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July 1930
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K i n g ’ s
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Vs. 3, 4. What caused Saul to greatly fear? What did he request o f his armor bearer? Did his armorbearer do right in refusing to obey? How did Saul die? * * * P ractical P oints 1. Saul came from a fine family (cf. 9:1). He was a “goodly” young man (cf. 9:2). , He was thoughtful and courteous (cf. 9;5). He was humble, at least at the first (cf. 10:22). He knew something of the grace o f God (cf. 10:7-9). In short, Saul was a man with great natural gifts and with some strength of character. He won some notable victories for God. He was a man o f great possibilities, but finally became a miserable apostate, for saken o f God and despised o f men. 2. Samuel knew how to get light from God. Every Christian may be just as sure of his way through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 3. The people w e r e determined to have a king. God yielded to their impor tunity and gave them permission to have their way, but He warned them that their king would prove to be a tyrant (1 Sam. 8:7-18). 4. Saul’s hatred was born of envy. He could not endure the thought that the shepherd boy, by his victory over Goliath, had displaced him in the hearts of the people. And worse than this was the an nouncement that God had set him aside and appointed David to be his successor. Envy made Saul a murderer at heart. Envy likewise moved the murderers of Jesus (cf. Matt. 27:18). 5. The evil spirit was a “messenger of Satan” (cf. 2 Cor. 12:7), but it was sent by God. The devil may often uncon sciously carry out God’s purposes (cf. Matt. 4:1). 6. Enemies may often hurl their mur derous darts at the servant o f God, but he is ever safe in God’s keeping. 7. Saul’s descent was gradual. His first act o f rebellion was his foolish in vasion o f the priest’s office (13:8-14). He was immediately told that he had lost the kingdom. Next, he deliberately disobeyed God in sparing Agag and the best o f the spoil (cf. 15:9-19:23). His crowning in famy was his turning to the witch of En- dor to seek information which God had withheld (cf. 28:6, 7). Saul was for saken o f God. As a result, “Israel fled from before he Philistines.” The rebel lion o f a leader involves his followers also in disaster. 8. Jonathan lost his life through his father’s failure. What a lesson for par ents. * * * G olden T ext I llustration Two sailors ventured far out on an overhanging cliff on one of the islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Their cap tain saw their danger and warned them o f it. One o f them shouted back, “No danger, Captain, no danger!” He stamped heavily on the ground, as if to say, “ See, it is all solid here.” In an instant the treacherous spot gave way and the sincere but deceived men were plunged into eter nity. Sincerity is no guarantee o f safety. It is very unsafe to believe an untruth.
leader to resist their encroachments. Looked upon my people. An expression frequently used to denote God’s compas sionate interest in His people (cf. Ex. 2: 25; 3:7, 9). V. 17. Behold, the man. [This verse follows closely verse 14; verses 15 and 16 are parenthetical.] God positively identi fied Saul as the new ruler. Shall have authority. Literally, “shall restrain/’ A definite hint that Saul wohld be a stern and despotic ruler. II. Samuel Communing with Saul ( 9 :25- 27; 10:1). V. 25. They were come down. “The high place” was perhaps the altar to Je hovah where Samuel worshipped (cf. 7: 17). He communed with Saul. The flat housetop was a covenient place for such a conference. It was doubtless open to the view of others and Saul would be recognized as one to whom the prophet paid special honor. What Samuel said is not told us, but we may imagine that hav ing in view Saul’s new responsibilities the prophet would seek to give him need ed counsel and warning. Vs. 26, 27. They arose early. Saul has tened to go on his interrupted errand, to find the lost asses. Samuel accompanied him, eager to do what God had com manded him. Samuel said to Saul. The solemn act of consecration was to be in private; therefore the servant was or dered to withdraw. Hear the word of God. That is, Samuel was to reveal to Saul what God had told the prophet con cerning the kingdom. 10:1. Took the vial o f oil. Olive oil was used for anointing. Kissed him. This act suggests submission and reverence due to the king, as well as a sign o f affec tion (cf. Psa. 2:12). Jehovah hath anoint ed thee. He had not been God’s first choice, but God yielded to the importu nity of the people. Prince over his inherit ance. Rebellious as they were, God loved His people. They were His “portion” (cf. Deut. 32:9). III. Saul Forsaken o f God (19:9-11). V. 9. Evil spirit from Jehovah, Saul had a melancholy disposition. Giving way to his selfish brooding upon his imaginary troubles and resisting every appeal of God, he was finally given over to the power of a demon spirit. David was play ing. Many times David’s sweet music had soothed Saul in his fits of melancholia. Attempt was made again to subdue his insane anger. V. 10. Sought to smite David. Saul’s envy o f David had been nursed until it overcame him and he sought to commit murder. Out o f God’s presence. God pro tected his servant. David fled, being con vinced that any further efforts to appease the wrath of Saul would be useless. V. 11. Messengers . . . to watch him. Saul did not venture to openly seize and kill David. Did he fear to do so because of David’s popularity with the people? IV. Saul Slain (31 :l-4). V. 1. Philistines fought against Is rael. This was a decisive struggle be tween Israel and their ancient foes. The battle ground was possibly the Plain of Esdraelon. The men o f Israel fled. How often had great armies fled before a few men o f Israel. Now they suffer ignomin ious defeat under their God-forsaken king whom they had demanded as their ruler.
BLACKBOARD LESSON wj/m . n INCREASED BY I nstruction [ throne
D ecreased By ISOBEDIENCE
\0 alked W isely
V. 2. Followed hard upon Saul. The death of the leader was first sought. He was easily marked out because of his un usual size. His three sons also were spe cial targets and the three were slain. Saul had other sons, one o f whom, Ishbosh- eth, succeeded him. After a short reign he was slain and Saul’s dynasty ended. V. 3. The archers overtook him. He might have been successful in combat with sword or spear but was at a disadvantage before the men with bows and arrows. V. 4. Draw thy sword. Saul asked his armorbearer to slay him lest he suffer the shame of dying at the hands of a heathen. The armorbearer bravely refused to do that which would have been a great wrong. Saul took his sword. The king who had had so great opportunities but failed so miserably, ended his life, a suicide. The next day the Philistines mu tilated his body and exhibited it on the walls of the town o f Bethshan. The men of Jabesh-gilead, remembering Saul’s kindness to them, rescued the bodies of Saul and his sons and gave them proper burial. * * * L esson Q uestions 9 :15-17. What had God revealed to Samuel? Is God able to give clear light and guidance to His children now? From what tribe did Saul spring? What other meaning can be given to the word “prince” ? What victory was this prince to gain? What affliction were God’s peo ple suffering? What is meant by the ex pression “have authority over” ? Vs. 25-27. Where did Samuel, and Saul “commune” ? Was this a semi-public place? Was Saul honored by being called to this interview? Why did Saul arise early in the morning? Why did Samuel ask that the servant be sent on ahead? What was meant by the expression “hear the word of God” ? Should God’s mes sage be the final authority in every mat ter? 10:1. Was it customary to anoint spe cial leaders such as priests, prophets and kings? Why are God’s people called “his inheritance” ? 19:9-11. What was this “evil spirit” which came upon Saul? Why did God send it? What was David doing? For what purpose? Was David able to soothe Saul by his music? What did Saul at tempt to do? How did David escape? What warning was given David later? 31:1. Who were the Philistines? Where did they live? Whq.t made it necessary for Israel to flee before their enemies? On what condition might they have had constant victory (Lev. 26:3, 7-9)? V. 2. Why did the Philistines mark out Saul especially for attack? How many sons o f Saul were slain? Had he other sons?
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