172 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

panied by obedience. “To obey,” said the prophet,
“is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat
of rams.” These words of Samuel teach us that all the
profession we may make is of no avail, unless we make
it our constant endeavour to do the will of God. Saul
is a striking example of the evil of disobedience. After
this affair in regard to the children of Amalek, he had
to hear his doom repeated to him by Samuel, who told
him that because he had rejected the word of the Lord,
the Lord had rejected him from being king, and had
given the kingdom to a neighbour of his, who was
better than he. Then the prophet Samuel, though a
man of peace, took the sword of justice in his hand,
and executed the commands of God in putting to death
Agag, king of the Amalekites.

We must conclude now ; we have talked long to-night.

The Israelites erred in thinking themselves secure of
victory if the ark were with them,—Who resemble
them in this ?

In what ought we to follow the example of the men
of Bethshemesh

What does their fate teach us to avoid ?

The Spirit of the Lord taught Saul to command ;
the fear of the Lord taught the people to obey,—What
do we learn from this ?

The Lord gave victory to the arms of Israel, which
caused Saul to refuse to put to death those who had
scorned him,—What does this teach us ?