Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-16

There is danger that in considering
Saul as a man of great possibilities, who
failed, that we will overlook the record
of his success. He is introduced to us
when seeking the lost asses of his
father He followed the suggestion OF
companions to seek the advice of Sam
uel, the seer, judge end prophet. He
received such a welcome that one mar
vels that he kept his poise. The honors
given him at the feast and his confer
ence with the nations leaders were
SamuePs preliminary steps for SauPS
election by the people to be the first
King over the Jewish people. When the
seer received the revelation that the
following day Gcd would reveal to him
the coming King, Samuel made the
preparatio for the one God had Sc
lected to meet the nations leaders III
social way without revealing to them
the program of Jehovah. When the
elders, representing the IL tribes, in
formed Samuel CT their desire for
King. like other nations, the great
prophet and national leader was
crushed. Not until God made clear to
him that He proposed to favor the ma
tion's request, although EIe considered
that they had rejected Him by their de-
ciSion rather than casting on the IN
fiuence of Samuel, who was to do His
greatest work in connection with the es-
tablishment of the kingdom.
The nations demand for king grew
out of their failure, as people, to be
loyal to Jehovah. 1t was in accordance
with His program that the nation
should be ruled over by king VINO
would foreshadow the Kingship of the
Messiah, Their premature demand
frustrated Gods plan. but He overruled
it for their good and His glory. Inc OPP
preston of their enemies made clear 20
the elders of the IL tribes that they
needed a central form OF government
federacy of the colonies was not strong
enough for the development OF our
country. so the people established our
present form of government. We do not
know the exact method that JehoVah
used to reveal to Samuel that Saul was
the man He had selected to rule over
the nation. We do know that after ne
was brought providentially to the
prophets home, this gave Samuel an
opportunity to talk over the anaIs ,. u
his country with Saul, the son OF hlSn,
and that he made clear to his guest why
God had brought him provtdentlally 10
samuel. The physical appearance, pose
and personal magnetism Of the modest
farmer demonstrated beyond question 10
the prophet that Saul was Gods choice
for the kingship.
The First King Chosen.
Although Samuel had confidentially
informed Saul, by lifting up his veil
that fell over his ear, of the fact that
cod had called him to be King ana
consecrated him for the Office, when
the ueople elected Saul he hesitated
and was found hiding When he came
forward to accept the leadership, the
nation was divided by tribal differences.
It lacked any national unity. Many OF
its citizens were in the army OF It's
enemy. Their country was under the
Philistines. They possessed no weapons
Of war, for when Saul started his war
of independence there were only two
swords in the nation. They had no
They possessed no army or
means of raising one, for their treasury
was empty.
When Saul's end came, the nation
was well established. Under his leader
ship they had won their freedom, es-
tablished their own form OF govern
ment, unified the IL tribes into united
nation which realized its oneness OF
blood and mission as nation. He mad
developed a well established system o.
built up an army and laid
the foundation for the nations great
ness under David and its glory under
Solomon. 1t had good working bal
ance in the nations treasury and was
recognized by those who had sought to
Cypress it and crush its national aspi-
rations.
When Saul commenced his rule. there
were some who doubted the mans Mt
ness. They declined to recognize him
or bring him any presents. Saul DEM
akoI hi cts nf character
waiting in patience until the hour came
for him to strike the blow that crushed
the nations enemies whose armies had
oyerrun the land. He appealed to the
nation on behalf of Jabesh-Gilead so
effectively that he thoroughly aroused
them and they crossed the Jordan and
defeated the Ammonites. This triumph
established Saul firmly as King of Is
rael. They crowned him at Gtlgal.
Throughout the opening of his career
as q King Saul had the advice and
sympathetic support of Samuel. During
this period Saul exhibited dependence
upon God and desire to do His will.
He demonstrated his courage as SOL
der. He inspired the nation by his
physical appearance, personal magnet
ism and strategical plans in raising
an army and winning conflicts from the
Philistines. The garrisons at Bethel,
MichmaSh and Geba, which had been
stationed there to collect taxes. we're
indignant at the presumption of the
Israelites attempting to start war of
independence when they we're without
arms, or a smith to make them. Under
Gods blessing the nation won its free
dom from the Philistines Saul sue
ceeded In Furnishing the bedouins of the
desert, AmmoI1ites, Moabites and Amale-
kites. and in stopping their yearly raids
at harvest time.
Failure and It's Cause.
Although Saul had demonstrated that
he possessed great possibilities as
soldier, he revealed the lack of thor
oughly consecrated life in the names of
his children that signifed: Jonathan,
the gift of jehovah Melchi-Shua, the
helm of Mnlnck. ESh-Baal the man of