patriarchs and prophets-第158章
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constantly drawn nearer to Him。 They would become elevated and ennobled；
fitted for the high destiny to which He had called them as His chosen
people。 But when a man was placed upon the throne； it would tend to turn the
minds of the people from God。 They would trust more to human strength； and
less to divine power； and the errors of their king would lead them into sin
and separate the nation from God。
Samuel was instructed to grant the request of the people； but to warn them
of the Lord's disapproval； and also make known what would be the result of
their course。 〃And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people
that asked of him a king。〃 He faithfully set before them the burdens that
would be laid upon them； and showed the contrast between such a state of
oppression and their present comparatively free and prosperous condition。
Their king would imitate the pomp and luxury of other monarchs； to support
which； grievous exactions upon their persons and property would be
necessary。 The goodliest of their young men he would require for his
service。 They would be made charioteers and horsemen and runners before him。
They must fill the ranks of his army； and they would be required to till his
fields； to reap his harvests； and to manufacture implements of war for his
service。 The daughters of Israel would be for confectioners and bakers for
the royal household。 To support his kingly state he would seize upon the
best of their lands； bestowed upon the people by Jehovah Himself。 The most
valuable of their servants also； and of their cattle； he would take； and
〃put them to his work。〃 Besides all this； the king would require a tenth of
all their income； the profits of their labor； or the products of the soil。
〃Ye shall be his servants；〃 concluded the prophet。 〃And ye shall cry out in
that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you； and the Lord
will not hear you in that day。〃 However burdensome its exactions should be
found； when once a monarchy was established； they could not set it aside at
pleasure。
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But the people returned the answer； 〃Nay； but we will have a king over us；
that we also may be like all the nations； and that our king may judge us；
and go out before us； and fight our battles。〃
〃Like all the nations。〃 The Israelites did not realize that to be in this
respect unlike other nations was a special privilege and blessing。 God had
separated the Israelites from every other people； to make them His own
peculiar treasure。 But they； disregarding this high honor； eagerly desired
to imitate the example of the heathen！ And still the longing to conform to
worldly practices and customs exists among the professed people of God。 As
they depart from the Lord they become ambitious for the gains and honors of
the world。 Christians are constantly seeking to imitate the practices of
those who worship the god of this world。 Many urge that by uniting with
worldlings and conforming to their customs they might exert a stronger
influence over the ungodly。 But all who pursue this course thereby separate
from the Source of their strength。 Becoming the friends of the world； they
are the enemies of God。 For the sake of earthly distinction they sacrifice
the unspeakable honor to which God has called them； of showing forth the
praises of Him who hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light。
1 Peter 2：9。
With deep sadness Samuel listened to the words of the people； but the Lord
said unto him； 〃Hearken unto their voice； and make them a king。〃 The prophet
had done his duty。 He had faithfully presented the warning； and it had been
rejected。 With a heavy heart he dismissed the people； and himself departed
to prepare for the great change in the government。
Samuel's life of purity and unselfish devotion was a perpetual rebuke both
to self…serving priests and elders and to the proud； sensual congregation of
Israel。 Although he assumed no pomp and made no display； his labors bore the
signet of Heaven。 He was honored by the world's Redeemer； under whose
guidance he ruled the Hebrew nation。 But the people had become weary of his
piety and devotion； they despised his humble authority and rejected him for
a man who should rule them as a king。
In the character of Samuel we see reflected the likeness of Christ。 It was
the purity of our Saviour's life that provoked the wrath of Satan。 That life
was the light of the world； and
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revealed the hidden depravity in the hearts of men。 It was the holiness of
Christ that stirred up against Him the fiercest passions of falsehearted
professors of godliness。 Christ came not with the wealth and honors of
earth； yet the works which He wrought showed Him to possess power greater
than that of any human prince。 The Jews looked for the Messiah to break the
oppressor's yoke； yet they cherished the sins that had bound it upon their
necks。 Had Christ cloaked their sins and applauded their piety； they would
have accepted Him as their king； but they would not bear His fearless rebuke
of their vices。 The loveliness of a character in which benevolence； purity；
and holiness reigned supreme； which entertained no hatred except for sin；
they despised。 Thus it has been in every age of the world。 The light from
heaven brings condemnation on all who refuse to walk in it。 When rebuked by
the example of those who hate sin； hypocrites will become agents of Satan to
harass and persecute the faithful。 〃All that will live godly in Christ Jesus
shall suffer persecution。〃 2 Timothy 3：12。
Though a monarchical form of government for Israel had been foretold in
prophecy； God had reserved to Himself the right to choose their king。 The
Hebrews so far respected the authority of God as to leave the selection
entirely to Him。 The choice fell upon Saul； a son of Kish； of the tribe of
Benjamin。
The personal qualities of the future monarch were such as to gratify that
pride of heart which prompted the desire for a king。 〃There was not among
the children of Israel a goodlier person than he。〃 1 Samuel 9：2。 Of noble
and dignified bearing； in the prime of life； comely and tall； he appeared
like one born to command。 Yet with these external attractions； Saul was
destitute of those higher qualities that constitute true wisdom。 He had not
in youth learned to control his rash； impetuous passions； he had never felt
the renewing power of divine grace。
Saul was the son of a powerful and wealthy chief； yet in accordance with the
simplicity of the times he was engaged with his father in the humble duties
of a husbandman。 Some of his father's animals having strayed upon the
mountains； Saul went with a servant to seek for them。 For three days they
searched in vain； when； as they were not far from Ramah；＇* SEE APPENDIX；
NOTE 9。＇ the home of Samuel； the servant proposed that they should inquire
of the prophet concerning the missing property。 〃I have here at hand
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the fourth part of a shekel of silver；〃 he said： 〃that will I give to the
man of God； to tell us our way。〃 This was in accordance with the custom of
the times。 A person approaching a superior in rank or office made him a
small present； as an expression of respect。
As they drew near to the city they met some young maidens who had come out
to draw water； and inquired of them for the seer。 In reply they were told
that a religious service was about to take place； that the prophet had
already arrived； there was to be an offering upon 〃the high place；〃 and
after that a sacrificial feast。 A great change had taken place under
Samuel's administration。 When the call of God first came to him the services
of the sanctuary were held in contempt。 〃Men abhorred the offering of the
Lord。〃 1 Samuel 2：17。 But the worship of God was now maintained throughout
the land； and the people manifested an interest in religious services。 There
being no ministration in the tabernacle； sacrifices were for the time
offered elsewhere； and the cities of the priests and Levites； where the
people resorted for instruction； were chosen for this purpos
