Evening star., 1915-04-10

that he might share the feast. When
the ruddy boy appeared. painting Tor
breath after running from the pas
ture, Samuel saw in the eyes OF the
boy who lacked the imposing appear.
ance, the evidence of intelligence and
moral power. SO that the prophet rec
ognized at once the new king, whose
dynasty would never end: SO he pro
duced the horn Of olive oil. broke the
seal and anointed David. None OF those
who looked on knew the full signin-
canoe of the amounting. Josephus tells
us that Samuel whispered the secret
In the ear of the new-made king.
Ten years would pass by before he
came to the throne but in Gods sight
he was the king. Three times. like
Saul. he was to be anointed. but the
David from that day forward. fitting
him for the coming task as the ruler
of Israel. He was to be trained In tho
school of experience. that tests and
been despised by men. In this he was
typical of the Christ He was selected
not according to the standards of men,
for the shepherd boy was called and
anointed because Of his spiritual char
acter His heart stood the test of the
divine scrutiny that is the supreme
standard David, even in the fields OF
Bethlehem. to which he returned after
his amounting, was acquiring a repu-
tation that brought him finally into
armor bearer Of Saul.
The Two Kings.
The rest Of the chapter presents
contrast between the two kings. The
Shepherd King has grown and devel-
oped under the tutelage of Samuel and
in the school of nature where every
thing spoke to him of God.
Saul. reaping the result OF his de-
parture from a personal trust in God.
is represented. under the oriental ex-
preston Of an EVIL spirit from Je.
Judgment a mental disease that fire.
quently was cured or benefited BY
music. In fact. many medical authori-
ties speak of the excellent effect that
music has in curing certain nervous
disorders The officers of the court
knew this, so they suggested that the
king send for a skilled musician. Music
could relieve. but 1t could not cure.
The difficulty with Saul was moral He
had rejected God. whose spiritual pow
er would have acted as stabflizer 70
the king
David had grown in years and ex-
perience. His character, capabilities
and courage had given him a reputa-
tion that extended beyond the village
boundaries. He was a skilled musician.
a courageous warrior and a successful
business man.
Following 1ne Suggestion OIL ONO OF
his advisers. Saul sends to Jesse to OBJ
tain the services of his son David He
came with the presents from his father
and at once by his winsomeness found
favor with Saul. whom he relieved
from his attacks OF acute melancholia
by his skill as a musician. The YER
satility and ability that marked Da-
vid's reign as king had already re-
vealed themselves and proved the wis
dom of the divine selection.
Saul failed because he was weak
spiritually. while David succeeded fal-
though, as we shall see in our future
studies of his career. he was not
perfect in all things) through his spir-
itual power. His career was marred by
many blemishes, but God knew his
heart He selected him because his
heart beat in harmony with His.
It is the heart that still molds tho
life Of men, for "out Of the heart are
the issues Of life" God tests our
hearts.
Are we right with God in our love for
Him and HIS cause2
Saul sought self and failed. Tho de-
spised and neglected-in fact, almost
forgotten youth was anofnted king be-
cause of the purity Of his heart.
The difference between the opinions
of God and men has been well summed
on the outward appearance. but Jeho-
vah looketh upon the heart" Tho hu-
man standard Is defective and should
be rejected and Gods method chosen
by ali that desire to make the best out
of their life and glorify our Lord in q
life devoted to His service and the
weIfarA of our fellow-mon.