DAVID;

OR, THE MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART.

DAVID was the second King of Israel; and he, as well as Saul, was specially chosen for that office by God himself.

His father, Jesse, was a man of no great rank, living at the little town of Bethlehem. David was trained from his youth to the occupation of a shepherd; and, being the youngest of the family, was the most unlikely to be brought into public notice. However, it pleased God to raise him from his low condition, and set him upon the throne of Israel. So true is that word of God, which says "Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south: but God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."

The Lord had declared his intention to dismiss Saul from his kingdom. And He forthwith directs Samuel to choose one to

M

succeed him from among the eight sons of Jesse. David is at first overlooked by the Prophet. But as they pass one after another before him, the Lord plainly shows that David, although the youngest, is the one whom He has chosen-"Arise," he says, "anoint him for this is he."

Very soon after he had been anointed by Samuel, he was brought into notice in consequence of being sent for to comfort Saul. For this he was well suited, being a skilful player on the harp; for we are told that music was the only thing that soothed the mind of the wretched king.

Another circumstance also occurred which made David a marked man. One day, when the war was going on between the Philistines and the Israelites, he was sent by his father on an errand to the camp of Israel. When he arrived, he found the armies clustered on two opposite hills. The Israelites had just been struck with an unusual panic. Their courage had suddenly forsaken them, and they were trembling with fear. What had happened? David sees a warrior of enormous stature sallying forth

from the ranks of the Philistines, and stalking through the narrow valley which lay at their feet. This was Goliath, the pride of Gath-a man terrible to look upon. He was armed from head to foot, and carried in his hand a spear which was like a weaver's beam. Presently his voice is heard, thundering out this challenge to the trembling Israelites; "Am not I a Philistine? I defy the armies of Israel this day.

Give me a

man, that we may fight together."

Who is bold enough to accept the challenge? The hearts of the sternest warriors sink within them. Again and again he utters his proud defiance. A long silence follows, for no one dares go out to meet him. One looks upon another, but no champion appears for Israel.

At length one steps forward who is bolder than the rest. He is no soldier. He has never been trained for war. He has not even reached the years of manhood. He is dressed like a country shepherd. He has no weapons in his hand, but a common sling. And yet he offers to risk his life in defence of his country. "Who is this

beardless youth?" exclaims the king. It was David, the sweet harper of Bethlehem -David, a youth who had come from the sheepfolds on an errand to his brethren. Well might the Israelites smile at his boldness, and the Philistines raise a loud laugh at his expense. Never were two warriors more unequally matched.

But mark the confidence of David. There is no empty boasting about him, no reliance on his own powers. "Thou comest to me,' he says, “with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts."

Before a short hour has run its course the Giant's boasting is silenced, and the Philistines flee in dismay. David had chosen a little stone from the brook, had put it into his sling, and had then taken a fearless aim. But God above strengthened his arm, and directed the stone. It sinks into Goliath's brow. He reels, he staggers, and then falls lifeless to the ground.

What a glorious victory! Old men blessed the brave lad for having thus saved his country's honour; and young men envied

him. But he himself was eager to give God all the praise. He felt that the victory was not his, but the Lord's.

But Saul, who had once treated him with much kindness, now turned against him. He began now to suspect that this son of Jesse was the person whom God had chosen to take his place in the kingdom; and his conduct was from that moment changed towards him. And when he heard how loudly David's praises were sounded by the people wherever he went, a feeling of jealousy sprang up within him; and, instead of loving him, he began to hate him, and from being his friend he became his bitterest persecutor.

On the death of Saul, David became king, and ruled over Israel forty years.

David was a very remarkable man. It will be interesting to look at his character in these four respects-as a Sinner; as a Saint; as a Prophet; and as a Type of Christ.

We will speak of him,

First, as a Sinner. Many people have