The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1920-05-21
fMPRovrD UNIroRN INTERNATIONAL
SUNlASCnOOL
LESSON
tBy REV. p. B. FTTZWATER. d. d.
Teacher of English Bible In the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago.)
Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Unionl
LESSON FOR MAY 23
,sRAEL's FIRST KING.

LESSON TEXT Sam. s:16-lo:z4
GOLDEN TExT-Only fear the Lord.
and serve him in truth with all your
heart.-I Sam 1924
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL-I Sam. S:4:
b:1l: 10:25-2s.
| JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Chosen as King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
I-Kingly Qualities in Saul.
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
| The Selection of Leaders,
I. The People Demand . King (vv.
8:1-9).
/. Their reasons for this demand.
~ Samuel was incapacitated by old
age; t2) the unfaithfulness of his
sons whom he had appointed as his
successors; (3) the desire to be like
other nations. The surrounding ma
tions had king as leader. They
wanted a king who would go out and
fight their battles tsee v. 2O). The de-
sire to be like others causes many to
depart from the Lord.
2. Samuel's behavior under this
trial (vv. G-9). He took the matter
to the Lord In prayer. The Lord COM
forted him by assuring him that this
rejection was not merely his rejec-
tion, but the rejection of the king
ship Of God.
u. Samuel Tells Of the Manner Of
the kinas (vv. 1918.
He shows them that the king will
be very exacting and arbitrary in his
dealing with them.
l. He will take their sons and make
them to serve in the army and do all
kinds of hard work on his farm and
In his house. He will make slaves
of their daughters. also.
2. He will take their lands. even
those inherited from their fathers and
give them to his favorite officers and
servants. Not content with that he
will take the tenth part Of the produce
that remains and give to them.
~. samueIs Protest Disresarded by
the People tvv. 1929.
Having made up their minds
they deliberately shut their eyes to
the truth and rushed madly into the
experiment. Men today just as delib
erately are turning from Gods King
going after the lusts Of their owr
hearts, but God makes the wrath OF
men to praise him.
~. The King Providentiaily Point
ed Out Clio :16).
Saul was sent by his father t.
search for the asses that had wan
dered away. While Saul and his ia
ther were acting freely in this mat
ter, at the same time Gods sovereign
purpose was being carried out. Al
though difficult to understand. Goo
carries forth his sovereign purpose
without Interfering with mans free
dom.
v. The King Chosen at Mizpet
t10:17-2O.
The Lord had already pointed ou,
to Samuel who should be king and
Saul had been anointed. Let us OBJ
serve:
l. Why Saul was chosen. If they
would have king the Lord would
give them the one best suited to ill
the place. He was from Benjamin, a
small tribe. which would prevent un-
due rivalry between Ephraim and
Judah, the leading tribes Of Israel
He was also chosen because of his
personal fitness ". PAY. He had the
natural qualifications for his work
namely. self-control. modesty. and a
military instinct.
2. How Saul was chosen. The meth
cd was by lot. Samuel called them
together before the Lord. and before
the lot was cast he again remonstrat.
ed with them against such action. He
showed them the base ingratitude OF
their rejection of God as their King
3. How the king was received by
the people. Saul knew that the Lord
had chosen him. but through modesty
and fear he shrank from the respon
sibility. BY inquiry of the Lord his
hiding place was made known. When
he was brought forth Samuel present
ed him to the people. assuring them
that Saul was the Lords choice
Some were enthusiastic In their re-
ception and shouted, God save the
kingr' Others Knocked and refused
him allegiance.
VI. The King Confirmed at Gilga
tch. III.
Soon after the election at Mizpet
the Ammonites made desperate de
mand upon the men of Jabesh-gilead
Saul hearing Of 1t. hastily summoned
the tribes together for war and wor
remarkable victory. AS he thus
proved his ability the people wished
to punish the sons of Belial. but Sau
forbade them. Samuel took advan
tage OF this auspicious situation ant
called all the people together at Gil
enI where they formally crowned hin
their king.