patriarchs and prophets-第169章
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for the battle is the Lord's； and He will give you into our hands。〃
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There was a ring of fearlessness in his tone； a look of triumph and
rejoicing upon his fair countenance。 This speech； given in a clear； musical
voice； rang out on the air； and was distinctly heard by the listening
thousands marshaled for war。 The anger of Goliath was roused to the very
highest heat。 In his rage he pushed up the helmet that protected his
forehead and rushed forward to wreak vengeance upon his opponent。 The son of
Jesse was preparing for his foe。 〃And it came to pass； when the Philistine
arose； and came and drew nigh to meet David； that David hasted； and ran
toward the army to meet the Philistine。 And David put his hand in his bag；
and took thence a stone； and slang it； and smote the Philistine in the
forehead； that the stone sunk into his forehead； and he fell upon his face
to the earth。〃
Amazement spread along the lines of the two armies。 They had been confident
that David would be slain； but when the stone went whizzing through the air；
straight to the mark； they saw the mighty warrior tremble； and reach forth
his hands； as if he were struck with sudden blindness。 The giant reeled； and
staggered； and like a smitten oak； fell to the ground。 David did not wait an
instant。 He sprang upon the prostrate form of the Philistine； and with both
hands laid hold of Goliath's heavy sword。 A moment before； the giant had
boasted that with it he would sever the youth's head from his shoulders and
give his body to the fowls of the air。 Now it was lifted in the air； and
then the head of the boaster rolled from his trunk； and a shout of
exultation went up from the camp of Israel。
The Philistines were smitten with terror； and the conclusion which ensued
resulted in a precipitate retreat。 The shouts of the triumphant Hebrews
echoed along the summits of the mountains； as they rushed after their
fleeing enemies； and they 〃pursued the Philistines； until thou come to the
valley； and to the gates of Ekron。 And the wounded of the Philistines fell
down by the way to Shaaraim； even unto Gath； and unto Ekron。 And the
children of Israel returned from chasing after the Philistines； and they
spoiled their tents。 And David took the head of the Philistine； and brought
it to Jerusalem； but he put his armor in his tent。〃
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Chapter 64
David a Fugitive
After the slaying of Goliath； Saul kept David with him； and would not permit
him to return to his father's house。 And it came to pass that 〃the soul of
Jonathan was knit with the soul of David； and Jonathan loved him as his own
soul。〃 Jonathan and David made a covenant to be united as brethren； and the
king's son 〃stripped himself of the robe that was upon him； and gave it to
David； and his garments； even to his sword； and to his bow； and to his
girdle。〃 David was entrusted with important responsibilities； yet he
preserved his modesty； and won the affection of the people as well as the
royal household。
〃David went out whithersoever Saul sent him； and behaved himself wisely： and
Saul set him over the men of war。〃 David was prudent and faithful； and it
was evident that the blessing of God was with him。 Saul at times realized
his own unfitness for the government of Israel； and he felt that the kingdom
would be more secure if there could be connected with him one who received
instruction from the Lord。 Saul hoped also that his connection with David
would be a safeguard to himself。 Since David was favored and shielded by the
Lord； his presence might be a protection to Saul when he went out with him
to war。
It was the providence of God that had connected David with Saul。 David's
position at court would give him a knowledge of affairs； in preparation for
his future greatness。 It would enable him to gain the confidence of the
nation。 The vicissitudes and hardships which befell him； through the enmity
of Saul； would lead him to feel his dependence upon God； and to put his
whole trust in Him。 And the friendship of Jonathan for David was also of
God's providence； to preserve the life of the future ruler of Israel。 In all
these things God was working out His gracious purposes； both for David and
for the people of Israel。
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Saul； however； did not long remain friendly to David。 When Saul and David
were returning from battle with the Philistines； 〃the women came out of all
cities of Israel； singing and dancing； to meet King Saul； with tabrets； with
joy； and with instruments of music。〃 One company sang； 〃Saul hath slain his
thousands；〃 while another company took up the strain； and responded； 〃And
David his ten thousands。〃 The demon of jealousy entered the heart of the
king。 He was angry because David was exalted above himself in the song of
the women of Israel。 In place of subduing these envious feelings； he
displayed the weakness of his character； and exclaimed。 〃They have ascribed
unto David ten thousands； and to me they have ascribed but thousands： and
what can he have more but the kingdom？〃
One great defect in the character of Saul was his love of approbation。 This
trait had had a controlling influence over his actions and thoughts；
everything was marked by his desire for praise and self…exaltation。 His
standard of right and wrong was the low standard of popular applause。 No man
is safe who lives that he may please men； and does not seek first for the
approbation of God。 It was the ambition of Saul to be first in the
estimation of men； and when this song of praise was sung； a settled
conviction entered the mind of the king that David would obtain the hearts
of the people and reign in his stead。
Saul opened his heart to the spirit of jealousy by which his soul was
poisoned。 Notwithstanding the lessons which he had received from the prophet
Samuel； instructing him that God would accomplish whatsoever He chose； and
that no one could hinder it； the king made it evident that he had no true
knowledge of the plans or power of God。 The monarch of Israel was opposing
his will to the will of the Infinite One。 Saul had not learned； while ruling
the kingdom of Israel； that he should rule his own spirit。 He allowed his
impulses to control his judgment； until he was plunged into a fury of
passion。 He had paroxysms of rage； when he was ready to take the life of any
who dared oppose his will。 From this frenzy he would pass into a state of
despondency and self…contempt； and remorse would take possession of his
soul。
He loved to hear David play upon his harp； and the evil spirit seemed to be
charmed away for the time； but one day when the youth was ministering before
him； and bringing sweet music from his instrument； accompanying his voice as
he sang the
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praises of God； Saul suddenly threw his spear at the musician； for the
purpose of putting an end to his life。 David was preserved by the
interposition of God； and without injury fled from the rage of the maddened
king。
As Saul's hatred of David increased； he became more and more watchful to
find an opportunity to take his life； but none of his plans against the
anointed of the Lord were successful。 Saul gave himself up to the control of
the wicked spirit that ruled over him； while David trusted in Him who is
mighty in counsel； and strong to deliver。 〃The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom〃 （Proverbs 9：10）； and David's prayer was continually
directed to God； that he might walk before Him in a perfect way。
Desiring to be freed from the presence of his rival； the king 〃removed him
from him； and made him his captain over a thousand。 。 。 。 But all Israel and
Judah loved David。〃 The people were not slow to see that David was a
competent person； and that the affairs entrusted to his hands were managed
with wisdom and skill。 The counsels of the young man were of a wise and
discreet character； and proved to be safe to follow； while the judgment of
Saul was at times unreliable； and his decisions were not wise。
Though Saul was ever on the ale
