Far better would it have been for the nation had it "borne the ills it had than fly to others it knew not of." The Lord directed Samuel to comply with their request, and the murmuring hosts returned to their cities.

In the tribe of Benjamin there was a young man of remarkable size, and yet of exceeding symmetry of form and beauty of person. He was said to be head and shoulders taller than any of his people, and his commanding form, connected with his wonderful beauty, caused all to admire him. He was not lacking in amiable traits of character, for sacred history informs us that he was dutiful to his parents, and kind and conciliatory to all. While engaged in searching the wilderness for his father's cattle which had strayed away, he became fearful lest his long absence should excite his parents' apprehensions for his safety, and he proposed to his servant that they return home. The servant, however, suggested, before returning, that they call upon the aged seer in the city of Ramah.

"But," said the young man, "what present shall we take? The bread in our vessels is spent, and we have nothing for the man of God."

“Here," said the servant, "is the fourth part of a shekel of silver; that will I give."

"Well said. Come, let us go."

As they ascended a hill near to the city, they met a company of maidens on their way to an ancient well in a grotto on the southern declivity, and, approaching them, they asked if the seer was in the city.

"Yes," said one of them, "he has just arrived, and is making preparations for a sacrifice in the high place. Make haste to the city, and you will see him before he goes up to the high place."

At this the two hastened on. As they were nearing the gates of the city, they saw approaching them an old man with whitened locks, bending upon his staff. His venerable appearance was such as to strike them with the belief that he was the seer whom they sought, and they were not long in doubt in regard to their impression, for soon, issuing from the gate, was a vast multitude, with measured tread, following in his footsteps. They were on the way to the high place of sacrifice.

When they came near, Saul, for that was the name of the young Benjamite, addressed the aged seer, saying, "is the prophet here?"

"I am the seer whom ye seek. Go before me to yonder high place of sacrifice, for ye shall be my guest to-day, and to-morrow I will let thee go on thy way, and tell thee all that is in thine heart. On thee and thy father's house is all the desire of Israel."

But am not I," said Saul, astonished at what he had heard, "of the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of all the tribes of Israel, and is not my family the least of all the families of Benjamin; how can it be that thou shouldst thus speak?"

That day Saul partook of the hospitalities of the prophet, and after returning from the place of sacrifice he was taken by Samuel to the oratory, where he held communion with the seer in regard to the wonderful events which were at hand.

The grey streaks of morning were tinging the tops of the houses of Ramah as the prophet called Saul from his slumbers and bade him come to the oratory, where he might give him his blessing and send him on his journey. But he left not that kind house alone. Scarcely had he, with his servant, passed the threshold ere the man of God was at his As they walked along together, through the silent streets, for the busy throng had not yet risen, the prophet said, "Bid the servant go on in advance of us, for I have somewhat to tell thee."

The servant passed on as directed, and they stopped by the way. And there, on that early morn, with no eye upon them but omniscience, Samuel took from his girdle a small vial of olive oil and poured it upon the head of Saul, kissing him and saying, "The Lord hath anointed thee king over Israel. When thou art gone on thy way near to the sepulcher of Rachel, thou shalt find two men who will inform thee of the safety of the cattle thou art seeking, and also tell thee of thy father's anxiety about thee. Then thou shalt continue thy journey until thou comest to Mount Tabor, where thou shalt be met by three men going up to God to Beth-el, and they will salute thee. After that, thou shalt come to the hill of God, in sight of the garrison of the Philistines; and as thou shalt approach the city thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place, with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, and they shall prophesy with thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and be turned into another man. When these signs shall come unto thee thou shalt do as the circumstances may require, for know of a surety that God is with thee; and thou shalt go to Gilgal, and there I will meet thee."

The conference of the prophet and the king ended and they parted; but scarcely had the young anointed turned his back to leave the man of God ere the Holy Spirit came upon him, and a heavenly radience, brighter than the light of the sun which was rising upon Ramah, filled his heart, and he was another man.

of

Continuing on his journey, he came at last to the hill of God spoken of by Samuel, and it came to pass as he had told him, for a company prophets met him. No sooner had he entered their company than he felt the spirit of inspiration come upon him, and he prophesied among them, to the utter astonishment of all who were present, insomuch that it was tauntingly said, "Is Saul among the prophets?"

Not long after the events which we have been narrating had transpired, Samuel called together all the people of Israel, at Mizpeh. To the

assembled thousands he rehearsed in ther ears all the wonderful events of their history, from the period of their deliverance from Egyptian bondage until they were brought in to possess the promised land. He also, in the most impressive and touching manner, brought before them scene after scene of providential deliverances wrought out in their behalf, and coucluded by showing in a striking light their deep ingratitude in rejecting God, their great and ever present Savior, as their king, and asking for a mortal man in his stead. "Now," said he, "you shall have a king, but it will be to your lasting sorrow; and, having once rejected your Heavenly King, your regrets will be unavailing, as they that sow to the wind must reap the whirlwind. Gather, therefore, together your tribes by thousands, and present yourselves before the Lord."

As the various tribes passed in review before the Lord, that from their number one might be chosen as their king, to the astonishment of all, the tribe of Benjamin was taken, and when the lot fell upon families, the family of Matri was taken, and when it came down to individual members, Saul, the son of Kish, was taken. But Saul could not be found. From some cause or other, he had hid himself, and though dilligent search was made for the chosen one, he could not be found. So effectually had he concealed himself that it was necessary to make inquiry of the Lord himself, concerning his hiding place. When found, he was brought before the assembled thousands of Israel. His great stature and remarkable personal beauty, attracted the attention of all, and when Samuel presented him as the chosen of the Lord, a mighty shout went up from that vast host, "God save the king."

The nation had now its desire, and having passed from a theocracy to a monarchy, it no longer recognized God as its lawgiver and judge. It was a sad day to Israel. He who had been "the shield of their help and the sword of their excellency," who had smitten mighty kings for their sake, and with a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night, had brought them through a dreary and desolate wilderness, surrounding them with his presence and blessing, was now deposed to give place to a man, frail, fallible, and mortal like themselves.

Upon the elevation of Saul to the throne of Israel, there was an end to the patriarchal dynasty, and it was necessary there should be a change in the laws of government, adapted to a monarchy. It therefore devolved upon Samuel, as the chief judge, to make these laws and lay them before the Lord for his approbation.

Every man went to his home, and general satisfaction seemed to rest upon every mind. All were ready to do him honor, and bore him rich and costly presents, as the king anointed of the Lord to rule over them. There were some, however, among the Israelites, who were denominated children of Belial, who refused to do him honor, and despised his position

and authority. Saul, however, was not moved by these manifestations of disrespect and insubordination, and he returned to his home in Gibeah. But he did not return alone to the paternal mansion. He came back as a king, the king of God's people Israel, and with him came a band of men whose hearts God had touched and turned towards the king.

Not long after this, intelligence came to Saul that the Ammonites had invaded the land, and threatened the lives of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead. To avoid this they asked for conditions of peace. The conditions required by Nahash, were that the right eyes of all should be taken out and layed for a reproach upon all Israel. The elders of Jabesh requested a respite of seven days, that they might send messengers throughout all Israel to find, if it were possible, a man who would save them. On hearing of this sad calamity threatened to the Gileadites, and the lamentations of the people, Saul was greatly angered. He had been in the fields looking after the flocks and herds of his father's house, and when he heard the cries of his people, the spirit of the Lord came upon him, and his indignation was roused greatly. Preparations were speedily made to assemble the armies of Israel, and it was not long until, at Bezek, there were gathered three hundred and thirty thousand. Intelligence reached the men of Gilead, and they were comforted by the assurance that before the expiration of the seven days, they should have help. The armies met; a battle was fought, and the Ammonites were vanquished. After the conflict had ended, an inquisition was made for those who manifested a spirit of insubordination, that Saul might cause them to be put to death. When brought before his presence, instead of ordering their execution, the king generously extended to them a pardon, saying, "There shall not a man be put to death this day, for to-day the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel.” After this announcement, Samuel said to the assembled army of Israel, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.”

It was a proud day, full of hope and promise, to Israel, when the people were all assembled to attend the inauguration of the king. Preparations were made upon the grandest scale, and when the peace offerings had been made to the Lord, in the presence of all the people, the venerable priest ascended the platform, attended by the king and his chosen men. It was mid summer, and the harvests were left standing in the field, so great was the desire of the inhabitants of the land to be present at the inauguration. Samuel rehearsed, in the ears of all the people, the wonderful providences which had been extended over Israel, from the day that God smote the Egyptians, down to the success that attended the armies of Israel in the last battle. He reproved the nation for its sins, and especially for the great sin of casting off the Lord as their sovereign, and taking a king from among themselves. He also

brought to mind their idolatries in turning away from the worship of God to the worship of Baalim and Ashtaroth, and finally, to confirm the truth of what he had uttered, he said: "It is now wheat harvest," a time in Palestine when not a cloud was to be seen, and rain was never known to fall. "I will call on the Lord, and He shall send thunder and rain."

Scarcely had he done speaking, ere a dark and angry cloud gathered like a pavillion over the assembled thousands. Forked lightnings shot through its gloomy folds, and loud voiced thunders echoed through the air, and shook the solid ground. Immediately the rain descended in torrents, and great fear fell upon all, while, with one voice, they exclaimed, "Great is the Lord, and great is Samuel. Pray for us, that we die not, for we have greatly sinned in asking a king." To this Samuel replied: "Though ye have greatly sinned, yet, if ye will fear and serve the Lord, He will not forsake His people, and God forbid that I should sin against Him in ceasing to pray for you. Only fear the Lord and

serve Him with all your heart, for consider the

great things He hath

done for you. If you serve Him, He will bless you, but if you forsake Him, He will utterly destroy you and your kind."