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The Beginning of the End
the world’s Redeemer, under whose guidance he ruled the Hebrew
nation. But the people, weary of his godliness, despised his humble
authority and rejected him in favor of a man who would rule them
as a king.
We see the likeness of Christ reflected in the character of Samuel.
It was Christ’s holiness that stirred up against Him the fiercest pas-
sions of hypocrites who only professed godliness. The Jews looked
for the Messiah to break the oppressor’s yoke, yet they cherished
the sins that fastened it on their necks. If Christ had praised their
piety, they would have accepted Him as their king, but they would
not tolerate His fearless rebuke of their wickedness. It has been this
way in every age of the world. When rebuked by the example of
those who hate sin, false Christians become the agents of Satan to
persecute the faithful.
God had reserved to Himself the right to choose their king. The
choice fell on Saul, a son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin.
“There was not a more handsome person than he among the
children of Israel.” As someone with a noble and dignified bearing,
good looking and tall, he appeared like one born to command, yet
Saul had none of those higher qualities that constitute true wisdom.
He had not learned to control his thoughtless impulses and He had
never felt the renewing power of divine grace.
Saul was the son of a wealthy chief, yet he was performing the
humble duties of a farmer. Some of his father’s animals had strayed
on the mountains, and Saul went with a servant to look for them.
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As they were not far from Ramah, the home of Samuel, the servant
suggested that they ask the prophet concerning the missing property.
As they approached the city they were told that a religious service
was about to take place, and that the prophet had already arrived.
Worship of God was now carried on throughout the land. With
no services at the tabernacle, for a while sacrifices were offered
elsewhere. The cities of the priests and Levites, where the people
went for instruction, were chosen for this purpose. The highest
points in these cities were usually selected as the place of sacrifice,
and so were called the “high places.”