1ren suffering because Of the sins of
parents; of men defrauded 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 and
will not have God to rule over them.
Needless of his warnings, blessed by
MS bounty, they struggle and scheme
10 heal their own hurt.
SauPs humility rapidly gave place to
bride and pride to AMBITION ambition
n onnression, and finally to an un.