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The interest of the scene at Mizpeh concenters in the representative of the old regime and the new, the venerable judge and the young king. In the example of each we may find instruction.

I. The conduct of Samuel at Mizpeh sets before US THE WISDOM OF TIMELY CONCESSION. The change was inevitable. No personal influence could prevent or long hinder it. The wisdom of Samuel in his mediation between the old system and the new is now apparent. Of such men as Samuel, Dean Stanley has said, they "are the silent healers who bind up the wounds of their age in spite of itself; they are the good physicians who knit together the dislocated bones of a disjointed time; they are the reconcilers who turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, or of the fathers to the children."

II. The example of Samuel further illustrates THE NOBILITY OF SELF-RENUNCIATION. He was called to depose himself and to invest another with his authority. How the story of his own life came up before him as he pondered the change! Yet above all these natural feelings Samuel rose victorious. Chagrin, if he felt it, was quickly overcome. Personal humiliation was lost in the desire to save Israel from the full consequences of her sin. A noble freedom from jealousy, like that of John the Baptist when he looked upon his successor, and like that of Paul in view of his rivals at Philippi, but the like of which the world has not often see, now marked his course. Hitherto he had been a wise ruler, a sagacious and righteous judge, but not more famous than other judges. By self-renunciation he now became great.

III. The career of Samuel suggests to us THE STRENGTH WHICH COMES FROM CONSCIOUS OBEDIENCE TO THE WILL OF GOD. It was known to him that, in yielding to the people and anointing a king, he was doing God's will. His obedient spirit led him to look upon the change in its relation to God's purposes, and not as affecting his own interests. The cause which had failed was God's cause. In taking sides with God in this matter, he was assured that he was not suffering final defeat. To find one's self wholly opposed to prevailing currents of thought and feeling is to become helpless and despondent, except as the soul rests upon the clear revelation of the will of God. Such a revelation had come to Samuel. Obedience is a lofty virtue. The best fruit to be gathered from the study of the life of Samuel is this: that constant and consistent obedience to the will of God is an unfailing source of strength and stability. Laying aside all thought of the long darkening tragedy of Saul's later life, we may study the scene at Mizpeh as it presents him to us. We note:

1. His humility.

2. His self-control.The young manhood of King Saul wins our hearts. But its brightness and beauty was of short duration. The sun arose in unveiled splendour, but long ere midday was lost in gathering, darkening clouds.

(Monday Club Sermons.)

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KJV: And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

WEB: Samuel called the people together to Yahweh to Mizpah;