chosen him. Then Samuel looked at the fifth, next at the sixth, and last of all at the seventh; and yet God had not chosen any of them. So Samuel said to Jesse, "Have you any more children ?" And Jesse answered, "I have one more child, the youngest, and he is keeping the sheep." Then Samuel said, "Send and fetch him: I want to see him immediately." So Jesse sent a person to desire this est son to come to him. young The name of this son was David. He was not a grown up man, but only a boy. He had a beautiful colour on his cheeks, and his eyes had a pleasant look. But did he love God in his heart? Yes; he did love God. When he came in, God said to Samuel, "Arise and anoint him; for this is he." So Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him, while his seven brothers stood by. Then Samuel went back to his own house. You will hear a great deal about David. God did not mean him to be king for a long while; but David knew that he certainly should be king one day. He went on keeping his father's sheep. As he watched them, he played on his harp, of praise to God. "Psalms." and sang sweet songs His songs are called Do you think that David wished to be king? I do not think he wanted to sit on a throne, and to wear a crown, but I know that he would like to call people together to praise God. When David was king, he could have people taught about God; and he could be kind to poor people, and he could punish wicked people. When Samuel poured the oil on David's head, God made his Spirit come on him, to make him very wise and brave, and fit to be a king for it is God who makes people wise and brave. Old Jesse's sons in order due Once pass'd before the prophet's view. Where was that fairer, younger one, Whom God would place on Israel's throne? Beside his father's flock he staid, And on his harp he sweetly played: On him the holy oil was pour'd, For he was chosen of the Lord. 'Twas not his lovely form, or face, That made him with the Lord find grace: But God, who ev'ry secret knew, Saw in his heart affection true, That still His gracious favour sought, The holy Samuel could not tell CHILD. O tell me, Lord, my real state, CHAPTER XLVII. DAVID, OR THE HARP. 1 Samuel xvi. 14 to end. DID Saul know who was to be king instead of him? No, Samuel did not tell Saul what he had done. Saul would have been very angry, if he had known that David had been anointed; but he did not know it. Yet Saul was very unhappy. God had let a wicked spirit come into him. Saul felt frightened and uneasy, so that he could not rest. He lived in a fine house, called a palace, but this did not make him happy: he had many servants to wait upon him, but they could do him no good. You see, my dear children, what a sad thing it is to offend God. God can make people happy, and he can make them unhappy. so unhappy? What should Saul have done, now he was He should have prayed to God to forgive him. But he did not love praying to God. Saul's servants saw that he had a wicked spirit in him, and they said to him, “Shall we look for a man who can play very sweetly on the harp? Perhaps if you were to listen to very sweet music you might get well." One Then Saul answered his servants, "Look for such a man, and bring him to me." Whom could the servants send for? of the servants had heard of David, and he said to Saul," I have seen one of the sons of Jesse, who lives at Bethlehem, and he can play beautifully on the harp; and besides this he is a very brave young man, who can fight well, and he can speak very wisely, and he is very handsome; and God loves him: shall I send for him ?" Saul said that he would have this young man sent for. Some of Saul's servants went to Jesse and said, "King Saul wishes to see your son David, who takes care of the sheep." Jesse said that David might go and he desired David to take a present to king Saul. What was the present? Some bread, a kid, (which is a young goat,) and a bottle of wine. David put all these things upon an ass, and |