Samuel and Saul
R. Berry. 1 Samuel 9:27 And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on)… I. SAMUEL FOUND MUCH THAT WAS GOOD IN SAUL. A cluster of excellencies incidentally present themselves in this chapter. 1. Saul had reverence for his father. He promptly obeyed his father; yet he was "from his shoulders and upwards taller," etc. 2. Saul was no idler. He was no stranger to work; yet his father was "a mighty man of power." 3. Saul was not particular as to the kind of work he did. We have his photograph in verse 2. Yet this splendid young man went in search of the lost asses: no person who is usefully employed is ignobly employed. 4. Saul found teachers everywhere. He listened to and was advised by his servant: he was guided by young maidens. 5. Saul was very modest and humble (ver. 21). II. SAMUEL TOUCHES THE ONE GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF A TRUE LIFE, "Stand thou still a while..."This is the world's only safe guiding star. Whoever would live a true life must often say with the child Samuel: "Speak Lord for..." 1. Sometimes we are tossed by restlessness. Soul satisfaction, heart rest, are far from us. These are eagerly but vainly sought in company, pleasure, business, intellectual pursuits; what is wanted? A teacher to say in tones that will compel attention. "Stand thou..." 2. Sometimes we are moved by covetousness. Men get the hunger of gold, and houses, and lands upon them. O, that some prophet of God would stand across their path, and in ringing tones that would make them pause, tremble, and repent, say: "Stand..." 3. Sometimes we are pressed by difficulties. We must take care how we get free; Satan will be quite ready to help us; but he will not do it for nothing; he is a lawyer who never goes without his fee. Find one who with eyes bent upon this book will say: "Stand..." III. SAUL'S GREAT DISASTERS AND HIS FINAL OVERTHROW WERE THE RESULTS OF HIS NEGLECT OF "THE WORD OF GOD." Saul made a good beginning, but a terribly sad ending. Alas! what numbers do the same. (R. Berry.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God. WEB: As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant pass on before us" (and he passed on), "but stand still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God."