tant object of his mission would for the present be concealed. Bethlehem was about six miles south of Jerusalem. It stood on an eminence of steep, rocky ascent, commanding an extensive prospect, and surrounded by a pleasant and fertile country. In the town itself, or its immediate vicinity, perhaps in the delightful valley that stretched for a long distance east and west at its foot, was the dwelling of Jesse and his family. He was the son of Obed, whose parents were Boaz and Ruth— the same beautiful and pious Ruth who accompanied her widowed mother-in-law Naomi, when she returned home from the land of Moab. This excellent woman was now to have a signal honor bestowed upon her memory. At no very distant period of time from her decease, one of her de scendants is chosen by the Lord himself to be the monarch of his people. After informing the elders of Bethlehem, who felt great alarm with regard to the purpose of his errand, that it was a peaceable one, Samuel directed them to sanctify themselves, and unite with him in the religious rites which he was about to perform. He gave the same directions also to Jesse and his sons, who soon came, except the youngest, to the sacrifice. That youngest one, a youth eighteen or twenty years of age, remained at home to watch the flocks of his father. It is not improbable too, that the latter, being made acquainted by Samuel with the object he had in SAMUEL'S MISSION. 9 view, left David behind as altogether too young and inexperienced for the elevated station to which some one of his sons was soon to be called. After the sacrifice, the prophet proceeded to discharge the most momentous part of his duty. He had seen the seven sons of Jesse, and being struck with the commanding countenance, tall stature, and noble mien of Eliab, the eldest, conIcluded that this must be the individual destined to sway the sceptre. He was mistaken. Other and higher qualities were needed in him who was to rule the Israelites. The responsibilities of the office demanded not only wisdom and energy, prudence and valor, but, above all, a disposition to govern in the fear of God, and to yield an implicit obedience to his commands. When will rulers be of such a character? When will nations desire and pray to have such rulers? Who that feels for the true prosperity of his country, and the welfare of mankind-who that longs to see the kingdom of the Redeemer make progress throughout the earth, but will strive to bring about so happy a state of things? : Eliab was rejected. "Look not on his countenance," said the Lord to Samuel, "or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." He looketh, my young friend, on thy heart; and what will all thy other qualities avail: beauty and comeliness of per son-if thou dost possess them-elegance of dress and of manners; talents of the highest order, and attainments of the most engaging kind; wealth reputation, influence-if thy heart is not right with God? Alas, in that case these very qualities will only aggravate the final ruin of thy soul. Abinadab, the second son, was called by Jesse to pass before Samuel. But he too was rejected. Then came the third, and the remaining four in their order; of each of whom the prophet declared by a divine direction that the Lord had not chosen him. He now inquired of Jesse if these were all his children, and being told that one yet, the youngest, remained at home, he ordered him to be sent for; and to show the importance and urgency of his coming, he added that they would not sit down without him to the feast of which it was customary to partake on such occasions, after the offering up of the sacrifice. David came, and stood before the prophet; a lovely youth, in the freshness of budding manhood, of a beautiful ruddy countenance, and most prepossessing appearance. We may well suppose that he deeply wondered at the scene around him; at the intense interest with which the venerable man of God fixed upon him his benignant, yet anxious gaze; at the amazement and curiosity which marked the looks of his father and brethren, and at the solemn suspense with which all seemed to be waiting some momentous issue. THE ANOINTING. 11 The mystery was soon explained. The prophet announced the divine decision, and anointed David as the one chosen of God who was to be at no distant period the king of Israel. What a change is before him! The sceptre of royalty is to take the place of the shepherd's crook. He who has been keeping his father's flocks in the retired vales of Bethlehem, is to be at the head of millions of his countrymen; to direct their affairs in peace, and in war to lead forth their embattled hosts against the enemy. That he may become qualified for these arduous duties, a divine influence is imparted to him. "The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward;" inspiring him with those peculiar talents and dispositions which he would need to call into exercise. Samuel having accomplished the object of his mission, returned to Ramah, and Jesse and his sons to their usual occupations at Bethlehem. In the meanwhile, the judgments which Saul had provoked by his disobedience were fast gathering, to fall upon his devoted head. That peculiar influence of the Spirit of God which had guided and assisted him in the discharge of his public duties, was withdrawn. Left to himself, an increased degree of folly and guilt began to mark his downward course; and to render his case the more wretched, "an evil spirit from the Lord," as we are told, “troubled him." God permitted this to take place as a kind of punishment which was justly due to one who, disregarding and resisting those divine influences which had so mercifully been shed down upon him, thus invited, as it were, a demon of wickedness to take possession of his breast. To what awful judgments do not they expose themselves who grieve away the Spirit of God! The consequences of this change were soon apparent. Saul showed at times by his conversation and conduct that he was not what he used to be. Distracted thoughts and uncontrollable passions led him to say and do things of the most strange, revolting, and unworthy kind. Those around him did not hesitate to attribute this to the true source, nor to tell the king himself what, they thought of his case, and to propose a remedy. "Behold now," said they, "an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man who is a cunning player on a harp and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well." : |