Samuel and Saul
71
of Saul, but by the hand of David, whom he had raised up to rule his
people.
Saul knows not what to do. He imagines Israel as Philistine slaves.
He can see no way of escape. In his trouble he offers great reward to
any one who will slay the proud boaster. But all feel their weakness.
They have a king whom God does not instruct, who dare not engage
in any perilous enterprize, for he expects no special interposition from
God to save his life. As Israel had been partaker with him in trans-
gression, he had no hope that God would work specially for them, and
deliver them out of the hands of the Philistines. The armies of Israel
seemed paralyzed with terror. They could not trust in their king, whom
they had demanded of God. Saul’s mind was changeable. He would
for a short time direct the armies, and then fear and discouragement
would seize him, and he would countermand his orders.
As David is performing an humble errand from his father to his
brethren, he hears the proud boaster defying Israel, and his spirit is
stirred within him. He is jealous for the armies of the living God whom
the blasphemous boaster has defied. He expresses his indignation, that
a heathen, who has no fear of God, and no power from him, should be
left to thus hold all Israel in fear, and triumph over them.
David’s eldest brother, Eliab, whom God would not choose to
be king, was jealous of David, because he was honored before him.
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He despised David, and looked upon him as inferior to himself. He
accused him before others of stealing away unknown to his father to
see the battle. He taunts him with the small business in which he is
engaged, in tending a few sheep in the wilderness. David repels the
unjust charge, and says, “What have I now done? Is there not a cause?”
David is not careful to explain to his brother that he had come to the
help of Israel; that God had sent him to slay Goliath. God had chosen
him to be ruler of Israel, and as the armies of the living God were in
such peril, he had been directed by an angel to save Israel.
David is brought before Saul, and tells him that Israel need not
fear, “Thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” Saul objects
because of his youth. David refers to the perils he had experienced in
the wilderness, to save the sheep under his care. He humbly ascribes
his deliverance to God. “The Lord delivered me out of the paw of the
lion, and the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this
Philistine.” Saul gives David permission to go. He places upon David