of justice, because of his hatred of kings as so far infe- rior to the aristocratic form of gcivernment, which con- ferred a godlike character on those who lived under it." For the whole night he lay fasting and sleepless, in the perplexity of doubt and difficulty. In the vision of that night, as recorded by the sacred historian, is given the dark side of the new institution, on which Samuel dwells on the following day (1 Sam. viii, 9-18). The proposed change from a republican to a regal form of government displeased Samuel for various reasons. Besides its be- ing a departure from the first political institute, and so far an infringement on the rights of the divine head of the theocracy, it was regariled by the regent as a virtu- al charge against himself, and might appear to him as one of those examples of popular fickleness and ingrati- tude which the history of every realm exhibits in pro- fusion. Jehovah comforts Samuel in this respect by saying, ■' They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me." Being warned of God to accede to their request for a king, and yet to remonstrate with the peo- ple, and set before the nation the perils and tyranny of a monarchical government (viii, 10), Samuel proceeded to the election of a sovereign. Saul, son of Kish, " a choice young man and a goodly," whom he had met unexpectedly, was pointed out to him by Jehovah as the king of Israel, and by the prophet was anointed and saluted as monarch. Samuel again convened the na- tion at Mizpeh, again with honest zeal condemned their project, but caused the sacred lot to be taken. The lot fell on Saul. The prophet now formally introduced him to the people, who shouted, in joyous acclamation, " God save the king !" Not content with oral explanations, this last of the republican chiefs not only told the peo- ple the manner of the kingdom, " but wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord." What is here asserted of Samuel may mean that he extracted from the Penta- teuch the recorded provision of Moses for a future mon- archy, and added to it such warnings and counsels and safeguards as his inspired sagacity might suggest. Said's first battle being so successful, and the preparations for it displaying no ordinary energy and promptitude of character, his popularity was suddenly advanced and his throne secured. Taking advantage of the general sensation in favor of Saul, Samuel cited the people to meet again in Gilgal, to renew the kingdom, to ratify the new constitution, and solemnlj' install the sovereign (xi, 14). The assembly was held at Gilgal, immediately after the victory over the Ammonites. The monarchy was a second time solemnly inaugurated, and (according to the Sept.) "Samuel" (in the Hebrew text, "Saul") "and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly." Then takes place his farewell address. By this time the long, flowing locks, on which no razor had ever passed, were white with age (xii, 2). He appeals to their knowledge of his integrity. Whatever might be the lawless habits of the chiefs of those times — Hophni, Phinehas, or his own sons — he had kept aloof from all. No ox or ass had he taken from their stalls — no bribe to obtain his judgment (Sept. i^iXaaiia) — not even a sandal (vvroSijfia, Sept. and Ecclus. xlvi, 19). It is this appeal, and the response of the people, that have made Grotius call him the Jewish Aristidos. He then sums up the new situation in which they have placed themselves; and, although "the wickedness of asking a king'" is still strongly insisted on, and the un- usual portent of a thunderstorm in May or June, in an- swer to Samuel's prayer, is urged as a sign of divine disjilcasure (1 Sam. xii, lG-19), the general tone of the condonniation is much softened from tliat which was pronounced on the first intimation of the change. The first king is repeatedly acknowledged as " the IMessiah," or anointed of the Lord (vers. 3, 5) ; the future prosperity of the nation is declared to depend on their use or mis- use of the new constitution; and Samuel retires with expressions of good-will and hope : " I will teach you the good and the right way . . . only fear the Lord . . ." (vers. 23, 24). It is the most signal example afforded
SAMUEL
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SAMUEL
in the Old Test, of a i;reat charactor reconciling himself to a changed order of things, and of the divine sanction resting on his acquiescence. For this reason it is that Athanasius is by Basil called the Samuel of the Church (Basil. Kp. 82). See Monarchy.
0. Rfsidiie of Samuel's Life. — His subseqneiit relations with Saul are of the same mixed kind. The two insti- tutions which they respectively represented ran on side by side. Samuel was still, by courtesy at least, judge. He judged Israel "«// the days of his life" (1 Sara, vii, 15), and from time to time came across the king's path. But these interventions are chiefly in another capacity, which are unfolded below. The assertion may mean that even after Saul's coronation Samuel's power, though formally abdicated, was yet actually felt and exercised in the direction of state affairs (Hiivernick, Einleit. in das A. r. § 166). No enterprise could be undertaken without Samuel's concurrence. His was an authority higher than the king's. We find Saul, having muster- ed his forces, about to march against the Philistines, yet delaving to do so till Samuel consecrated the un- dertaking. He came not at the time appointed, as Saul thought, and the impatient monarch proceeded to offer sacrifice — a fearful violation of the national law. The prophet arrived as the religious service was concluded, and, rebuking Saul for his presumption, distinctly hint- ed at the short continuance of his kingdom. Again, we find Samuel charging Saul with the extirpation of the Amalekites. The royal warrior proceeded on the expe- dition, but obeyed not the mandate of Jehovah. His apologies, somewhat craftily framed for his inconsist- encies, availed him not with the prophet, and he was by the indignant seer virtually dethroned. He had for- feited his crown by disobedience to God. Yet Samuel mourned for him. His heart seems to have been set on the bold athletic soldier. But the breach was irrec- oncilable, and they must sey)arate. The parting was not one of rivals, but of dear though divided friends. The king throws himself on the prophet with all his force; not without a vehement effort (Josephus, /l??^.vi, 7, 5) the prophet tears himself away. The long mantle by which he was always known is rent in the struggle ; and, like Ahijah after him, Samuel was in this the omen of the coming rent in the monarchy. They parted, each to his house, to meet no more. But a long shadow of grief fell over the prophet. " Samuel mourned for Saul." " It grieved Samuel for Saul." " How long Avilt thou mourn for Saul?" (I Sam. xv, 11. 35; xvi, 1). See PKoriiKT. But now the Lord directed him to make provision for the future governnjcnt of the country (xvi, 1). To prevent strife and confusion, it was neces- sary, in the circumstances, that the second king should be appointed ere the first sovereign's demise. Samuel went to Bethlehem and set apart the youngest of the sons of Jesse, " and came to see Saul no more till the day of his death." Yet Saul and ho came near meeting once again at Naioth,in Kamah (xix,'24), when the king was pursuing David. As on a former occasion, the spirit of (iod came upon him as he approached the company' of the prophets with Samuel presiding over them, and "he prophesied and lay down naked all that day and all that night." A religious excitement seized him ; the contagious influence of the music and rhapsody fell upon his nervous, susceptible temperament and over- powered him. See Sauk.