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from his native home, and persecuted in every way by the enmity of Saul, who was at the same time, as you may suppose, at enmity with God. On one occasion, Saul, not knowing the friendship that existed between Jonathan and David, told the former that it was his intention to kill David; who instantly apprised his dear friend of his danger, and desired him to secrete himself until he could remove his father's hatred, which he did by remonstrating with his father on the cruelty of his intention, and by upholding David's merits: "Let not the king," said this interesting and amiable youth, "sin against his servant, against David; because his works have been to thee-ward very good: for he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?" I must here digress to observe, that Saul was exceedingly fond of Jonathan: he therefore hearkened unto his voice; and sware, to satisfy this amiable advocate and sterling friend, As the Lord liveth, he shall not be slain.

But the heart of the king was under the influence of the evil spirit; so that his resolution of kindness towards David did not last long; for as he was playing the harp, Saul flung a javelin at him, which for

tunately missed, and entered the wall, so that David escaped to his house. He sent messengers to seize him, which,however, when David's wife Michal heard, she let him down by a window, by which he escaped. When the messengers entered the house, Michal took an image and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goat's hair for his bolster, and covered it with cloth, and the messengers were told that David was sick; and when Saul sent a second time to bring him out of his bed to be slain, he discovered it was 'Michal's deception, to allow David time to escape by flying some distance from his country.

David was now compelled to live in caves and in deserts, and all who were in distress, in debt, or discontented, gathered themselves to him, and he became a captain over them: they were in all about 400 men. With these David was able to defend himself from his enemies. It happened on one occasion, when Saul was returned from fighting the Philistines, that it was told him that David was in the wilderness of Engedi. Here the evil and the malignancy of his spirit induced him to take three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, with whom he proceeded to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. On reaching the sheepcotes by the way, there was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet. So completely is man dependant upon God

for hourly preservation, that he is even guided and directed according to his will. God would not allow the three thousand chosen of Israel to meet his be loved David: his divine providence, therefore, led Saul into the very cave where David and his men lay secreted. The latter, seeing their leader's enemy within his power, anxiously besought him to secure Saul. Behold the day, said they, 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. But any unworthy or cowardly act was in direct opposition to David's disposition; he however arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul's robe privily. But afterwards, David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt. The Lord forbid,said he to his men, that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord's anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. Doubtless his little band were astonished at such forbearance and long-suffering kindness; but his language restrained them: indeed he would not suffer them to rise against Saul, although they now saw him rising up out of the cave, and departing on his way. This benevolent conduct would not be lauded by the generality of mankind: the man who could bear injury and persecution with such lenity in return, would

be designated both ignorant, contemptible, and weak. But let us mark the judgment and Christian conduct of David: he followed, the unjust king; and going out of the cave, cried, My lord the king! Saul's attention being arrested, with surprise he looked behind him.-And how he must have trembled with fear, Mamma! Whatever might have been his apprehensions, my love, he had nothing to fear from the child of God. David soon removed his alarm; for he stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself. Wherefore hearest thou men's words, enquired David, saying, Behold, David seeketh thy hurt?

Behold, this day 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, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. Is this thy voice, my son David? Here Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil. And thou hast showed 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 go well away? wherefore the Lord reward thee good for that thou hast done unto me this day. And now, behold, I know well that thou shalt surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in thine hand. Swear now therefore unto me by the Lord, that thou wilt not cut off my seed after me, and that thou wilt not destroy my name out of my father's house. In obedience to his wish, David sware unto Saul: it was never his desire to be inimical to his king and country; his whole soul, as are those of all the children of God, was directed to peace and good will to all men. Suffice it to say, that Saul went home; but David and his men gat them up unto their stronghold.

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