They won the battle, and killed the robbers, as they were sure to do when God helped them; but then when they saw such fine cattle and choice things, they would not obey God, but went and took it all for themselves. They left only the poor and mean that they did not care for, and helped themselves to all they liked. And then, when Samuel came to meet them, Saul made as if he had done just what he was told, and said, "I have obeyed the voice of the Lord." But Samuel said, "What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of oxen which I hear?" Saul wanted to make excuses; but it was not the first time he had been disobedient; and he was only frightened, he was not really sorry; so Samuel was obliged to tell him, "Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, He hath also rejected thee from being king." [Illustration: SAUL TEARING THE ROBE OF SAMUEL.--1 Sam. 15:27, 28.] Saul would not do as he was told, and so God punished him. Remember that. Your parents and teachers, or nurses, give you orders; and you have to mind them exactly--not only to do what you like, and miss out the rest. Saul did what he liked when he fought the robbers, but he would not obey when he took the spoil. Then God was angry with him. Do not you be like him; but obey when you do not like, as well as when you do like. QUESTIONS. 1. What is the Fifth Commandment? 2. What must we always do? 3. Who did we hear of to-day who did not do as he was told? 4. What was Saul told to do? 5. Who told him? 6. Who was Samuel? 7. Who was Saul? 8. What was Saul told not to do? 9. How far did he obey? 10. In what did he disobey? 11. Why was it wrong of Saul to keep the robbers' cattle and sheep? 12. What did he say when Samuel came? 13. Was this true? 14. What did Samuel hear that showed that this was false? 15. Whom had Saul disobeyed? 16. How was Saul to be punished? 17. Why was Saul not to keep the kingdom? [Illustration: DAVID ANOINTED BY SAMUEL.--1 Sam. 16:11, 12.] SECOND READING. "I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him."--_Psalm 89:20._ THE hills that lie above Bethlehem have green slopes where the sheep feed. There, one day, a flock was feeding, and a boy with blue eyes and shining hair watched them, and perhaps sung as he watched. He was the youngest of eight brothers, and all the rest had gone down to a great feast; for Samuel, the great Prophet, was come to visit their father. [Illustration: Samuel goeth to BETHLEHEM] [Illustration: The Elders Alarmed] [Illustration: Are here all thy children?] [Illustration: HE KEEPETH THE SHEEP]