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THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S
God's choice of a king. The gist of the lesson is found in 1 Sam. 16:7: “But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him; for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord look eth on the heart.” The theme of the lesson is “ The Sov ereignty of God.” Outline. ( 1) God’s Announcement and Sam uel’s Mission, vs. 1-5. (2) God’s Attestation and Samuel’s Mistake, 6-10. (3) God’s Anointed and Samuel’s Ministration, 11-13. (1) GOD’S ANNOUNCEMENT AND SAMUEL’S MISSION, vs. 1-5. Over Saul’s life God has written “ fail ure.” God had rejected him from reign ing. He had been faithless to God,— not His representative, wilful, wayward. He had been false to the people; had incriminated them, involved them in sin, invoked God’s anger. He had been fruitless in life; no example of pity, no stimulus to holy living, no leading to wells of water, no blessing through him or by him. Now he is rejected by God and revealed to men. God has chosen a new man for king, “ I have provided me a king.” In Saul He had provided the people) a king. Samuel did as the Lord spake. He had grieved greatly over Saul. God re bukes him and tells him that He Has rejected Saul. God commands Samuel to take a horn of oil and anoint a king. Samuel is afraid of Saul. How could a man he afraid to go when God sent him, and such a man as Samuel? How could Samuel he a Jonah? Listen to Moses: (Ex. 3:11) “And Moses said unto God, Who am I that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt. So, also, Obadiah (1 Kings 18:9-10) Will -God he less than a wise and just man? Will He send a servant and not provide for and protect him? (Prov. 29:25)
“The fear of man bringeth a snare; but who so putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” (Matt. 10:16) “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as ser pents and as harmless as doves.“ There was great danger, for Saul was in Satan’s hands, and a dangerous man. The spies of Israel saw only giants, but Joshua saw grapes, (Josh. 1:6) “Be strong and of a good courage, for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.” God commands Samuel to go; to take an offering. He does not tell Samuel to lie about it. An offering was an es sential part of the ceremony. Samuel was going about on his itinerary, making offerings. If God is God He cannot dissemble. He can work independently in a thou sand ways to avoid any danger. He does not reply to Samuel’s question, but commands him to go. He tells him He has taken a king from the house of Jesse. He does not give full instruc tions. He says “ I will show you” (Acts 22 : 10 ) “And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.” (2) GOD’S ATTESTATION AND SAM UEL’S MISTAKE, vs. 6-10 Why were the Bethlehemites afraid? Samuel was a prophet, a man of God. A prophet speaks with authority. He rebukes sin ,and warns men. He repre sents God among men. They had rea son, no “doubt, to fear. “ A guilty con science needs no accuser.” If men live as they are entitled to live, they need not fear (2 Tim. 1:7) “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” ' '• ' „ Perfect love casteth out fear, for fear hath torment. In the house of Jesse Samuel sepa1 rated the seven sons and ealled them to the sacrifice. The first son, Eliab. Samuel was per fectly human and he looked upon this splendid specimen of humanity and sup posed he was the man. Samuel is still
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