THE CHALLENGE MET.

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whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thy heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle."

The reply of David was firm, yet respectful.

"What have I now done? Is there not a cause?". What, indeed, had he done to justify the reproachful language which Eliab used? He had come as a dutiful son and a kind brother on an errand of affectionate inquiry after the welfare of his brethren. Finding the state of things as it was, and feeling indignant at the provoking defiance of Goliath, with a courageous zeal for the honor of his country and his God, was there not a sufficient reason for the inquiry he had made, and the sentiments he had expressed?

He was not to be checked in the noble purpose which he seems already to have formed of encountering the champion of the Philistines, by any of the sneers or insinuations of Eliab. He renewed his inquiry, proposing it to others, and still receiving the same answer. His manner of doing this began to excite attention; and at length some one let Saul know what the words and bearing of this young brother of Eliab appeared to indicate. The king sent for him, and to his great astonishment immediately heard this language from the lips of David: "Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine."

How unassuming and free from boasting this

simple, yet resolute declaration. Such is ever the character of true valor-decided, fearless, and modest; emphatically so when its reliance is on the arm of the Almighty. In his strength, my young friend, go forward to espouse the right, and to do your duty with the unpretending intrepidity of the heroic son of Jesse. Be your motto, Let no man's heart fail him because of the adversaries of truth and righteousness.

BEFORE KING SAUL.

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CHAPTER IV

DAVID MEETS GOLIATH, AND KILLS HIM.

SAUL admired the courage of David, but doubted altogether his ability to meet Goliath with any hope of succeeding in the conflict. He avowed his fears, and added the reason for them: "Thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth."

David was not to be daunted by any considerations of this kind. He was well aware indeed of the vastly superior strength of Goliath. But then he was not going to the encounter relying on his own prowess. He trusted in Jehovah to nerve his arm and direct his skill. He had already experienced the efficacy of this trust on occasions of the most imminent danger, and when his escape from destruction seemed, if possible, more hopeless than at the present time it did to the apprehensions of the king. He let Saul know this, hoping to inspire him with the same confidence in God that removed all fear from his own breast. "Thy servant," said he, "kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew