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David's escape was a great disappointment to Saul; but he still resolved to destroy him if possible: David, on the contrary, notwithstanding his success against the Philistines, avoided all hostilities with Saul; and, instead of acting offensively against him, he submitted to flee as a bird unto the mountains. The place of his retreat was the wilderness of Ziph, in a wood; here he was favoured with a visit from his dear friend Jonathan, who came privately to him, and in the kindest and noblest manner encouraged him to trust in God. He reminded David, of his having been anointed Captain of he LoD's inheritance; declared his belief that he would certainly succeed Saul in the kingly office; and assured him, that, for his own part, he should never obstruct his accession to the throne, because he would not oppose the will of the MOST HIGH, who setteth up one, and pulteth down another; but should think it a happiness beyond what a crown could bring, to be the first in David's affection and esteem. He likewise told David that Saul was fully convinced that the kingdom was designed of GOD for him, though he continued to persecute him. Jonathan and David then joined in a repetition of their former covenant, and Jonathan departed to his house, for he would not stay with David, let it should appear like rebellion against his father; neither would he countenance Saul in his unjust proceedings against a man of whose innocence he was so perfectly convinced.

In the midst of the dangers and trouble that surrounded him, David is supposed to have penned the following Psalm * :

O GOD, thou art my GOD, early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.

* Psalm lxiii.

To

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy loving kindness is better than life: my lips shall praise thee.

Thus will I bless thee, while I live I will lift up my hands in thy name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:

When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night-watches.

Because thou hast been my help; therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

My soul followeth hard after thee; thy right hand upholdeth me.

The Ziphites thinking to ingratiate themselves with their sovereign, informed Saul of David's retreat, and offered to deliver him into Saul's hands. Saul, with the people that were with him, immediately went in pursuit of David: but while Saul went on one side of the mountain, David went on the other. Before Saul overtook him, news was brought that the Philistines had invaded Israel, and he hastened back to defend his kingdom. This was a most providential deliverance to David, who would most likely have fallen into Saul's hands in a short time. On this occasion the following: Psalm is supposed to have been penned + ::

Save me, O GOD, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.

Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

Palm liv.

+ Chandler's Life of King David.

R 5

For

For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul; they have not set GOD before them. Behold, GoD is mine helper; the LORD is with them that uphold my soul.

He shall reward evil unto mine enemies; cut them off in thy truth.

I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD, for it is good.

For he hath delivered me out of all my trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

their enemies.

It appears* probable, that David abode some time in the strong holds of En-gedi, and that he employed his troops in cultivating the country; for we can hardly suppose that he suffered them to remain idle: besides, in his Psalms, he frequently mentions, that the barren land became fruitful: the wilderness, a standing water: that the LORD prepared them a table in the presence of That he blessed them so that they multiplied exceedingly and suffered not their cattle to decrease ; from which may be inferred, that rural occupations filled up those spaces which would otherwise have been wasted in idleness, and that the LORD blessed the labours of their hands. It likewise appears, that David exercised his mind in the contemplation of the works of nature; and we may suppose that he instructed his followers to admire the wisdom of GOD, in the creation and government of the world, by those charming compositions which the HOLY SPIRIT† inspired for his own comfort, and the benefit of others.

* Delany's Life of King David. † See in particular Psalm civ.

SECTION

SECTION LXXXI.

DAVID IN A CAVE AT EN-GEDI SPARETH SAUL'S

LIFE.

From 1 Samuel, Chap. xxiv.

AND it came to pass when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold David is in the wilderness of En-gedi.

Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats.

And he came to the sheep-cotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet,, and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.

And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the LORD said unto thee, Behold I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David! arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily.

And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart. smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt..

And he said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master the LORD's anoint-ed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.

So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose: up out of the cave, and went on his way.

David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

And David said to saul, Wherefore hearest thou nien's words, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt ?.

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Behold, thine eyes have seen how that the LORD hath delivered thee to-day into mine hand in the cave: and some bade me kill thee, but mine eye spared thee : and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he is the LORD's anointed.

Moreover, my father, see, yea, see the skirt of thy robe in my hand: for in that I cut off the skirt of thy robe, and killed thee not: know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in mine hand, and I have not sinned against thee: yet thou huntest my soul to take it.

The LORD judge between me and thee, and the LORD avenge me of thee: but mine hand shall not be upon thee:

As saith the proverb of the ancients, Wickedness proceedeth from the wicked: but mine hand shall not be upon thee.

After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? after a dead dog, after a flea.

The LORD therefore be judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand.

And it came to pass when David had made an end` of speaking these words unte Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? and Saul lift up his voice, and wept.

And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I; for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.

And thou hast shewed this day how that thou hast dealt well with me: forasmuch as when the LORD had delivered me into thine hand, thou killedst

me not.

For if a man find his enemy, will he let him

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