To add to David's distresses, Samuel the prophet, who anointed him, died: while he lived, he had always a true friend and adviser in him. However, when it pleased God to take Samuel from this vale of trial, God did not forake David, but permitted him to have a closer communion with his Spirit.-But to return to Saul. He had no sooner separated from David, than the evil spirit worked him to a higher pitch of enmity and jealousy. He, therefore, again sought his life, and marched towards the hill of Hachilah, where David had taken refuge, with an army of 3000 men. David happened, however, to abide in the wilderness, and by the aid of spies knew every movement made by Saul. "He therefore arose, and came to the place where Saul had pitched: and when he beheld the place where he lay, and Abner the son of Ner, the captain of his host: for the king lay in the trench, and the people pitched round about him. David enquired of Ahimelech the Hittite, and of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, who would go down with him to Saul to the camp. Abishai, who was one of his faithful adherents, anxious for such an opportunity of testifying his regard and affection, without hesitation replied, I will go down with thee. On which he came to the people by night: and behold, Saul lay sleeping within the trench, his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster: but

Abner and the people lay round about him. All was quiet the darkness of night had enrobed all in the soundest sleep. They carefully approached their enemies. Abishai, who had not the grace of David, believed that it was right to return evil for evil, and now silently whispered to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day; now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not smite him the second time. Destroy him not, replied the persecuted, but forbearing and long-suffering servant of God; for who can stretch forth his hand against the Lord's anointed, and be guiltless? Furthermore, as the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die: or he shall descend into battle, and perish. The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go."-O Mamma! I am so afraid lest Saul and his soldiers should awake, and kill sweet David. God, my love, sent this sleep upon them: it is typical, my child, that men sleep in the midst of danger, when they neglect God, and live in sin. But how inscrutable are the ways of God! How vain is the attempt of man, however great his power, to injure those whom God has

redeemed! Thus, my child, if you seek Gɔd, and love him, and depend upon him, as David did, not all the powers of earth can injure you: he will indeed make your enemies subservient to you on every occasion. Thus Saul was always in the power of David, who accordingly took the cruse of water and the spear from Saul's bolster ; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the Lord was fallen upon them. Then David went over to the other side, and standing on the top of a hill afar off, a great space being between them, cried to the people, and to Abner the son of Ner, Answereth thou not, Abner? Who art thou that criest to the king? rejoined Abner, awakening and affrighted at the unexpected salutation. Art not thou a valiant man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy lord the king? for there came one of the people in to destroy the king thy lord. This thing is not good that thou hast done. As the Lord liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your master, the Lord's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is, and the cruse of water that was at his bolster. This conversation awoke Saul, who instantly knew David's voice: Is this thy voice, my son David?

It is my voice, my lord, O king. Wherefore doth my lord thus pursue after his servant? for what have I done? or what evil is in mine hand? Now therefore, I pray thee, let my lord the king hear the words of his servant. If the Lord have stirred thee up against me, let him accept an offering: but if they be the children of men, cursed be they before the Lord; for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord, saying, Go, serve other gods. Now therefore, let not my blood fall to the earth before the face of the Lord: for the king of Israel is come out to seek a flea."

Why a flea, Mamma?" Because he was low in his own sight, my love; too insignificant for a king to pursue, as insignificant as a flea. "As when one," continued David, "doth hunt a partridge in the mountains."

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"I have sinned," replied Saul: return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. Behold the king's spear, answered David, and let one of the young men come over and fetch it. The Lord render to every man his righteousness and his faithfulness: for the Lord delivered thee into my hand today, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed. Behold, as thy life was much

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set by this day in mine eyes, so let my life be much set by in the eyes of the Lord, and let him deliver me out of all tribulation.-Blessed be thou, my son David: thou shalt both do great things, and also shalt still prevail, rejoined Saul.-O Mamma, how I should bless God, if he would make me so good as David. Did not Saul now dearly love David, Mamma, and did they not become friends?-David separated from him to meet no more.—I hope he did not die, Mamma. No, he went on his way, and Saul returned to his kingdom.

After this, Israel was much troubled with external enemies, and the Philistines assembled a large and strong host against Israel; and Saul was now afraid, his heart greatly trembled, for he had with him none of God's anointed prophets. He had long time been at enmity with the Lord, and the only communion he had was with the evil spirit. Finding the enemy advance, at a juncture so alarming, and fraught with danger to him, he called out to his servants," Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. His servants replied, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor." Saul disguising himself, and putting on other raiment, went, and two men with him: they came to the woman by night. And was she there, Mamma?-Such