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And the men of Israel and Judah arose, and shouted, and pursued the Philistines, until thou come to the valley, and to the gate of Ekron. And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim, even unto Gath, and unto Ekron.

And the children of Israel returned from chasing the Philistines, and they spoiled their tents.

And David took the head of the Philistine, and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his

tent.

And when Saul saw David go forth against the Philistine, he said unto Abner the captain of the host, Abner, whose son is this youth? And Abner said, As thy soul liveth, O king, I cannot tell."

And the king said, Enquire thou whose son this stripling is.

And as David returned from the slaughter of the Philistines, Abner took him and brought him before Saul, with the head of the Philistine in his hand.

And Saul said to him, Whose son art thou, thou young man? And David answered, I am the son of thy servant Jesse, the Beth lehemite.

And it came to pass when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house.

Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the

men

men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

war;

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

It is very probable that the Philistines might have heard of the threatenings which Samuel had denounced against Saul, and that he was afflicted with an uncommon distemper, which rendered him unfit to manage a these circumstances encouraged them to suppose that the Israelites would be intimidated by their mighty champion Goliath, whose appearance was indeed sufficient to strike terror into those who could not with confidence depend on the assistance of the LORD: for he was near thirteen feet high, his coat of mail weighed above 189 pounds, and the weight of his spear's head was upwards of 22 pounds, so that the whole of his armour must have been exceedingly heavy. No one amongst the armies of Israel had courage to accept his challenge, not even Saul, or Jonathan his son. Saul had lost his courage by the LORD's rejecting him; and Jonathan, not feeling himself animated as on a former occasion, would not venture such a mighty stake as the freedom of Israel, trusting merely to his own personal ability: we may likewise imagine, that DIVINE PROVIDENCE had ordered all events to conspire together, that the victory should be gained by the hand of David. How commendable was the conduct of this amiable With what zeal for the honour of GOD young man! did he wish to remove the disgrace that Israel lay under! with what exemplary modesty did he offer his services to Saul! with what faith and confidence in Gon did he face his antagonist! Let us imagine ourselves spectators of the scene: behold, a mighty GIANT, completely armed, marching with haughty strides, and

breathing

breathing defiance to a whole army, who fly from before him a blooming YOUTH, in a humble shepherd's garb, with no other weapons but a sling and a few pebbles, boldly accepts his challenge; who would imagine it was possible for him to subdue such a formidable foe? yet this did David effect! but let us remember that he went against the champion of an idolatrous nation, in the name of the LORD OF HOSTS, the GOD of the armies of Israel, and full of faith and confidence that GOD would enable him to overcome his enemy, and we shall no longer wonder at the success of his enterprize.

From Eliab's treatment of his brother, we may understand that he was of a very ill-natured disposition, notwithstanding his outward appearance was so engaging.

It may seem strange that Saul should not know David, as he had formerly attended him in the character of a musician: the text does not say that Saul did not recollect his person, only that he was ignorant of his family and descent, which he might now wish to be particularly informed of, as he had engaged to marry his daughter to the man who should deliver Israel from the threats of the Philistines. David was at that time about 22 years old, yet he might properly be called a youth and a stripling, when compared with a giant.

Jonathan's behaviour to David shews that he had a liberal mind; for instead of being envious of his fame, he regarded him with admiration and gratitude: being firmly convinced that David was particularly favoured by the LORD, he concluded that he was deserving of his esteem, and resolved, from that day, to cultivate his friendship; therefore, he took the earliest opportunity of expressing his sentiments; and that David might appear like a king's son, Jonathan gave him his

own

own attire and weapons. David was rejoiced to meet with such a treasure as a sincere friend, where he could the least have expected it; and he and Jonathan made a solemn promise to observe a constant intercourse of good offices. It is not at all unlikely that Jonathan supposed David would succeed to the crown, as the LORD so evidently assisted him.

From this section we learn, that personal strength. and courage are as nothing, when exerted in defiance of the ALMIGHTY: and that GoD can enable the weak. to overcome the strong, and effect His Divine purposes by the humblest instruments.

SECTION LXXIX.

SAUL ENVIETH DAVID-SEEKETH TO KILL HIMFEARETH HIM FOR HIS GOOD SUCCESS HE OFFEREIH HIM HIS DAUGHTER FOR A SNARE.

From 1 Samuel, Chap. xviii.

AND it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.

And the women answered one another as they played and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands; and to me they have ascribed but thousands and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.

And

And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from GoD came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.

And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.

And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.

And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.

Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them.

And Saul said to David, Behold, my elder daughter Merab, her will I give thee to wife: only be thou valiant for me, and fight the LORD's battles. For Saul said, Let not mine hand be upon him, but let the hand of the Philistines be upon

him.

And David said unto Saul, Who am I? and what is my life, or my father's family in Israel, that I should be son-in-law to the king?

But it came to pass at the time when Merab, Saul's daughter should have been given to David, that she was given unto Adriel the Meholathite to wife.

And

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