The stone sank deep into the forehead of Goliath, and he fell prostrate upon his face to the earth. To make sure of his victim, David having no sword of his own, ran and drew that of the Philistine, and standing upon him, severed his head from his body.*

The crisis had come. The Philistines, horrorstruck at the sudden death of their champion, betook themselves to flight. The Israelites pursued hard after them with exulting shouts, destroying vast numbers, and leaving hundreds of wounded by the way, as far as Gath, and the very gates of Ekron. Having thus driven the Philistines into their own territories, the victors, on their return, loaded themselves with the spoils found in the camp of the enemy, and at length reached their own, to rejoice in the triumph which the God of Israel, through the prowess of his youthful servant, had won for them.

It seems that when David went forth to meet Goliath, immediately after his interview with Saul, the latter inquired of Abner, the captain of the host, whose son the youth was. "As thy soul liveth," was the reply, "O king, I cannot tell;" upon which Saul directed Abner to ascertain, and inform him.

* It is supposed by Lightfoot, that the ninth Psalm was composed by David on the occasion of his victory over Goliath.

At first sight, it may appear strange that David should have thus been forgotten by the king, considering the peculiar circumstances of their former intercourse with each other. But it is difficult to say how long a time had elapsed since that period, or what changes had taken place in the personal appearance and manners of the young shepherd. Besides, Saul's mind. had been in a very singular state, while under the influence of the evil spirit that possessed him. How often his paroxysms returned, and were relieved by the music of David before the latter left him, we have not the means of knowing, nor the effect which they had upon the strength of his impressions at the time, or of his memory afterwards. In addition to all this, a host of anxious cares and forebodings had crowded, in tumultuous succession, into the mind of the king. When David, therefore, appeared before him at the critical juncture of an expected battle with the Philistines, (himself and his army terrified at the portentous challenges of Goliath, which no one had as yet dared to accept,)—is it surprising that, with so little opportunity for clear observation and recollection, he should not recognize the son of Jesse who stood before him.

Abner was careful to execute his commission, and, as David returned from the slaughter of Goliath, brought him, with the head of the latter in his hand, into the presence of the king.

Upon Saul's inquiring whose son he was, David replied, "I am the son of thy servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite." What else passed between them on this occasion we are not informed. It appears, however, that the conduct and conversation of David, together with his pious heroism in meeting the champion of the Philistines, made such an impression on Jonathan, Saul's son, while there was something so engaging in the character of the latter, that "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." On the same day Saul let David know that he had assigned him a place among his nearest attendants, and that he must not think of returning again to his father's house.

About this time David carried the head of Goliath to Jerusalem, (perhaps to strike terror into the garrison of the Jebusites who occupied a strong hold there,) and deposited in his tent the armor that belonged to the giant, while his sword was placed, as a trophy, in the tabernacle.

CHAPTER V.

Friendship between Jonathan and David. Saul becomes jealous of David, and lays a plan to have him killed, but fails.

Jonathan and David, as we have seen, commenced a friendship of the most intimate kind. It is without a parallel, for its ardor and disinterestedness, in the records of history. To give it the sacred tie of religious obligation, they made a covenant, with each other; while Jonathan took off the robe and other garments which he wore, clothing David with them, and putting on him, also, his sword, his bow, and his girdle. Such presents are still frequent in the East, as tokens of respect and attachment. All must have noticed the new and costly articles with which David was thus attired; and it being known to whom they had belonged, they afforded a striking evidence of the peculiar favor in which he was held by the king's son.

Saul, too, bestowed honors of the highest kind upon the conqueror of Goliath. He gave him an exalted military station, and sent him out on important excursions in the public service. His confidence was not misplaced. David shewed great wisdom in all that he did, se

curing the esteem of the people at large, and of those who were more immediately about the person of the king. But the time was approaching when this favorite of his sovereign was to find himself the object of an inveterate resentment. Envy the most malignant, would soon take place of the kindly feelings which Saul seemed to manifest towards David; and the latter would have fresh occasion to look to that God in whom he trusted for guidance and support. Circumstances growing out of the late victory of David over Goliath, gave rise to this change.

It seems that after the discomfiture and terrible slaughter of the Philistines, Saul made a triumphal entry into the principal cities of the kingdom, accompanied by a large retinue, among the persons composing which David occupied a conspicuous place. According to the customs of the times, they were met on these occasions by bands of women, coming out of the cities to hail their approach, and to celebrate the success of their arms, with appropriate songs and dances, and the joyful sounds of various instruments of music. As the chorus in which they joined floated upon the air, these ominous words met the ear of the king: "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." And still it was repeated: "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands."