obliged to endure a constant persecution, so that his life was frequently in danger.

Saul had consented reluctantly to the marriage of David with his daughter Michol. This alliance, however, only made his position more dangerous, and Jonathan, after trying in vain to soften his father's heart, advised his friend to seek safety in flight. The young men parted secretly, weeping, and consoling one another with hopes of better days.

Saul was so enraged at the news of David's flight, that he ordered the high-priest Achimelech and all his household to be slain, simply because they had given food and shelter to the distressed fugitive.

Many brave Israelites attached themselves to the fortunes of David, but their numbers only increased his embarrassment as it was very difficult to provide them with food. For many years he wandered from one wilderness to another, taking refuge in caverns, but everywhere pursued by the vindictive Saul.

Twice it was in the power of David to have freed himself from all his troubles by taking the life of Saul, but he refused to stain his hands with the blood of one who, however unworthy, he regarded as his sovereign. Saul was touched by this generosity; called David his son, and promised that he should never more have reason to complain of his conduct These good resolutions were, as usual, soon forgotten.

Did Jonathan behave in the same manner? Relate the parting of David and Jonathan. What aid did David receive from Achimelech ? Relate the slaughter of Achimelech and the priests. How did David behave when he had the life of Saul in his power!

THE

CHAPTER XXXV.

DEATH OF SAUL.

HE war with the Philistines was renewed, and Saul prepared to march against them. The unhappy king had forfeited the favor of God and the confidence of his people, and his heart was filled with sadness. Samuel was dead, and the prophets whom he consulted were not permitted to give him any answer regarding the events of the war.

It was the eve of battle, and Saul, instead of having recourse to God in prayer, determined to con sult a noted sorceress who dwelt at Endor Wher Saul addressed this woman, she was afraid to enemer the penalty of death being decreed by the king wi laws against all who practised unlawful arts. Saul at length reassured her, and besought her to raise for him the spirit of Samuel.

The sorceress had scarcely commenced her incan tations when Samuel appeared with a majestic and terrible aspect. The apparition spoke, and reproved Saul for profanely disturbing his rest, and when the unhappy king pleaded his great distress, Samuel unfolded to him the events of the coming battle; and ended by telling him that he and his three sons should be numbered with the slain. At this dreadful news,

Give an account of the visit of Saul to the sorceress.

4

Saul's strength failed him, and he sank fainting on the ground.

All occurred as Samuel had foretold; Jonathan and his brothers fell fighting valiantly; Saul was griev ously wounded, and seeing that all was lost, the unhappy prince crowned his evil deeds by taking his own life.

It is generally thought that the spirit of the prophet was really sent by God to rebuke the wickedness of Saul. The sorceress could not possibly have summoned any spirit from the dead, but she was probably able to raise phantoms by her wicked arts, to deceive those who consulted her. For the sake of those who imagine that there is no harm in trying to hold intercourse with the dead by mediums, etc., it is well to remark that Holy Scripture, in enumerating the crimes of Saul, names his visit to the sorceress as one of the greatest.

Ttheir

CHAPTER XXXVI.

DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL.

'HE defeat of the Israelites, and the death of their king, caused universal rejoicing among the Philistines. They sent the head of Saul through all the country, that none might doubt of his death, after which they hung it as a trophy in the temple of their god Dagon.

How did David receive the news of Saul's death?

DAVID, KING OF ISRAEL.

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David, on the other hand, seemed to forget that he was delivered from a cruel enemy, and lamented his death and that of Jonathan with bitter tears.

When all Israel had submitted to David, he undertook many warlike expeditions. warlike expeditions. He reduced the strong fortress of Jerusalem, which was situated on Mount Sion, and having repaired the castle, chose it for his future residence. From that time forth Jerusalem was called the city of David.

The piety of the king led him to prepare a

magnificent pavilion on Mount Sion in which to place

the Ark of God. The translation, or removal, of the Ark was interrupted by a mournful accident. While the people advanced in joyful procession with the sound of harp and timbrel, one of the oxen which drew the wain grew restive. A man named Oza, fearing for the Ark, reached forth his hand to support it, and was immediately struck dead. The action was simply imprudent, but God wished to impress on the light-minded Israelites how great was the reverence due to holy things.

David was so terrified by this event that it was many years before he dared to bring the Ark to Mount Sion.

This dreadful judgment should make us seriously reflect on the reverence due holy things. If such regard was paid to the Ark, which held only the Tables of the Law, what should be the respect of

What place did he choose for his residence? What occurred at the translation of the Ark? What reflections should we make?

Christians in presence of the Tabernacle, which con tains Our Lord Himself under the sacramental forms.

David subdued many of the neighboring people : Philistines, Syrians, Edomites, Moabites, with other less powerful nations. His dominions were thus en larged, and vast quantities of gold and silver, and other booty, had been brought to Jerusalem.

The king had built a splendid palace for his own residence, and his piety reproached him for dwelling in a house of cedar, while the Ark of the Lord rested in a tent. He formed the design of building a temple, in which a suitable place might be prepared for the Tables of the Law, and where sacrifices could be offered with more pomp and solemnity.

Before taking any step in the matter, David consulted the prophet Nathan. This holy man told the King that God would reward his pious desires, but that the glory of building a temple to his name was reserved for the son who should succeed him

CHAPTER XXXVII.

REIGN OF DAVID CONCLUDED.

DAVID, who had triumphed over the enemies

of Israel, was overcome by his own evil passions so that he became guilty of two great crimes. Becoming acquainted with Bethsabee, the wife of a valiant

Why did not David build a temple? How did David sin?