said Dauid he annointed him and told him in his eare how God had chosen him to be king and exhorted him to studie iustice and to be obedient to that which should be commaunded him assuring him by that meanes that his kingdome should be of long continuance his family and stocke should be famous and renowmed that he should ouercome the Philistines and conquer those nations against whom he should fight obtaine glorious renowne in his life time and leaue the same to his successors as an inheritance Samuel hauing made this exhortation departed from him and the spirit of God abandoned Saul and entred into Dauid so as he began to prophecie by meanes of a diuine spirit whereiwth he was seased whereas on the other side Saul was tormented with straunge passions of the euill spirit whereby he fell into straunge suffocations and straunglings so as his Phisitions could not inuent any remedie for him but gaue counsell that search should be made if a man might be found that were expert and cunning in singing playing on the harpe to the end that when the euil spirit should assault trouble him he might stand at his head and both with voice and instrument sing sacred hymnes before him And when as the king had giuen present and speedie command that such a one should be sought after one of those that were assistant tolde him that he had seene in Bethleem a sonne of Iesses a young man of excellent feature and besides his other good parts and bringing vp verie cunning both in song and playing on the harpe and besides that addrest enough and toward in feates of armes He therefore sent messengers to Iesse to commaund him to withdraw Dauid from the folds and to send him vnto him because that hauing heard report of his beautie and valour he was desirous to see him This commaund of his did Iesse obey and sent his sonne with presents vnto Saul the king who greatly reioyced vpon his arriuall and made him his pentioner and honoured him diuers waies For he was refreshed by him and was his onely phisition against the vexation of euill spirits at such time as they seased and possessed him for by reciting and singing Psalmes vpon his Harpe he restored the king to his right mind he therefore requested Iesse that he would suffer him to liue with him and attend vpon him because he was so much delighted with his presence whereunto he condescended permitting him to dwell with the king CHAP. X. A second expedition of the Palestines against the Hebrewes NOt long time after this the Philistines assembled themselues and gathered together great companies of men of warre with whom they assailed the Israelites and subdued all that which is betweene Sucoth and Azeca where they incamped Saul on the other side led forth his army against them and encamping himselfe vpon a certaine mountaine he constrained the Philistines to dislodge from their first campe and entrench themselues vpon an other mountaine right ouer against that where he pitched his tents The campes being thus separated the one from the other there was a valley that extended it selfe betweene both the armies Into this there descended a certaine man called Goliah a Gittite of huge stature being foure cubits and a span length in height hauing his limmes couered with huge and mightie armour for his curets which he bare on his backe waighed fiue thousand sicles his helmet and pouldrons were of brasse made fit to couer his massie mēbers his speare which he bare in his hand was no light lance but he bare it on his shoulder the head therof waighed 600. sicles and after him there followed diuers men bearing armes Now when he came betwixt both the armies he stood vp cried with a loud voice addressing his speach to Saul and the Hebrewes in these termes Hebrewes what need you to hazard the doubtfull fortune of warre single me out an aduersary and let vs determine by our two hazards on whose side the victorie and conquest shal fall so that whosoeuers soldiour shall be ouer come let his partie be adiudged subiect to their sides who haue the victorie for it were better that some one among you then the whole armie should be brought in hazard When he had spoken thus he returned backe to his owne camp The next day he came forth againe and vsed the same words and thus for fortie daies space ceased he not to defie the Hebrewes in such like words and vnder the same conditions so that both Saul and all his army were displeased and kept themselues alwaies readie and arraunged in battell although the fight was begunne on neither side During the time that Saul addressed himselfe to this expedition he sent Dauid backe againe to Iesse his father contenting himselfe with his other three brothers who at that time serued vnder his royall standard whereas he intended his intermitted care of keeping his flocks But whilst the warre was rather protracted then performed whether his father had sent him to carie victuals to his brothers and to know how their affaires went in the armie and whilest that Dauid deuized with his brothers as touching those things which his father had committed to his charge he heard the Philistine blaspheming and rayling vpon the Hebrew armie and was therewith so greatly moued that turning himselfe vnto his brothers he told them that he was readie and addrest to fight hand to hand against that enemie But Eliab the elder brother reproued him for so speaking telling him that he was more hardie then became his age and that he knew not what concerned those matters willing him to returne vnto his father and intend his flocks Dauid for the reuerence he bare vnto his brother departed from thence and meeting with certaine soldiers said vnto them that he had a wil to encounter that proud challenger which they presently signified vnto Saul who incontinently sent to seeke him out Now when he came before his presence he asked him what he intended to doe O king said he let not thy courage be abated nor thy feare ouermaster thee For I am he that will abate the pride of this enemie and encounter and enter combate with him and how great and high soeuer he be how clate and fierce soeuer he shew himselfe I will subdue him and turne his terrour to derision and so much the more shall thy glorie and the honour of thy army be enhanced by how much so great and expert a man at armes shall be subdued by a young man and an vnexperienced souldier Saul amased at his hardines and great courage yet notwithstanding suspecting him by reason of his yeares told him that he was too feeble to encounter a man so expert in feats of armes whereunto Dauid made this answere That which I promise you my soueraigne is vnder the assurance which I haue in God which heretofore I haue proued and the succours which at other
king of the Amalechites is slaine by Samuels commaund 1. Reg. 16. God sendeth Samuel to Bethleem to annoint Dauid king The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. God respecteth not the beauties of the bodie but the perfections of the mind Iesses sonnes being goodly in personage were not to be perferred to the souerainty Samuel annointeth Dauid king Gods spirit forsaking Saul descendeth on Dauid who beginneth to prophecie Saul maketh Dauid one of his pentioner or guard The yeare of the world 2883. before Christes Natiuity 1081. Hedio Ruffinus chap. 11. 1. Reg. 17. Another expedition of the Palestines against the Hebrewes Goliah a man of prodigious statute amongst the Palestines Goliah challeÌ„geth a single combate at the Hebrewes hands Saul sendeth Dauid backe againe to his father Dauid desireth to fight with Goliah Dauid redeemed a lambe from the lawes of a lion and slew him Dauid killed a beare The yeare of the world 1883. before Christs birth 1081. Dauid laying aside those armes wherewith he was furnished to fight with Goliah marcheth forward with his sling against the enemie Dauid drawing neere his enemie is contemned Dauids talke with Goliah before the combate Dauids victory against Goliah The I alestines fly and are discomfited Thirtie thousand of the Palestines slaine 1. Reg. 18. Saul priuily hateth Dauid Saul from one of his chiefe nobles maketh Dauid a tribune to the end that being often drawen out by the enemie he might be slain The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. Sauls daughter in loue with Dauid Saul subtilly obiecteth Dauid to slaughter vnder a colourable coÌ„ditioÌ„ of slaughtering the Palestines Saul vnder couenant of 600. Philistines heads promiseth Dauid his daughter 1. Reg. 19. Saul marieth Michol to Dauid Hedio Ruffinus chap. 〈◊〉 Saul resolueth to kill Dauid IonathaÌ„ loueth Dauid and sheweth him his fathers determination and counselleth him to haue care of his safety and stand on his guard The yeare of the world 2883. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1081. Ionathan reckoneth vp vnto his father the good deserts of Dauid praying him to pacific his displeasure conceiued against him Ionathan certifieth Dauid how he hath pacified his father Dauid hath a great victorie against the Palestines Saul darteth his Iauclin at Dauid The yeare of the world 2883 before Christs birth 1081. Michol perswadeth the kings seruants that Dauid is sicke Michol excufeth her selfe for deliuering Dauid Dauid expresseth to Samuel how the â—…ing was affected towards him Saul sent armed soldiers to apprehend Dauid who began to prophecie and he himselfe likewise comming thither prophecieth 〈◊〉 Reg. 20. Dauid complaineth vnto Ionathan of his fathers iniuries IonathaÌ„ exculeth his father Dauid desired Ionathan to sound his father how he was affected towards him The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. Ionathan confirmeth his friendship towards Dauid with an oth IonathaÌ„ giueth Dauid certaine signes whereby he should know whether his father were displeased with him Saul questioneth about Dauids absence Ionathan by his answer asâ—…eth to know his fathers mind Saul discouereth his 〈◊〉 hate against Dauid Ionathan â—…cusing Dauid to his father is almost slaine with a Iauelin by him Ionathan flieth from the banquet Ionathan and Dauid meete in the field He dio Ruffinus chap. 13. 1. Reg 21. The yeare of the world 1883 before Christes Natiuity 108â—… Dauid coÌ„meth to Naban or Nob to Achimelech the high Priest Dauid receiuing Goliahs sword flieth to Geth to Achis king of the Palestines Dauid couÌ„terseits madnes to escape the furie of Achis 1. Reg. 22. Dauid repairing to the king of the Moabits committeth his father and mother to his protection Dauid commeth to SaroÌ„ Saul feareth Dauid Sauls oration to his captains friends and estates against Dauid The yeare of the world 2883. before the Natiuitie of Christ. 1081. Doeg telleth Saul how he saw Dauid in Noba with Achimelech Saul reproueth Achimelech for furnishing Dauid with victuals and armes Achimelechâ—… Apologie to Sauls accusation of treason The vniust slaughter of Achimelech with his whole family Noba the citie of the priests it burnt and all the inhabitaÌ„ts slaine Sup li. 5. ca. 11. 1. Reg. 2. 3. A manifest exemplification of that proueth Honours chaungeth maners Note diâ—…gerly The yeare of the world 2883 before Christs birth 1081. Abiathar escaping from Sauls hands telleth Dauid of the slaughter of Achimelech his father and of the priests Dauid defendeth Cilla against the incursions of the Palestines 1. Reg 23. Saul seeketh to besiege Dauid in Cilla Dauid admonished by God flieth from his daunger Dauid came with his army to Caena or Ziphia where Ionathan commeth vnto him coÌ„forteth him and renueth his couenant The Ziphians certifie Saul of Dauids abode in their countrey Dauid hearing of the kings comming flieth to saue himselfe The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs birth 1081. Saul pursueth Dauid and hauing circumueÌ„ted him had taken him had not he receiued newes that renoked him Dauid cut off the lap of Sauls garmeÌ„t Dauid vpbraideth Saul for his subtilties to seeke his death who was innocent Saul acknowledgeth his malice Dauids innocency and requesteth him that when he hath obtained the kingdom he would be fauourable to his family Samuels death and buriall 1. Reg. 25. The yeare of the world 2883. before Christs Natiuitie 1081. Nabals flocks spared by Dauid Dauids embassage to Nabal to require reliefe and his currish answer Dauid sallieth out against Nabal with 400. armed men Abigal Nabals wife appeaseth Dauid with presents Nabla signifieth a â—…oole Dauids prophecy of Nabal The yeare of the world 2889. before Christs Natiuitie 1075. Nabal conceiueth so much sorrow and feaâ—…e for his immodesty against Dauid that he dieth Apoplecâ—…ique An example of Gods prouidence that no sin can escape vnpunished Dauid marieth Abigal Nabals wife Saul marieth his daughter Michol to an other husband 1. Râ—… 26. The Ziphians once more labour to betray Dauid in their countrey Dauid once more attended by two entring into Sauls campe stole away his dart his pitcher of water Dauid vpâ—…deth â—…ner 〈◊〉 Sauâ—… general for suffering his kings Iauelin and pitcher of water to be taken from him Saul praiseth Dauid and willeth him to be of good courage and exhorteth him to returne to his own house The yeare of the world 2889. before Christes Natiuity 1075. Dauid declareth his innocencie to Saul 1. Reg. 27. Saul desisteth to persecute Dauid Dauid with six hundreth men and his two wines went into Palestine to Achis king of Gitta Dauid requireth a certaine place at the kings hands to make his habitation in The king giueth him Siceleg Dauid spoyled the Sarrâ—…es Amalechites and giueth part of the pray to the king perswading him that he tooke it froÌ„ the Iewes that inhabited the South plaine The yeare of the world 2890. before Christs birth 1074. Saul banisheth all diuiners enchanters out of his kingdome Saul hearing the Philistines made head against him
his absence Whilest then he arriued neere vnto the Citie of Ramatha the seruant that followed him certified him that there dwelt a Prophet in that place to whose foresight the knowledge of the truth was subiect towards whom he counsailed him to addresse himselfe with assurance and confidence that by him he should vnderstand what was become of his Asses Saul replied that he had no meanes lest to recompence the Prophet by reason they had consumed all the money they had brought foorth with them in their iourney His seruant told him that he had as yet the fourth part of a sicle which they might giue him but they were both of them deceiued in that they were ignorant that the Prophet was not to be bribed When as therefore they drew neere vnto the gates of the Citie they met with certaine maidens that went out to fetch water of whom they demaunded where the Prophet dwelt who gaue them directions telling them that they were to make haste before that he were set downe to supper by reason he at that time entertained diuers guests and he himselfe was first wont to sit downe at the vpper end of the table Samuel had inuited this company by reason that all the day long he had instantly besought God that he would declare vnto him who it was that should be established king and God also gaue him to vnderstand that he would informe him the next day after and that about the same houre he would send a yoong man vnto him of the tribe of Beniamin For this cause Samuel sat in his house expecting the assignation which being come he came downe vnder pretence to go to supper and in the way he met with Saul At that verie instant God signified vnto Samuel that it was he whom he should elect Prince and gouernour ouer the people Saul addressing himselfe vnto Samuel besought him that he would shew him the Prophets lodging by reason that he was a stranger and knew it not Samuel told him that himselfe was the man to whom hee spake and led him to the banquet assuring him that his Asses in search of whom he had trauailed so long were in safetie and that all mens goods were at his commaund Saul answered My Lord I am too base to hope or expect so much and further my family is the least of all the families you therefore iest and mocke at me in speaking of such things as surpasse my condition The Prophet tooke him by the hand and brought both him and his seruant to the table and placed him aboue all those that were inuited who were to the number of seuentie Samuel commanded that the royall portion should be set before Saul and when the houre of bed time came all the rest arose and departed to their houses but Saul and his seruant lodged that night with the Prophet and as soone as it was day Samuel awaked Saul and departing with him out of towne he commanded him to send his seruant before and to remaine himselfe with him behind because he had certaine things to impart vnto him in priuate Hereupon Saul sent away his seruant and Samuel taking a cruet with oyle poured the same vpon the yong mans head and embracing him said Be thou King elected by God against the Philistines and for the defence of the Hebrewes Thou shalt haue this signe which I now shall informe thee of of thy future honour When thou shalt bee parted from hence thou shalt ouertake three men in the way who trauell to Bethel to adore and sacrifice vnto God the first of which thou shalt see bearing three loaues the second shall beare a goate and the third shal follow carrying a glasse of wine These shall embrace thee and caresse thee they shall giue thee two loaues and thou shalt receiue them And from thence shalt thou depart vnto that monument that beareth the name of Rachel where thou shalt meet with a messenger that shall certifie thee that the Asses are found From thence comming vnto Gabatha thou shalt finde the Prophets assembled in their congregation and being rauished by the spirit of God thou shalt prophecy amongst them so that whosoeuer shall behold thee shall be rauished in admiration and shall say whence commeth it to passe that the sonne of Cis hath attained to so good fortune and when thou hast had these signes know that God shall be with thee salute thy Father and thy kinsmen in my behalfe Hereafter thou shalt repaire and be sent vnto me vnto Galgal to ofter sacrifices of thankes giuing vnto God Hauing in this manner told and foretold him that which is forespoken he gaue him licence to depart and all these things hapned vnto Saul according as the Prophet Samuel had prophecied vnto him When Saul was arriued at Abenars house who was his vnckle whom he loued aboue all the rest of his other familiars Abner questioned with him about his voiage and as touching those things which had chaunced vnto him and Saul hid nothing from him but point by point informed him of all that which had hapned vnto him during his being and aboad with the Prophet Samuel and how he had declared vnto him the recouery of his Asles but as touching the royaltie and those things that concerned the same he concealed them supposing that if it should be made knowen it would not be beleeued but that he should reape hate thereby For although he were both his friend and cousen yet thought he it more secure and conuenient for him to burie the same in silence reputing as I suppose in himselfe the infirmitie of mans nature that no man is constant in loue but although by manifest assistance from God felicitie fall vpon any man yet other men do grieue repine that any one should be preferred before them After this Samuel assembled the people in the Citie of Maspha where he framed his speech in such sort as he certified them of those things which he had receiued from God namely that he hauing procured their libertie and brought their enemies in subiection vnder them next how they were forgetfull of so many benefits and had degraded God of his royaltie as if they were ignorant that the greatest good that might happen vnto men is to be gouerned by him that is the soueraigne good how they had determined to haue a man to their King who according to his pleasure appetite or according to the vnbridled bent of his passion would vse them like slaues made subiect vnto him and would vsurpe vpon their goods without forbearing any thing whatsoeuer that men are not so studious to maintaine their handie works and labours as God who hath an inestimable care of those whom he hath created Notwithstanding saith he since you haue thus determined and are after this manner resolued and that the outrage which you haue enterprised against God preuaileth with you set your selues all of you in order according to your tribes
him in his owne chamber where he lay and hauing at that time a iauelin in his hand he commanded him to play on his harp to sing hymnes Now whilest Dauid executed that his commandement Saul stretching out his arme threw his dart at him but Dauid foreseeing it auoided the stroke and fled into his owne house where he soiourned all the day long Now when the night was come the king sent out certaine of his seruants to watch his house for feare least he should escape to the end that the next day being drawen and appearing in iudgement he might be condemned and put to death But Michol Dauids wife and Sauls daughter hauing intelligence of her fathers intention ran vnto her husband telling him in how great peril both he and she were who without his presence neither could nor would liue any longer Beware said she least the sunne finde thee in this place for he shall no more behold thee here hereafter Flie therefore whilest the present night offereth thee opportunitie which God doth lengthen for thy safetie-sake for be assured that if thou beest surprised in this place my father will make thee die a miserable death This said she let him downe by a window and so saued him and incontinently after she prepared his bed and trimmed it as if he laye sicke therein and vnder the couering thereof she laid the liuer of a new slanghtered Kid and when her father had sent the next morning to apprehend Dauid she answered that he had beene sicke all the night long then discouering the bed that was couered she gaue them to vnderstand that Dauid was laid therein making them touch the couerlet vnder which the liuer stirred and made them beleeue that the liuer that lay there was Dauid who panted breathed verie hardly Which being signified vnto Saul he commaunded that he should be brought vnto him in that estate wherein he was because he was resolued to put him to death But when Sauls messengers were arriued and returned thither and had discouered the bed they perceiued Michols subtiltie and went and certified the king thereof who reproued her verie grieuously for that she had saued his aduersarie and deceiued her father But she defended her selfe with words full of good apparance saying that Dauid had threatned to kill hir and how for that cause and by the impulsion of feare she was drawen and induced to aide and saue him For which cause she ought to be pardoned since by constraint and not of set purpose she had furthered his escape For said she I thinke that you seeke not so greedily after the death of your enemie as you preferre the same before the safetie and securitie of your daughter On these perswasions Saul pardoned his daughter Dauid deliuered from this perill came vnto the Prophet Samuel to Ramatha and told him what ambushes the king had laid for him how hardly he had escaped death by the stroke of his Iauelin whereas in all things that concerned Saul he had alwaies shewed himselfe obedient againe how he had neuer ceased to warre vpon his enemies and had by Gods assistance beene fortunate in all things which was the cause that Saul was so displeased with him The Prophet informed of Sauls iniustice forsooke the Citie of Ramath and led Dauid to a certaine place called Galbaath where he remained with him But as soone as Saul was informed that Dauid was retired and accompanied with the Prophet he sent out certaine soldiers to lay hands on him and bring him vnto him who repairing to Samuel and finding the congregation of the Prophets were seased with the spirit of God and began to prophecie Which when Saul vnderstood he sent out others who had the like incounter with the first For which cause he sent out others and seeing the third companie prophecie likewise he was in the end so much despited that he came thither in his owne person And when he drew neere the place before that Samuel saw him he made him prophecie so that Saul comming towards him was seased by aboundance of the spirit so that he was rauished out of himselfe and hauing despoyled himselfe of his raiment he lay prostrate all the day and the night long in the presence both of Samuel and Dauid Dauid departed from thence and went vnto Ionathan to whom he complained of those ambushes which his father had laid to intrap him in telling him that notwithstanding he had neuer committed either iniurie or fault against his father yet did he earnestly pursue him to put him to death Ionathan perswaded him that he should neither rashly suspect these things nor be ouer-credulous in those reports which perhaps might be brought vnto him but that he should trust him onely who was assured that his father intended no euill against him For if he had he would haue told him who is neuer wont to act any thing without his counsell But Dauid sware vnto him that it was so and besought him that he would beleeue his vnfained assertiōs wherby he might the more easily procure his securitie least contemning his words and supposing them to be fained and friuolous he should by his death be ascertained of the sight and truth thereof For he assured him that his father for that cause did not communicate his counsailes with him because he was assured of the loue and friendship that was betweene them Ionathan sore aggrieued that Dauid was so perswaded and Sauls intention was such asked him what he desired at his hands or wherein he might shew him friendship Dauid said vnto him I know that thou wilt further me in what thou maist and refuse me in nothing Now to morrow is the first day of the moneth in which I was accustomed to dine at the kings table and if thou thinkest good I will depart out of the Citie into the field where I will lie hidden if he aske for me thou shalt say I am gone into the countrey of Bethleem where my tribe solemnizeth a feast thou shalt certifie him also that thou hast giuen me leaue And if he say God speed him which is an ordinary wish that friends vse to such as go a iorney know that he hath no hiddē rancor nor secret malice conceiued against me but if he answer otherwise it shall be an assured testimonie that he complotteth some mischiefe against me and this shalt thou ascertaine me of as both becommeth my present calamitie and our mutual friendship which by vowed oth thou being my Lord hast plighted with me who am thy seruant And if thou thinke me vnworthie of this fauour and iniurious towards thy father without expecting the sentence of his iustice kill me now at this present with thine owne sword These his last words so grieuously stroke Ionathan to the heart that he promised him to accomplish his request assuring him to certifie him if he any waies could perceiue that his father was ill affected towards him