Ye feeble saints, your strength endures, 91 Saul appears to have known David; at least, he expressed no particular wish to learn any thing concerning the youth himself, but was desirous to know whose son he was what was the family of one to whom his daughter was likely to be given to wife. Had he not known something of David, would he not have inquired more directly concerning the youth himself? There is some ambiguity and doubt as to the arrangement of the passages which form the 16th, 17th, and 18th chapters of the first book of Samuel; this chiefly relates to the question whether David played upon the harp to Saul before the combat with Goliath or not? We cannot here enter fully into this question, but have given in the narrative what appears the most probable account. Those who consider, with Hall, Warburton, and Horsley, that the encounter preceded David's playing on the harp, probably will approve of Townsend's arrangement, which is as follows: 1 Sam. xvi. 1-13; xvii. 1-40, 55, 56, 41-54, 57, 58; xviii. 1–9; xvi. 14-23; xviii. 10-30. Others, who are not satisfied with reconciling the passages as in the narrative, would omit 1 Sam. xvii. 12-31, 41, 50, and 54; xviii. 5, 9-11, 17—19: for this they have the authority and support of the ancient Greek version of the Septuagint, made several hundred years before Christ. It appears to be the only safe course to leave the passage as it stands, with merely such explanations as may assist in removing any apparent contradiction; assured that this, and every passage of God's holy word, contains the truth, and is written for our instruction. The host of the Philistines fled panic stricken at the defeat of their champion; they were pursued to the gates of their own cities; while, from all the cities of Israel, the women came forth with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music to greet the victor. FRIENDSHIP OF JONATHAN AND DAVID-SAUL'S JEALOUSY AND VIOLENCE — DAVID'S FLIGHT FROM COURT HE TAKES REFUGE WITH THE PHILISTINES, BUT RETURNS TO JUDEA. IMMEDIATELY after the victory of David over Goliath, the friendship of Jonathan for David is mentioned. It was a friendship resulting from the effects of that Divine grace by which their souls were influenced; this union of souls can only exist where both partake of the Spirit of Christ. Jonathan clothed David in his own robes, which, as already remarked, was the strongest mark of favour from a superior. The gift of a girdle is still considered, in the east, a peculiar token of confidence and affection. David was appointed to an honourable station, by the influence of Divine grace he behaved himself wisely therein. This 1075.] SAUL'S VIOLENCE. 93 alone could keep him aright, for a state of prosperity is harder to bear than a state of affliction. But David soon learned the vanity of worldly fame. It was necessary that he should be thoroughly instructed in the school of adversity, and he was so taught. We have stated, that as Saul and David returned from the conflict, the Jewish women greeted them with songs in honour of their prowess, but they gave the pre-eminence to David; this displeased Saul, who ever after regarded the youthful victor with envy. An envious spirit soon makes way for a diabolical spirit; or rather, envy comes directly from Satan himself. On the next day, while Saul was in a gloomy mood, uttering discontented ravings, David sought to sooth the monarch by the influence of music, but Saul endeavoured to slay him. What a contrast! The shepherd, with his harp, seeking to calm the brutal mood of his gloomy monarch; the king, with his javelin, seeking to slay the kind and humble youth. 94 SAUL SEEKS [B. C. A mean and evil spirit will quail before the man who is actuated by sincerity and truth, especially when united with faith. Saul feared David, and gave him a post which took him from his presence; but this was overruled to increase the popularity of David, who under the Divine influence behaved himself wisely; he was known to all Judah and Israel, and was beloved by them. This increased the displeasure of Saul; he sought to ensnare David, while he pretended to reward him by giving him his daughter to wife. The alliance would expose him to the envy of his countrymen, while conditions were exacted, which put his life to hazard, and rendered him more than ever hateful to the Philistines. But all was overruled for good; David's humility was made the more clearly to appear, as well as his valour against the enemies of Israel. The narrative of David's life is given in Scripture so minutely, and with such graphic detail, that it is better to direct the reader to the Bible, than to attempt to supply a substitute for the pages of holy writ. In 1 Samuel xix. we read of Jonathan's friendship, David's courage, and Saul's murderous hate. Here is to be noticed Jonathan's well-judged prudence; he did not oppose his father's cruel orders that David should be slain, while he was in the heat of passion, but addressed him in the cool of the morning, when in the field, where the contemplation of natural objects would tend to sooth and calm the mind. He probably spoke within the hearing of David, that the latter might himself judge as to the extent of his danger, and know best how to act. Jonathan's words are recorded: "And Jonathan spake good of David unto Saul his father, and said unto him, Let not the king sin against his servant, against David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his words have been to theeward very good: for he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest 1074.] TO KILL DAVID. 95 it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause? And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan : and Saul sware, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain," ver. 4-6. Saul was softened by the forcible arguments thus urged by Jonathan, a temporary reconciliation took place, but David's further success in war again roused the malignant spirit of the king. Saul disregarded his solemn promise, and determined upon the destruction of David. Michal was aware of her father's rage, she urged David to instant flight, fearful that their domestic privacy would not be respected, but that her husband would be dragged from the female apartments, although this part of the dwelling, in the east, has been, and still is considered sacred from intrusion. Then covering an image, which she appears to have had for idolatrous purposes, she represented it as her husband sick in bed, and gained time for him to get clear away from the city. Saul, in his rage, cared neither for the inviolability of the female apartment, nor for the helpless state of his victim; he commanded David to be brought up in the bed, that he might slay him: this removal would not be difficult, an eastern bed being no more than a slight mattress laid upon the ground; the coverings usually are upper garments which have been worn during the day. Michal's stratagem was detected, and we see a father bitterly reproaching a daughter, that she had saved her husband's life! On this occasion, David is thought to have composed two Psalms, xi. and lix. : the latter especially notices the treacherous and cruel hatred of his enemies, and expresses his own innocence and reliance upon the Divine protection. He now hastened to Ramah, where he took refuge with Samuel. His resort at this time to the prophet who first called him out of obscurity, was peculiarly appropriate; and his going thus boldly to the judge of Israel, showed his |