The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-08-24

LtISSON TENT samuel lo'l0-Zo'
GOLDEN TEXT-And Samuel said,
Hath the Lord as great delight In
burnt offerings and sacrifices. as in
obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold,
to obey is better than sacrifice, and
to hearken than the fat of rams.
Samuel 1922.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Learning to Obey.
JUNIOR ToPIC-Why King Failed.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Successes and Failures Of Saul.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-The Strength and Weakness OF
Saul.
Few men had greater advantages
than Saul. Certainly all human his
tory fails to record a more tragic
failure. In order to present this les
son properly, 1t is necessary that the
teacher have a synthetic grasp of
Saul's history.
!. Saul's Advantages.
I. A worthy inheritance (9:I. 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).
a. He was humble (10:22). When
facing the responsibility Of national
leadership he hid himself.
b. He was considerable Of his father
(9:5). Not being successful In the
mission committed unto him and think
ing that his father would be concerned
about him, he proposed to 60 back.
c. The grace Of God was upon him
(10:5-O. God visited him with his
grace to enable him to perceive the
divine choice and to make good in it.
d. The Holy Spirit came upon him
(1O:10). Acceptable service can only
be rendered in the energy of the Holy
Spirit.
e. He was jealous for God III :4-15).
AS leader he rendered loyal service
unto his people because of zeal for God.
8 The friendship of Samuel Us :35).
Samuel not only was loyal to Saul in
the time of his life, but greatly
mourned his death.
u. Saul Made King (chaps. S-10).
/. The demand of the people
(S:1-22). The reason for this demand
was threefold:
a. Incapacity of old age ". 81. This
was at least the plea of the people,
which seems not to have been denied.
b. The unfaithfulness of his sons
". 81. Samuel greatly Numbered in
the appointment of his sons as judges.
The office was not hereditary, and they
were morally unfit w. 81.
c, Desired to be like other nations
". 81. The surrounding nations had
strong leaders and rulers, and it was
natural that the Israelites should de-
sire proper leadership. Samuel pro-
tested, and took the matter to the
Lord in prayer. The Lord directed
him to solemnly point out to the peo-
pie the meaning of their action.
2. Saul chosen as king (9:1-11).
While on an errand for his father,
Samuel found him and anointed him
(10:1-16). In due time the divine
choice was confirmed by the people at
Mizpeh Q0:17-2O.
8. Saul's leadership displayed
I'll :1-15). He revealed his military
genius in effecting great victory over
the Ammonites at Jabez. Samuel took
advantage of this opportunity to have
Saul confirmed as king.
III. SauPs Failure Us :1-25).
1. Gods command wv. 1-3). God
directed him to utterly destroy the
Amalekites because of their evil treat
ment of Israel (Exod. us; Deut.
25:1D.
2. Sauls disobedience wv. 40.
Agag, the king. was spared and the
best of the goods appropriated.
8. Saul rejected by God wv. 1925.
a. Samuel cried to God ". 11). The
news of Saul's dsgraceful failure
greatly disturbed Samuel, moving him
to pray to God day and night
b. Saul's hypocritical pretense wv.
Is, 16). This pretense carried a lie
upon its face His disobedience was
revealed by the bleating of the sheep
and the lowing of the herds.
c. Samuel rehearses before Saul
Gods dealing with him wv. 1928. He
brought him face to face with mis- sin.
God is more concerned with having
obedience on the part of his servants
Than he is to have them offer sacri-
fees unto him.
~. The Divine Judgment Falls Upon
Saul Us :26-35).
/. The loss of his kingdom wv.
26-31). For the presumptuous offering
of sacrifice the kingdom was rent from
Saul and the dynasty passed from his
house.
9. Under the control of an evil
spirit (19:9-11). When Saul refused
allegiance to God, Satan took con-
troll of him.
8. His shameful death 81 10. He
refused to destroy the Amalekite and
was shamefully treated by an Amalek-
lite (II Sam. l 10Y, and ended his life
by his own hand.
Pray More
No resolution or hettpr No datorr1i