The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-07-14
Lesson for July II
SAMUEL AMOUNTS DAVID

| LESSON TEXT Samuel 16:1-18.
GOLDEN TEXT-Let no man de.
| spise thy youth, but be thou an ex-
ample of the believers in word, in con-
versation. in charity. in spirit. in
| faith, in purity.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Shepherd Boy
| Chosen King.
JUNIOR TOPIC-God's Plan for Q
Boys Life
| INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Why God Chose David.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
| IC-Discovering Future Leaders.
I. Samuel Mourns for Saul ". ~.
1. Why he mourned. The death OF
Saul was, no doubt, personal loss to
Samuel, for Saul was a commanding
and lovable personality. Then, too, the
ruin Of so promising career would
deeply affect Samuel. Finally the hui
initiation 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. When sorrow be-
comes hindrance to the discharge Of
duty, it merits rebuke.
II. Samuel Sent to Anoint David
wv. 1-3).
1. Samuel's fear ". p. Perhaps by
this time Saul was becoming des-
perate character. Samuel still knew
that If Saul should hear that he was
taking steps to anoint successor to
the throne, his own life would be In
danger. Samuel was wise in submit.
ting this hard situation to the Lord.
Gods servants are to be brave. How
ever, even when going on errands for
| God we should not court danger.
2. The Lords direction wv. 2, 81.
The Lord smoothed the way for
Samuel. He showed him how to per.
form his duty and escape the danger.
Samuel was to take heifer and an.
sacrifice unto the Lord and to call
Jesse to the sacrifice. The prophet
was not told all that would happen.
This is usually Gods way with Us.
He gives us our work piece by piece,
and guides us step by step. Samuel's
purpose was known only to himself
It was to be kept secret so that the
news would not reach Saul. This was
shrewd device but entirely legiti.
mate. We may conceal that which
others have no right to know, espe-
cially when such disclosure would be
detrimental to the success Of our mis-.
sion. What Samuel said was true.
III. samueI's Obedience wv. 4-13).
I. The trembling elders of Bethle.
hem wv. 4, 81.
| Their unusual movement was an Oc.
casion for alarm. To the elders alarm
ing inquiry Samuel responded with the
assurance Of peace, inviting them to
Join him in worshiping the Lord.
2. Examination of Jesse's sons wv.
612).
The Lord had revealed to Samuel
that one Of Jesse's sons was to be the
new king, but not the particular
one.
(1) Eliab rejected wv. 6, y.
Eliab was the eldest son and there
fore he was the first presented as hav-
ing first right to the place of honor.
Furthermore, he was a splendid spect.
men Of manhood, tall and majestic In
appearance, so that even Samuel was
captivated by him as he had been by
Saul (10:24). Outward appearance Is
favorable, but the realities seen by
God were against him. We frequently
estimate men by their dress, cultural
appearances, 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 appeared. 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. At any rate he was only
a boy, while his brothers were already
young men. He was considered good
enough to watch the sheep, but not to
be called to the feast. This is ever
the way of man. He overlooks the
very ones whom the Lord has chosen
for places Of honor and influence.
Because David was faithful as a shep-
herd boy, he was in line for promotion
when Gods given time arrived.
8. David anointed ". 1877.
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 his gifts were Of no avail without
the Spirit of God. Only as we are
anointed by the Holy Ghost can we
truly do the Lords will and work.