Jesse, a man of property residing in Bethlehem, and of the tribe of Judah (1 Sam. xvi. 1, 11), who afterwards became the second Hebrew king. David's early years were spent in the duties of husbandry (Ps. lxxviii. 70), which, in a period when the Israelites were subject to constant attacks from their idolatrous neighbours, and were more than once compelled to endure the yoke of the Philistines, must have been occasionally interrupted by martial undertakings, especially as his native place lay at no great distance from Philistia. The tranquil pursuits of the shepherd were, in consequence, often suddenly exchanged for the toils and perils of a soldier's life. But the Philistines had so far prevailed against the Israelites, as to strip them of their weapons, leaving them to such means of defence as invention, sharpened by necessity, might supply. In such an emergency, the sling, as well as the bow, was employed; and the younger men, ashamed of their country's degradation, would spare no effort in order to make up by skill what their weapons wanted in efficiency. In the several engagements which this state of things implies, David, rescued probably by the insecurity of the times from the perversions to which the youngest child is often subject, appears to have made more than ordinary proficiency; and, being gifted with fine sensibilities, he relieved his more serious pursuits with the recreations of the lyre. While yet in the prime of youth, ruddy, and of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to,' he was selected and anointed to be the king of Israel by the prophet Samuel; who had been directed to make choice of David, because Saul, the reigning monarch, had forfeited the honourable post by disobedience (1 Sam. xv. 11, 23: there seem to be two accounts; see xiii. 13). Saul, however, as having been anointed to his office, continued to hold the sceptre, which would fall from his hands only in the hour of death. But the loss of the succession so deeply afflicted him, that from time to time he sank into a profound melancholy. The darkness of his mind might be relieved by the charms of music; and the reputation of David as a harper was such, that the young man was sent for to court, the rather because he was a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person; and the Lord is with him' (1 Sam. xvi. 18). The sweet tones of David's harp charmed away the dark feelings of Saul, who formed a peculiar attachment for the young man, and gave him the office of his armour-bearer; so that he was continually near his sovereign's person. This was a great change for David; a transition into a new life. The change brought its penalty, in the forfeiture of those pure and simple pleasures which he had hitherto enjoyed in the rustic home of his parents,

and amid the duties which he discharged to his flocks and herds. Probably, could the youth have seen what it was he should pass into the possession of, on leaving the sheepfold, and the open downs, and the solitudes of nature, and communings with his own glad heart, and the spontaneous music of his self-trained harp, - he would, in prospect of the turmoil, peril, distress, sin, sorrow, and debasement, which were coming on, have refused to exchange the shepherd's crook for the reversion of the crown, and the immediate favour of his country's king. David, however, had a soul too high to remain a mere court-musician. In a time of peril, such as that in which Samuel's latter days were spent, Israel demanded his services. In a war with their too powerful enemies, the Philistines, the Hebrews were mockingly defied by Goliath of Gath; and such was the dejection of the national mind, that the challenge which, after the custom of the age, he gave to contend in single combat with any champion of Israel, had no other effect than that of augmenting the prevalent fear; till David, who for some reason had gone back perhaps temporarily to his pastoral occupations, chanced, when sent by his father to his brothers in the army, to hear Goliath's taunts; and, being informed that much wealth and the king's daughter had been offered to the Israelite that should vanquish the boaster, he armed himself with a few chosen pebbles and a sling, and at the first aim brought Goliath to the ground, and then with his own sword severed the Philistine's head from his body. His death occasioned the flight of the army of the uncircumcised, and proved the deliverance of the Hebrews (1 Sam. xvii.).

The victory fixed all eyes on the young hero, and gained him all hearts. In the national rejoicings which celebrated his achievements, his deeds were extolled throughout the land, and set far above even those of his sovereign.

'Saul bath slain his thousands," sang one chorus of women, with tabrets and dancing; but

David, his ten thousands,' answered another jubilant band. Again the evil spirit entered the king's bosom. These praises of his rival he could not endure; the less because, in the ardour of his joy, he had, in reward for David's prowess, given him a high rank in his army. His jealousy and apprehension drove him perhaps to feign madness. Certainly, in a fit of passion, he sought to smite David to the wall with a javelin, while the latter strove to tranquillise his lord's mind with the music of his lyre. Failing to compass his death, Saul put David away from court, by appointing him captain over a thousand,' apparently in the hope, that some occasion would be afforded for effecting his roa On the

contrary, David's prudent course increased the favour in which he stood with his felloweountrymen. Thus foiled, Saul took other measures. David had received neither the riches nor the wife offered to the person who should vanquish Goliath. The king had probably evaded the fulfilment of his word, in his fear to make his rival too powerful. He now, however, fancied that he could turn the matter to his own account. David, he said, should have Michal his daughter, provided that, instead of the dowry which his poverty prevented him from paying, the youth laid before the king a hundred foreskins of the Philistines. This, he felt sure, was a service in which David could not fail to perish. The accomplishment of it, and the espousal of his promised bride, only made the king more jealous, more afraid, and more hostile; so that he gave unreserved utterance, amidst his courtiers, to a wish that some one would take David's life (xviii.). David, however, had one protector. Jonathan, Saul's own son, had conceived a warm friendship for the high-spirited deliverer of Israel; and, interposing his good offices, he procured a promise of David's safety, under the guarantee of an oath. David, accordingly, again stood in Saul's presence. A second war with the Philistines issued in new triumphs, and occasioned to David new perils; for, in his jealous rage, the king again sought to transfix him with a javelin. Failing in his attempt, Saul employed assassins, whose purpose was defeated by Michal at her own peril. David, as was natural, fled to the prophet Samuel, at Ramah. This was the last place where Saul would have had him to be. Accordingly, the king sent messengers to bring him back; but they were seized with an enthusiasm for the young man, kindred with that to which Samuel and his company of prophets gave expression, as Saul's emissaries approached. Three embassies were thus sent in vain. On this, Saul himself went; but with no better result. He also, mastered by a superior power, was found among the prophets' (xix.) David, however, knowing that any feeling Saul might have in his favour was only superficial and transitory, again sought a resource in the favourable dispositions of Jonathan; who, undertaking to ascertain the real intentions of the king, found and reported them to his friend to be very adverse. David, thus finding it expedient to flee, took an affectionate farewell of Jonathan, and went to Nob, which lay in the tribe of Benjamin, north of Jerusalem. Hither he seems to have gone with a view of getting possession of Goliath's sword, which was laid up as a sacred trophy in the care of Ahimelech the priest. In order to effect his purpose, David made false representations to Ahimelech, apparently intending to make some stay at Nob; but the unexpected presence of Doeg, Saul's chief herdsman, who

doubtless knew what was David's real posi tion with their common master, compelled him to take to flight. There being no safety for him in Saul's dominions, he threw himself on the generosity of the Philistines, and went in a south-westerly direction to Gath, whose king, Achish, received him with misgivings and suspicion; which induced David to put on the appearance of insanity. The guise seems to have been seen through. David again fled, and, fixing his head quarters in the cave of Adullam, became a centre of union for lawless freebooters, to the number of four hundred. In this character, having placed his parents in safety under the care of the king of Moab, and given refuge to the sole priest whom Saul had left alive of the college at Nob, - for he slew the rest in revenge for the temporary shelter he learned from Doeg had been there afforded to his rival, — David, now enabled by means of Abiathar to consult the Lord, assailed and defeated the Philistines at Keilah; but, finding no sufficient protection, took refuge against Saul in the wilderness which stretches along the western shore of the Dead Sea. Hither was he followed by the monarch; whose life, when unexpectedly in David's power, that chieftain generously spared (xx. - xxiv). While thus maintaining his supremacy in these regions, he, after the manner of similar sheikhs, asked a supply of provisions for his troops from Nabal, a wealthy proprietor of the district. Contrary to what was ordinarily judged becoming in such a case, David received a stern refusal; which so enraged him, that he would have slain Nabal but for the entreaties of Abigail, the wife of the latter. With her, however, David was so much taken, that on the sudden death of Nabal shortly after, he made her his wife. About the same time he married also Ahinoam. Michal, however, he had lost; for her father married her to another.

David

Saul could not subdue David. could not trust Saul. David, therefore, thought it best to evacuate Saul's dominions. He returned to Achish, at Gath; who, at his request, gave him the town of Ziklag; which place David made a point whence to assault many of the old inhabitants of the land; while he gave Achish to understand, that his freebooting excursions were directed against his own countrymen (xxvii.). While here, the Philistines arose against Saul, and Achish took David in his army; who, however, was compelled, through the distrust of the Philistine lords, to retire. Returning home to Ziklag, he found it in flames. The Amalekites had taken and sacked the town, carrying away its inhabitants as captives, among whom were David's wives. Encouraged by his priestly adviser, David pursued, and, defeating his foes, rescued all that they had carried off, gaining in addition very large booty, which he judiciously distributed among

friends even in Saul's capital, Hebron, so as to augment his influence. This piece of good fortune was followed by another. The Philistines had vanquished Saul, who, at his own request, was put to death by an Amalekite. The man himself bore the news to David, who gave him death as his reward, on the ground that he had destroyed the anointed of Jehovah. But Jonathan had also fallen. His loss was a sore trial to David, who bewailed him, as well as Saul, in an ode of great beauty and moving pathos (2 Sam. i. 17-27).

Now, however, the time had come for David to make a stand for the crown. He repaired to the capital, and was anointed king by the men of Judah. While seeking to gain strength beyond the Jordan, Ishbosheth, Saul's son, was proclaimed king by Abner, his nephew, and commander of his forces. The attempt succeeded so well, that David's sovereignty was limited to the single tribe of Judah. This was a state of things not likely to last. Jealousies and enmities led to chance encounters, and those to 'long war;' till, at length, Ishbosheth having disagreed with his general Abner, in consequence of suspecting that he aspired to the throne (2 Sam. iii. 7, seq.), the latter made a tender of his support to David.

He

The latter was but too willing to receive aid of so valuable a nature. But he desired something besides. He had, in addition to his former wives, married Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; also Haggith, Abital, and Eglah. By his six wives he had six sons, born to him while he reigned in Hebron. He wished, moreover, to recover Michal, married though she was to another, by whom she was tenderly beloved. therefore set one condition on his receiving Abner, namely, that he should bring with him Michal, who, as daughter of Saul, would add much to David's political influence. This was done, and Abner busily occupied himself with efforts to gain over to David the remaining tribes, when he was treacherously slain through jealousy by Joab, David's general-in-chief. This assassination caused David great pain, the rather because it made him feel that Joab was more powerful than a subject should be (2 Sam. iii. 39). Abner's death, however, was the signal for that of Ishbosheth; for he was basely murdered, as he lay on his couch, by two of his own officers, who, doubtless, saw that David's supremacy was on the point of being finally asserted. Those, however, who assassinate one king may prove dangerous allies to another. The murderers, when they brought their monarch's head to David, were forthwith put to death.

Now came David's elevation to empire over all the twelve tribes; who offered him the crown, but seemed to have secured certain guarantees for personal advantages, or the

general freedom. After having, in Hebron, reigned over Judah for seven years and six months, David was thus, at the early age of thirty, raised to undivided empire over the Israelites, which he continued to hold for the space of thirty and three years. In his new character, he felt that a more central position for his capital was desirable. Jerusalem, though it lay not far enough to the north, possessed singular advantages by na ture. It was, in consequence, taken from the Jebusites, the ancient inhabitants of the land, made the seat of government, and carefully fortified. This was the commencement of David's regal splendour. By the aid of Hiram, king of Tyre, he erected a palace,

sought strength and enjoyment in new matrimonial alliances, and defeated his old and powerful enemy the Philistines; who, becoming jealous of his growing power, ventured to assail him twice, even under the walls of his capital. Religious objects also received his attention. The ark, now at Kirjath-jearim, about nine miles to the northwest of Jerusalem, he took steps for bringing into that city with befitting solemnities; but the sudden death of Uzzah, smitten for extending an unbidden hand to steady it as it shook in the carriage, excited the monarch's alarm, who carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom, the Gittite. Remaining here three months, it brought blessings on the household. David's fears were in consequence dissipated, and he proceeded to bring into Jerusalem the sacred treasure; before which, as it was carried along in procession, the king himself, humbly divested of his royal attire, and clad in a priestly robe, danced, we may presume, one of those Ori ental dances which are symbolical of religious ideas. The whole was obviously a homage rendered to the God of Israel. Michal, however, who had never witnessed such an exhibition of religious fervour in her father's court, misunderstood the ceremony; and, probably little satisfied at being torn from Phaltiel, reproached David with his conduct in dancing, as being unworthy a king. As is usual, the wife's reproaches brought a reproachful answer from the husband, who took the occasion to let Michal know that he owed the crown, not to her family, but to the choice of Jehovah. The quarrel ended in a permanent alienation (vi.).

The handsome abode in which David him. self dwelt, contrasted in his mind painfully with the curtains within which the ark still remained. The religious monarch, therefore, formed the design of erecting a suitable temple in honour of Jehovah. His intention was accepted: he received a promise that the crown should remain in his family, but learned at the same time, that the building of the temple was reserved for his successor. The reason assigned for this prohibition merits attention, as containing the fore

shadowing of an important truth, which even Christian nations are now only beginning to learn, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man of war, and hast shed blood' (1 Chron. xxviii. 3). This disqualification is a clear proof, that war is hateful in the sight of God; and may lead us to see, that it is merely a human view which in any case makes him concerned in, or pleased with, the slaughter of his children. Let those, too, be instructed, how erroneously they act, who are wont to put together, in most unseemly union, war and religion, and make the slaughter of their fellow-men a subject of thanksgiving to the common Father. And were the cause of David's disqualification carefully pondered, the martial spirit—which yet so painfully mars our civilisation, and lowers individual character-could not fail to receive a rebuke, which might issue in practical obedience to the command, —‘Love your enemies.'

It is grievous to find, that the mind of David was in no way permanently benefited by the stern lesson he had received; for cruelties have now to be added to the ordinary terrors of war. Having at length brought the Philistines into subjection, he smote the Moabites, who had afforded a refuge to his parents when he was himself a fugitive; and, with a most arbitrary as well as cruel proceeding, he divided those of them who were to be spared, from those who were to be slain, by the rough expedient of a measuring line. About the same time, he extended his sway over the wide desert country which lies beyond Jordan and Euphrates; routing and slaying the Syrians (viii. x.), and houghing their horses. Then, turning his steps towards the south, he made himself master of Idumæa. These conquests brought into his treasury a great abundance of wealth; out of which sumptuous presents were set apart for the service of the intended temple. His court was subjected to strict regulations, and a kind of cabinet was formed for the assistance of the sovereign in the government of the kingdom. The monarchy was at first of a limited kind; the king's power being not only guided by a council, but modified, if not restrained, by priests and prophets, as well as nobles.

The time had come when David could with safety display the generous feelings which made a part of his nature. One son of Saul's remained, the lame Mephibosheth. He was received at court, and presented with the property which had belonged to his father in his personal capacity.

The darkest act of David's life now presents itself for notice. In a moment of folly, he fell in love with Bathsheba, married to Uriah, one of his captains. Resolved to gratify his guilty passion, he took her by force; and, when the consequences of his wickedness could no longer be concealed

from Uriah, he first hoodwinked the unhappy man, and then caused him to be slain. Bathsheba was added to his already ample harem.

There was, however, in Israel one who feared God more than man. The prophet Nathan aroused David's slumbering mind,planted the thorns of conscious guilt in his soul, and denounced as his punishment that his family should not cease to be troubled with strife and the sword. And terribly were his awful words fulfilled. The fruit of the adultery was first taken. The bereavement deeply afflicted the guilty man; who, however, heart-felt and deep as his contrition was, still retained in his palace the too acquiescent Bathsheba, of whom he had the son that inherited his crown (xii.).

The

His domestic troubles multiplied. Amnon, in the employment of guile and force, dishonoured his half-sister Tamar, whom he forthwith contemptnously drove from him. This injury and insult Absalom, after nursing his wrath for more than two years, avenged, by having Amnon assassinated at a feast given with tokens of amity. The blow afflicted the king grievously, so that Absalom, though a favourite child, did not dare to appear in his presence, but took refuge in the territories of Talmai, king of Geshur, in Syria; whence, after an exile of three years, the young man, whose absence was deeply regretted by David, was brought back through a stratagem devised by Joab. pardon, however, was incomplete: Absalom, though in Jerusalem, was not permitted to see David. This privation, if not dishonour, he imputed to Joab, whom, by burning a field of his wheat, he compelled to intercede with his father for his restoration to court. The favour was granted; but Absalom had been irreversibly offended. He began to practise arts by which to ingratiate himself with the people, and bring David into disrepute. He could not, however, accomplish his purpose while he was in the capital, and his father's permission was essential to his quitting it. Leave being obtained, he repaired to Hebron, and there set up the standard of revolt (xv.) A war ensued, in which the rebellious son was slain (xvi.-xviii.). The victory, purchased at such a price, occasioned David bitter grief; and never was the loss of a child bewailed by a father in accents more true or more touching (xix. 1—8).

The alarm and confusion which Absalom's rebellion spread through the country, and which did not cease till some time after his subdual, show that David's throne rested not on the most solid foundation in the hearts of his subjects. Whilst endeavouring to strengthen himself after the heavy blow by lenient and conciliatory measures, jealousies broke out between Judah and Israel, which had for result, that the ten tribes, revolting, chose for themselves a new king in Sheba,

who, without much difficulty, was overcome by Joab (xx.).

These internal dissensions and mutual slaughters causing tillage to be neglected, brought on a protracted famine, of which David, made by his late perils morbidly jealous of rivals, availed himself, in order to uproot the remainder of Saul's house, saving the lame and harmless Mephibosheth. The event gave occasion to a display of maternal love, so bright and so engaging as to afford some relief to the surrounding darkness (xxi.).

Not long afterwards, a plague devastated the land, inflicted in punishment of the folly of David, which, contrary to the remonstrances of Joab, he showed in causing a census of his people to be made, whether with feelings of ambition and conquest, for the purposes of revenue, or for what other object, we are not informed (xxiv. 1 Chron. xxi.).

David had became old, and was stricken in years. Cold in body, and unwarmed in heart by true domestic love, he was fain to employ for his comfort a resource which excites towards him no higher feeling than that of pity (1 Kings i. 1-4). His increas ing debility gave encouragement to new attempts against his sovereignty. Adonijah, the son of his wife Haggith, who knew that Absalom had had a fair prospect of gaining the crown, set up to be king, seducing from their duty Joab, the military head, and Abiathar, the chief priest. But David had sworn to Bathsheba, that her son Solomon should inherit the crown. Supported by Nathan the prophet, she claimed the fulfilment of the promise; and Solomon, proclaimed king by the express commands of David, immediately begain his reign. Adonijah was put to death.

David's last hour had come. His sun set in clouds. At the age of seventy he died, after a stormy, but, in externals, prosperous reign, and was buried in Jerusalem. His dying hours were darkened by revengeful emotions. Joab's recent defection and trea

chery he could not overlook. He said to Solomon, Let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.'

Respecting Shimei, also, he gave it in command to his son,- Hold him not guilt less; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.' These darker passions are relieved by words uttered on the same occasion, - 'Show kindness unto the sons of Barzillai, and let them be of those that eat at thy table; for they came to me when I fled, because of Absalom thy brother' (1 Kings ii. 1—10).

David left behind him a numerous harem, and besides sons by his ten concubines (2 Sam. xx. 3), nineteen sons born of his wives.

The character of David offers deep contrasts of light and shade. The Scriptures

which show the one, have impartially set forth the other. Whatever exaggerated claims on our reverence misguided advocates may have preferred, they can adduce no authority from Holy Writ, which has faithfully recorded David's transgressions, as well as his good deeds. A degree of bitterness has, indeed, been displayed in attacks made against that monarch. It is equally true, that even Bayle, through ignorance of Oriental usages, adduced charges that cannot be sustained, or exaggerated misdeeds which must not be denied. Yet, in the long prevalent custom of holding up David as a model of perfect virtue, may be found the cause, and in part the excuse, of these misrepresentations. It is, however, with facts we have to do; and so long as these facts are drawn from Scripture and fairly set forth, the representation, whether bright or dark, may plead the authority of the Bible. The misconstruction of a passage of Scripture has led many to prefer unwarrantable pretensions. When Samuel set Saul aside, he said, The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart' (1 Sam. xiii. 14). In the Psalms we thus read,

'I have found David, my servant' (Ps. lxxxix. 20). Paul, when preaching at Antioch, in Pisidia, put these two passages together, thus, I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart' (Acts xiii. 22). The words were used exclusively of David, as a faithful successor to Saul. They are taken as a general description of David's character, in such a way as to make it appear that he was morally a perfect man. What an exaggeration! and that, too, though in the details which it affords of David's misdeeds, Scripture supplies every necessary means for the correct apprehension of the subject. Indeed, the original application of the words of Paul was yet more restricted; for they had reference to the recognition of Jehovah as the only God, and of the Hebrew priesthood as the expounders of his will. In this, their proper, their Scriptural sense, they are strictly true; for David served God, after his appointed manner, with a perfect heart' (1 Kings xiv. 8, 9; xv. 3, 5). corroboration of this view, we add, that idolatry and disobedience are in the Bible spoken of as resulting from men's seeking or acting after their own hearts (Numb. xv. 39. 1 Kings xii. 33). It is in this sense, generally, that David is so often mentioned in a favourable light. As a worshipper of the true God; as holding his regal power in dependence on Jehovah, the true King of Israel; as ruling not despotically, but constitutionally; faithful to the sacerdotal, as well as the prophetic elements of the government; also on account of great personal excellencies, he was deservedly accounted a model king: he became the idol of the nation; the symbol of national weal; the secret of national power; the basis of hope in the

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