The Carlisle independent., 1915-03-04
INTERNATIONAL. SUNDEYSC[lOOL
 LESSON
LESSON FOR MARCH '
SAUL ANOINTED KING.
By E. O. SELLERS, Acting Director oi Sunday School Course. Moody Bible In stitute, Chicago)

LESSON TEXT-I Samuel 9:7-1e:1.
 GOLDEN TEXT-Fear God, honor the
 zing.-I Peter PIT.
 Because of the acts of Samuel the people petitioned for king (ch. S:5), They are told plainly what to expect
 If king is set in authority (ch. S:19). God, however, granted their petition and spoke ''in the ear" of Samuel, say. Ing, T will send thee man" telling him of the work which this man is tc undertake teh. 9:15, 16).
 l. Samuel Saw Saul" w. 17-21. 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 difficulty-a good sug. gestion for us all. This experience lch. 9:6-14) exhibits Samuel in new light. The word seer" indicates 'one who sees" one who sees the things God makes manifest in dreams (Num, 24:4-16). While the word is similar to LILO mOoOl II bCl III Sidil fOS ant CI tbS latter are not the successors of these Old Testament "seers" or prophets" They are rather the successors of the false prophets (Jer. 17:14, and oi those who dealt with familiar spirits q Chron. 10:13-14; Isa, 8: 1920; 2 Kings 21:1, 2, 6). Saul evidently did not know Samuel (yv. 16-1S).
 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 a few asses to Saul, to him flor whom all that is desirable in Israel heirs to the heavenly kingdom ought not to set their affections on the poor possessions of earth fCol. 3: 1, 2; ? Cor, 4:1S). In response to Samuefs infor. nation, Saul disclaims any greatness; Indeed, is he not from one of the least 1l l1c ldUuillSS u Ot4e Ol lLiC SllldilCSt of the tribes (v. 2D. Such humility gave great promise for Sauls future usefulness. Such was the mental and spiritual attitude of the man whom God chose to be king (ch. 15:1O. It was later, when pride and power had puffed him up, that the kingdom was taken away from him (ch. 15:23; 16:1; Luke 14:11; Heb. 13:D.
 II. Samuel Took Saul" w. 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 bade the cook bring the thigh, which was a choice piece of meat especially reserved for those thus honored (Ezek. 24:4. Such B portion belonged to the priest (Lev. 7:32). That which did not belong up- on the altar Saul was to eat (v. 24). Samuel and Saul may have had the preference and eaten before the other guests (v. 13), and Saul is made ac- luainted with the special honor con- ferred upon him. Following the feast, they return to Samuels home, where Saul is conducted to couch upon the flat housetop (Acts 10:9). Here Sam. uel had private converse with Saul (v. 25 R. VI. What that converse may have been we know not, but we are reminded of one such nocturnal conversation which gave to the world Gods most precious summary of his love (John 3:1-16).
 Samuel poured oil upon Sauls head. Prophets, priests, kings and cleansed lepers were so anointed, type of the amounting by the holy spirit q Kings 1915. Is; Lev. SIP, 14:2, 16-1S; Isa. 61:1; I John 2:20 R. VI. This act was also a symbol oflentire consecra- tion to God, and pointed forward to the coming king tMessiah, Anointed One) whom God himself would anoint CPS. 45:7).
 Saul was anointed to be "a prince" and to save Gods people (ch. 9:16; Acts 5:3D. His ear is always open to the cry of his people. Even though they had sinned, and their sorrow was because of their own disobedience, yet God regarded their aff1iction CPS. 106:43, Al. Only Gods anointed ones can save Isa. 61:1-3).
 Saul's selected task was to save Israel out of the hands of the Philis- tines (See Luke 1:69-7D. Gods eye sees the oppression of mankind and his ear is always open to the cry of the poor and needy; of innocent chil. dren 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 (sone- times it is termed "democraey'') and will not have God to rule over them.