BEFORE THE KING.

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tentous challenges of Goliath, which no one had as yet dared to accept-is it surprising that, with so little opportunity for clear observation and recollection, he should not recognize the son of Jesse who stood before him?

Abner was careful to execute his commission, and as David returned from the slaughter of Goliath, brought him, with the head of the latter in his hand, into the presence of the king.

Upon Saul's inquiring whose son he was, David replied, "I am the son of thy servant Jesse the Bethlehemite." What else passed between them on this occasion we are not informed. It appears, however, that the conduct and conversation of David, together with his pious heroism in meeting the champion of the Philistines, made such an impression on Jonathan, Saul's son, while there was something so engaging in the character of the latter, that "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." On the same day Saul let David know that he had assigned him a place among his nearest attendants, and that he must not think of returning again to his father's house.

About this time David carried the head of Goliath to Jerusalem-perhaps to strike terror into the garrison of the Jebusites, who occupied a strong-hold there-and deposited in his tent the armor that belonged to the giant, while his sword was placed, as a trophy, in the tabernacle.

CHAPTER V.

FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN JONATHAN AND DAVID. SAUL BECOMES JEALOUS OF DAVID, AND LAYS A PLAN TO HAVE HIM KILLED, BUT FAILS.

JONATHAN and David, as we have seen, commenced a friendship of the most intimate kind. It is without a parallel, for its ardor and disinterestedness, in the records of history. To give it the sacred tie of religious obligation, they made a covenant with each other; while Jonathan took off the robe and other garments which he wore, clothing David with them, and putting on him also his sword, his bow, and his girdle. Such presents are still frequent in the East, as tokens of respect and attachment. All must have noticed the new and costly articles with which David was thus attired; and it being known to whom they had belonged, they afforded a striking evidence of the peculiar favor in which he was held by the king's son.

Saul too bestowed honors of the highest kind upon the conqueror of Goliath. He gave him an exalted military station, and sent him out on important excursions in the public service. His confidence was not misplaced. David showed great wisdom in all that he did, securing the

SAUL'S JEALOUSY.

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esteem of the people at large, and of those who were more immediately about the person of the king. But the time was approaching when this favorite of his sovereign was to find himself the object of an inveterate resentment. Envy the most malignant would soon take place of the kindly feelings which Saul seemed to manifest towards David; and the latter would have fresh occasion to look to that God in whom he trusted for guidance and support. . Circumstances growing out of the late victory of David over Goliath gave rise to this change.

It seems that after the discomfiture and terrible slaughter of the Philistines, Saul made a triumphal entry into the principal cities of the kingdom, accompanied by a large retinue, among the persons composing which David occupied a conspicuous place. According to the customs of the times, they were met on these occasions by bands of women, coming out of the cities to . hail their approach, and to celebrate the success of their arms with appropriate songs and dances, and the joyful sounds of various instruments of music. As the chorus in which they joined floated upon the air, these ominous words met the ear of the king: "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." And still it was repeated: "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."

It was giving a preeminence to the youthful, and hitherto obscure stranger, which the pride of

the monarch could not brook. Rage took possession of his breast. He was unable to conceal it. He gave vent to his agitated feelings: "They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands; and what can he have more but the kingdom?"

Already the rejected monarch seems to be anticipating who is to supplant him. He had been told by the prophet Samuel, on one occasion of flagrant transgression, that the Lord had rent the kingdom from him, and had given it to a neighbor of his that was better than he. Does he not begin to see who that person is? In the great favor which the God of Israel bestows upon the youthful son of Jesse; in the wonderful victory that he has been enabled to achieve over Goliath and the Philistines; in the universal esteem that is awarded him; and in the singular discretion that marks his conduct, showing that he has the wisdom which can come only from the source of all wisdom-does not Saul discover in these striking providential circumstances, him that is destined ere long to wear the crown? Have not his suspicions fastened upon David, and are they not clearly manifested in the expression, "What can he have more but the kingdom?"

He watches the course of his rival, as he regards him, with the closest and most jealous scrutiny. His mind becomes so disturbed, and his breast so agitated with the tumultuous pas

HIS LIFE SOUGHT.

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sions which reign there, that the evil spirit, permitted of God to do it, returns once more to take possession of his soul. In the paroxysm of frenzy that ensued, we are told he prophesied in the midst of his house. He either actually foretold some future events, perhaps the removal of the kingdom from him, or assumed the air of the prophets when under a divine inspiration, that he might the better conceal the murderous design which it appears he cherished at the time against David. The latter, as he had before done, taking his harp, endeavored by the power of his music to calm the mind of the king. But the rage of Saul was not now to be thus subdued. He strove to make David its victim; furiously hurling at him the javelin which he held in his hand, and exclaiming that he would smite him even to the wall with it. But it failed of its mark. David, probably being aware of the danger, dexterously avoided it on this and a subsequent occasion, escaping out of the presence of Saul.

The latter could not but perceive that the one whom he attempted to destroy was under the peculiar protection of the Almighty, and that he enjoyed also the divine favor in many other respects. Himself, he knew, had lost that protection and favor. Hence, he not only hated but feared David. He dreaded the influence he was continually gaining, and the invidious comparisons which would be made, between their respective characters. He resolved to remove so