will concerning the future king, was folly instructed therein by " the word of the Lord" (eh. iii. 21), which contained (1) a promise of sending him (ver. 16), (:2) a -direction to anoint him, (3) a statement of the purpose of his appointment, and ( 4) an expression of commiseration for the need of the people. Noth withstanding thev ·had rejected God, he had not rejected them, but still calls them "my people," and i;, wrath remembers mercy. The long-suffering of God toward transgressors should teach his servants forbearance, and incite them to renewed efforts for their welfare. It appears to have been after Samuel had received the Divine message that he invite,! the people (perhaps the elders who had formerly waited upon him) to a sacrificial feast, and arranged for the worthy entertainment of his chief guest (ver. 24). The -displeasure which he previously felt at their reriuest (eh. viii. 6) has now given place to disinterested and earnest desire for its fnlfilment. 2. Harmonised with, and was con.firmed by, the operations of Providence. Samuel is expecting the fulfilment of the promise given to him, and already is on the way from his own house in the city to -offer sacrifice on the height (the loftier of the two hills on which Ramah was situated), when he sees the towering form of Saul, a stranger to the place, who has come up into the midst of the city according to the direction of the maidens at the foot of tlrn hill, and the inner voice with which be is so familiar says to him, "Behold the man," &c. (ver. 17). There is nothing in the simple dress of the prophet to indicate his dignity; and as he passes onward Saul "draws near to him in the gate," and in reply to his inquiry concerning the seer's residence, receives the answer, " I am the seer." Seldom has the meeting of two persons shown more clearly the co-operation of the revealed word with the guiding providence of God or the unity of the purpose by which both are pervaded, or been followed by more momentous results. 3. And its communication required a gradital preparation on the part of him to whom it chiefly pertained, in order that it might be received aright. This Samuel sought to effect-(1) By awakening in Saul new and elevated thoughts and hopes (vers. 19, 20); directing him to go up before him, as a mark of respect, inviting him to be his guest, telling him that he would "reveal to him his innermost thoughts," setting his mind at rest from lower cares, and assuring him of the highest dignity. "For whom is every desirable thing in Israel?" (ver. 20). (2) By giving him honour in the presence of others (vers. 22-24) ; appointing to him the chief place among his thirty guests, appropriating to him the best portion of the meal, and intimating that the honour had been reserved for him in foreknowledge of his arrival. (3) By holding confidential and prolonged conversation with him (ver. 25), pertaining "not to the royal dignity, but surely to the deep religious and political decline of the people of God, the opposition of the heathen, the causes of the impotency to oppose these enemies, the necessity of a religious change in the people, and of a leader thoroughly obedient to the Lord" (0. von Gerlach). In this manner Saul was prepared for the more definite indication given on the following morning. A gradual preparation of a somewhat similar kind is often needed by men when about to receive a Divin~ • commjssion.-D.
Ver. 9. (RAMAH.)-Perplexitv. "Peradventure he can show us our way." llere is a picture of a young man perplexed about his way. Consider- I. THE OBJECT OF HIS PERPLEXITY. It is a common thing for n. young man to he uncertain and anxious with reference to-1. The ordinary business of life. He knows not, it may be, the particular vocation for which he is most fitted, or \\"Li"!, affords the best prospect of success. Leaving his father's house, " The world is all before him, where to choose His place of rest, o.nd Providence his guide." Bt.:t he is doubtful whither to direct his steps. He meets with disappointment in 1,i,i endeavours. "The bread is spent" (ver. 7), and he has no money in his pnrs,•. Under such circumstances many a one has first awoke to a sense of his dependem·e on God, and his need of his guidance, or has sought him with a fervour he has 11e1·L·r displayed before. His loneliness and distress have been the occasion of spiritual thought and high resolve (Gen. xxviii. 16, 20; Lnke x,·. 18). 2. The chief 1111r1iosf of life. As each vocation has its proocr c::cl so has Ji l'e gener:1lly. It is s0111etlii11g 170 THE FlRRT DOOK OF SAMUEL. [CH. IX. 1-27.