The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-03-03
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils
Edited by Charles X. Meyers.

| OGlll. . " ~. l<CoSOu CIoC i ooAis
8, II to 10.
We have for the lesson today an in
PRODUCTION to one OF the great figures
in the history of the Jewish people
Saul, their first king. There is moth
ing so interesting as to learn OF
the boyhood of the remarkable
men in the history of any peo-
pie, and the sketch of the way that
Saul came under the notice OF Samuel
and thus to be Amounted by him, is
! beautiful to read.
AS many will know God had founded
the Israelitish nation with Moses as
leader and law giver. There was no
king provided for in the laws set
forth by Moses. This great law giver
was succeeded by Joshua and he by
judges and prophets and high priests.
At the time we are now considering
Samuel was prophet and representa-
tive OF God with the people. OF course,
all the near nations were headed by
kings about whom were gathered
bands OF soldiers, and who led in bat
tie. 1t was falling away from perfect
trust in God for the Jews to want a
change from the way He was govern
ing them to the leadership OF king,
but it was most natural. ~
The Jewish leaders came to Samuel
and asked him to appoint king, as
he was growing old and his sons did
not seem to be worthy successors.
Samuel was much displeased and
warned them that it was falling
away from the God who had brought
them out of Egyptian slavery, and
kept them as a people since. He told
them Of the extra taxes which must
be borne, the sons and daughters who
would be sacrificed on kingly display,
and many other disagreeable things.
Like wilful children now these Jews
clamored for the pretty kingly bauble
and needed not the sage advice OF the
prophet of God. Samuel went to God
in prayer and was told that the new
demand meant rejecting the guidance
of Jehovah over His people. He was
told, however, to bow to the request
and that in time he should have oppor-
tunity to annoint in advance the king.
1t is not the province OF this column
to rewrite the bible record OF events
when the word itself is in the hands
of all readers and speaks with such
power and brevity; but to present the
picture we will briefly introduce Saul
to view. 1t seems that he was mag
nificent specimen of young manhood,
the son of farmer OF the tribe OF Ben
jamin. A common misfortune comes
to the home in the Joss OF some OF the
live stock, and Saul and servant
We're sent out to find the lost asses.
They wandered about for some days
until Saul bethought himself that his
father would be more worried over
the continued absence from home OF
his son than the loss OF the stock. The
servant remarked that they were near
the home of the seer Samuel and that
| maybe by his superior powers he
could locate the lost property. Saul
said that he had no money as a pres;
ent, but it was decided to see the
prophet anyway.
| Samuel had been warned that about
this time Of day the king to be would
come and SO when he saw Saul he
verified. Samuel at once began to give
the newcomer special honors, and told
him that he was to be the leader OF
Gods people. AT u ds Saul with humil
ity said there must be some mistake
| for lie came from small tribe and
lowly family. The next day before de.
parting for home Saul was taken apart
and on his head was poured annoint'
| ing oil. He was kissed by Samuel and
told of events which should come at
once to pass, which would convince
the young man that new life was
his. AS Saul went home the things
/ came to pass just as Samuel said. He
seemed to have new heart" within
him q Sam. 1927, and when he met
band OF religious people Joined them
! for a time and found himself saying
religious things before to him unknown
He had been told by Samuel that the
asses were found, and SO home he
went and resumed his work on the
farm. In the lesson of next Sunday
we shall learn the circumstances un'
der which he was elected king by the
people.
There are many things to learn from
this lesson. How easy it is for people
ito think they know best as to things
which should be accepted as exclus.
lively in Gods hands. God had made
for these Jews government and held
them fast in place among their enc
mics. What He had done in the past
could be done in the future. Yet they
determined to step forward, overthrow
Gods plan and put in force their own
The truths of the bible, human eXpe
rience, wisdom of great men. all are
given to us now as to our conduct in
life. and yet many of us clamor for the
unknown demand the gaudy king
rather than heed safe counsels OF
Jesus, and our parents and interested
| friends.
We can not have failed to note this
beautiful character of Saul as young
man. Modest, self depreciatiye. con
tent to listen, his heart ready to be
changed by God, the new thoughts
| which came to him acting under the
inspiration of that heart. and the com
panionship of Cody men. Every grown
reader can call to mind the sweet
faithful boy or girl who having heard
the call to do great things under the
| direction OF God has responded, II
argue that there are in the present
! senate all told q dry members. that
i Al.