10. Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying,
11. It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.
12. And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
13. And Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord; I have performed the commandment of the Lord.
14. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
15. And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites; for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
16. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
17. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed thee king over Israel?
18. And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
19. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?
Golden Text: “To obey is better than sacrifice.” Vs. 22.
20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.
22. And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Note.—Our last lesson had reference to the choosing of Saul as king. Between the events of that lesson and the text brought to view in the present one, Saul had been subjected to his first great test, and failed (see 1 Sam. 13:1-14); but the Lord did not then cut off Saul himself; he was given further trial and opportunity to retrieve his individual character.
Suggestive Questions
(1) What word of the Lord came to Samuel? Verses 10, 11. Note 1. (2) How was Samuel affected by the rejection of Saul? Verse 11, last part. Note 2. (3) What was told to Samuel in the morning? Verse 12. (4) What was Saul’s salutation when Samuel came to him? Verse 13. Note 3. (5) How did Samuel answer Saul’s claim to obedience? Verse 14. (6) What was Saul’s reply? Verse 15. Notes 4 and 5. (7) What did Samuel propose to tell Saul? Verse 16. (8) What did Saul say to this proposition? Same verse. (9) Of what did Samuel then remind Saul? Verse 17. Note 6. (10) On what mission had the Lord sent Saul? Verse 18. (11) What pointed question did Samuel ask of Saul? Verse 19. (12) What obstinate reply did Saul make to this question? Verse 20. Note 7. (13) How did he show his personal disregard of the Lord? Verse 21. Note 7. (14) How did Samuel show the relative merits of obedience and sacrifice? Verse 22. Note 8. (15) With what did he compare the sins of rebellion and stubbornness? Verse 23. Note 9.
Notes
1. The commandment to Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all that they had, was his second great test as to whether he would honor and obey the Lord, who had so highly honored him. And it was his final test. In this he showed that he had “turned back from following” the Lord; that is, his apostasy was complete and settled. The Lord knew that his heart was incorrigible; therefore his probation was closed. The example of Saul, as well as that of the Amalekites, shows that it is possible to pass the line of hope and of divine forbearance while in the full vigor of life, and that the Lord withdraws his Spirit when that line is passed.
2. The good spirit of Samuel is manifest in his grief over the downfall of King Saul. It will be remembered that Saul was made king because the people had rejected the government of Samuel and demanded a king. Had Samuel been a mere politician, actuated by a desire for worldly honors, he14would have rejoiced to see the fall of one who had been set up on the ruins of his own rejected administration. But he was grieved to see the once humble young man, whom he had anointed king by command of the Lord, and whom the Lord had so signally blessed and honored, recklessly throwing away not only his bright prospects, but also those of his family.
3. Although in his heart Saul had utterly “turned back” from the Lord, he still professed to keep his commandments. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” Jer. 17:9, 10. That there are many people self-deceived in their ideas of obedience is shown by the Saviour in Matt. 7:22, 23: “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
4. When Saul was confronted with the evidence that he had not obeyed the commandment of the Lord, but had spared of the sheep and oxen of the Amalekites, he laid the blame upon the people. It is very seldom that a backslider does not find excuse for his apostasy in the action of some one else. Self-defense is always the resort of the unregenerate heart when brought face to face with its faults. It is a poor defense, one on which even the righteous dare not rely. David says, “The Lord is my defense” (Ps. 94:22), and of the heathen Joshua said, “Their defense is departed from them, and the Lord is with us” (Num. 14:9).
5. The pretext that the sheep and oxen taken from the Amalekites were for a sacrifice to the Lord was exceedingly lame. The Lord had given express command that all these be destroyed, which was positive evidence that he did not want them. Moreover, it would be an offering by the people of that which did not belong to them, and could not properly be called a sacrifice. The real design was to have a great jollification to glorify their own achievement.
6. Samuel reminds Saul of his humble disposition when first anointed king. It will be remembered that Samuel anointed him while he was out hunting for his father’s asses, and that when he went home, he told about his seeing the prophet, but made no mention of his having been anointed king. And when Samuel called the people together to show them whom the Lord had chosen for them, Saul hid himself, and had to be hunted out from his hiding place in order to be presented to the people as their king. Such was the humility which the Lord chose to honor and bless, and had he remained humble and obedient, the blessing of God would have abode upon him and upon his family after him. But “pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Prov. 16:18.
7. Saul’s real spirit of selfish obstinacy was manifested when he insisted that he had “obeyed the voice of the Lord,” and showed the live king of the Amalekites as proof, when the Lord had told him to destroy every person and everything. But his attitude rose to the point of defiance when he said to Samuel that the people had taken the sheep and oxen “to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God.” This was a bold denial of the God of Israel, and showed that the Lord had judged rightly when he told Samuel that Saul had “turned back” from following him.
8. God has not commanded offerings and sacrifices because he needs anything. They are tests of loyal obedience. No sacrifice can take the place of obedience. Grace rejected by disobedience cannot be purchased by unholy sacrifice. See Jer. 6:18-20. God demands obedience first and all the time, and nothing else can take its place. In the spirit of obedience we have the highest example in Jesus Christ, who “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:8. He could say, “I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8.
9. Disobedience is rebellion, and “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” The sin of witchcraft was punishable with death in Israel (Ex. 22:18); and from this rebuke of King Saul we may learn how God regards the disobedience of his commandments. We also learn from Mark 7:9 that those who hold to the traditions of men thereby reject the commandments of God.
THE ATONEMENT.
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An Atonement Consistent with Reason.
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PROPHETIC LIGHTS
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NEWS AND NOTES
SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE.
FOREIGN.
—A large filibustering expedition from the United States to Cuba was seized by an English war vessel in the Bahamas a few days since.
—The Economiste Francais, a French paper, says that the French nation pays taxes to the amount of twenty-five per cent of the income; that while there are fifty Germans to thirty Frenchmen, France maintains an army larger than that of Germany, and her expenditure for the navy is nearly as large as that of Great Britain.
—The pope’s physical condition is an ever interesting topic of discussion by news gatherers, and periodically the statement appears that he can not live long. However, more has been heard of late concerning a successor than before, which of course is an indicator of the feeling about the Vatican. It is now apparent, and is consequently so finding its way to the public, that the struggle for the succession, with attendant cabals and intrigues, has already begun.
—Latest advices from the hospitals of London, Paris, and Berlin concerning the serum treatment for diphtheria state that the number of deaths among children from this disease have been cut down one-half. Although the complete success of the treatment seems to be far off, it is believed the terror of the disease will be abated. It is noteworthy that no ill effects have followed its use. Its main effects seem to be the clearing of the pharynx and the reduction of fever.
—It is announced that France is likely to follow the example set by most of the states of this country in providing for temperance education in the public schools. A commission appointed by the Ministry of Public Instruction has recommended that a circular be sent to schoolmasters urging them to use their utmost influence to impress on their pupils the evil of alcoholic habits, and it is suggested that a temperance manual be prepared to guide schoolteachers in preparing lectures on the subject. Lectures on alcoholism are also to be given by physicians in high and normal schools.
—A late visit of King Leopold, of Belgium, to Paris, is looked upon as strongly pointing to a proposition by him to dispose of the Kongo Free State to France. The state is practically the personal possession of the king, who has spent his private fortune upon it. At one time it looked as though it would be annexed as a Belgian colony, but the proposition was lost. The financial situation is at present such as to favor the purchase by France, which nation would be in a position to make the improvements and changes necessary to establishing a prosperous condition.
—The report of an eyewitness to the recent massacres in Constantinople, as published in the New York World, makes the occurrence worse than the first news outlined. He says the government did absolutely nothing to prevent the slaying of Armenians, and places the number butchered at not less than two thousand. The general attitude of the Turkish authorities is one of indifference to diplomatic interference. The idea is advanced that nothing but force will have any effect, and this is doubtless true. The day can not be far distant when the Turk must go. At present the powers are watching each other jealously, afraid to strike, yet not willing that the prize shall be taken by any single nation.
—This is preeminently a time of rumors of wars, although the actual battles are by no means wanting. According to the latest advices, the far eastern question has been resurrected with formidable proportions by an act of Russia. It is reported that a fleet of fifteen Russian war vessels is on its way from Vladivostok to either Fusan, the Korean port nearest Japan, or Port Arthur. Although the latter place has not yet been evacuated by the Japanese, it is stated that the late treaty between China and Russia permits the latter power anchorage grounds in that harbor, and it is hinted stronger than ever that the eastern terminus of the great Siberian railroad will be at some open port in China or Korea. This news has set England afire, and war talk is the leading topic. That power and Japan are ready, it seems, to block Russia’s move to control affairs in the Orient. Thus the nations are threatening each other with one hand and proposing diplomatic adjustments with the other. What will be the end?
DOMESTIC.
—S. G. Millard, lieutenant governor of California, died at Los Angeles, October 24. Mr. Millard was ill at the time of his election, and has since been unable to occupy his official chair.
—Articles of incorporation have been filed in this city by “The First Church of Christ, Scientist.”
—A movement is on foot at Chicago to form a national prohibition church. Attempts to do this in other places have come to naught.
—A fire on the morning of October 20 in New Orleans destroyed over one hundred houses, at a loss of $150,000, and made 700 people homeless.
—The application of electricity to a motor for towing canal boats was successfully shown in a trial on the Erie Canal at Tonawanda, N. Y., recently. The mule must go.
—Thirteen prisoners escaped from the Sacramento County jail on the night of October 26. A door was opened with a skeleton key, and a rush made. The presence of a guard prevented the escape of about forty more.
—The proposition, which has been hinted at for some time, of conferring the title of primate on the presiding bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in this country, was voted down in the convention at Minneapolis.
—The Cumberland Presbyterian Synod of Pennsylvania has formulated a pledge which it asks its members to sign, by which they will agree to cast their votes in accord with the resolutions of the church concerning the liquor traffic. “The general assembly adjures members to exercise their franchises against drinks.”
—Officers of the Pacific Coast Survey have just succeeded in locating and marking a dangerous rock in the entrance to the Golden Gate, known as Pinnacle Rock by navigators who have run afoul of it. The rock is within thirteen feet of the surface, but, strange to say, it has been the object of search by hydrographers for ten years.
—The National W. C. T. U., assembled in convention at Baltimore, has passed a resolution inviting Catholic women and Hebrew women to send delegates from their annual conventions to those of the W. C. T. U., and to establish white ribbon societies among themselves. Miss Willard has been re-elected to the presidency of that organization.
—It is estimated that of the 50,000 newspapers published in the world last year, 20,169 were issued by the United States and Canada. Should the effort that is now being made by the chief paper producers of this country toward forming a trust be successful, a serious blow would undoubtedly be given to cheap newspapers, magazines, and books, which form such a powerful factor as public educators.
—With the various boundary difficulties must be classed the dispute between this country and Great Britain over the Alaskan line between that possession and British America. The eastern boundary line of the main portion of Alaska is the 141st degree of west longitude. The line of division of the long strip of land extending south is supposed to be ten marine leagues from the coast line. This line has been run by English and American surveyors, and as usual the dispute lies in this feature of the case, the claim being made that improper surveys have been made by the English so as to leave in their possession valuable mining properties. From the reports, the feeling is quite intense in Alaska, and a speedy decision is demanded.
—Church union is a matter that has been long talked of among the various Protestant sects, as well as argued often by the pope. As contemplated by the latter, however, the ultimate object is the recognition of the pope as the divinely appointed representative of Christ on earth. The former union is urged for purposes of harmony in evangelical work. An impetus has been given the movement by the triennial council of the Congregational Churches at Syracuse, which has provided for a standing committee on denominational unity. In inviting others to such a union it is proposed to unite on certain common phases of doctrine only, leaving to each “the right to maintain their conscientious varieties of faith and order.” The call is made for a federation which shall define a common purpose and aid the general efforts to establish “the kingdom of God in the world.”
—It now appears that the dismissal of Professor Bemis, lecturer on sociology and university extension at Chicago University, was due to his denunciation of the private ownership of railroads, lighting plants, and other kindred interests. The professor advocates government ownership of these things, and his reference to certain interests was believed at the time of withdrawal from the university to have been offensive to certain capitalists who have made large gifts to that institution. This belief is proved beyond a doubt from the published statements of President Harper and Professor Bemis. The principle clearly acted upon was, It is better to sacrifice even a good teacher than to run the risk of losing financial backing. Doubtless from a purely worldly business standpoint this is true, but the incident nevertheless shows the power wielded by money, and more particularly money concentrated in the control of the few, which is the tendency in these times. See James 5.
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THE RESTORATION
From Eden to Eden
In the twenty chapters into which this book is divided, the author discusses the unity of the divine plan and the continuity of God's purpose through all the ages, showing that in all dispensations the truths constantly impressed upon the minds of the people have tended to one end,—the elucidation of one central idea,
THE RESTORATION
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CHAPTER II treats of the “Promise of God to the Fathers,” with all that it implied in heaven and on earth. In other chapters are discussed such subjects as “The Abrahamic Covenant;” “Righteousness through Faith;” “The Covenant with Israel,” the reasons for it, and the universality of its application; “The Return of the Jews;” “The World’s History in a Dream;” “The Setting Up of the Everlasting Kingdom;” “The Hour of Judgment;” “The Fall of Babylon;” “The Seal and the Mark;” “Signs of the Second Coming of Christ,” and the responsibility of man in recognizing them; “The Resurrection of the Dead,” and what the doctrine involves.
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THE LORD'S DAY THE TEST OF THE AGES.
By Milton C. Wilcox
BY MILTON C. WILCOX.
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The Talents
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