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God to entreat His favor, it must be by the new and living way sprinkled with atoning blood. All other ways of access will fail. In the instance before us “the Lord heard him.” Prayer uttered in the proper manner is always heard and will be answered. God’s Intervention in Answer to Prayer vv. 10, 11 Even while Samuel was leading his people in worship and shortly follow ing his prayer in their behalf, God in tervened with a mighty clap of thunder which threw the Philistines into confu sion and Israel drove them away. Thus defeat was turned into victory. Samuel’s Thankful Commemoration of Victory v. 12 The great word here is Hitherto. Samuel recognized the goodness of God in all His past dealings with Israel. If we can say Hitherto surely we ought also to say Henceforth. God will take care of the future. Samuel’s Faithful Administration of Justice vv. 13-17 “ The Lord was against the Philis tines all the days of Samuel” (v. 13). Doubtless the ministry of Samuel had a great deal to do with this. In verses 15 and 16 Samuel appears as the first “ circuit rider,” going from place to place in his ministry, and in all his min istrations he did not forget the “ altar” (v. 17). Memory Verse: . . . [Direct] your hearts unto the Lord and serve him only” (1 Sam. 7:3 R.V.). Have you ever played follow the lead er? Boys and girls everywhere like to play this game. Sometimes a leader takes those who are following him into hard and dangerous places, then the game is no longer fun to play. Some times groups of people or whole na tions follow the wrong leader and get into trouble. God’s people, the Israelites, had sinned again, and God allowed their enemies to take them as servants. When the people cried unto the Lord for de liverance, the godly prophet and leader, Samuel, told them that if they would return unto the Lord and worship and obey Him, He would deliver them soon. Israel obeyed God and He caused their enemies to leave them alone at last. When Samuel became an old man, his sons ruled Israel. Because the sons were wicked leaders, the people com plained to Samuel and asked that he give them a king to rule over them like the nations around them. God’s heart was grieved at this request, for He wanted to be their only King. God J U L Y , 1 9 5 2 Helps for the Children Samuel Speaks for God 1 Sam. 7:3-6, 12, 15-17
told Samuel to warn the people of the things which a king would do to their nations. Faithfully Samuel brought God’s message to the Israelites, but they said, “No, but we will have a king over us.” God heard their words and commanded Samuel to appoint a king over his people, even though he knew how unhappy they would be. Next week we shall learn about the king who was chosen to rule the Israelites, and the following week we shall read from God’s Word how that king failed to be a leader who pleased God. God says to us today, “ Direct your hearts unto the Lord and serve him only.” As you think of the leaders in your school, your neighborhood, your town, your state, or your country you can name some who are leading people in the wrong paths. They are choosing to please Satan rather than to serve God truly. Other leaders you can name are praying each day that God will help them to wisely lead their people in paths that are pleasing to Him. What kind of a leader jare you among your friends? Is it easier or harder for them to be like the Lord Jesus when they are following your leading? August 10, 1952 ISRAEL'S FIRST KING 1 Sam. 9:1, 2; 10:24-27; 13:5.7, 19-22 Pointers on the Lesson This lesson is planned primarily for its historical value. The Bible passages selected treat some of the problems faced by the first king, attacks by sur rounding nations, lack of weapons for warfare, and lack of unity and a cen tralized government. A study of Saul’s character has practical values for life today. Next week’s lesson will deal with some of the causes of Saul’s failure. The Person of the King 9:1, 2 Saul had much to commend him. God had endowed him in many ways to be a leader of men. If he failed it would be his own fault. For one thing, his father was “ a mighty man of power” (v. 1). He was a man of influence. Evi dently, he was a man of wealth and substance. He was thus able to afford his son some real advantages. Moreover, Saul must have had a magnificent phys ical presence. He probably was almost seven feet tall. This would make him an ideal man to command the attention and respect of his people. If along with these assets, Saul had only let God rule in his life there is no telling what bless ing he would have brought to his people. Instructions Regarding the King 10:24, 25 Following the anointing of Saul to be king by Samuel, the latter gave instruc tions to the people as to their responsi bility. No king can do his best unless he has willing and co-operative sub jects. The same is true in the relation-
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