1073.] BY MANY FOLLOWERS. 101 From 1 Chron. xi., and also from 1 Sam. xxxiii., it is evident, not only that David did not set up a standard of revolt, but that he used the power at his command, to protect his country from the marauding parties of the Philistines. Saul's attention to his kingdom was distracted by efforts to gratify his revenge, and his force weakened by David being driven from his camp, as well as from his court; meanwhile the enemy continually vexed and plundered the southern districts of the land, penetrating nearly through its breadth. The first care of David was to place both his aged parents in safety from the dangers incident to his roving life. He obtained a shelter for them with the king of Moab; thus the enemies of Israel were influenced to secure these aged servants of the Lord from the persecutions of king Saul, whose duty it was to have protected them. David showed his anxiety to keep the precept of the fifth command, and secured for himself the blessing promised to accompany it. Let our young readers, especially, remember this beautiful trait in David's character. His parents were dearer to him than his own life. Surely it is a bad sign to see so little attention to aged fathers and mothers in the present day. We also find that the Lord left not David destitute of spiritual support. The prophet Gad was sent to be his companion; by him David was frequently directed respecting the course which he was to pursue for safety. Thus the prayer and the confidence expressed in Psalm cxli. 8-10, probably composed at this time, were realized : Mine eyes are unto thee, O God the Lord: Let the wicked fall into their own nets, BIBL SAUL'S PROCEEDINGS AGAINST DAVID HIS DIFFICULTIES AND ESCAPES-DAVID SPARES THE LIFE OF SAUL-HIS RESIDENCE IN THE WILDERNESS IN THE SOUTH-EASTERN PART OF JUDAH. DAVID was soon warned by the prophet to quit the caves of Adullam, and to take refuge in the forest of Hareth. Here it will be desirable briefly to notice the natural fastnesses in which David found shelter. A large part of Judah, being rocky and mountainous, abounds with caverns, in which the inhabitants have at different times concealed themselves, when the country has been invaded and overrun by their enemies. Thus we find the five kings of the Canaanites secreting themselves in a cave, Josh. x. 16. The Israelites 1073.] IN THE WILDERNESS OF JUDAH. 103 even enlarged these excavations for hiding places from the Midianites, Judg. vi. 2; and the people concealed themselves in caves and pits from the Philistines, 1 Sam. xiii. 6. Modern travellers describe such places in the Holy Land. Pococke visited a cave which_he thinks may have been one of those resorted to by David, in which it is said many thousand persons once took shelter. During the heat of summer, these retreats would be pleasant, and their intricacies would afford safe shelter from persons unacquainted with them. There are some such places in England, but not equal in extent or number to those in Palestine ; yet persons who have visited the caverns at Matlock may form some idea of such places of shelter, and how suitable they are for concealment and defence, as they usually contain several distinct cavities, with intricate passages from one part to the other. The deserts and wildernesses of Judah also were resorted to by David. These were not like the vast howling wildernesses, stony, sandy, sterile tracts of Arabia; but rather resembled our English commons and open pastures; more or less wooded, but suitable for feeding cattle, and affording a shelter for wandering bands, "rovers of the forest wild," such as David had with him. It is not easy to convey a correct idea of such a country by description; but if the reader bas occasion to visit a romantic tract, such as some parts even of our own land present, let him recollect the history of David and his wanderings, he will then more easily understand how it was that Saul found it so difficult to trace the wandering band, and how David and his men were able to elude the pursuit. One traveller considers that Devonshire in many respects resembles the land of Canaan. There may be a similarity as to some features; but much of the general character of a country must depend upon the state of cultivation, and the extent of population. Several of the Psalms, such as Psa. xxvi. xxvii. lxxxvi. and others, describe the feelings of David when thus situated, 104 SAUL DIRECTS [B. C. absent from the sanctuary, and in danger from his enemies; but under all these trials he was supported by firm reliance on his God. When troubles rise, my guardian God It is abundantly evident that no desire of an ambitious nature actuated David. Psalm cxxxi. expresses his feelings. By thy instruction sweetly taught, So Lord, thou knowest I still resign He made no attempt upon Saul; but, hunted and driven by his pursuers, his care was to find the most secure place of retreat. In no instance do we see him acting in hostile opposition to Saul and his partisans. A purer and longer continued instance of strictly observed self-defence, is not recorded in history. When Saul found that David had returned into Judah, and that a band was assembling around him, he took the field, and threatened all who refused to aid his persecuting measures. His implacable enmity to David, also his utter disregard of the Lord, and of his priests, was shown by the massacre of Ahimelech and his companions, eighty-five in number, with all their families. Now the Divine sentence against the house of Eli was completely fulfilled. The order given by Saul to Doeg, "Turn and slay the priests of Jehovah," shows the daring spirit of impiety by which he was actuated. When we read of the slaughter of so many 1 1073.] THE PRIESTS TO BE SLAIN. 105 unoffending persons, by a ferocious officer of Saul, and a few attendants, we are reminded of the many instances of massacre in the records of the east. Now, indeed, the Israelites had full proof that the monarch they had desired, resembled, as they had wished, the kings of the neighbouring nations! It is unnecessary to say that such atrocities were wholly opposed to the Jewish law and polity. Abiathar alone escaped to David, who blamed himself for the sad catastrophe; he expressed his feelings of indignation and regret in Psalm lii. The priest found David engaged in a manner which forms a strong contrast to the proceedings of Saul at the same time. The monarch of the land neglected its defence ; he left it open to the predatory inroads of the Philistines, while causing the massacre of the priests, and concerting measures to destroy an innocent fugitive. But that fugitive, who could not openly show himself without hazard of his life, ventured to come forward, and encounter the enemy, in defence of a town they besieged; although his men unwillingly incurred the danger; but he had received the Divine direction, and he hesitated not to go forward. "Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshing-floors. Therefore David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? Then David enquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah," 1 Sam. xxiii. 1-5. How beautiful this instance of sacrificing private feelings for the public benefit! But how painful the contrast in the people of Keilah, who were ready to |