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to a man of that character, and to one who had a testimony as having conquered his enemies." When these words of Saul were brought to David, he was pleased with them; and supposed that Saul was really desirous of this affinity with him. So that without bearing to deliberate any longer, or casting about in his mind whether what was proposed was possible, or was difficult or not; he and his companions immediately set upon the enemy, and went about doing what was proposed as the condition of the marriage. Accordingly, because it was God who made all things easy and possible to David, he slew many of the Philistines, and cut off the heads of six hundred of them, and came to the king; and by showing him these heads of the Philistines, required that he might have his daughter in marriage. Accordingly, Saul having no way of getting off his engagements; as thinking it a base thing either to seem a liar when he promised him this marriage, or to appear to have acted treacherously by him in putting him upon what was in a manner impossible, in order to have him slain; he gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.*

CHAP. XI.

OF DAVID'S DELIVERANCE FROM SAUL'S MACHINATIONS, BY THE AF

FECTION OF JONATHAN, AND THE CONTRIVANCE OF MICHAL.

SAUL was not disposed to persevere long in the state wherein he was; for when he saw that David was in great esteem, both with God and with the multitude, he was afraid. And being not able to conceal his fear, concerning his kingdom and his life, to be deprived of either of which was a very great calamity; he resolved to have David slain, and commanded his son Jonathan, and his most faithful servants, to kill him. But Jonathan wondered at his father's change with relation to David, that it should be made to so great a degree, from showing him no small good-will, to contrive how to have him killed. Now because he loved the young man, and reverenced him for his virtue, he informed him of the secret charge his father had given; and what was his intention concerning him. However, he advised him to take care, and be absent the next day: for that he would salute his father; and, if he met with a favourable opportunity, he would discourse with him about him, and learn the cause of his disgust, and show how little ground there was for it, and that for it he ought not to kill a man that had done so many good things for the multitude, and had been a benefactor to himself; on account of which he ought in reason to obtain pardon, had

* 1 Sam. xviii. 27.

he been guilty of the greatest crimes. He also promised to inform him of Saul's resolution. Accordingly, David complied with such advantageous advice, and kept himself out of the king's sight.

"What un

On the next day Jonathan came to Saul, as soon as he saw him in a cheerful disposition, and began to introduce a discourse about David. just action, O father, either little or great," said he, "hast thou found so exceptionable in David, as to induce thee to order us to slay a man, who hath been a great advantage to thy own preservation; and of still greater punishment to the Philistines? a man who hath delivered the people of the Hebrews from reproach and derision, which they underwent for forty days together; when he alone had courage to sustain the challenge of the adversary; and after that brought as many heads of our enemies as he was appointed to bring; and had, as a reward for the same, my sister in marriage. Insomuch that his death would be very sorrowful to us, not only on account of his virtue, but on account of the nearness of our relation: for thy daughter must be injured at the same time that he is slain; and must be obliged to experience widowhood, before she can come to enjoy any advantage from their mutual conversation. Consider these things, and change thy mind to a more merciful temper, and do not mischief to a man who, in the first place, hath done us the great kindness of preserving thee. For when an evil spirit and demons had seized upon thee, he cast them out, and procured rest to thy soul from their incursions; and in the second place, he hath avenged us of our enemies. For it is a base thing to forget such benefits." So Saul was pacified with these words; and sware to his son, that he would do David no harm: for a righteous discourse proved too hard for the king's anger and fear. So Jonathan sent for David, and brought him good news from his father, that he was to be preserved. He also conducted him to his father; and David continued with the king as formerly.†

About this time it was, that, upon the Philistines making a new expedition against the Hebrews, Saul sent David with an army to fight with them; and joining battle with them, he slew many; and after his victory he returned to the king. But his reception by Saul was not as he expected upon such success; for he was grieved at his prosperity, because he thought he would be more dangerous to him by having acted so gloriously. But when the demoniacal spirit came upon him, and put him into disorder, and disturbed him, he called for David into his bedchamber, wherein he lay; and having a spear in his

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hand, he ordered him to charm him with playing on | had saved his enemy, and had put a trick upon himhis harp, and with singing hymns; which when David did, at his command, he, with great force, threw the spear at him. But David, being aware of it before he came, avoided it, and fled to his own house, and abode there all that day.†

But at night the king sent officers, and commanded that he should be watched till the morning, lest he should get quite away; that he might come into the judgment-hall, and so might be delivered up, and condemned, and slain. But when Michal, David's wife, understood what her father designed, she came to her husband, as having small hopes of his deliverance; and as greatly concerned about her own life also; for she could not bear to live, in case she was deprived of him. And she said, "Let not the sun find thee here when it rises; for if it do, that will be the last time it will see thee. Fly, therefore, while the night may afford thee opportunity; and may God lengthen it for thy sake; for if my father find thee, thou art a dead man." So she let him down by a cord out of the window, and saved him. And after she had so done, she fitted up a bed for him as if he were sick; and put under the bedclothes a§ goat's liver; and when her father, as soon as it was day, sent to seize David, she said to those that were there, that he had not been well during that night; and showed them the bed-cover; and made them believe, by the leaping of the liver, which caused the bed-clothes to move also, that David breathed like one that was asthmatic. So when those that were sent told Saul, that David had not been well in the night, he ordered him to be brought in that condition; for he intended to kill him. Now when they came, and uncovered the bed, and found out the woman's contrivance, they told it to the king. And when her father complained that she

*The power of music upon the affections is very great. Its effect upon Saul was no more than it has produced in many other instances. Timotheus the musician could excite Alexander the Great to arms with the Phrygian sound, and allay his fury with another tone, and excite him to merriment. So Eric, king of Denmark, by a certain musician, could be driven to such a fury, as to kill some of his best and most trusty servants. Ath. Kiroh. Phonurg. 1. ii. s. I. Is. Vossius de Poematum cantu et rhythmi viribus. B.

† 1 Sam. xix. 10.

A kind of net of goats' hair placed before the teraphim is what is here meant. Such a net Dr. Shaw (Trav. p. 221. 2d edit.) says is "a close curtain of gauze or fine linen, used all over the East by the people of better fashion, to keep out the flies." That they had such anciently cannot be doubted. Thus when Judith had beheaded Holofernes in his bed, she pulled down the mosquito net wherein he did lie in his drunkenness, from the pillars, Judith xiii. 9, 15. So Horace, speaking of the Roman soldiers serving under Cleopatra queen of Egypt, says, Interque signa (turpe!) militaria Sol aspicit Conopeum. Amidst the Roman eagles Sol survey'd (O shame!) th' Egyptian canopy displayed.

Epod. ix. 15.

FRANCIS. B.

self; she invented this plausible defence, and said, that when he threatened to kill her, she lent him her assistance for his preservation, out of fear, for which assistance she ought to be forgiven, because it was not done of her own free choice, but out of necessity. "For," said she, "I do not suppose that thou wast so zealous to kill thy enemy, as thou wast that I should be saved." Accordingly, Saul forgave the damsel. But David, when he had escaped his danger, came to the prophet Samuel, at Ramah, and told him what snares the king had laid for him; and how he was very near to death by Saul throwing a spear at him; although he had been noway guilty with relation to him; nor had he been cowardly in his battles with his enemies; but had succeeded well in them all, by God's assistance, which thing was indeed the cause of Saul's hatred to David.

When the prophet was made acquainted with the unjust proceedings of the king, he left the city Ramah, and took David with him, to a certain place called Naioth ;|| and there he abode with him. But when it was told Saul, that David was with the prophet, he sent soldiers to him, and ordered them to take him, and bring him to him. And when they came to Samuel, and found there a congregation of prophets, they became partakers of the Divine Spirit, and began to prophesy. Which when Saul heard of, he sent others to David, who prophesying in like manner as did the first, he again sent others; which third sort prophesying also, at last he was angry, and went thither in great haste himself. But when he was just by the place, Samuel, before he saw him, made him prophesy also. And when Saul came to him, he was disordered in mind, and under

§ Since the modern Jews have lost the signification of the Hebrew word here used, Cebir; and since the Septuagint, as well as Josephus, render it the liver of the goat; and since this rendering, and Josephus's account, are here so much more clear and probable than those of others; it is most unaccountable that our commentators should hesitate about its true interpretation.

1 Sam. xix. 18.

¶ It seems that these violent agitations of Saul were no other than demoniacal; and that the same demon which used to seize him, since he was forsaken of God, and which the divine hymns and psalms which were sung to the harp by David used to expel, was now in a judicial way brought upon him; not only in order to disappoint his intentions against innocent David, but to expose him to the contempt of all that saw him, or heard of his agitations; such violent and wild agitations being never observed in the true prophets, when they were under the inspiration of the spirit of God. Our other copies, which say the spirit of God came upon him, seem not so right here, as Josephus's copy, which mentions nothing of God at all. Nor does Josephus seem to ascribe this impulse and ecstasy of Saul's to any other than his own demoniacal spirit; which on all accounts appears the most probable. Nor does the former description of Saul's

the vehement agitation of a spirit; and putting || thy father's inclinations, and that out of pity to off his garments, he fell down, and lay on the ground all that day and night, in the presence of Samuel and David.

And David went thence, and came to Jonathan, the son of Saul, and lamented to him what snares were laid for him by his father, and said, that though he had been guilty of no evil, nor had offended against him, yet he was very zealous to get him killed. Hereupon Jonathan exhorted him not to give credit to such suspicions, nor to the calumnies of those that raised those reports, if there were any that did so; but to depend on him, and take courage; for that his father had no such intentions; since he would have acquainted him with that matter, and take his advice, had it been so; as he used to consult with him in common when he acted in other affairs. But David sware to him, that so it was; and he desired him rather to believe him, and to provide for his safety, than to despise what he, with great sincerity, told him; that he would believe what he said, when he should either see him killed himself, or learn it upon inquiry from others; and that the reason why his father did not tell him of these things was, that he knew of the friendship and affection that he bore towards him.t

When Jonathan found that this intention of Saul's was so well attested, he asked him what he would have him do for him? to which David replied, "I am sensible that thou art willing to gratify me in every thing, and procure me what I desire. Now to-morrow is the new moon; and I was accustomed to sit down then with the king at supper. If it seem good to thee, I will go out of the city, and conceal myself privately there. And if Saul inquire why I am absent, tell him, that I am gone to my city Bethlehem, to keep a festival with my own tribe; and add this also, that thou gavest leave so to do. And if he say, as is usually said in the case of friends that are gone abroad, it is well that he went; then assure thyself that no latent mischief or enmity may be feared at his hands. But if he answer otherwise, that will be a sure sign that he hath some design against me. Accordingly thou shalt inform me of

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my case, and out of thy friendship for me; as instances of which friendship, thou hast vouchsafed to accept the assurances of my love to thee; and to give the like assurances to me; that is, those of a master to his servant. But if thou discoverest any wickedness in me, do thou prevent thy father, and kill me thyself."

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But Jonathan heard those last words with indignation; and promised to do what he desired of him, and to inform him if his father's answer implied any thing of a melancholy nature, and any enmity against him. And that he might the more firmly depend upon him, he took him out into the open field, into the pure air, and sware that he would neglect nothing that might tend to his preservation ;§ and he said, "I appeal to that God, who, as thou seest, is diffused everywhere, and knoweth this intention of mine, before I explain it in words, as the witness of this my covenant with thee; that I will not leave off to make frequent trials of the purpose of my father, till I learn whether there be any lurking distemper in the most secret parts of his soul; and when I have learnt it, I will not conceal it from thee; but will discover it to thee, whether he be gently or peevishly disposed. For this God himself knows, that I pray he may always be with thee; for he is with thee now, and will not forsake thee; but will make thee superior to thine enemies; whether my father be one of them, or whether I myself be such. Do thou only remember what we now do; and if it happen, that I die, preserve my children alive, and requite what kindnesses thou hast now received, to them." When he had thus sworn, he dismissed David, bidding him to go to a certain part of that plain, where he used to perform his exercises. For as soon as he knew the mind of his father, he would come thither to him, with one servant: and "If," said he, "I shoot three darts at the mark, and then bid my servant carry those three darts away, for they are before him; know thou that there is no mischief to be feared from my father; but if thou hearest me say the contrary, expect the contrary treatment from the king. However, thou shalt gain security by my

such usages were observed as were of established authority, or significantly important. The Scythians had a peculiar method of forming their treaties. Herodotus (l. iv. c. 70.) relates that they first poured wine into a large earthen vessel, and then the contracting parties, cutting their arms with a knife, let some of their blood run into the wine, and stained likewise their armour therewith. After which they themselves, and all that were present, drank of that liquor, making the strongest imprecations. against the person that should violate the treaty. B. 1 Sam. xx. 22.

assistance, and shalt by no means suffer any harm. But see that thou dost not forget what I have desired of thee, in the time of thy prosperity, and be serviceable to my children." Now David, when he had received these assurances from Jonathan, went to the place appointed.

On the next day, which was the new moon, the king, when he had purified himself, as the custom was, came to supper; and when there sat by him his son Jonathan on his right hand, and Abner, the captain of his host, on the other hand, he saw David's seat empty; but said nothing; supposing that he had not purified himself, and so could not be present. But when he saw that he was not there on the second day of the month, he inquired of Jonathan, why the son of Jesse did not come to the supper and the feast, neither the day before, nor that day? Jonathan replied, that he was gone, according to the agreement between them, to his own city, where his tribe kept a festival, and that by his permission: that he also invited him to come to their sacrifice; and, said Jonathan, "If thou wilt give me leave, I will go thither, for thou knowest the good-will that I bear him." And then it was that Jonathan understood his father's hatred to David; and plainly saw his entire disposition. For Saul could not restrain his anger, but reproached Jonathan, and called him the son of a runagate, and an enemy, and said he was a partner with David, and his assistant, and that by this behaviour he showed he had no regard to himself, or to his mother; and would not be persuaded, that while David remained alive, their kingdom was not secure to them. Yet did he bid him send for him, that he might be punished. And when Jonathan said, in answer, "What hath he done that thou wilt punish him?" Saul no longer contented himself to express his anger in bare words, but snatched up his spear, and leaped upon him, and was desirous to kill him. He did not indeed do what he intended, because he was hindered by his friends; but it appeared plainly to his son, that he hated David, and greatly desired to dispatch him; insomuch, that he had almost slain his son with his own hands on his account.

The king's son rose hastily from supper, and being then unable to admit any thing into his mouth for grief, he wept all night; both because he had himself been near destruction, and because the death

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of David was determined. But as soon as it was day, he went out into the plain that was before the city; as going to perform his exercises; but, in reality, to inform his friend what disposition his father was in towards him, as he had agreed to do. And when Jonathan had done what had been thus agreed, he dismissed his servant that followed him, to return to the city, but he himself went into the desert, and came into his presence, and communed with him. So David appeared, and fell at Jonathan's feet, and bowed down to him, and called him the preserver of his soul. But he lifted him up from the earth, and they mutually embraced one another, and made a long greeting, and that not without tears. They also lamented their age, and that familiarity which envy would deprive them of, and that separation which must now be expected, which seemed to them no better than death itself. So, recollecting themselves at length from their lamentation, and exhorting each other to be mindful of the oaths they had mutually sworn, they parted.*

CHAP. XII.

OF DAVID'S FLIGHT; FIRST TO AHIMELECH, AND AFTERWARDS TO THE KINGS OF THE PHILISTINES, AND OF THE MOABITES; AND OF THE DESTRUCTION OF AHIMELECH AND HIS FAMILY.

DAVID now fled from the king, and that death he was in danger of by him; and came to the city Nob, tot Ahimelech the priest, who, when he saw him coming alone, and neither a friend nor a servant with him, he wondered at it; and desired to learn the cause why there was nobody with him? To which David answered, that the king had commanded him to do a certain thing that was to be kept secret, to which, if he had a mind to know so much, he had no occasion for any one to accompany him. "However," said he, "I have ordered my servants to meet me at such and such a place.” So he desired him to let him have somewhat to eat; and that in case he would supply him, he would act the part of a friend, and be assisting to the business he was now about. And when he had obtained what he desired, he also asked him, whether he had any weapons with him, either sword or spear? Now there was at Nob a servant of Saul's, by birth at Syrian, whose name was Doeg; one that kept the king's mules. The high-priest said, that he had no such weapon: but he added, "Here is the sword

mean this, unless there were, in effect, two high-priests at the same time; the one of the family of Eleazar, and the other of that of Ithamar; the one Ahimelech, the other Abiathar: and that our Saviour esteemed Abiathar to be so most properly; which is not impossible to be supposed.

Edomite in the Hebrew, Syrian in the Septuagint.

of Goliath, which, when thou hadst slain the Philis- || of you owners of land, and made you commanders, tine, thou didst* dedicate to God."

When David had received the sword, he fled out of the country of the Hebrews, into that of the Philistines, over which Achish reigned. And when the king's servants knew him, and he was made known to the king himself, the servants informing him that he was that David, who had killed many ten thou-suades you to be of the same. For I am not unacsands of the Philistines, David was afraid lest the king should put him to death, and that he should experience that danger from him which he had escaped from Saul; so he pretended to be distracted and mad, letting his spittle run out of his mouth, and doing other actions before the king of Gath, which might make him believe that they proceeded from such a distemper. Accordingly, the king was very angry at his servants that they had brought him a madman;† and gave order that they should eject David immediately out of the city.

When David had escaped in this manner out of Gath, he came to the tribe of Judah, and abode in a cave, by the city of Adullam. Then it was that he sent to his brethren, and informed them where he was, who then came to him with all their kindred, and as many others as were either in want, or in fear of king Saul, came and made a body together, and told him they were ready to obey his orders. They were in all four hundred. Whereupon he took courage, now such a force and assistance was come to him. So he removed hence, and came to the king of the Moabites, and desired him to entertain his parents in his country, while the issue of his affairs was in such an uncertain condition. The king granted him his favour, and payed great respect to David's parents, all the time they were with him.

As for himself, upon the prophet's commanding him to leave the desert, and go into the portion of the tribe of Judah, and abide there, he complied; and coming to the city Hareth, which was in that tribe, he remained there. Now when Saul heard that David had been seen with a multitude about him, he fell into no small disturbance and trouble. But as he knew that David was a bold and courageous man, he suspected that somewhat extraordinary would appear from him, and that openly also, which would make him weep, and put him into distress. So he called together his friends and his commanders, and the tribe from which he was himself derived, to the hill where his palace was, and sitting upon a place called Aroura, his courtiers that were in dignities, and the guards of his body being with him, he spake thus to them: "You that are men of my own tribe, I conclude, remember the benefits that I have bestowed upon you; that I have made some

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and bestowed posts of honour upon you, and set some of you over the common people, and others over the soldiers. I ask you, therefore, whether you expect greater donations from the son of Jesse? for I know that you are all inclined towards him; even my own son Jonathan is of that opinion, and perquainted with the oaths and covenants that are between him and David; and that Jonathan is a counsellor, and an assistant to those that conspire against me; and none of you are concerned about these things; but you keep silence, and watch to see what will be the result." When the king had concluded his speech, not one of the rest of those that were present made any answer; but Doeg the Syrian, who fed his mules, said, that he saw David when he came to the city Nob, to Ahimelech the high-priest; and that he learned future events by his prophesying; that he received food from him, and the sword of Goliath, and was conducted by him with security whither he desired to go.

Saul therefore sent for the high-priest, and for all his kindred, and said to them, "What terrible or ungrateful thing hast thou suffered from me, that thou hast received the son of Jesse, and hast bestowed on him both food and weapons, when he was contriving to get the kingdom; and farther, why didst thou deliver oracles to him concerning futurity? for thou couldst not be unacquainted that he had fled away from me; and that he hated my family." But the high-priest did not attempt to deny what he had done, but confessed boldly that he had supplied him with those things; not to gratify David, but Saul himself; and he said, "I did not know that he was thy adversary, but a servant of thine, who was very faithful to thee; and a captain over a thousand of thy soldiers; and what is more than these, thy sonin-law. Men do not choose to confer such favours on their adversaries; but on those who are esteemed to bear the highest good-will and respect to them. Nor is this the first time that I prophesied for him ; but have done it at other times, as well as now. And when he told me that he was sent by thee to perform something in great haste; if I had furnished him with nothing that he desired, I should have thought it was rather in contradiction to thee, than to him. Wherefore, do not thou entertain any ill opinion of me, nor do thou have a suspicion of what I then thought an act of humanity, from what is now told thee of David's attempts against thee; for I did to him as to thy friend, and son-in-law, and captain of a thousand; and not as to thine adversary."

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