patriarchs and prophets-第166章
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attributed to satanic sorcery。 Saul had manifested great zeal in suppressing
idolatry and witchcraft； yet in his disobedience to the divine command he
had been actuated by the same spirit of opposition to God and had been as
really inspired by Satan as are those who practice sorcery； and when
reproved； he had added stubbornness to rebellion。 He could have offered no
greater insult to the Spirit of God had he openly united with idolaters。
It is a perilous step to slight the reproofs and warnings of God's word or
of His Spirit。 Many； like Saul； yield to temptation until they become blind
to the true character of sin。 They flatter themselves that they have had
some good object in view； and have done no wrong in departing from the
Lord's requirements。 Thus they do despite to the Spirit of grace； until its
voice is no longer heard； and they are left to the delusions which they have
chosen。
636
In Saul； God had given to Israel a king after their own heart； as Samuel
said when the kingdom was confirmed to Saul at Gilgal； 〃Behold the king whom
ye have chosen； and whom ye have desired。〃 1 Samuel 12：13。 Comely in person；
of noble stature and princely bearing； his appearance accorded with their
conceptions of royal dignity； and his personal valor and his ability in the
conduct of armies were the qualities which they regarded as best calculated
to secure respect and honor from other nations。 They felt little solicitude
that their king should possess those higher qualities which alone could fit
him to rule which justice and equity。 They did not ask for one who had true
nobility of character； who possessed the love and fear of God。 They had not
sought counsel from God as to the qualities a ruler should possess； in order
to preserve their distinctive； holy character as His chosen people。 They
were not seeking God's way； but their own way。 Therefore God gave them such
a king as they desiredone whose character was a reflection of their own。
Their hearts were not in submission to God； and their king also was
unsubdued by divine grace。 Under the rule of this king they would obtain the
experience necessary in order that they might see their error； and return to
their allegiance to God。
Yet the Lord； having placed on Saul the responsibility of the kingdom； did
not leave him to himself。 He caused the Holy Spirit to rest upon Saul to
reveal to him his own weakness and his need of divine grace； and had Saul
relied upon God； God would have been with him。 So long as his will was
controlled by the will of God； so long as he yielded to the discipline of
His Spirit； God could crown his efforts with success。 But when Saul chose to
act independently of God； the Lord could no longer be his guide； and was
forced to set him aside。 Then He called to the throne 〃a man after His own
heart〃 （1 Samuel 13：14）not one who was faultless in character； but who；
instead of trusting to himself； would rely upon God； and be guided by His
Spirit； who； when he sinned； would submit to reproof and correction。
（637）
Chapter 62
The Anointing of David
A few miles south of Jerusalem； 〃the city of the great King；〃 is Bethlehem；
where David； the son of Jesse； was born more than a thousand years before
the infant Jesus was cradled in the manger and worshiped by the Wise Men
from the East。 Centuries before the advent of the Saviour； David； in the
freshness of boyhood； kept watch of his flocks as they grazed on the hills
surrounding Bethlehem。 The simple shepherd boy sang the songs of his own
composing； and the music of his harp made a sweet accompaniment to the
melody of his fresh young voice。 The Lord had chosen David； and was
preparing him； in his solitary life with his flocks； for the work He
designed to commit to his trust in after years。
While David was thus living in the retirement of his humble shepherd's life；
the Lord God was speaking about him to the prophet Samuel。 〃And the Lord
said unto Samuel； How long wilt thou mourn for Saul； seeing I have rejected
him from reigning over Israel？ fill thine horn with oil； and go； I will send
thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite： for I have provided Me a king among his
sons。 。 。 。 Take an heifer with thee； and say； I am come to sacrifice to the
Lord。 And call Jesse to the sacrifice； and I will show thee what thou shalt
do： and thou shalt anoint unto Me him whom I name unto thee。 And Samuel did
that which the Lord spake； and came to Bethlehem。 And the elders of the town
trembled at his coming； and said； Comest thou peaceably？ And he said；
Peaceably。〃 The elders accepted an invitation to the sacrifice； and Samuel
called also Jesse and his sons。 The altar was built and the sacrifice was
ready。 All the household of Jesse were present； with the exception of David；
the youngest son； who had been left to guard the sheep； for it was not safe
to leave the flocks unprotected。
638
When the sacrifice was ended； and before partaking of the offering feast；
Samuel began his prophetic inspection of the noble…appearing sons of Jesse。
Eliab was the eldest； and more nearly resembled Saul for stature and beauty
than the others。 His comely features and finely developed form attracted the
attention of the prophet。 As Samuel looked upon his princely bearing； he
thought； 〃This is indeed the man whom God has chosen as successor to Saul；〃
and he waited for the divine sanction that he might anoint him。 But Jehovah
did not look upon the outward appearance。 Eliab did not fear the Lord。 Had
he been called to the throne； he would have been a proud； exacting ruler。
The Lord's word to Samuel was； 〃Look not on his countenance； or on the
height of his stature； because I have refused him： for the Lord seeth not as
man seeth； for man looketh on the outward appearance； but the Lord looketh
on the heart。〃 No outward beauty can recommend the soul to God。 The wisdom
and excellence revealed in the character and deportment； express the true
beauty of the man； and it is the inner worth； the excellency of the heart；
that determines our acceptance with the Lord of hosts。 How deeply should we
feel this truth in the judgment of ourselves and others。 We may learn from
the mistake of Samuel how vain is the estimation that rests on beauty of
face or nobility of stature。 We may see how incapable is man's wisdom of
understanding the secrets of the heart or of comprehending the counsels of
God without special enlightenment from heaven。 The thoughts and ways of God
in relation to His creatures are above our finite minds； but we may be
assured that His children will be brought to fill the very place for which
they are qualified； and will be enabled to accomplish the very work
committed to their hands； if they will but submit their will to God； that
His beneficent plans may not be frustrated by the perversity of man。
Eliab passed from the inspection of Samuel； and the six brothers who were in
attendance at the service followed in succession to be observed by the
prophet； but the Lord did not signify His choice of any one of them。 With
painful suspense Samuel had looked upon the last of the young men； the
prophet was perplexed and bewildered。 He inquired of Jesse； 〃Are here all
thy children？〃 The father answered； 〃There remaineth yet the youngest； and
behold； he keepeth the sheep。〃 Samuel directed that he should be summoned；
saying； 〃We will not sit down till he come hither。〃
641
The lonely shepherd was startled by the unexpected call of the messenger；
who announced that the prophet had come to Bethlehem and had sent for him。
With surprise he questioned why the prophet and judge of Israel should
desire to see him； but without delay he obeyed the call。 〃Now he was ruddy；
and withal of a beautiful countenance； and goodly to look to。〃 As Samuel
beheld with pleasure the handsome； manly； modest shepherd boy； the voice of
the Lord spoke to the prophet； saying； 〃Arise； anoint him： for this is he。〃
David had proved himself brave and faithful in the humble office of a
