The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-03-04

LESSON TEXT Samuel s:1!-leA
GOLDEN TEXT-Fear God, honor the
king.-I Peter 2:17.
Because Of the acts Of Samuel the
people petitioned for king (ch. 500.
They are told plainly what to expect
if king is set in authority (ch. S:1S).
God, however, granted their petition
and spoke "in the ear Of Samuel, say
ing, 81 will send thee a man," telling
him of the work which this man is to
undertake (ch. 9:15, 16).
I. samuel Saw Saul" wv. 17-21. Saul
was 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
Cod" about his difficulty good sug-
gestion for US all. This experience
'(ch. s:6-14} exhibits Samuel in new
light. The word "seer" indicates zone
who sees," one who sees the things
God makes manifest in dreams (Num.
;24:416). 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. 1919, and of
those who dealt with familiar spirits
iQ Chron. 10:13-14; lisa, 8: 1920; 2
Kings 21:1, 2, g.. Saul evidently did
not know Samuel wv. 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
(v. 20 R. W? Christians who are
heirs to the heavenly kingdom ought
not to set their affections on the poor
possessions Of earth (Col. 81, 2; 2 Cor.
4:1S). In response to Samuels 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
gave great promise for Saul's 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. 1928; 1911;
Luke 14:11; Heb. 13:D.
II. samuel Took Saul" w. 22-24.
Saul was then led into the guest cham.
ber 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 choice
piece of meat especially reserved FOR
those thus honored (Ezek. 24:4). Such
portion belonged to the priest (Lev.
1879. 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 ". 13), and Saul is made ac-
quainted with the special honor con-
ferred upon him. Following the feast,
they return to Samuel's home, where
Saul Is conducted to couch upon the
fat housetop (Acts 1o:s). Here Sam
uel had private converse with Saul
". rs R. y.0~-WThhsstt- -that converse
may 4s@7s 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 Saul's head.
Prophets, priests, kings and cleansed
lepers were so anointed, type Of the
amounting by the holy spirit Il Kings
1915, 16; Lev. SIP, 14:2, 1918; lisa.
Sill; I JOHN 2:2O R. W. This act
was also a symbol of lentire consecra-
ton to God, and pointed forward to
the coming king (Messiah, Amounted
One) whom God himself would anoint
Cps. 45:7).
Saul was anointed to be "a prince"
and to save Gods people (ch. 9:1s;
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 affection (Ps.
,106:43, Az. Only Gods anointed ones
can save Elsa. 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 chill
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 (some-
times it is termed democracy and
will not have God to rule over them.
Needless of mis- warnings, blessed by
his bounty, they struggle and scheme
Ito heal their own hurt.
Saul's humility rapidly gave place to
pride and pride to ambition, ambition
to oppression, and finally to an un-
Timely end. due to disch"Gience.
When our king comes the sk!llIully
constructed scheme Of mans govern
Iment, wherein graft and pride, ambi.
ton and lust, find such prominent
place, will be set aside for kingdom
wherein justice and love, equity and