The citizen., 1920-05-13

Gbl.DtN IENT-Ouly fear the Lord,
ana serve him In truth with all your
heart.-l Sam 1924
AppiTiONAL MATERIAI1-I sam 50.
sA 10 M
PRIMARY TOPIC saul visits Samuel
JUNIOR TOptC-Saul Chosen a. Kinr.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
-Klngly Qualities In Saul
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
The Selection of Leaders
!. The People Demand a King tvv.
s:1-0).
I. Their reasons for this demand.
u) Samuel was incapacitatcd by old
age: (2) the unfalthfulness OF his
sons whom he had appointed as his
successors: go the desire to be like
other nations The surrounding ma.
tions had King as leader. They
wanted q king who would 20 out and
fight their battles tsce v. 2O). The de-
sire 10 be like others causes many to
depart from the Lord.
2. Samuel's behavior under this
trial wv. G9). lie took the matter
60 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.
n. Samuel Tells Of the Manner Of
the Kings tvv. iOls).
lie shows them that the king will
be very exActing and arbitrary In his
dealing with them.
I. lie will take their sons and make
them 10 serve In the army and do all
kinds Of hard work on his farm and
In his house. lie will make slaves
Of their daughters. also.
2 lie will take their lands. even
those inherited from their fathers and
give them 10 his fnvorite officers and
servants Not content with that he
will take the tenth part Of the produce
that remains and give 90 them.
~. ssruers Protest DIsreearded by
the People wv. 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-
tTNltNN NFt AlNh ,NN MINIS
going sfter the lusts Of their own
hearts. but God makes the wrath Of
men TO praise him.
~. The King ProvidentIally Point
ed Out U-l0;l6),
Saul was sent by his father 10
search for the asses that had wan
dered away. While Saul and his "a
ther were acting freely In this mat
ter. at the same time Gods sovereign
purpose was being carried out. Al
though difficult 10 understand. God
carries forth his sovereign purpose
without Interfering with mans free
dom.
v. The King Chosen at mizpeh
tlO:i7-2O.
The Lord had already pointed out
20 Samuel who should be king and
Saul had been anolnted. Let US OBJ
serve:
l. why Saul was chosen. II they
would have "A king the Lord would
give them the one best suited 10 tl
the place. lie was from Benjamin.
small tribe, which would prevent IN
due rivalry between Ephraim anc
Judah. the leading tribes OF Israel
He was also chosen because OF BIZ
personal fitness ". 2D. He had The
natural qualifications for bis work
namely. self-control. modesty, and
military instinct
2. How Saul was chosen. The meth
cd was by lot. Samuel called then
together before the Lord, and befor'
the lot was cast be again remonstrat
ed with them against such action. III
showed them the base ingratitude o.
their rejection Of God as their King
2. How the king was received b!
the people. Saul knew that the Lore
had chosen him. but through modest!
and fear he shrank from the reSpon
slblllty. by Inquiry Of the Lord hi
hiding place was made known. Whei
he was brought forth Samuel present
ell him to the people, assuring then
that Saul wns the Lords choice
Some we're enthusiastic in their re
ception and shouted, God save tn
kingw Others mocked and refuses
him allegiance.
W. The King Confirmed at Gllos
tch. III.
Soon after the election az Mizpe
the Ammonltes made a desperate de
mand upon the men OF Jabesh-gilenc
Saul hearing of IL. hastily summone
the tribes together for war and wo
a remarkable victory. As he thu
proved his ability the people wishe
10 punish the sons Of Bellal. but Sau
forbade them. Samuel took advar
tage OF this ausplclous situation an
called all the people together at on
gaI where they formally crowned hiI
their king.