Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1920-06-10
/. The Lord Rebuked Samuel for
Evceeeiue Grief ~ u


/. The Lord Rebuked Samuel for
Excessive Grief ". -.
1t was a bitter experience for Sam
uel to pronounce Gods judgment upon
Saul The cause Of Samuel's grief
was threefold:
l. The wreck of a promising life.
In all history, perhaps, life with
greater promise cannot be found, and
yet it affords no example of more
wretched failure.
3. A personal loss. No doubt as
the spiritual adviser Of the king, Sam
uel found many things in him TO adj
mire. His removal. therefore, Samuel
most keenly felt.
3. Anxiety for the national welfare.
Samuel knew quite well that a change
of dynasty oftentimes meant severe
war and tile reign of anarchy. This
would very seriously weaken the al
readv weak Kingdom. His concern
for the peoples good was therefore
part of his grief. One can readily
see why Samuel should mourn, but as
a prophet of God he should not have
INDUCED to excess The Lords ques
ton "How long will thou mourn for
Sanl? has in 1t rebuke for Samuel.
Grief for others Is a sacred thing, but
whenever II is carried so far as to In
terfere with ones duty 1t becomes
sinful.
u. Samuel Sent to Bethlehem to
Anoiht Saups Successor tyv. l-5).
Though Saul failed, God is able to
| provide q successor who is better
than he. Samuel is directed to go TO
Bethlehem and from among the sons
! of Jesse choose a successor. Samuel
again showed his weakness In express
ing his fear lest Saul should kill hun.
| If God sends q man on an errand
what matters IL though thousand
| SauIs be waiting to kill him? Even
though 1t means death, If God sends.
who dare refuse or offer excuse? God
instructed him to avoid publicity by
| the concealment of his real purpose.
Some may question the diplomacy OF
| Samuel. but we must remember that
| no one is under obligation TO tell all
that he knows. especially to parties
who have no moral right to know.
To withhold truth which Is necessary
morally to tell is dupIicity which dare
not be practiced. God allowed Sam
uel to hide his true errand under the
cloak of a sacrifice In order to shelter
his weakness. The whole matter was
already decided the moral acts were
I already committed; the issues were
already faced. The exposure of Sam
uel to the murderous hatred of Saul
would have only made matters worse.
H. The Method of Gods Choice
wv. 6-12).
The elders of Bethlehem were some
what alarmed when Samuel came,
He, in the exercise Of his judgeship
went from place to place. and al
times he Doubtless had to deal in
severity with~TrTr people. He camed
their fears by assuring them that be
came peaceably, even to worship God
While the preparation for the sacrifice
was being made Samuel seems "a
have had the interview with Jesse
and his sons. When the eldest Of
Jesse's sons passed before him he 60
cided that this stalwart young mar
must be Gods choice, but God tolt
him that man looketh on the outward
appearance. but the Lord looketh or
the heart. We should learn. like Sam
uel was obliged to do. that the quail
fications in Gods sight for workers
are inward. not bodily. The one wht
does Gods work must do it by lean
ing upon him, not through persona
strength or endowments. To the ut
ter surprise of Samuel and Jesse
David the shepherd boy. was chosen
~. Samuel Anoints David ". 13).
When this stripping of a boy CAM
before Samuel, the Lord indicated hi
| choice Samuel proceeded to anoin
him. This amounting typified the en-
dowment of the Holy Spirit, which i
essential for any and all service TO
God. The preparation which Dav''
needed for the Office of king was JUS
what he got as a shepherd boy. God
; choices are not arbitrary. AS king
his responsibility was to DEFEND, feed
and lead Gods flock. and this he hat
learned to do as he attended his IA
theirs flock. This promotion OF tn
shepherd boy should he an encourage
: ment for boys Of lowly station In lift