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第86章

the antiquities of the jews-1-第86章

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kill him; either by some private method or even openly。 But upon
God's suggesting to him a safe way of going thither; he came to
the forementioned city; and when they all saluted him; and asked
what was the occasion of his coming; he told them he came to
sacrifice to God。 When; therefore; he had gotten the sacrifice
ready; he called Jesse and his sons to partake of those
sacrifices; and when he saw his eldest son to be a tall and
handsome man; he guessed by his comeliness that he was the person
who was to be their future king。 But he was mistaken in judging
about God's providence; for when Samuel inquired of God whether
he should anoint this youth; whom he so admired; and esteemed
worthy of the kingdom; God said; 〃Men do not see as God seeth。
Thou indeed hast respect to the fine appearance of this youth;
and thence esteemest him worthy of the kingdom; while I propose
the kingdom as a reward; not of the beauty of bodies; but of the
virtue of souls; and I inquire after one that is perfectly comely
in that respect; I mean one who is beautiful in piety; and
righteousness; and fortitude; and obedience; for in them consists
the comeliness of the soul。〃 When God had said this; Samuel bade
Jesse to show him all his sons。 So he made five others of his
sons to come to him; of all of whom Eliab was the eldest;
Aminadab the second; Shammall the third; Nathaniel the fourth;
Rael the fifth; and Asam the sixth。 And when the prophet saw that
these were no way inferior to the eldest in their countenances;
he inquired of God which of them it was whom he chose for their
king。 And when God said it was none of them; he asked Jesse
whether he had not some other sons besides these; and when he
said that he had one more; named David; but that he was a
shepherd; and took care of the flocks; Samuel bade them call him
immediately; for that till he was come they could not possibly
sit down to the feast。 Now; as soon as his father had sent for
David; and he was come; he appeared to be of a yellow complexion;
of a sharp sight; and a comely person in other respects also。
This is he; said Samuel privately to himself; whom it pleases God
to make our king。 So he sat down to the feast; and placed the
youth under him; and Jesse also; with his other sons; after which
he took oil in the presence of David; and anointed him; and
whispered him in the ear; and acquainted him that God chose him
to be their king; and exhorted him to be righteous; and obedient
to his commands; for that by this means his kingdom would
continue for a long time; and that his house should be of great
splendor; and celebrated in the world; that he should overthrow
the Philistines; and that against what nations soever he should
make war; he should be the conqueror; and survive the fight; and
that while he lived he should enjoy a glorious name; and leave
such a name to his posterity also。

2。 So Samuel; when he had given him these admonitions; went away。
But the Divine Power departed from Saul; and removed to David;
who; upon this removal of the Divine Spirit to him; began to
prophesy。 But as for Saul; some strange and demoniacal disorders
came upon him; and brought upon him such suffocations as were
ready to choke him; for which the physicians could find no other
remedy but this; That if any person could charm those passions by
singing; and playing upon the harp; they advised them to inquire
for such a one; and to observe when these demons came upon him
and disturbed him; and to take care that such a person might
stand over him; and play upon the harp; and recite hymns to him。
(16) Accordingly Saul did not delay; but commanded them to seek
out such a man。 And when a certain stander…by said that he had
seen in the city of Bethlehem a son of Jesse; who was yet no more
than a child in age; but comely and beautiful; and in other
respects one that was deserving of great regard; who was skillful
in playing on the harp; and in singing of hymns; 'and an
excellent soldier in war;' he sent to Jesse; and desired him to
take David away from the flocks; and send him to him; for he had
a mind to see him; as having heard an advantageous character of
his comeliness and his valor。 So Jesse sent his son; and gave him
presents to carry to Saul。 And when he was come; Saul was pleased
with him; and made him his armor…bearer; and had him in very
great esteem; for he charmed his passion; and was the only
physician against the trouble he had from the demons; whensoever
it was that it came upon him; and this by reciting of hymns; and
playing upon the harp; and bringing Saul to his right mind again。
However; he sent to Jesse; the father of the child; and desired
him to permit David to stay with him; for that he was delighted
with his sight and company; which stay; that he might not
contradict Saul; he granted。

CHAPTER 9。

How The Philistines Made Another Expedition Against The Hebrews
Under The Reign Of Saul; And How They Were Overcome By David's
Slaying Goliath In Single Combat。

1。 Now the Philistines gathered themselves together again no very
long time afterward; and having gotten together a great army;
they made war against the Israelites; and having seized a place
between Shochoh and Azekah; they there pitched their camp。 Saul
also drew out his army to oppose them; and by pitching his own
camp on a certain hill; he forced the Philistines to leave their
former camp; and to encamp themselves upon such another hill;
over…against that on which Saul's army lay; so that a valley;
which was between the two hills on which they lay; divided their
camps asunder。 Now there came down a man out of the camp of the
Philistines; whose name was Goliath; of the city of Gath; a man
of vast bulk; for he was of four cubits and a span in tallness;
and had about him weapons suitable to the largeness of his body;
for he had a breastplate on that weighed five thousand shekels:
he had also a helmet and greaves of brass; as large as you would
naturally suppose might cover the limbs of so vast a body。 His
spear was also such as was not carried like a light thing in his
right hand; but he carried it as lying on his shoulders。 He had
also a lance of six hundred shekels; and many followed him to
carry his armor。 Wherefore this Goliath stood between the two
armies; as they were in battle array; and sent out aloud voice;
and said to Saul and the Hebrews; 〃I will free you from fighting
and from dangers; for what necessity is there that your army
should fall and be afflicted? Give me a man of you that will
fight with me; and he that conquers shall have the reward of the
conqueror and determine the war; for these shall serve those
others to whom the conqueror shall belong; and certainly it is
much better; and more prudent; to gain what you desire by the
hazard of one man than of all。〃 When he had said this; he retired
to his own camp; but the next day he came again; and used the
same words; and did not leave off for forty days together; to
challenge the enemy in the same words; till Saul and his army
were therewith terrified; while they put themselves in array as
if they would fight; but did not come to a close battle。

2。 Now while this war between the Hebrews and the Philistines was
going on; Saul sent away David to his father Jesse; and contented
himself with those three sons of his whom he had sent to his
assistance; and to be partners in the dangers of the war: and at
first David returned to feed his sheep and his flocks; but after
no long time he came to the camp of the Hebrews; as sent by his
father; to carry provisions to his brethren; and to know what
they were doing。 While Goliath came again; and challenged them;
and reproached them; that they had no man of valor among them
that durst come down to fight him; and as David was talking with
his brethren about the business for which his father had sent
him; he heard the Philistine reproaching and abusing the army;
and had indignation at it; and said to his brethren; 〃I am ready
to fight a single combat with this adversary。〃 Whereupon Eliab;
his eldest brother; reproved him; and said that he spoke too
rashly and improperly for one of his age; and bid him go to his
flo

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