The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1930-08-14
80
Improved Uniform International
Si1192daySchool
' Lesson
[By REV. P. B. FITZwATER, D. D., Menu
Der of Faculty, Moody Bible Institute
of Chicago.)
q. 1880. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for August II
SAUL, A MAN OF GREAT POSI-
BILITIES WHO FAILED

sILITIEs WHO FAILED
LESSON TEXT Samuel s:l5-17. 25-
81: 1871; 1871; 3l:1-4.
GOLDEN TEXT-Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed
lest he fall.
PRIMARY ToPIC-A King That Dis
obeyed.
JUNIOR ToPIc-A King Who Failed.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-How to Avoid Failure.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-How to Profit from Failure.
The sad failure of Saul should DO
q warning to every young man. Few
men in history had greater advantages.
.. SauI's Advantages.
!. A worthy inheritance ODD.
His father was "a mighty man OF
power" Ones inheritance is strong
factor in determining his success or
failure in life.
2. His natural gifts (9:2).
He was a "choice young man."
~ He was humble (10:22).
When facing the responsibility Of
national leadership, he hid himself.
(2) He was considerable Of his
father (9:5).
Not being successful in the mission
committed unto him by his father and
thinking that his father would be con-
cerned about him, he proposed to go
back.
(3) The grace of God was upon
him (1O:5-O.
God visited him with his grace
to enable him to see the divine choice.
(4l The Holy Spirit came upon
him t1O:1W.
Acceptable service can be rendered
only in the energy Of the Holy Spirit.
(5) He was Jealous for God
I'll :4-15).
AS the leader of his people, he per-
formed service because Of his zeal
for God
5. The friendship of Samuel
.(15:35).
So strong was Samuel's attachment
for Saul that he greatly mourned his
death.
u. Saul Made King Il Sam. 8-10).
1. The demand of the people
(s:1-22).
The reason for this demand was
threefold:
~ Samuel was incapacitated by
old age ". 81.
(2) His sons ~were unfaithful ". 81.
Samuel, though good man, greatly
blundered in the appointment Of his
sons as judges Of Israel.
(3) Desire to be like other ma.
lions ". 81.
The surrounding nations had strong
leaders as rulers Therefore. 1t was
but natural that the Israelites should
desire such leadership. Samuel pro-
tested against their action and took
the matter to the Lord In prayer The
Lord directed him to point out to the
people the meaning of their action
2 Saul chosen to be king (9:1-11).
While Saul was on an errand for
his father Samuel found him and
anointed him. Il Sam. 10:1-16). In
due time the divine choice was con-
frmed by the people at Mizpeh.
s. Saul displays leadership Il
Sam. ~.
He displayed his military genius in
effecting a great victory at Jabez
over the AmmoniteS.
III. Saul's Failure (ch. 15).
/. The command to Saul wv. 1-3).
He was commanded utterly to de-
stroy the Amalekites. The reason as
signed was their evil treatment Of
Israel after they came out of Egypt.
Eek. 17:S; Deut. 25:17).
2. Saul's disobendience wv. 4-9).
The command was only partially
carried out. Agag, the king. was
spared and the best of the goods ap-
propriated.
8. Saul rejected by God (vv 10-25).
~ Samuel cried to God ". 1I.
The news of this disgraceful affair
greatly disturbed Samuel, moving him
TO pray to God day and night.
(2) Sauls hypocritical pretense
(vv. IS, 16).
This pretense carried a lie upon
its face.
(3) Samuel rehearses before Saul
Gods dealing with him wv. 1929.
God is more concerned with having
his commands obeyed than he is to
have sacrifices offered unto him.
~. The Divine Judgment Falls
us :26-35).
1. The loss of his kingdom.
For the presumptuous offering of
sacrifice the dynasty passed from
Saul's house.
2. Under control of the evil spirit
(19:9-1D.
When allegiance to God is refused
Satan takes control.
8. His shameful death 81 Ia.
Samuel forsook him, leaving him
alone to suffer In disgrace.
What Mortal Man Can Do
But what can mortal man do to Sc
cure his own salvation? Mortal rnan
can do just what God bids him do. He
can repent and believe. He can arise