THE ROYAL SUMMONS.

13

CHAPTER II.

AVID, BEING SENT FOR BY SAUL, VISITS HIM, PLAYS BEFORE HIM ON THE HARP SO THAT THE EVIL SPIRIT LEAVES HIM, AND RETURNS HOME.

SAUL yielded to the suggestions that were made, id ordered such an individual as had been menoned to be provided for his relief. Who shall undertake this responsible duty? Who shall dare to stand before the royal maniac in his paroxysms of distraction, and endeavor to soothe his agitated soul? Who will have the courage and self-possession to encounter his fearful ravings, and at the risk too of the disgrace and dangers of a failure? Under such circumstances, a man is needed of no ordinary character. For he must be one to command both the respect and the confidence of Saul. His eye, his countenance, his mien, his conversation, his skill in music and in song, his whole soul must be suited to the

can he be found?

emergency. Where

One of the attendants of Saul had seen David, and appreciated his peculiar talents for the service. This young shepherd, though but just entering upon adult years, had already acquired in the retired sphere in which he moved, a reputation for courage and prudence, and for an exquisite skill in the music of the times, which secured the confidence and admiration of those who knew him. It is probable also-for we know not the exact

time which had now passed away since he was anointed by Samuel at Bethlehem-that no inconsiderable part of the esteem in which he was held was owing to the extraordinary ripening of his character under the divine influence which attended him. The language that the attendant of Saul used seems clearly to imply this. "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite 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.”

Saul was so favorably impressed with this description, that he immediately dispatched messengers to Jesse, directing David to be sent to him. No time was lost in complying with the royal command. David went to Gibeah, the place of Saul's residence, about thirteen miles to the north of Bethlehem, carrying with him, as was customary, a present from his father to the king; a humble one indeed, but doubtless befitting Jesse's condition and the mediocrity of his circumstances. It was an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid. Both the present and he who bore it were very graciously received. Indeed, we are told that Saul loved David greatly; placing him among the number of his attendants, and appointing him to the honorable office of armor-bearer. He sent a message not long after to Jesse, requesting him to suffer his son to remain, and speaking of him in terms of the highest commendation. There was good reason for doing this

SAUL'S MALADY.

15

For in addition to the other valuable services of David, he proved eminently successful, by the power of his music, in restoring Saul, at least for a season, to his usual self-possession and composure of mind. "It came to pass," says the sacred narrative, "when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."

Of the nature of Saul's malady, and the peculiar state of his mind when' the evil spirit took possession of it, the Scriptures give no exact account. Some suppose that as the prophets of old used solemn and sacred music to calm their minds for the inspirations of the Spirit of God, so a similar composure in the case of Saul, produced by the exquisite minstrelsy of David's harp, and the devotional, soul-subduing songs which breathed so sweetly from his lips, caused the demon to depart, as he could dwell only where there was a tumultuous and frantic state of feeling, and a wild extravagance of thought.

The great object of his visit being accomplished, and other reasons occurring which are not disclosed to us, David returned to his home at Bethlehem. He continued to follow there the quiet occupation of a shepherd; enjoying the peculiar influences of the Spirit of God to prepare him for his high destiny; and waiting, with no restless or ambitious solicitude, the guidance of that Providence on which he relied to direct his steps.

In how striking a manner that Providence was thus guiding him. David had been with Saul long enough to become acquainted with a variety of objects that would afford him useful and important matter of reflection in his temporary seclusion. He had seen something of those stirring scenes of life in which he was ere long to take a part, and had been taught experimentally the need of divine wisdom and grace in view of the responsibilities that would soon devolve upon him. Especially had he enjoyed 'an opportunity of learning the character of Saul, with whom he was afterwards to have so much to do, and who would exercise towards him the most jealous and implacable resentment. He came back well fitted to profit by the lessons of heavenly wisdom which the word and Spirit of God would impart in the peaceful retirement that awaited him.

How necessary is such retirement, to prepare us for the trials and temptations of life. We should often seek it—in the quiet and beautiful solitudes of nature, if they are accessible to us; or if not, in some other privacy where we can commune with our own hearts, and meditate on the dealings of God with us, and ponder the pages of his oracles of truth, and pour out our souls before him in devout supplications for his guidance and grace. How strong at the present day is the tendency of the bustling and impetuous movements of the world, to interrupt and almost destroy the performance of these duties. Being, my young friend,

DEVOTIONAL SOLITUDE.

17

now in the morning of life, to cherish them as essential to the existence and growth of piety in your breast. Pray, watch, strive against the encroachments which may be made upon them by the business that will engage and the allurements that will attract you. Resolve, in the strength of God, daily to devote a portion of your time to private meditation and prayer, and the perusal of the sacred Scriptures. It will be your surest safeguard against the world and its snares. It will serve to prepare you the better to sustain your trials, and discharge your duties. It will bring God and the Saviour near you. If you are truly one of the followers of Jesus, it will afford you the privilege of frequent and sweet communion with him, and qualify you, with the divine blessing, more faithfully to imitate his example, and espouse his 'cause. Jesus himself loved such retirement. How often, after a day of toil for the good of those around him, did the shades of the evening and night witness his withdrawing to the stillness of some sequestered spot, that he might have his spirit refreshed by a holy, ineffable intercourse with his heavenly Father, and be strengthened by new supplies of the Spirit of truth and grace, for the accomplishment of his divine mission.

If the Saviour so often needed these seasons of devotional solitude, how much more do they need them who profess to be his disciples, erring, weak, sinful as they are, and exposed continually to fall before the force of temptation.