Sam'u-el was therefore obliged to forego his earnest pleadings for Saul, and become the messenger of Divine Judgment. The earnest intercessor must now be changed into the stern accuser. And so on the next morning he went to Saul with the decree of GOD.
When the king saw him drawing near, he said to him, "Blessed be thou of the LORD, I have performed the Commandment of the LORD."
To this greeting the faithful prophet replied, "What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"
Saul then tried to take refuge in evasions and falsehoods; he sought to blame the people for his own sin, and said that the best of the sheep and oxen had been taken for sacrifices unto the LORD. By every word that fell from his lips he revealed the complete breakdown of his moral character, forfeited his own self-respect, and foretold his own ruin. He had spared the life of A'gag merely for the glory of displaying a distinguished captive, and he even boasted of the capture when faced by Sam'u-el's charge of unfaithfulness to the Command of GOD. Step by step he added a worse lie to the previous one until he wove about himself a web of self-condemnation from which it was impossible to escape.
Sam'u-el cut short the excuses of the king by reminding him of the humble station in life from which he had been raised to the highest place in the nation, and of the marked difference between the modesty and humility which he possessed at the time of his call and the proud, conceited spirit which he now displayed. In his final words of condemnation the prophet uttered this sublime, eternal truth:
"Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams."
Then he announced the Solemn Judgment of GOD in these words:
"Because thou hast rejected the Word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king."
Saul then confessed his sin, admitting that he had disobeyed the Command of GOD. He used the words of true repentance, but lacked the spirit of it. He spoke as if in sorrow, but there was no genuine sorrow in his heart. He pleaded with Sam'u-el for forgiveness, but there could be no forgiveness for him.
When Sam'u-el turnt to leave him, he became desperate at the thought of being disgraced before the people. He seized the prophet's robe in such frenzy that it was torn, pleading with him to remain for worship, lest he be put to shame at once. Sam'e-el agreed to stand beside him while he worshiped, thus retaining honor before the elders of Is'ra-el for the time being.
Sam'u-el then asked that A'gag, the captive king of the Am'a-lek-ites, be brought to him. With his own hand he executed the Judgment of GOD against the wicked heathen king, stabbing him with a mortal blow. The story then concludes with these tragic words: " Sam'u-el came no more to see Saul."
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Friday, February 24, 2017
Story 79: Saul's Downfall And Rejection By The LORD l
As a result of their victory over the Phi-lis'tines the children of Is'ra-el were freed from the invasions of these enemies for a number of years, and Saul seems to have taken a renewed interest in the affairs of the nation. He enjoyed once again the confidence of Is'ra-el, and the people rallied to his leadership in wars against various nations on every side of the land.
Saul drove back the Mo'ab-ites who were threatening the security of Is'ra-el from their lands southeast of the Dead Sea. The Am'mon-ites, who were a constant menace to the tribes east of Jor'dan, were routed again, and threats from the E'dom-ites south of Ju'dah and Sim'e-on were also suppressed. To the north, between Da-mas'cas and the Eu-phra'tes River, Saul was successful in a war with the strong, wealthy kingdom known as Zo'bah. Several years were probably spent in intermittent wars against these various heathen nations.
The prophet Sam'u-el, who seems to have avoided Saul after rebuking him for his unworthy conduct in the battle with the Phi-lis'tines, now appeared with a special message from GOD which called for an attack upon the Am'a-lek-ites. They were a fierce, roving people who lived south and southwest of Ca'naan in the A-ra'bi-an Peninsula, and were descendants of Am'a-lek, a grandson of E'sau. The LORD'S command that they be destroyed goes back to their hostility toward Mo'ses in the wilderness. They had allied with the Ca'naan-ites at Ka'desh, with the Mo'ab-ites in the capture of Jer'i-cho in the early days of the Judges, and with the Mid'i-an-ites in the oppression of Is'ra-el prior to the days of Gid'e-on, and were now bent upon robbery and murder once again.
GOD'S command to Saul at this time was that he "utterly destroy" this nation and all their live-stock. Nothing was to be spared or offered for redemption. Such a course, cruel and barbarous as it may seem to us, was justified because of long years of persistent evil doing had removed all possibility of salvation for the Am'a-lek-ites.
Saul organized an army of two hundred and ten thousand men, and proceeded at once into the land of the Am'a-lek-ites. Living among these wild people of A-ra'bi-a was a small tribe of the Mid'i-an nation known as Ken'ites. They had shown special kindness to the people of Is'ra-el on more than one occasion, and a covenant of friendship had been made with them. Saul ordered them to leave, so that they would not be included in the destruction of the Am'a-lek-ites.
Saul then attacked the Am'a-lek-ites and won an overwhelming victory. Their entire land was smitten from the southeast to the west and northwest. The people were slain, and the king, whose name was A'gag, was taken prisoner. But in the destruction of the live-stock the command of GOD was only partially obeyed. The best of the sheep and oxen and fatlings and lambs were spared, and were carried back to Ca'naan as spoils of war. Saul again showed a spirit of self-will and rashness. He placed his own wishes above the direct command of GOD, feeling, no doubt, that his way was better than that of GOD.
The LORD was greatly displeased with the conduct of Saul. He appeared again to Sam'u-el, telling him that He regretted the appointment of such a self-willed, disobedient man to the throne of Is'ra-el. Sam'u-el's anger was kindled against Saul, and he was greatly disturbed by the LORD'S threat to remove him from the throne. He spent the whole night in prayer, asking mercy for the wilful and disobedient king.
Next to Mo'ses, Sam'u-el was the greatest pleader for mercy in Is'ra-el, but his prayers on behalf of Saul could not offset the king's persistent disobedience to GOD'S known commands. The Divine arm was not shortened, nor the Divine ear deaf, but even GOD could do no further mighty works for the unbelieving Saul. No prayer from the greatest saint could now remove the just punishment upon an unrepentant sinner.
Saul drove back the Mo'ab-ites who were threatening the security of Is'ra-el from their lands southeast of the Dead Sea. The Am'mon-ites, who were a constant menace to the tribes east of Jor'dan, were routed again, and threats from the E'dom-ites south of Ju'dah and Sim'e-on were also suppressed. To the north, between Da-mas'cas and the Eu-phra'tes River, Saul was successful in a war with the strong, wealthy kingdom known as Zo'bah. Several years were probably spent in intermittent wars against these various heathen nations.
The prophet Sam'u-el, who seems to have avoided Saul after rebuking him for his unworthy conduct in the battle with the Phi-lis'tines, now appeared with a special message from GOD which called for an attack upon the Am'a-lek-ites. They were a fierce, roving people who lived south and southwest of Ca'naan in the A-ra'bi-an Peninsula, and were descendants of Am'a-lek, a grandson of E'sau. The LORD'S command that they be destroyed goes back to their hostility toward Mo'ses in the wilderness. They had allied with the Ca'naan-ites at Ka'desh, with the Mo'ab-ites in the capture of Jer'i-cho in the early days of the Judges, and with the Mid'i-an-ites in the oppression of Is'ra-el prior to the days of Gid'e-on, and were now bent upon robbery and murder once again.
GOD'S command to Saul at this time was that he "utterly destroy" this nation and all their live-stock. Nothing was to be spared or offered for redemption. Such a course, cruel and barbarous as it may seem to us, was justified because of long years of persistent evil doing had removed all possibility of salvation for the Am'a-lek-ites.
Saul organized an army of two hundred and ten thousand men, and proceeded at once into the land of the Am'a-lek-ites. Living among these wild people of A-ra'bi-a was a small tribe of the Mid'i-an nation known as Ken'ites. They had shown special kindness to the people of Is'ra-el on more than one occasion, and a covenant of friendship had been made with them. Saul ordered them to leave, so that they would not be included in the destruction of the Am'a-lek-ites.
Saul then attacked the Am'a-lek-ites and won an overwhelming victory. Their entire land was smitten from the southeast to the west and northwest. The people were slain, and the king, whose name was A'gag, was taken prisoner. But in the destruction of the live-stock the command of GOD was only partially obeyed. The best of the sheep and oxen and fatlings and lambs were spared, and were carried back to Ca'naan as spoils of war. Saul again showed a spirit of self-will and rashness. He placed his own wishes above the direct command of GOD, feeling, no doubt, that his way was better than that of GOD.
The LORD was greatly displeased with the conduct of Saul. He appeared again to Sam'u-el, telling him that He regretted the appointment of such a self-willed, disobedient man to the throne of Is'ra-el. Sam'u-el's anger was kindled against Saul, and he was greatly disturbed by the LORD'S threat to remove him from the throne. He spent the whole night in prayer, asking mercy for the wilful and disobedient king.
Next to Mo'ses, Sam'u-el was the greatest pleader for mercy in Is'ra-el, but his prayers on behalf of Saul could not offset the king's persistent disobedience to GOD'S known commands. The Divine arm was not shortened, nor the Divine ear deaf, but even GOD could do no further mighty works for the unbelieving Saul. No prayer from the greatest saint could now remove the just punishment upon an unrepentant sinner.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Story 78: A Prince More Noble Than His Father lll
Even Jon'a-than, who was responsible for the defeat of the Phi-lis'tines, did not know that Saul had ordered his men to eat nothing during the day. In the woods where they pursued the Phi-lis'tines there was an abundance of wild honey, so Jon'a-than had relieved his hunger by eating of it. When told of his father's strict order, Jon'a-than said, "My father hath troubled the land, see how I am refreshed by the honey; and if the people had been permitted to eat freely of the spoils of the enemy, our victory would have been far greater."
In the meantime Saul had sought counsel of the LORD, but the ear of GOD was deaf to his prayers. Instead of looking into his own heart for the cause of the LORD'S refusal to hear him, he sought to lay the blame upon someone else.
When he was told of the act of Jon'a-than, Saul declared that the failure of the Is'ra-el-ites to wipe out the Phi-lis'tines was the result of a violation of his solemn oath. He also declared his intention to have Jon'a-than slain.
The people rose up in violent rebellion against this blindness to the heroism of his son and deafness to the voice of reason. Saul's unjust sentence upon Jon'a-than: "Thou shalt surely die" was met by the united voice of the people, "There shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground." Up to this moment they had been faithful to the command of the king, but when he acted unwisely they felt justified in rescuing Jon'a-than from his unholy decree, the noble young man who had led them to victory.
The LORD permitted Saul to remain in office for a number of years, sparing him until GOD could find a successor worthy to occupy the throne of Is'ra-el.
In the meantime Saul had sought counsel of the LORD, but the ear of GOD was deaf to his prayers. Instead of looking into his own heart for the cause of the LORD'S refusal to hear him, he sought to lay the blame upon someone else.
When he was told of the act of Jon'a-than, Saul declared that the failure of the Is'ra-el-ites to wipe out the Phi-lis'tines was the result of a violation of his solemn oath. He also declared his intention to have Jon'a-than slain.
The people rose up in violent rebellion against this blindness to the heroism of his son and deafness to the voice of reason. Saul's unjust sentence upon Jon'a-than: "Thou shalt surely die" was met by the united voice of the people, "There shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground." Up to this moment they had been faithful to the command of the king, but when he acted unwisely they felt justified in rescuing Jon'a-than from his unholy decree, the noble young man who had led them to victory.
The LORD permitted Saul to remain in office for a number of years, sparing him until GOD could find a successor worthy to occupy the throne of Is'ra-el.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Story 78: A Prince More Noble Than His Father ll
Finding that hundreds of his men had deserted him, and that he had only six hundred warriors left, Saul joint Jon'a-than in the fortress which he had captured from the Phi-lis'tines. In the meantime the Phi-lis'tine army at Mich'mash had been divided into three bands which raided the valleys to the north, west, and east.
While Saul and his six hundred men were encamped on a high rock near Gib'e-ah, from which place the Phi-lis'tine garrison at Mich-mash might easily be observed, Jon'a-than suggested a daring exploit to his armor-bearer. The two of them went down into the valley between the outposts of the opposing armies, and approached the camps of the Phi-lis'tines at a point where there was a great cliff. Thinking that they were deserters from the army of Is'ra-el, the Phi-lis'tine sentries scornfully invited them to climb the rocks to their camp.
With daring faith in GOD, Jon'a-than said to his armor-bearer, "This is a sign that the LORD hath delivered them into our hand." Then they scaled the rocks, slew twenty of the sentries, and spread confusion through the entire camp of the enemy. Simultaneous with this bold adventure of Jon'a-than, the LORD sent a terrific earthquake into that vicinity, and all the Phi-lis'tine bands were dispersed in terror.
When the sentries of Saul observed the tumult among the armies of the Phi-lis'tines, they tried to discover who had left their camp. When it was found that Jon'a-than and his armor-bearer were absent, Saul ordered the priest in the camp to bring out the ephod and pray for victory. His army of six hundred men, strengthened by thousands who left their places of hiding and alliances with the Phi-lis'tines, pursued the scattered forces of the enemy. It was a great victory, and the Phi-lis'tines who escapt the slaughter were glad to return to their own land. Thus the power of the Phi-lis'tines over Is'ra-el was temporarily broken.
The two unhappy incidents which accompanied this great victory are to the discredit of Saul. Although he did not enter the field of battle until the enemy had already been routed by Jon'a-than, he assumed full credit for the triumph. There was no word of recognition for the bravery of his son, nor acknowledgment of the Divine power which had given the victory to Is'ra-el. Saul pretended to be very religious, but inwardly his heart was wrong with GOD. He took advantage of a natural mistake of his soldiers to excuse his own sin.
So eager was Saul to "avenge himself of his enemies" that he ordered his men to pursue the Phi-lis'tines when they were already in a weakened state, at the same time forbidding his soldiers under oath to take any food. When the day had passed, his soldiers were so hungry that they slew the animals taken from their enemies and ate them without properly draining the blood according to the law of Mo'ses. For this act Saul charged them with sin, and they were punished by being forced to bring offerings to the LORD from their own sheep and oxen.
While Saul and his six hundred men were encamped on a high rock near Gib'e-ah, from which place the Phi-lis'tine garrison at Mich-mash might easily be observed, Jon'a-than suggested a daring exploit to his armor-bearer. The two of them went down into the valley between the outposts of the opposing armies, and approached the camps of the Phi-lis'tines at a point where there was a great cliff. Thinking that they were deserters from the army of Is'ra-el, the Phi-lis'tine sentries scornfully invited them to climb the rocks to their camp.
With daring faith in GOD, Jon'a-than said to his armor-bearer, "This is a sign that the LORD hath delivered them into our hand." Then they scaled the rocks, slew twenty of the sentries, and spread confusion through the entire camp of the enemy. Simultaneous with this bold adventure of Jon'a-than, the LORD sent a terrific earthquake into that vicinity, and all the Phi-lis'tine bands were dispersed in terror.
When the sentries of Saul observed the tumult among the armies of the Phi-lis'tines, they tried to discover who had left their camp. When it was found that Jon'a-than and his armor-bearer were absent, Saul ordered the priest in the camp to bring out the ephod and pray for victory. His army of six hundred men, strengthened by thousands who left their places of hiding and alliances with the Phi-lis'tines, pursued the scattered forces of the enemy. It was a great victory, and the Phi-lis'tines who escapt the slaughter were glad to return to their own land. Thus the power of the Phi-lis'tines over Is'ra-el was temporarily broken.
The two unhappy incidents which accompanied this great victory are to the discredit of Saul. Although he did not enter the field of battle until the enemy had already been routed by Jon'a-than, he assumed full credit for the triumph. There was no word of recognition for the bravery of his son, nor acknowledgment of the Divine power which had given the victory to Is'ra-el. Saul pretended to be very religious, but inwardly his heart was wrong with GOD. He took advantage of a natural mistake of his soldiers to excuse his own sin.
So eager was Saul to "avenge himself of his enemies" that he ordered his men to pursue the Phi-lis'tines when they were already in a weakened state, at the same time forbidding his soldiers under oath to take any food. When the day had passed, his soldiers were so hungry that they slew the animals taken from their enemies and ate them without properly draining the blood according to the law of Mo'ses. For this act Saul charged them with sin, and they were punished by being forced to bring offerings to the LORD from their own sheep and oxen.
Friday, February 17, 2017
Story 78: A Prince More Noble Than His Father l
When Sam'u-el first informed Saul that he was to become king of Is'ra-el, he stressed the fact that his first duty would be to rid the nation of the Phi-lis'tines. But instead of following up his brilliant victory over the Am'mon-ites with an immediate war against the ancient foes of Is'ra-el, he settled down quietly in his home at Gib'e-ah and began to surround himself with the royal courts and splendors enjoyed by heathen kings. In his public acceptance of the throne he had pledged his loyalty to the laws announced by Sam'u-el. These promises were soon forgotten, and he became a king in name only.
The Phi-lis'tines were much more advanced in the arts and crafts than the Is'ra-el-ites, and were well supplied with such implements of war as swords, spears, and iron chariots. They fordade the Is'ra-el-ites to have iron workers, so their only weapons of war were axes and mattocks and similar farming tools. The Is'ra-el-ites were obliged to go to the iron workers of the Phi-lis'tines to have their tools repaired and sharpened.
The condition of the nation seemed to be hopeless, and Saul was making no effort to break off the yoke of the Phi-lis'tines. The spirit of the Is'ra-el-ites became so broken that many of them entered into friendly relations with their oppressors.
It was in the midst of this sad state in Is'ra-el that the LORD moved the heart of one of Saul's sons to take the lead in war against the Phi-lis'tines. Jon'a-than, a young man of great courage and piety, was placed at the head of an army of one thousand men stationed at Gib'e-ah. His father Saul headed another army of two thousand men which occupied the town of Mich'mash, about seven miles north of Je-ru'sa-lem. A strong Phi-lis'tine garrison occupied an elevated position between Gib'e-ah and Mich'mash.
While Saul and his two thousand men remained inactive and afraid to move against the Phi-lis'tines, Jon'a-than and his army made a sudden attack upon the garrison, overwhelmingly defeating the heavily armed enemy. This victory aroused the spirit of Saul, and he ordered all Is'ra-el to gather with him at Gil'gal in the Jor'dan valley. The confidence of the nation in Saul's ability as a leader had been so shaken by his years of idleness that only six hundred men responded.
Realizing that the LORD had deserted him because of his shameful inactivity over a number of years, and because of his religious backslidings, Saul asked Sam'u-el to come to Gil'gal that he might sacrifice unto the LORD on his behalf. Growing impatient and worried by the delay in Sam'u-el's arrival, Saul presumptuously made the burnt offering himself, thus incurring greater disfavor from GOD. When Sam'u-el finally came to Gil'gal he denounced Saul for his irreverent act, declared that because of such unworthiness the LORD would choose another to take his kingdom, and then left the king in a state of confusion.
The Phi-lis'tines were much more advanced in the arts and crafts than the Is'ra-el-ites, and were well supplied with such implements of war as swords, spears, and iron chariots. They fordade the Is'ra-el-ites to have iron workers, so their only weapons of war were axes and mattocks and similar farming tools. The Is'ra-el-ites were obliged to go to the iron workers of the Phi-lis'tines to have their tools repaired and sharpened.
The condition of the nation seemed to be hopeless, and Saul was making no effort to break off the yoke of the Phi-lis'tines. The spirit of the Is'ra-el-ites became so broken that many of them entered into friendly relations with their oppressors.
It was in the midst of this sad state in Is'ra-el that the LORD moved the heart of one of Saul's sons to take the lead in war against the Phi-lis'tines. Jon'a-than, a young man of great courage and piety, was placed at the head of an army of one thousand men stationed at Gib'e-ah. His father Saul headed another army of two thousand men which occupied the town of Mich'mash, about seven miles north of Je-ru'sa-lem. A strong Phi-lis'tine garrison occupied an elevated position between Gib'e-ah and Mich'mash.
While Saul and his two thousand men remained inactive and afraid to move against the Phi-lis'tines, Jon'a-than and his army made a sudden attack upon the garrison, overwhelmingly defeating the heavily armed enemy. This victory aroused the spirit of Saul, and he ordered all Is'ra-el to gather with him at Gil'gal in the Jor'dan valley. The confidence of the nation in Saul's ability as a leader had been so shaken by his years of idleness that only six hundred men responded.
Realizing that the LORD had deserted him because of his shameful inactivity over a number of years, and because of his religious backslidings, Saul asked Sam'u-el to come to Gil'gal that he might sacrifice unto the LORD on his behalf. Growing impatient and worried by the delay in Sam'u-el's arrival, Saul presumptuously made the burnt offering himself, thus incurring greater disfavor from GOD. When Sam'u-el finally came to Gil'gal he denounced Saul for his irreverent act, declared that because of such unworthiness the LORD would choose another to take his kingdom, and then left the king in a state of confusion.
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Story 77: King Saul's Good Beginning; Sam'u-el's Resignation Address ll
In the furious battle which followed, the Am'mon-ites were badly beaten, many of them were slain, and those who escaped death were so confused that not even two of them could be found together.
Now that Saul's military courage and skill had been fully proved, the people of Is'ra-el shouted in honor of their new king. He was given a great public ovation, and his loyal subjects demanded that those who had spoken contemptuously of him should be brought forth and put to death. In reply to the demand for vengeance upon his enemies, Saul showed a fine spirit of self-control and forgiveness. He declared, "There shall not a man be put to death this day, for today the LORD hath set his people free from their enemies." In this victory over self and in his acknowledgment of the LORD'S power, Saul showed his fitness to be a king more convincingly than he had in the defeat of the Am'mon-ites. The tragedy of his life, as we shall learn in future chapters, is that he did not live up to the nobility and piety of these early days of his reign.
At the invitation of Sam'u-el, the people gathered for a great religious celebration at Gil'gal in the Jor'dan valley. Burnt offerings were made to the LORD, and all the people joint in giving Saul a vote of confidence. Sam'u-el announced his resignation as civil ruler over the nation, but declared his intention to continue as their spiritual adviser.
In his farewell address as ruler, Sam'u-el recalled his faithfulness during the long years of his service, reminding the people that he had ruled justly, had wronged or defrauded no one, had never accepted a bribe, or oppressed the people in any way. There was a note of sorrow in his remarks, for it was hard to give way to another ruler, but he did not complain. To all his claims the people readily agreed. There was not a single blot on his entire life, and the people did not blame him for the weakness and sins of his two sons.
Sam'u-el also reviewed GOD'S past favors upon the nation, and called attention to the truth that all their past misfortunes and periods of oppression by heathen nations had been sent by the LORD, because of their idolatry and sinful association with heathen people. With great devotion to the nation which he loved, he urged perfect loyalty to GOD. They were setting up a new government, and there would come many temptations to turn away from for their unseen RULER. He stressed the fact that both king and people must continue to recognize GOD as their chief RULER, that the Laws of GOD must remain supreme in the land, and that the conduct of both civil affairs and warfare must be carried forward under Divine guidance.
Solemn warnings were given by the prophet against the tendency to lean upon their own understanding and to depend upon their earthly king, instead of relying upon the wisdom and power of GOD. The people were assured that, even though they had acted in an unworthy and unbelieving manner in demanding a king, the LORD would give them continued security and progress for as long as they remained faithful to HIS Commandments.
The address closed with a glorious climax as Sam'u-el said:
"Moreover, as for me, GOD forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for
you, but I will teach you the good and right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve HIM in truth
with all your heart; for consider how great things HE hath done for you. But if you shall still
do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."
Now that Saul's military courage and skill had been fully proved, the people of Is'ra-el shouted in honor of their new king. He was given a great public ovation, and his loyal subjects demanded that those who had spoken contemptuously of him should be brought forth and put to death. In reply to the demand for vengeance upon his enemies, Saul showed a fine spirit of self-control and forgiveness. He declared, "There shall not a man be put to death this day, for today the LORD hath set his people free from their enemies." In this victory over self and in his acknowledgment of the LORD'S power, Saul showed his fitness to be a king more convincingly than he had in the defeat of the Am'mon-ites. The tragedy of his life, as we shall learn in future chapters, is that he did not live up to the nobility and piety of these early days of his reign.
At the invitation of Sam'u-el, the people gathered for a great religious celebration at Gil'gal in the Jor'dan valley. Burnt offerings were made to the LORD, and all the people joint in giving Saul a vote of confidence. Sam'u-el announced his resignation as civil ruler over the nation, but declared his intention to continue as their spiritual adviser.
In his farewell address as ruler, Sam'u-el recalled his faithfulness during the long years of his service, reminding the people that he had ruled justly, had wronged or defrauded no one, had never accepted a bribe, or oppressed the people in any way. There was a note of sorrow in his remarks, for it was hard to give way to another ruler, but he did not complain. To all his claims the people readily agreed. There was not a single blot on his entire life, and the people did not blame him for the weakness and sins of his two sons.
Sam'u-el also reviewed GOD'S past favors upon the nation, and called attention to the truth that all their past misfortunes and periods of oppression by heathen nations had been sent by the LORD, because of their idolatry and sinful association with heathen people. With great devotion to the nation which he loved, he urged perfect loyalty to GOD. They were setting up a new government, and there would come many temptations to turn away from for their unseen RULER. He stressed the fact that both king and people must continue to recognize GOD as their chief RULER, that the Laws of GOD must remain supreme in the land, and that the conduct of both civil affairs and warfare must be carried forward under Divine guidance.
Solemn warnings were given by the prophet against the tendency to lean upon their own understanding and to depend upon their earthly king, instead of relying upon the wisdom and power of GOD. The people were assured that, even though they had acted in an unworthy and unbelieving manner in demanding a king, the LORD would give them continued security and progress for as long as they remained faithful to HIS Commandments.
The address closed with a glorious climax as Sam'u-el said:
"Moreover, as for me, GOD forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for
you, but I will teach you the good and right way. Only fear the LORD, and serve HIM in truth
with all your heart; for consider how great things HE hath done for you. But if you shall still
do wickedly, you shall be consumed, both you and your king."
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Story 77: King Saul's Good Beginning; Sam'u-el's Resignation Address l
Although Saul had been privately anointed king by Sam'u-el at Ra'mah and his appointment had been publicly approved at Miz'peh, it seems that he did not assume the office at once. Instead, he returnt to his father's farm, and continued to engage in the work of agriculture and stock-raising. It was not long, however, before the occasion arose through which he was led by the LORD to take his place of leadership over all the tribes of Is'ra-el.
On the east side of the Jor'dan there lived a clan known as the Gil'e-ad-ites, who were members of the tribe of Ma-nas'seh. The territory which they occupied had once belonged to the Am'mon-ites, but had been taken by the Am'o-rites and later conquered by the children of Is'ra-el under the leadership of Mo'ses. The Am'mon-ites claimed the right to take back this territory, and frequently pressed their claims by making war upon the Gil'e-ad-ites. It was in subduing one of their attacks that Jeph'thah rose to the rank of judge in Is'ra-el. A threatened war by them against the Gil'e-ad-ites was one of the circumstances which led the Is'ra-el-ites to demand a king.
After the newly elected king failed to assume the leadership of Is'ra-el and returnt to his father's farm, the Am'mon-ites decided that he lacked the courage and ability to resist their demands upon Gil'e-ad. They therefore marched against Ja-besh-Gil'e-ad, the capital of the Gil'e-ad-ites, knowing that the people there were too few and too weak to oppose them. In great fear the people of that city offered to become subjects of the Am'mon-ites, provided that their lives be spared.
Na'hash, king of the Am'mon-ites, agreed to accept their offer of surrender on condition that his soldiers be permitted to put out the right eye of all the men of the city. By this cruel measure the Gil'e-ad-ites would be made unfit for army service, since the left eye was covered by a shield in battle, and the right eye was used in aiming the spear.
The elders of Ja-besh-Gil'e-ad asked for a truce of seven days, during which to seek help from the other tribes of Is'ra-el, and agreed to submit to the cruel demands of Na'hash if help did not come within that time. Messengers came to Gib'e-ah, the home of Saul, with the news of the tragedy facing the Gil'e-ad-ites, and the people cried out in fear and sympathy. When Saul came in from the fields where he had been working and saw the entire town bowed in wailings, he asked for an explanation. They told him of the plight of their brethren at Ja'besh, and as he listened a spirit of supernatural power came upon him. He expressed his feelings by cutting two oxen into twelve pieces, and sending the pieces among the tribes of Is'ra-el by special messengers. He then summoned all Is'ra-el to join him and Sam'u-el in a war against the Am'mon-ites, saying, "Whoever fails to come, so shall it be done unto his oxen."
From every tribe of Is'ra-el there came a hearty response to the call, and more than three hundred thousand people gathered at Be'zek, on the plains of Jez're-el within the territory of Is'sa-char, to follow the leadership of their new king in the first crises of his reign.
Saul then sent messengers to Ja'besh with the good news that on the next day he would attack the Am'mon-ites who were gathered before their gates. The men of Ja'besh then notified the Am'mon-ites that they would come out on the following day and submit to having their right eyes put out. Saul organized his army in the evening and marched all night, moving over the mountains of central Ca'naan to one of the fords of the Jor'dan, crossing the river, and climbing the plateau of Gil'e-ad. Early the next morning, therefore, the Am'mon-ites were trapped between the men of Ja'besh and the armies of Is'ra-el.
On the east side of the Jor'dan there lived a clan known as the Gil'e-ad-ites, who were members of the tribe of Ma-nas'seh. The territory which they occupied had once belonged to the Am'mon-ites, but had been taken by the Am'o-rites and later conquered by the children of Is'ra-el under the leadership of Mo'ses. The Am'mon-ites claimed the right to take back this territory, and frequently pressed their claims by making war upon the Gil'e-ad-ites. It was in subduing one of their attacks that Jeph'thah rose to the rank of judge in Is'ra-el. A threatened war by them against the Gil'e-ad-ites was one of the circumstances which led the Is'ra-el-ites to demand a king.
After the newly elected king failed to assume the leadership of Is'ra-el and returnt to his father's farm, the Am'mon-ites decided that he lacked the courage and ability to resist their demands upon Gil'e-ad. They therefore marched against Ja-besh-Gil'e-ad, the capital of the Gil'e-ad-ites, knowing that the people there were too few and too weak to oppose them. In great fear the people of that city offered to become subjects of the Am'mon-ites, provided that their lives be spared.
Na'hash, king of the Am'mon-ites, agreed to accept their offer of surrender on condition that his soldiers be permitted to put out the right eye of all the men of the city. By this cruel measure the Gil'e-ad-ites would be made unfit for army service, since the left eye was covered by a shield in battle, and the right eye was used in aiming the spear.
The elders of Ja-besh-Gil'e-ad asked for a truce of seven days, during which to seek help from the other tribes of Is'ra-el, and agreed to submit to the cruel demands of Na'hash if help did not come within that time. Messengers came to Gib'e-ah, the home of Saul, with the news of the tragedy facing the Gil'e-ad-ites, and the people cried out in fear and sympathy. When Saul came in from the fields where he had been working and saw the entire town bowed in wailings, he asked for an explanation. They told him of the plight of their brethren at Ja'besh, and as he listened a spirit of supernatural power came upon him. He expressed his feelings by cutting two oxen into twelve pieces, and sending the pieces among the tribes of Is'ra-el by special messengers. He then summoned all Is'ra-el to join him and Sam'u-el in a war against the Am'mon-ites, saying, "Whoever fails to come, so shall it be done unto his oxen."
From every tribe of Is'ra-el there came a hearty response to the call, and more than three hundred thousand people gathered at Be'zek, on the plains of Jez're-el within the territory of Is'sa-char, to follow the leadership of their new king in the first crises of his reign.
Saul then sent messengers to Ja'besh with the good news that on the next day he would attack the Am'mon-ites who were gathered before their gates. The men of Ja'besh then notified the Am'mon-ites that they would come out on the following day and submit to having their right eyes put out. Saul organized his army in the evening and marched all night, moving over the mountains of central Ca'naan to one of the fords of the Jor'dan, crossing the river, and climbing the plateau of Gil'e-ad. Early the next morning, therefore, the Am'mon-ites were trapped between the men of Ja'besh and the armies of Is'ra-el.
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