And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

Then answered one of the servants and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.

Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

And Jesse took an ass laden with bread and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

And David came to Saul and stood before him: and he loved him greatly, and he became his armourbearer.

And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before thee: for he hath found favour in my sight.

And it came to pass when the evil spirit from GoD was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: So Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

Though Samuel came no more to visit Saul, yet, like a good man, he lamented to see that the king was likely to bring a curse, instead of a blessing, upon himself and his people: and he earnestly prayed to GoD in his behalf, and carried his grief to such a length, that GOD reproved him for it,

As it pleased God that David should undergo a variety of trials before he ascended the throne, it was necessary that he should be anointed privately, lest those who were discontented with Saul's government, might make it a pretence to dethrone him; and it was

not intended that David should reign till Saul was dead; though he was from that time Captain of the LORD's inheritance.

Samuel, as a prophet, had a right to offer sacrifices; he therefore might conceal his principal view in going to Bethlehem, as it did not concern the public to be made acquainted with it at that time, and the declaration of it would have raised great commotions in the kingdom. The Bethlehemites were alarmed at Samuel's visit, fearing that he came to reprove them for sin, and to denounce some judgment against them.

If Samuel anointed David in the midst of his brethren, it is likely they did not rightly understand the meaning of the ceremony, but might suppose that he was appointed to the prophetic office; had they known that David was to reign over them, they would probably have divulged the secret, and been still more envious of him than they were.

We find David was considered as a person of little consequence by his family, for they did not send for him to the sacrifice. He was a youth of a most amiable disposition and great piety; and it is supposed that whilst he was looking after his flocks, he sang the praises of the LORD; but he could not have had a very liberal education, for the Jews in general contented themselves with instructing their children in the law of Moses: neither had he learnt the graces of conversation, by mixing with society; but as he was chosen to be the future king of Israel, the LORD sent his Spirit upon him, which immediately supplied every defect. David joyfully received this invaluable gift, and resolved to submit himself to the guidance of the LORD. He sometimes deviated from this wise resolution, which involved him in distress; but whenever he availed himself of the high privilege he enjoyed, by seeking

the

the LORD with humility, and faith in his promises, he met with supernatural aid, and he was a sublime poet, a great warrior, a persuasive orator, and a prophet. As an earnest that he should be endued with strength and courage to overcome the enemies of Israel, David was enabled to defend his tender sheep and lambs from the furious ravages of a lion and a bear, and to kill them both, though he had no other weapon but his shepherd's crook.

While David in his humble station was thus favoured of the LORD, Saul on his throne was suffering all the torments of despair. The LORD had forsaken and rejected him on account of his impiety, and his mind became a prey to the blackest melancholy, and subject to violent emotions of anger and cruelty, jealousy and fear; so that at times he was transported to madness; nay, it is said an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. We are told, in several parts of Scripture *, that the Devil, and the rest of the fallen angels, are ever on the watch to suggest evil thoughts, and draw men into sin unless they be watchful; and that their suggestions are always contrary to the command of God. But that evil spirits can do nothing without God's permission, though they are sometimes left at liberty to afflict those who are incorrigibly wicked; particularly, such persons as resist the HOLY SPIRIT, of which number was Saul. We read, that on his being anointed by Samuel, Saul's heart was changed, and he became another man; but we find that he soon despised the LORD, and chose to act agreeably to the dictates of his own pas- ·

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Matt. xiii. 19. Eph. vi. 12. 2 Cor. xi. 3. Luke xxii. 3. 2 Cor. ii. 11,

James iv. 7. 1 Peter v. 8, 9. John xiii. 2, 27. Acts v. 3...

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sions,

sions, instead of intreating the LORD to continue to direct him in the right way; it therefore appears a very just punishment, that he should be deprived of the gift he had rejected, which would have enabled him to overcome all base inclinations and evil sugges tions, and would have restored his mind to peace and serenity.

The power of music to compose the passions is very great, and that of David must have been particularly efficacious, as we may suppose he accompanied his harp with his voice, and sang some of those sublime Psalms, the bare reading of which, at this distance of time, will sooth affliction, banish despair, and animate the heart to aspire after heavenly joys: no wonder, therefore, that such Divine accents should drive away the evil spirit, to whom the praises of GOD must have been hateful: or that Saul's mind should be composed by such a remedy, especially as the LORD directed David in the application of it.

David was represented to Saul not only as a skilful musician, but as a man of valour, this being the greatest recommendation to his favour; for when Saul saw any strong man or any valiant man, he took him unto him*. David's exploits in killing the lion and the bear had doubtless raised his fame; and being of so extraordinary a nature, they were attributed by those who knew them to the assistance of the LORD; especially, as the great endowments which David possessed could no otherwise be accounted for, than by supposing that the LORD was with him.

The present which Jesse sent was a token of loyalty; and perhaps it might be at David's desire, to testify that it was his wish to pay allegiance to his sovereign.

Saul must have felt himself greatly indebted to the kind hand that was instrumental to his relief; and to do David honour he might appoint him his ar mour-bearer, which was at that time a merely nominal place, as there was no war. Princes and generals in those days had a number of such persons attending on them; some bore the shield, some the target and spear, others bucklers and swords; of these armour-bearers Saul seems to have had 2000, and his son Jonathan 1000.

When the purpose which David was sent for was answered, he was glad to return to his humble station, and leave a corrupt court for that blest retreat, where,. free from temptation, he could meditate on Divine sub-jects, and prepare his mind for the future government of the kingdom.

From the LORD's reproof to Samuel, we learn that it is wrong to grieve beyond measure for the misfor-tunes that fall upon wicked people. We may pray for them, and use our utmost endeavours to reclaim them; but we should acquiesce without repining, in the dis-pensations of Providence towards them.

This section also teaches us the necessity of guarding our minds from every sin; since our most secret thoughts are not hidden from the LORD, and He values people according to the goodness of their hearts. It likewise admonishes us not to esteem our fellow creatures merely for their beauty or outward accomplishment, or to despise any one for want of these superficial advantages.