What oc curred. While he slept, David crept up to him, cut off the skirt of his robe, and then fled to the opposite hill. How the king was affected. When the king woke, he was so struck with the forbearance of David, who had only cut off his robe, when he might have taken his life, that he forbore to pursue him any further. What became of David then. As David knew he could not rely on the king, he remained in the same wilderness till the death of Samuel, and then took refuge in the desert of Paran. (B.c. 1053.) What occurred there. At Paran he volunteered his aid to protect the shearers and reapers of Nabal, a rich farmer, against the marauders which infested the place. he asked. What return He asked in return for this important service food for himself and soldiers, which Nabal refused. sented this. How David re- David was indignant at this contemptible meanness, and determined to take by force what he had peaceably asked for. How he was intercepted. On the road he encountered Abigail, Nabal's wife, bringing with her a liberal supply of food, unknown to her husband. How l'avid was affected. He was so pleased with the beautiful and generous stranger, that he at once forgave Nabal for her sake. What next Next morning Abigail mentioned to her husband the whole affair; and Nabal, struck with a panic, died in 10 days. occurred. What became of Abigail. On the death of Nabal, David married the widow Abigail, by whom he had two sons.* How Saul liked this. When Saul heard of David's prosperity, his rancour revived, and he set off again with another army to apprehend him. met. How they They met by accident, as before; for Saul lay down to sleep in the very spot where David was concealed. What occurred While the king was thus sleep to Saul there. *2 Sam. iii. 3. 1 Chron. iii. 1. ing in the open air, David crept to his side, and took away his spear and a cruse of water, which was standing by. fected thereby. How Saul was af- The king's heart smote him at this second instance of magnanimity, so that instead of seeking to slay David, he blessed him, and returned home. Where David went to live. David, on the other hand, left the wilderness of Paran, and went to reside at Gath. offence. Section II. SAUL'S DOWNFALL. B.C. 1051. 1 SAMUEL XXVIII., XXXI.; AND 1 CHRONICLES. Saul's third Saul's Third and Last Offence was when the Philistines invaded his kingdom soon after his interview with David. God gave him no directions either by prophet or by vision; so Saul, in despair, resolved to ask counsel of Satan. T How he pro- He went accordingly to consult ceeded. a necromancer living at Endor, a priestess of Ob, the serpent god. Character of These priestesses were these witches. wicked that Saul himself had found it needful to suppress them under pain of death. curred. What oc- The witch asked what she was to do? The disguised king answered, call up Samuel from the dead; and when the apparition appeared, Saul demanded how he was to proceed. reply. Samuel's Samuel replied that the measure of his sins was now full, and that he and three of his sons would die the following day. fulfilled. The threat The fearful prophecy was strictly fulfilled; for when the Philistines joined battle on the morrow, three of Saul's sons were killed, and Saul himself fell on his own sword to prevent being made captive. Saul's age. He was 80 years of age when |