The Winslow mail., 1923-05-11
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
Sl1n1doySchool
' Lesson '
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D.,
Teacher Of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute Of Chicago)
Copyright 1898. Western Newspaper Union
LESSON FOR MAY 10
DAVID, THE PoET-KING


mercy shall follow me all the days of my
Iife.-Ps. 1856
REFERENCE MATERIAL-Ps. 81 lisa.
~; Jer. 3S:15-26; Luke 1872; Acts 22:29-34.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Shepherd Boy
Chosen King.
JUNIOR TOPIC-God Calls a Boy to Be
King.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
David as a Friend.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
lessons From the Life of David.
!. Samuel Mourns for Saul ". y.
l. Why He Mourned. The death Of
Saul was no doubt a personal loss to
Samuel, for Saul was a commanding
and lovable personality. Then, too.
the ruin of so promising a career
would deeply affect a soul like Sam
uel. Finally the humiliation to God
and Gods people grieved his heart.
2. Excessive Mourning Rebuked.
The fact that God had rejected Saul
should have lifted Samuel out of his
grief Excessive grief over that which
God does is a reflection upon Him and
should be rebuked In all Gods acts
w SIOuAu SuDIu1l dIl1lOuSu II may
change our plans. When sorrow be-
comes a hindrance to the discharge
Of duty, it merits rebuke.
II. Samuel Sent to Anoint David
wv. 1-3).
1. Samuers Fear ". p. Perhaps
by this time Saul was becoming a
desperate character Samuel knew
that If Saul should hear that he was
taking steps to anOint a successor to
his throne, his own life would be in
danger. Samuel was wise in submit
ting this difficult situation to the Lord.
Gods servants are to be brave. But
even when going on errands for God
we should not court danger. We
should exercise the greatest caution
so that unnecessary dangers he
avoided.
g The Lords Direction wv. 2, 81.
The Lord smoothed the way for Sam
uel He showed him how to perform
his duty and escape the danger. Sam
uel was to take heifer and announce
that he was going to offer sacrifice
unto the Lord and to call Jesse to the
sacrifice. The prophet was not told
all that would happen. This is usual
1y Gods way with us. He gives US
our work piece by piece and guides
us step by step. Samueps purpose
was known only to him. It was to be
kept a secret so that the news would
not reach Saul. This was a shrewd
device but entirely legitimate. There
is not necessity for us to reveal all
our purposes.
Ill. SamueIs Obedience wv. 4-13).
1. The Trembling Elders of Bethle-
hem wv. 4, 81. 1t seems that the
whole nation was shot through with
fear because Of Saul's sin. To the
elders alarming inquiry Samuel re-
sponded with the assurance of peace,
inviting them to Join him in worship
ing the Lord.
2 Examination of Jesse's Sons wv.
6-12). The Lord had revealed to Sam
mel that one Of Jesse's sons was to
be the new king, but not the particu-
lar one. The selection Of the right
one was a most important matter as
destinies hung upon it. (1) Eliab
rejected wv, 6, y. Eliab was the
eldest son and therefore he was the
first presented as having first right to
the place Of honor. Further, he was
a splendid specimen of a man, tall and
majestic in appearance so that even
Samuel was captivated by him as he
had been by Saul. 40: 2D. Outward
appearance was favorable but the
realities seen by God were against
him. God knows whom He can trust
with great responsibilities. We fire.
quently estimate men by their dress,
culture, wealth and position. These
are only surface manifestations and
frequently lead us astray, but God
looks into the heart. (2) David
chosen wv. S-12). All but one of
Jesse's sons had been looked upon
but still the Lords choice had not ap-
peared. Jesse's reply to Samuel's
question as to whether all his children
had appeared seems to imply that
David was not of much Importance.
He was considered good enough to
watch the sheep but not important
enough to be called to the feast. Be
cause David was faithful as a shep-
herd boy, he was in line for promo
ton when Gods given time arrived
8. David Amounted ". 13). When
the shepherd lad appeared. the Lord
directed Samuel to anoint him. When
the oil was applied the Spirit Of the
Lord came upon him. David was
gifted and attractive lad but this
was of no avail without the Spirit
of God. Power must come from God.
Only as we are anolnted by the Holy
Ghost can Nrn tr11lr Il a tho nr6iS will