The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-08-25

LESSON TEXT Samuel s:ls-21: 1928.
~; 11:12.15.
GOLDEN TEXT-Honor all men. Love
the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
II Peter 2:17.
swell begun Is half done," says
the old proverb, reminding us of the
Importance Of a good beginning.
While it does not guarantee success
(see next weeks lesson), it is emil
nently desirable, and truly helpful.
Israel had foolishly tired of being
a God-ruled nation and had begun
to demand a king.
Samuel was directed of God to the
man Of His choice, Saul, in very
remarkable way. He entered upon
his service as king as an obedient
and earnest ruler. would God that
he had continued in that wayD
We note number of favorable
elements which indicated the posi-
bility Of a successful reign. He
was
I. Wanted by the People (9:15,
16).
A ruler forced upon a nation Is
sure of opposition, but here the peo-
pie were clamoring for king to rule
over them. The way was wide open
to the interest and the affection Of
their hearts. Saul was just the type
to please them. Physically he was
head and shoulders above the people
"a desired thing in a ruler (see
1929. He was mentally fitted 40:
25)-humble (9:21), spiritually right
(10:6-9), tolerant and kindly GLIB,
and a good military leader Och. 11).
III. Chosen by God OLD.
ALI these qualities commended
Saul to God as well as to the people.
In fact, he was Gods choice. A
man could not enter upon high Of
flee with any more suspicious token
for good.
Observe that what looked like a
purely chance visit to Samuel, when
Saul was on business for his father,
was the occasion for the making
known of Gods choice. Out of a
simple experience in daily life came
an event which changed his entire
destiny.
III. Amounted by the Prophet e:
1920.
The man of Gods choice had met
Gods man, Samuel, who proceeded
/ to instruct him, and to privately
| anoint him as king. It was tender
scene. The aged prophet, rejected
by the people as Gods ruler over
them, quietly and sweetly obeyed
Gods command to anoint the young
man to be king.
Public recognition, which came
later, was important, but, with Saul
as with every servant Of the Lord,
the personal amounting of God, in the
hidden place of communion with
| Him, was the matter Of highest inn
| portance.
/ Nv. Humble In Attitude (9:21).
That pride, which was ultimately
to be Saul's downfall, was beauti-
| fully absent at the beginning Of his
| reign. Although of good family, and
well-equipped, he saw himself as
poor and Insignificant, not ready for
such an honor.
That is the right attitude for one
who is to serve God. Pride and SELF
| assurance do not befit the man who
stands in the presence Of the AL
mighty.
v. Guided by Principle (10:25).
Saul did not enter upon his office,
new as it was to both him and to
/ Israel, without Constitution, that
is, without principles of action.
Samuel, the Lords prophet, wrote
down "the manner Of the kingdom"
in a book. How interesting, and
how important.
Rulers who imagine themselves so
wise that they need no controlling
laws, and so powerful that the law
may not question their decisions,
are certainly not rulers after God
plan. Knowing the heart Of man,
his weakness and pride, God has
provided true principles by which
the ruler is to be guided, yes and
controlled.
WI. Forgiving i'm Spirit (1O:26-27;
11:12, 49,.
Some worthless fellows de-
spised Saul and would not recog-
nize him as king. The urge of the
flesh was to destroy them, and espe-
cially did that seem proper because
Of their worthless nature. But Saul,
in true kingly spirit, said that there
was to be no revenge, just rejoicing.
To be of the right spirit toward
ones enemies is the hall mark Of
Christian character.
VII. Established in ONCE I'll:
IA, 15).
| While there is the secret whisper
Of God in the heart, and the per.
sonal amounting by the Lords serv.
ant, there should be the public rec.
ognition which establishes the Lords
servant in the eyes of all people
Saul had this at Gilgal. It placed
him among the kings of the earth
and prepared the way for his deal
ing with other nations as well a.
with his own people.
Applying that truth to those whit