of Paran, being unwilling to trust the capricious temper of Saul. In this state of exile he began to be in want of the ordinary necessaries of life; and hearing that Nabal, a man of considerable wealth, held a great feast at shearing time, he sent some of his followers to request of him a supply of provisions. This the proud rustic not only refused, but cast upon David the most opprobrious reproaches. When the report of Nabal's brutal behavior was brought to David his anger was kindled to an intemperate height, and he made a rash resolution of putting to death the unmannerly churl with all the males of his house. He had sufficient reason to resent the treatment which he had received, for he had been a protector of Nabal's property, and his followers had assisted the servants of the man on many occasions. One of these men, having more gratitude and prudence than his master, communicated what had happened to Abigail, the wife of Nabal. She saw that the rudeness of her husband was likely to produce evil consequences, and therefore, taking a peace-offering with her, went to meet David. By her persuasions and amiable demeanor the wrath of the warrior was appeased, and he desisted from his purpose. When Nabal understood the danger from which he had escaped through the judicious conduct of his wife, he was deeply dismayed, and in a short time afterward he died.

On hearing of the death of Nabal, David, on whose heart the wisdom and beauty of Abigail had made a deep impression, made her an offer of his hand, and she became his wife.

Shortly after this we find him again exercising his generosity in sparing the life of his most vengeful adversary. Though Saul had experienced the goodness of David's heart in the cave of Engedi, and for the moment felt a degree of remorse for his base behavior to a faithful subject, he soon forgot the obligation, and again pursued him with an intent of putting him to death. Once more they came near to each other, and Saul lay upon the ground with all his people fast asleep. The opportunity was inviting; all were buried in repose; and

nothing was easier than to slay the king as he slept. David, accompanied by Abishai, ventured down to the camp; but though he was advised to avenge himself of his enemy, he nobly resisted the temptation, and taking with him the spear and cruise of water which were at the king's head, he retreated. When he was at a safe distance he called to Abner, Saul's general, and reproached him for not being more mindful of his master's safety. He then expostulated with the king himself in the most gentle and respectful terms on the injustice of his conduct. Saul was again confounded, and acknowledged his folly, inviting him to return, with a promise not to meditate any more evil designs against him. But David saw that such a man was not to be trusted, and therefore wisely declined the proposal. They then parted as friends to meet no more, either for peace or war. David soon after this affair obtained an asylum with Achish, king of the Philistines, with whom he was in such favor as to accompany him on an expedition against Israel. Achish reposed greater confidence in David than the Philistine lords judged to be prudent, and therefore they insisted upon his being dismissed, lest he should prove treacherous. The king was not very willing to lose so able an ally, but the united sentiments of his people compelled him to send back David and his men. David professed an ardent desire to serve Achish in this war, but it is plain enough that his inclinations were repugnant to it. He volunteered probably with a clear discernment that the Philistines would at last reject his services, for it is hardly to be supposed that the man who could twice save Saul's life would give his assistance to the invaders of his country. On his return to Ziklag, the city which had been given to him by Achish, he found that the Amalekites had set fire to it, and taken away the women and children, with all the plunder that could be carried off. This disaster

so irritated the minds of his followers that they threatened to stone him as the cause of their misfortune. David had as much reason as any of them to be distressed, for he had lost his whole family; but instead of resenting the unkindness of his people he consulted the LORD, and having received a favorable answer, he set out in pursuit of the plunderers. The Amalekites were unprepared for an attack, as they doubtless imagined that David and his men were with the Philistines, on the borders of Israel. The victory was complete, and all the captives and spoils were recovered.

In the war which was now raging between the Philistines and the Israelites, the former were victorious; and Saul with his gallant son, the amiable and virtuous Jonathan, fell in the battle. This event occasioned a most important change in the affairs of David. It finished his persecutions, it ended his wanderings, restored him to his country, and opened to him the certainty of reigning over Israel. Yet with all these comfortable and brilliant views David rejoiced not in the death of his adversary. Instead of expressing gladness on hearing the tidings that Saul had fallen in battle, he lamented the untimely fate of the king, and that of his beloved Jonathan, in one of the most pathetic elegies that ever was written. And so highly did he regard the person of the LORD's anointed, that when an Amalekite endeavored to gain his favor by a tale, in which he took the merit of having slain Saul at the unfortunate monarch's own request, David shuddered at the relation, and ordered the murderer to be put to death. For this act he has been blamed, but unjustly, for he was now possessed of the sovereign authority, as he had already been anointed by the prophet of the Most High, and consequently he had a right to act in a judicial manner.

Life for life was the plain edict of JEHOVAH, and David, who was now the minister of justice, conceived it his duty to put that law in force upon the credit of the man's own confession.

David now removed to Hebron, where he commenced his reign in the thirtieth year of his age. Thus have we brought the shepherd-lad of Bethlehem to the throne of Judah. The divine declaration was thus far fulfilled; and all the endeavors of Saul to prevent the accomplishment of it proved but so many steps to accelerate his own destruction, and the advancement of David.

At the commencement of his reign, he distinguished himself by an act of generosity which could not but endear him to the people. The inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead, having rescued the remains of Saul and his son from the Philistines, interred them with great solemnity. This circumstance would have given offence to many men in David's situation, as showing too great a partiality to one who was known to have been his enemy. But he was superior to such jealousy; and so far from censuring the men of Jabesh-Gilead for the respect shown by them to the bones of their deceased sovereign, he commended them, and promised to requite their kindness.

David was now exalted to a throne, but he was not yet to experience a tranquil seat. The tribes of Israel, at the instigation of Abner, chose Ishbosheth, Saul's son, for their king, in consequence of which a civil war broke out between Israel and Judah. This war continued for a long time, and much blood was spilt; but as the counsels of Heaven could not be frustrated, which had given the kingdom to the son of Jesse,"he waxed stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker." 2 Sam. iii. 1.

At length a sudden quarrel between Ishbosheth and his general terminated the war, and reduced the whole kingdom to the sceptre of David. Abner had taken the concubine of Saul, which gave great offence to Isnbosheth, who thought it an act of presumption in one who was but a subject. Abner conceived himself injured by the reproaches of a monarch who was indebted to him for the tottering crown which he wore, and in a fit of resentment he offered to transfer that crown to David. A negotiation took place; but while it was going on, Joab and Abishai, two brothers, and men of great power in the court of David, slew the Israelitish general treacherously. David was struck with horror at the atrocious deed, but his authority was too weak, and their influence too strong, to permit him to punish the murderers with safety to himself. "I am this day weak," says he, "though anointed king; and these men be too hard for me; the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness." 2 Sam. iii. 39.

Another circumstance happened at the same time, which gives us but an unfavorable opinion of the manners and principles of that period, though it affords us another occasion of admiring the magnanimity of David.