June 1927
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cannot tell what kind of a heart one has by looking at the face, but God can read
every appearance of soundness of heart, but God was looking deeper than a fine physique, hence, rejected; him. After seven sons had passed in re view before Samuel, and had been re jected, Samuel asked Jesse if there were any others, to which inquiry he replied that there was one, the youngest, a keeper of the sheep. In verse ten we see the ef fects of the free, out-door, industrious life upon this young lad. It is a wonder ful blessing for a boy to be reared In a rural district apart from the immoral in fluences of city life; furthermore, it is imperative that the growing youth learn the habits of industry and diligence in order that he may be prepared for the burdens and responsibilities of life. This shepherd training was invaluable to David in preparing him to be the shep herd of Israel, In verse thirteen is a record of David’s being anointed and of the Spirit of God’s coming upon him from that day forward. It was by the Spirit of God that David was enabled to perform the great work for God and for Israel which he accomp lished. It is only by the help of the Spirit of God that one can live for God and make his life count for the kingdom of God.
currence does not support such a theory. In the ninth and tenth chapters of this same book, where we read of the anoint ing of Saul, we learn that Samuel and Saul were at the “high place ” and that they ate there. The high places at that stage of the history of Israel were the places where sacrifices were made. Hence, it seems that divine guidance and bless ings were sought before the anointing service in connection with Saul’s anoint ing. With this in view it seems that Sam uel is instructed to do the same thing at the time he anoints Saul’s successor. Those taking the position that a lie is jus tifiable under certain conditions resort to this passage as proof. Samuel did go there, according to the custom, to _sacri fice. He spoke truth in what he said, but it was not necessary for him to give all of the facts and state all of the reasons to every inquisitive “meddler in other men’s matters," If someone asks another con cerning a matter about which he does not care to talk, he either should indicate his unwillingness to speak on the subject; or if he says anything in regard to the mat ter, he should be cautious in his state ments so as not to leave a wrong im pression, because intentionally making a wrong impression is nothing less than lying. If he cares to give one reason he should let it be known- that that is only one of thé reasons, but that he does not care to discuss the others. - Let each one be careful not to magnify an excuse and present it as the reason or explanation of an affair. In verses six to ten is a record of the seven older boys of Jesse and their pass ing before Samuel to ascertain which was the one whom the Lord chose. When Eliab came before Samuel, on account of his imposing personality and physique, Samuel 'exclaimed, “Surely Jehovah’s an- 'ointed is before him." The Lord imme diately corrected Samuel, telling him, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height o f his stature; for I have re jected him, for Jehovah seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.” This statement is not contradic tory to the one made by Isaiah in Isa. 3 : 9 : “The show of their countenance doth witness against them." The former one states it is not the imposing personality that is an index to the character, whereas the latter one states that the real char acter is written upon the face. The atti tude of heart and soul will shine forth through “the windows of the soul,” and to. the one who has spiritual discernment the real character is more or less evident. In this connection it is good to heed the warning, “Judge not that ye be not judged,” and also to profit by the truth that a tree is known by its fruit. The true character may be hidden for a while but under the stress of life’s burdens the real self will make itself manifest In the forest a stately oak towers above its adjacent fellows, and judging from the outward appearance we would think that it would stand the strongest gale. After a tornado, this king of the forest is found lying upon the ground whereas the smaller and less pretentious trees are standing erect. An examination of the tree reveals the fact that rottenness had eaten the heart; hence it went down in the time of stress. Eliab doubtless had
the heart. He knows our thoughts and He can see just what we, are. We may not have a pretty face and fine features, but we may have a clean, beautiful heart and a sweet spirit in our lives, whi ch is far more ;.desirable than a pretty face.’. Jesus
wants to live in our hearts and shine in our lives, making them attractive and help ful to those around us. Primary Teacher. Lessdn Story; Last week we Heard about a man with a beautiful heart and sweet spirit who was a faithful prophet. Who will tell us about him? How sad that the.tall, fine-looking man, Saul, who was chosen king over Israel, disobeyed God, for he not only sinned himself, but led the whole nation into sin, and so God had to choose someone else instead of the disobedient king, Saul. Once more we see the faithful old prophet, Samuel, being used of God in finding a new king for Israel. Samuel was. very sorry to know that Saul had been rejected by God; he was a fine-looking man, but his heart was not true. The faithful prophet prayed all night when God told him of Saul’s failure, but God did not answer the prayer as Samuel' wished, because it .would not be best, lie sent Samuel on an errand to find another king. He was sent to Bethlehem, to a man by the name of Jesse, who had eight sons, God told Samuel just how to go and call Jesse and his sons together for an offering and a feast. The day came when Jesse' and his sons were called to the sacrifice and feast. As they were together, Samuel looked on Eliab,-one of the strong young men of Jesse’s family. He was So tall and .strong and so fine-looking that Samuel said to himself, “Surely this must be the one the Lord has chosen.” But God said, so that Samuel alone heard the words, “Look, not on his face, nor on his height, for I have refused him.” Man looks on the outside, but God looks on the inside, upon the heart. In the same way the father Jesse called his six other sons who Were grown men to pass before the prophet. They were all fine-looking men, and each time Samuel thought, “He must be the one for king,” but God said, “Not this one.” After the seven young men had passed by, Samuel asked Jesse if there were any more sons for,- you know, God had told Samuel that one of the sons of Jesse was to. be chosen for king. Jesse said the youngest was out in the field taking care of sheep. Surely this young lad was not ready to become a king. He could not be, unless God chose him, and made him ready. Now the name of the young shepherd was David. When he came in, the Lord told Samuel he was the one, so Samuel poured some oil upon David’s head and anointed him as king. This was to show that he was the chosen one, and that he was set apart in a very special way to rule over the people of Israel. After this, David went back and looked after the flock, for God did not say that
A Shepherd Boy Chosen King I Samuel 16:4-13
Memory Verse: “Even a child maketh himself known by his doings.” Prov. 20:11. Approach: Show thé children a picture of a face, Also a cardboard heart. We
God’s Chart 'T 'HE Bible is God’s chart for x you to steer by, to keep you from the bottom of the sea, and to show you where the harbor -is, and how to reach it without running on rocks and' bars. — H. W. Beecher. Have you ever really studied this chart, in such a way as to know its tremendous value and absolute need in steering your life by, and are you so familiar with it, that you can use it in safely steering other lives safely into the harbor? If not, the Correspondence School Depart ment of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles can help you in the study of this most wonderful chart. Uncle Sam is waiting to carry to you information con cerning eight B i b l e study courses which are designed to meet the need in your life. Prices of these courses rangé from $1.00 to $5.00. Do not de lay sending for circular describ ing these valuable studies which can be taken right in your own home. Address, Secretary _of Correspondence School, Bible Institute of Los Angeles, 536 S. Hope St., Los Angeles, Calif.
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