1110.]

KING OVER ISRAEL.

71

The people in general were pleased with their monarch; some, however, despised him, and openly declared their sentiments, but Saul wisely took no notice of their ill conduct. The circumstances of this relation show in the fullest manner the Divine sovereignty as to the appointment of Saul, while the election by lot, openly and clearly made, was a satisfactory proof that Samuel had not sought to impose upon the nation a creature or connexion of his own; the choice of an obscure individual from one of the weakest tribes, proved that the selection was not the result of political intrigue or party feeling. Though the nation had sinned by distrusting the Divine power, they do not appear to have acted presumptuously by urging a human appointment. Probably the children of Belial, who despised Saul, might be a disappointed party of one of the more powerful tribes, such as that of Ephraim, whose turbulence and discontent towards the rulers had been shown on previous occasions, towards Gideon and Jephthah. They brought Saul no presents; this would be the most decided way of showing contempt, and agrees with the customs of the east even at the present times. Some, however, became his attendants from that day forward. In the east, where the manners are simple and the wants few, compared with those of Europe, it is at the present day common for persons to follow and attend upon others from whom they expect some advantage, or whom they wish to honour, without any regular engagement, taking their chance for remuneration. We read respecting these followers, that God had touched their hearts; under the circumstances just mentioned, they would not be a burden or charge to the newly-elected king, while they were ready for the first opportunity of showing zeal in his service.

Although Samuel thus divested himself of the supreme power, yet he retained the respect of the people and of their king. He continued to dwell at Ramah, devoting his time partly to the administration of

22

72

INVASION BY THE AMMONITES.

[B. C.

justice, and partly to the superintendence of the school of the prophets. Although one reason for which the people desired a king was that he might judge them, their main object was to have a chief who would lead them to battle; this seems to have been the part of the government taken by Saul; the office of judge remained principally with Samuel; thus the administration of the judges cannot be said to have ceased till his death. Josephus speaks of him as governing and presiding over Israel jointly with Saul.

Saul was called to action very soon after he was chosen king. Nahash, the king of Ammon, besieged Jabesh-gilead, a frontier city beyond Jordan, and the people had small hopes of escaping from the cruel and tyrannical terms offered them-that they should all submit to have their right eyes blinded. Saul, like other leaders in ancient times, was engaged in agricultural pursuits when he heard of the danger of his subjects. He was following his herd out of the field. Roused by the tidings, and strengthened by the Divine impulse, he caused two oxen to be cut in pieces, the divided portions were sent throughout Israel, summoning the people to assemble for the relief of their brethren. Some such gathering sign has been, and still is customary in countries which do not possess regular facilities for communication. An army speedily assembled, the Ammonites were defeated; the people then threatened destruction to those who had despised Saul, but the new monarch showed a spirit of clemency very different from the temper he afterwards manifested.

Samuel caused the people to go to Gilgal, to renew the appointment of Saul. After a solemn sacrifice, he addressed the assembly in justification of his own conduct, and censured their ingratitude and rebellion. This admirable address is recorded in 1 Sam. xii., and should be carefully perused. It is well for those rulers, who, on the close of their administrations, can venture to call upon the people to point out any act of injustice

1110]

SAMUEL'S ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.

73

they have committed. This Samuel did, and the people gave their unqualified assent to his integrity. It will be observed, that he sought not to screen his sons. He plainly stated, that they were, with the people, liable to judgment and censures for their ill conduct. He then reproved the people for desiring a king: and to show the Lord's displeasure, he warned them of a sign about to happen, namely, that on that very day, in the midst of wheat harvest, a time of year when in Judea the sky is always cloudless for many weeks together, a tempest of thunder and rain should at once come upon them, the voice of the Lord speaking from heaven. This came to pass, the people, struck with awe, acknowledged their sin, and, with true wisdom, entreated the prophet to intercede for them. His answer, 1 Sam. xii. 20—25, is very important. He beautifully expresses the duty of intercession; "Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you." Well is it for a nation when its rulers and ministers of religion feel and act as the prophet did. And how important the advice to nations and to individuals, that when under the tokens of God's wrath, and self-convicted of wickedness, still they are not to turn aside from following the Lord, for then they would go after vain things which cannot profit or deliver.

Samuel concluded with earnest exhortations to religion and true godliness, reminding them of their danger as a nation, and the certain punishment, both on them and their king, which would follow if they did wickedly. We may see a wicked person apparently enjoying full prosperity, and having "no bands in his death;" for this life is but an entrance to an eternal state for individuals; still we know that God's purposes and dealings will in the end all be found right, though often we cannot fully discern this, when judging by outward events. But it is not so with nations or communities. Their existence is only for this world, therefore the Divine punishments for wrong, must be

H

74

SAMUEL'S ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE.

[B. C.

plainly revealed here. Is it not always so? From the time of the deluge to our own day, is there any record that a nation ever filled up the measure of her iniquity, without experiencing just retribution as a nation? Let Babylon, and Rome, and Judea of old be referred to as instances; let the late dealings of wrath upon the nations of Europe be examined; let the plain declarations of the Divine word respecting modern Rome and the mystical Babylon be kept in mind, and it will be found that, agreeably to the emphatic declaration of our Lord, heaven and earth may pass away, but the word of Jehovah shall be fulfilled in the letter. Look for mighty Nineveh, populous Thebes, and the sites of ancient cities and dissolved kingdoms, and let every people and nation under heaven be warned, "If ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed."

SAUL-HIS FIRST WAR WITH THE PHILISTINES-HIS FIRST OFFENCE, BY OFFERING SACRIFICE-HIS SECOND OFFENCE, BY DISOBEYING THE COMMAND OF THE LORD RESPECTING AMALEK.

SAUL was established in the kingly power, but his early proceedings did not give much promise of enterprize or ability. He seems to have remained quiet during a year, without taking any measures of importance. Then, having directed or sanctioned an hasty attack upon a party of the Philistines, he called the people together without due preparation, so that the enemy penetrated in great force without difficulty to Michmash, a few miles to the north of Jerusalem, the very centre of the land, while the greater part of the