The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1920-06-12
|. The Lord Rebuked Samuel for

Excessive Grief ". -.
1t was a bitter experience for Sam
uel to pronounce Gods Judgment upon
Saul. The cause Of Samuefs grief
was threefold:
/. The wreck of promising life
In all history, perhaps, life with
greater promise cannot be found, and
yet it affords no example OF Il more
wretched failure.
=. 4 personal loss. No doubt as
the spiritual adviser of the king, Sam
uel found many things in him 10 adj
mire. His removal, therefore, Samuel
most keenly felt.
3. Anxiety for the national welfare.
Samuel knew quite well that change
of dynasty oftentimes meant severe
war and the reign of anarchy. This
would very seriously weaken the al
ready weak kingdom. His concern
for the peoples good was therefore a
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
Saul?" has in it Il rebuke for Samuel.
Grief for others is a sacred thing. bur
whenever II is carried so far as to in
terfere with ones duty it becomes
sinful.
u. Samuel Sent to Bethlehem to
Anoint Saul's Successor wv. 1-5).
Though Saul failed, God is able to
provide a successor who is better
than he. Samuel is directed to go to
Bethlehem and from among the sons
of Jesse choose successor. Samuel
again showed his weakness in express
ing his fear lest Saul should kill him.
If God sends man on an errand
what matters it though a thousand
Saul's be waiting to kill him? Even
though it 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.
morally to tell is duplicity 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
already committed; the issues were
already faced. The exposure of Sam
uel to the murderOus hatred of Saul
would have only made matters worse.
III. 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 at
times he doubtless had to deal in
severity with the people. He Gained
their fears by assuring them that he
came peaceabiy. even to worship God.
While the preparation for the sacrifice
was being made. Samuel seems to
have had the interview with Jesse
and his sons. When the eldest of
Jesse's sons passed before him he de-
cided that this stalwart young man
must be Gods choice, but God told
him that man looketh on the outward
but the Lord looketh on
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 who
does Gods work must do it by lean
ing upon him, not through personal
or endOwments. To the ut
ter surprise of Samuel and Jesse
David the shepherd boy, was chosen.
w. Samuel Anoints David ". 49,.
When this stripping of a boy came
before Samuel, the Lord Indicated his
choice. Samuel proceeded to anoint
him. This amounting typified the en-
dowment Of the Holy Spirit. which is
essential for any and all service for
God. The preparation which David
needed for the Office of king was Just
what he got as shepherd boy. Gods
choices are not arbitrary. AS king.
his responsibility was to defend. feed.
and lead Gods flock. and this he.had
learned To do as he attended his IA
theirs flock. This promotion of the