This defeat meant something more than a temporary reverse. It was symptomatic of national decay. Saul’s reign had brought moral degeneracy to his people. Their moral fibre was impaired, their life-blood impoverished. As king and people were weighed in the divine balances (which are ever testing

us), they were found wanting. No man ean sin alone! Sin becomes an epidemic!

Much had happened since Saul’s detention as king. Alas, that so bright a dawn should have clouded in such a sunset! Like a noble tree Saul fell before the storm. He fell because he had never prayed, as David did, to be cleansed from secret faults, and to be held back from presumptuous sins. The only gleam of light on that terrible day was the chivalrous deed of Jabeshgilead. Her sons could never forget Saul’s valorous exploit on their behalf. After the manner of Joseph and Nicodemus at the death of our Lord, they identified

themselves with what seemed a lost cause. Would that every reader of these lines was equally grateful and generous in ¢onfessing him who delivered us from a yet greater death!

(The questions on Sections 30-62, to be found on pp. 92 and 98, will serve as a review at this point.)

How are the three main divisions of the book indicated ?

In what relation do they stand to each other?

What was the original form of the two books of Samuel?

Of what institutions do they record the beginning?

(Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding

What is the leading thought in Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving?

How was Eli to blame for their wickedness?

How did the Israelites suffer from their mistake about the Ark of the Covenant?

What did the capture of the Ark mean to Israel?

Wihat was the Ark’s unheeded message to the Philistines?

What wrong estimate did the Philistines have of Israel’s God?

How did the Israelites provoke God when the Ark was returned ?

Name five steps that a nation must take to be accepted by God.

Why was it wrong for the Israelites to ask for a king?

What was Saul’s mistaken estimate of Samuel?

What was Samuel’s noble attitude toward the coming king?

How did Samuel prepare Saul for his new duties?

What good qualities did Saul show in the beginning of his reign?

How did Saul rescue Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites?

What was Samuel’s last message to Israel?

How did Jonathan achieve his victory over the Philistines?

Why did Saul command the army to refrain from food?

How was Jonathan rescued from Saul’s wrath?

How did Saul fail to execute the charge concerning Amalek?

Why was Samuel’s last interview with Saul unsatisfactory?

(Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding

Why was David the chosen one of Jesse’s sons?

Why could Goliath defy the armies of the living God?

What was David’s attitude toward Goliath?

What great quality did Saul fail to recognize in David?

What made Jonathan a loyal friend, and Saul a jealous enemy, of David?

How did Saul seek to endanger David’s life? What was the outcome?

What sterling quality distinguished Jonathan’s character ?

How did Jonathan and David plan to defeat Saul’s designs?

What sacrifice was Jonathan making in defending David?

What assistance did David receive at Nob?

What striking analogy is there between David’s band and the followers of Christ?

What was the blackest deed in Saul’s life?

How did the people of Keilah show their ingratitude to David?

From what two sources did David find comfort when pursued by Saul?

Why did David restrain himself from killing Saul in the cave at Engedi?

What was the temporary effect on Saul of David’s noble restraint?

Why did Nabal refuse to show David hospitality?

In what wise way did Abigail avert David’s wrath?

How was Saul delivered a second time into David’s power?

What made Saul admit that he was playing the fool?

When fear entered David’s heart, how did his actions change?

To whom did Saul, rejected of God, resort for guidance?

What message did he receive by this means?

How was David spared from fighting with the Pailietines against Israel?

What great adversity led David back to God?

In what noble way did David share the spoil of his victory over the Amalekites?

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