guided and assisted him in the discharge of his public duties, was withdrawn.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."

CHAPTER II.

David, being sent for by Saul, visits him, plays before him on the harp, (so that the evil spirit leaves him,) and returns home.

Saul yielded to the suggestions that were made, and ordered such an individual as had been mentioned, to be provided for his relief. Who shall undertake this responsible duty? Who shall dare to stand before the royal maniac, in his paroxysms of distraction, and endeavor to soothe his agitated soul? Who will have the courage and self-possession to encounter his fearful ravings, and at the risk, too, of the disgrace and dangers of a failure. Under such circumstances, a man is needed of no ordinary character. For he must be one to command both the respect and the confidence of Saul. His eye, his countenance, his mien, his conversation, his skill in music and in song, his whole soul must be suited to the emergency, Where can he be found?

One of the attendants of Saul had seen David, and appreciated his peculiar talents for the service. This young shepherd, though but just entering upon adult years, had already acquired in the retired sphere in which he moved, a re

putation for courage and prudence, and for an exquisite skill in the music of the times, which secured the confidence and admiration of those who knew him. It is probable also, (for we know not the exact time which had now passed away since he was anointed by Samuel at Bethlehem,) that no inconsiderable part of the esteem in which he was held, was owing to the extraordinary ripening of his character under the divine influence which attended him. The language that the attendant of Saul used, seems clearly to imply this. "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him."

Saul was so favorably impressed with this description, that he immediately dispatched messengers to Jesse, directing David to be sent to him. No time was lost in complying with the royal command. David went to Gibeah, the place of Saul's residence, about thirteen miles to the north of Bethlehem, carrying with him, as was customary, a present from his father to the king; a humble one, indeed, but doubtless befitting Jesse's condition, and the mediocrity of his circumstances. It was an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid. Both the present and he who bore it, were very graciously received. Indeed, we are told that Saul loved

David greatly; placing him among the number of his attendants, and appointing him to the honorable office of armor-bearer. He sent a message, not long after, to Jesse, requesting him to suffer his son to remain, and speaking of him in terms of the highest commendation. There was good reason for doing this. For, in addition to the other valuable services of David, he proved eminently successful, by the power of his music, in restoring Saul, at least for a season, to his usual self-possession and composure of mind. "It came to pass," says the sacred narrative, "when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."

Of the nature of Saul's malady, and the peculiar state of his mind, when the evil spirit took possession of it, the Scriptures give no exact account. Some suppose that as the prophets of old used solemǹ and sacred music to calm their minds for the inspirations of the Spirit of God, so a similar composure in the case of Saul, produced by the exquisite minstrelsy of David's harp, and the devotional, soul-subduing songs. which breathed so sweetly from his lips, caused the demon to depart; as he could dwell only where there was a tumultuous and frantic state of feeling, and a wild extravagance of thought.

The great object of his visit being accomplish

ed, and other reasons occurring which are not disclosed to us, David returned to his home at Bethlehem. He continued to follow there the quiet occupation of a shepherd; enjoying the peculiar influences of the Spirit of God to prepare him for the fulfilment of his high destiny; and waiting, with no restless or ambitious solicitude, the guidance of that Providence on which he relied to direct his steps.

In how striking a manner that Providence was thus guiding him. David had been with Saul long enough to become acquainted with a variety of objects that would afford him useful and important matter of reflection in his temporary seclusion. He had seen something of those stirring scenes of life in which he was ere long to take a part, and had been taught experimentally the need of divine wisdom and grace in view of the responsibilities that would soon devolve upon him. Especially had he enjoyed an opportunity of learning the character of Saul, with whom he was afterwards to have so much to do, and who would exercise towards him the most jealous and implacable resentment. He came back from the court of the king, well fitted to profit by the lessons of heavenly wisdom which the Word and Spirit of God would impart, in the peaceful retirement that awaited him.

How necessary is such retirement, to prepare us for the trials and temptations of life. We