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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 purpose。 The highest
points in these cities were usually selected as the place of sacrifice； and
hence were called 〃the high places。〃
At the gate of the city Saul was met by the prophet himself。 God had
revealed to Samuel that at that time the chosen king of Israel would present
himself before him。 As they now stood face to face； the Lord said to Samuel；
〃Behold the man whom I spake to thee of！ this same shall reign over My
people。〃
To the request of Saul； 〃Tell me； I pray thee； where the seer's house is；〃
Samuel replied； 〃I am the seer。〃 Assuring him also that the lost animals had
been found； he urged him to tarry and attend the feast； at the same time
giving some intimation of the great destiny before him： 〃On whom is all the
desire of Israel？ Is it not on thee； and on all thy father's house？〃 The
listener's heart thrilled at the prophet's words。 He could not but perceive
something of their significance； for the demand for a king had become a
matter of absorbing interest to the whole nation。 Yet with modest
self…depreciation Saul replied； 〃Am not I a Benjamite； of the smallest of
the tribes of Israel？ and my family the least of all the families of the
tribe of Benjamin？ wherefore then speakest thou so to me？〃
Samuel conducted the stranger to the place of assembly； where the principal
men of the town were gathered。 Among them； at
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the prophet's direction； the place of honor was given to Saul； and at the
feast the choicest portion was set before him。 The services over； Samuel
took his guest to his own home； and there upon the housetop he communed with
him； setting forth the great principles on which the government of Israel
had been established； and thus seeking to prepare him； in some measure； for
his high station。
When Saul departed； early next morning； the prophet went forth with him。
Having passed through the town； he directed the servant to go forward。 Then
he bade Saul stand still to receive a message sent him from God。 〃Then
Samuel took a vial of oil； and poured it upon his head； and kissed him； and
said； Is it not because Jehovah hath anointed thee to be captain over His
inheritance？〃 As evidence that this was done by divine authority； he
foretold the incidents that would occur on the homeward journey and assured
Saul that he would be qualified by the Spirit of God for the station
awaiting him。 〃The Spirit of Jehovah will come upon thee；〃 said the prophet；
and thou 〃shalt be turned into another man。 And let it be； when these signs
are come unto thee； that thou do as occasion serve thee； for God is with
thee。〃
As Saul went on his way； all came to pass as the prophet had said。 Near the
border of Benjamin he was informed that the lost animals had been found。 In
the plain of Tabor he met three men who were going to worship God at Bethel。
One of them carried three kids for sacrifice； another three loaves of bread；
and the third a bottle of wine； for the sacrificial feast。 They gave Saul
the usual salutation and also presented him with two of the three loaves