patriarchs and prophets-第161章
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After the assembly at Gilgal； Saul disbanded the army that had at his call
arisen to overthrow the Ammonites； reserving only two thousand men to be
stationed under his command at Michmash and one thousand to attend his son
Jonathan at Gibeah。 Here was a serious error。 His army was filled with hope
and courage by the recent victory； and had he proceeded at once against
other enemies of Israel； a telling blow might have been struck for the
liberties of the nation。
Meanwhile their warlike neighbors； the Philistines； were active。 After the
defeat at Ebenezer they had still retained possession of some hill
fortresses in the land of Israel； and now they established themselves in the
very heart of the country。 In facilities； arms； and equipments the
Philistines had great advantage over Israel。 During the long period of their
oppressive rule they had endeavored to strengthen their power by forbidding
the Israelites to practice the trade of smiths； lest they should make
weapons of war。 After the conclusion of peace the Hebrews had still resorted
to the Philistine garrisons for such work as needed to be done。 Controlled
by love of ease and the abject spirit induced by long oppression； the men of
Israel had； to a great extent； neglected to provide themselves with weapons
of war。 Bows and slings were used in warfare； and these the Israelites could
obtain； but there were none among them； except Saul and his son Jonathan；
who possessed a spear or a sword。
It was not until the second year of Saul's reign that an attempt was made to
subdue the Philistines。 The first blow was struck by Jonathan； the king's
son； who attacked and overcame their garrison at Geba。 The Philistines；
exasperated by this
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defeat； made ready for a speedy attack upon Israel。 Saul now caused war to
be proclaimed by the sound of the trumpet throughout the land； calling upon
all the men of war； including the tribes across the Jordan； to assemble at
Gilgal。 This summons was obeyed。
The Philistines had gathered an immense force at Michmash 〃thirty thousand
chariots； and six thousand horsemen； and people as the sand which is on the
seashore in multitude。〃 When the tidings reached Saul and his army at
Gilgal； the people were appalled at thought of the mighty forces they would
have to encounter in battle。 They were not prepared to meet the enemy； and
many were so terrified that they dared not come to the test of an encounter。
Some crossed the Jordan； while others hid themselves in caves and pits and
amid the rocks that abounded in that region。 As the time for the encounter
drew near； the number of desertions rapidly increased； and those who did not
withdraw from the ranks were filled with foreboding and terror。
When Saul was first anointed king of Israel； he had received from Samuel
explicit directions concerning the course to be pursued at this time。 〃Thou
shalt go down before me to Gilgal；〃 said the prophet； 〃and； behold； I will
come down unto thee； to offer burnt offerings； and to sacrifice sacrifices
of peace offerings： seven days shalt thou tarry； till I come to thee； and
show thee what thou shalt do。〃 I Samuel 10：8。
Day after day Saul tarried； but without making decided efforts toward
encouraging the people and inspiring confidence in God。 Before the time
appointed by the prophet had fully expired； he became impatient at the delay
and allowed himself to be discouraged by the trying circumstances that
surrounded him。 Instead of faithfully seeking to prepare the people for the
service that Samuel was coming to perform； he indulged in unbelief and
foreboding。 The work of seeking God by sacrifice was a most solemn and
important work； and God required that His people should search their hearts
and repent of their sins； that the offering might be made with acceptance
before Him； and that His blessing might attend their efforts to conquer the
enemy。 But Saul had grown restless； and the people； instead of trusting in
God for help； were looking to the king whom they had chosen； to lead and
direct them。
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Yet the Lord still cared for them and did not give them up to the disasters
that would have come upon them if the frail arm of flesh had become their
only support。 He brought them into close places； that they might be
convicted of the folly of depending on man； and that they might turn to Him
as their only help。 The time for the proving of Saul had come。 He was now to
show whether or not he would depend on God and patiently wait according to
His command； thus revealing himself as one whom God could trust in trying
places as the ruler of His people； or whether he would be vacillating and
unworthy of the sacred responsibility that had devolved upon him。 Would the
king whom Israel had chosen； listen to the Ruler of all kings？ Would he turn
the attention of his fainthearted soldiers to the One in whom is everlasting
strength and deliverance？
With growing impatience he awaited the arrival of Samuel and attributed the
confusion and distress and desertion of his army to the absence of the
prophet。 The appointed time came； but the man of God did not immediately
appear。 God's providence had detained His servant。 But Saul's restless；
impulsive spirit would no longer be restrained。 Feeling that something must
be done to calm the fears of the people； he determined to summon an assembly
for religious service； and by sacrifice entreat the divine aid。 God had
directed that only those consecrated to the office should present sacrifices
before Him。 But Saul commanded； 〃Bring hither a burnt offering；〃 and；
equipped as he was with armor and weapons of war； he approached the altar
and offered sacrifice before God。
〃And it came to pass； that as soon as he had made an end of offering the
burnt offering； behold； Samuel came； and Saul went out to meet him； that he
might salute him。〃 Samuel saw at once that Saul had gone contrary to the
express directions that had been given him。 The Lord had spoken by His
prophet that at this time He would reveal what Israel must do in this
crisis。 If Saul had fulfilled the conditions upon which divine help was
promised； the Lord would have wrought a marvelous deliverance for Israel；
with the few who were loyal to the king。 But Saul was so well satisfied with
himself and his work that he went out to meet the prophet as one who should
be commended rather than disapproved。
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Samuel's countenance was full of anxiety and trouble； but to his inquiry；
〃What hast thou done？〃 Saul offered excuses for his presumptuous act。 He
said： 〃I saw that the people were scattered from me； and that thou camest
not within the days appointed； and that the Philistines gathered themselves
together at Michmash； therefore said I； The Philistines will come down now
upon me to Gilgal； and I have not made supplication unto the Lord： I forced
myself therefore； and offered a burnt offering。
〃And Samuel said to Saul； Thou hast done foolishly： thou hast not kept the
commandment of the Lord thy God； which He commanded thee： for now would the
Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever。 But now thy kingdom
shall not continue： the Lord hath sought Him a man after His own heart； and
the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over His people。 。 。 。 And Samuel
arose； and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin。〃
Either Israel must cease to be the people of God； or the principle upon
which the monarchy was founded must be maintained； and the nation must be
governed by a divine power。 If Israel would be wholly the Lord's； if the
will of the human and earthly were held in subjection to the will of God； He
would continue to be the Ruler of Israel。 So long as the king and the people
would conduct themselves as subordinate to God； so long He could be their
defense。 But in Israel no monarchy could prosper that did not in all things
acknowledge the supreme authority of God。
If Saul had shown a regard for the requirements of God in this time of
trial； God could have worked His will through him。 His failure now proved
