The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-08-17

GOLDEN TEAT-And Samuel said
unto the people. Fear not: ye have
done all this wickedness: yet turn not
aside from following the Lord, but
serve the Lord with all your heart.
! Samuel 1920
PRIMARY TOPIC-Samuel Talking
to God.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Samuel Listening to
God.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-Training for Service
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
Corresponding to Gods Call.
]. Samuel's Birth Q:1-20).
He was given to Hannah in answer
TO her prayer. His name means
asked of God"
". Samuel Lent to the Lord Il "a
.2s).
In connection with Hannah's prayer
for man child, she vowed to give him
to God. He was to be a Nazarite all
the days of his life. In fulfillment of
her vow, she took him at an early age
to the sanctuary and gave him over to
the charge Of Eli, the priest, to minis
ter therein.
III. Samuel Called Of God (3:1-1O).
Dwelling within the sacred courts
and ministering before the Lord with
Eli, Is the innocent Samuel who is to
become the saviour Of his people. In
Samuel we have striking pattern of
child religion. The Lord gave him in
answer to his mothers prayer, and
from his birth he was dedicated to
the Lord. In the Scriptures we have
set forth two types Of experience; the
one experiencing the saving grace Of
God after having lived in sin; the 9TH
er Of one brought up in the nurture
and admonition of the Lord from his
infancy.
Two traits of Samuel's character
stand out in his call-his cheerful ODE
dience to the Lords call, and his sur
rendered will.
w. Samuel Established in the Pro-
phetic Office (3:11-2D.
Up to this time Samuel obeyed Eli.
The time has now come when he must
directly hear and obey the Lord. The
first message entrusted to him was a
most terrible one. It doubtless was a
bitter experience to Eli to see Samuel
recognized and himself passed by, but
he was submissive. This fearful visi-
tation upon Ellis house was due to the
sins of his sons Eli was accountable
because he had not restrained them.
He was a good man, but lax in the
discipline of his children. Samuel
grew and the Lord was with him and
did not let any Of his words fall to the
ground. So fully did the Lord bless
his ministry that all Israel knew that
he was established as the Lords
prophet.
v. Samuel, the Judge (7:1-1O.
1. People called to forsake their
idols wv. 1-6). Because of their sins
God permitted the nation to be bitter
ly oppressed by the Philistines. Sam
mel promised them deliverance on con-
dition of repentance ". 81.
2. Samuel prayed for the people
wv. 7-14). In response to his prayer
God miraculously delivered them from
the Philistines. This victory was
AhC1uOl AdllLCu ny tuS SClLlU9 up LH0
stone called Ebenezer ". 12).
8. Samuel judging Israel wv. IT,
~. Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpeh, and
Ramah were his circuit. to each Of
which he made annual visits. These
centers were for the accommodation
Of the people.
4. Samuels final address (12 :1-25).
When Saul, the new king, was
crowned. Samuel graciously retired,
turning over to him the nations af-
fairs.
a. Samuel's challenge to the peo-
pie wv. 1-5). He reminded them Of
the way the king had been given and
showed their direct responsibility for
the change in government. He re-
viewed his own administration. show
ing his walk from childhood, and his
career as judge and ruler. To this
the people responded by vote Of con-
hdence. 1t was Samuels right as he
laid down the reins of government to
have his records INDICATED.
b. Samuel reviews Gods dealings
WIFI Tie udtIOH lIOn IhS Llluc VI
Moses wv. 6-15). He showed them
that national prosperity was condi-
toned upon obedience ". 14). Though
they had displeased God in choosing
q king. if they would fear the Lord
and render obedience national pros
perity would still be given them.
c. Samuel's personal vindication
wv. 1929. The hour was so critical
in the nations history that Samuel
sought to indelibly impress upon their
hearts it's meaning. This he did by
praying for thunder and rain out of
season. They saw this as an example
of Gods mighty power which, If d.
rected against them, would destroy
them instantly.