And Michal Saul's daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him.

And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare unto him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son-in-law in the one of the twain.

And Saul commanded his servants, saying, Commune with David secretly, and say, Behold, the king hath delight in thee, and all his servants love thee: now therefore be the king's son-in-law.

And Saul's servants spake those words in the ears of David. And David said, Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king's son-in-law, seeing that I am a poor man, and lightly esteemed?

And the servants of Saul told him saying, On this manner spake David.

And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but that thou shouldest slay an hundred of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king's son-in-law: and the days were not expired.

Wherefore David arose and slew of the Philistines two hundred men, that he might be the king's son-inlaw and Saul gave him Michal his daughter to wife.

And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him.

And Saul was yet the more afraid of David; and Saul became David's enemy continually.

Then the princes of the Philistines went forth: and it came to pass, after they went forth, that David be

haved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was much set by.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

The defeat of the champion of the Philistines was a subject of great joy to the Israelites, and it was customary amongst them, when any signal victory was obtained, for the women to meet the victorious army, playing on cymbals, and singing songs of triumph in praise of the conqueror. On this occasion the chief honour was justly ascribed by them to David, for all the conquests gained afterwards was the consequence of his having killed Goliath. It must doubtless have been very mortifying to Saul to hear such a comparison drawn between his own exploits and those of an inexperienced young hero; but it was an honour due to the Captain of the LORD's inheritance, who acted under the Di. vine influence; and we have reason to suppose, from David's speech to the giant, before he encountered with him, that he afterwards ascribed the glory of his victory to the power of the LORD.

Of all the passions to which the human mind is subject, there is not a more baneful one than that of envy, for at the same time that it produces malice, which seeks the destruction of others, it is an intolerable torment to the heart that indulges it. Envy is a tool which Satan employs to effect his wicked purposes of breaking the bonds of friendship, and disturbing the peace of society. This truth is strongly exemplified in the present instance; for Saul, we are told was actuated by an evil spirit, when he flung the javelin at David. How ungrateful was his behaviour, in endeavouring to take away the life of the kind friend, who had

so often calmed the agitation of his troubled mind; but envious people are strangers to gratitude!

When Saul found that David was become the favourite of the people, he feared to kill him; but as he could not bear to have a person so near him, who eclipsed his glory, he promoted David to a high post in the army, in order to place him at a distance, and prevent his making interest with the courtiers to obtain the crown: still this did not satisfy his malice, therefore he resolved to engage David in some dangerous enterprize, in hopes that it would cost him his life. Saul had never fulfilled his engagement to make him his son-in-law, neither had David aspired to the honour; but Saul renewed the promise, thinking that David would certainly fall in battle. It is evident, that he did not mean to keep it; for Merab, just at the time that David should have received her as his wife, was given to another. His marriage with Michal, however, instead of a snare proved a blessing to him,

We learn from this section, that those who give way to envy are led into a variety of crimes: we should therefore carefully guard our minds against this baneful passion, and endeavour to check its growth, if we find it springing up. Instead of grieving at the excellencies of another, we should strive to correct what is amiss in our own hearts, and pray for the assistance of the HOLY SPIRIT, to enable us to overcome every propensity to evil. And whilst we are free from tormenting passions, we should endeavour like David to act wisely, that the LORD may be with ns, and that we may have a good reputation in the world.

SECTION

SECTION LXXX.

DAVID FLEETH TO SAMUEL.

HAD not the LORD preserved him, David must have fallen a victim to Saul's jealousy, which now knew no bounds, for he was absolutely bent on David's destruction. Forgetful of the solemn oath he had so lately taken, the king spake to Jonathan and all his servants that they should kill David; but Jonathan, who cherished the most faithful friendship towards David, ap. prized him of his father's intentions, and advised him to be upon his guard; he also remonstrated with his father in David's behalf: Saul, notwithstanding, flung a javelin at David, designing to kill him, as he was playing on his harp; and on his escaping, he sent people to seize him in his own house, but Michal his wife, Saul's daughter, let him down by a window, and put an image in his bed, pretending he was sick, which she shewed to the messengers as David. Whilst David's house was watched to prevent his escape, he is supposed to have made the following prayer to God *.

Deliver me from mine enemies, O my GOD: defend me from them that rise up against me.

Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

For lo, they lie in wait for my soul; the mighty are gathered against me: not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

They run and prepare themselves without my fault : awake to help me, and behold.

They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, go round about the city.

and

But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them:

VOL. II.

* Psalm lix.

R

Becaus

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for GOD is my defence.

The Gon of mercy shall prevent me: GoD shall let me see my desire upon mine cnemies.

But I will sing of thy power: yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for GOD is my defence, and the God of my mercy*.

David was surrounded with such difficulties, that he knew not what course to take; he therefore fled to Samuel, in order to learn the will of God, who took him to the school of the prophets at Naioth, concluding that Saul would let him abide there in peace; but no place was sacred in his sight; he cared not for GOD, nor religious institutions, and sent messengers thither to seize David; but, instead of executing their commission, they were actuated by a sudden holy impulse, as Saul formerly had been, and joined with the congregation in praising GOD. Saul, however, was resolved to effect his purpose, but was prevented; being obliged, against his will, to utter the words of Divine inspiration; and he was so overcome by the Spirit of the LORD, that he fell into a kind of trance, and having pulled off his royal robes lay on the ground all night.

It may seem strange to us to read of Saul's being at one time inspired by the LORD, and at another actuated by an EVIL SPIRIT; but we'must remember, that it was in the LORD's power to restrain the evil spirit; and we find, that he did not constantly torment Saul, only on

As some parts of the foregoing Psalm require a particular explanation, I have omitted them, because such comments would interrupt the history; and this rule will be observed respecting those Psalms in general, that shall be occasionally introduced.

*

those