THE

CONTENTS.

Chap. I.

AN

N Account of Saul's Rejection,

and David's Defignation to

the Throne

Page 1

Chap. II. A Digreffion concerning Samuel,

the Prophets, and their School

13

Chap. III. What enfued upon David's being

Chap. V. The Friendship of David and Jona-

than. Some Difficulties in the facred Text

cleared. David's Combat compared with

that of Dioxippus the Athenian Athlete 45

Chap. VI. The Rife and Effects of Saul's En-

mity to David. Merab promised to David,

and given to another

55

Chap. VII. Michal promised to David. The

Nature of the required Dower explained

at large

63

71

Chap.

Chap. VIII. Saul's Perfecutions continued.

David's fignal Deliverances

Chap. IX. A Conjecture concerning the Cir-

cumftances of his Efcape, grounded on the

xviiith Pfalm; fubmitted to the candid

Reader. The Tempeft defcribed in this

Pfalm, compared with that of Virgil in the

firft Georgic
80.

Chap. X. David flies to Samuel to Ramah.

Saul pursues him thither. What ensued

thereupon. David returns to Jonathan at

Gibeah, and is again obliged to fly. Their

folemn Covenant, and exquisite Distress at

parting

Chap. XI. David flies to Ahimelech at

94

Nob: His Conduct there examined, and

excufed. From Nob he flies to Achish at

Gath: His conduct there examined, and

accounted for

III

121

Chap. XII. David flies to the Cave of Adul-

lam. Some Account of the Perfons who

reforted to him there

Chap. XIII. David flies to the Forest of

Hareth His Employment here. Saul's

Impatience for Revenge finely painted

in the Text. The Priests at Nob malfa-

130

cred

Chap. XIV. The Siege of Keilah raifed by

David, and the Philiftines defeated. What

Return

152

Return the Men of Keilah intended to make

him for this Benefaction

Chap. XV. David flies to the Wilderness of

Ziph, where he hath an Interview with

Jonathan. The Ziphites inform Saul of

his Haunts, who eagerly purfues him 161

Chap. XVI. The Vineyards of Engedi, in all

probability, planted by David.

venture of the Cave explained

The Ad-

173

Chap. XVII. Samuel's Death and Character.

David fojourns in the Wilderness of Paran.

A Conjecture concerning Orpheus

188

207

Chap. XVIII. The Adventure of Nabal re-

counted at large. Mr. Bayle's Cenfure of

David's Conduct on this Occafion con-

fidered

Chap. XIX. David goes into Saul's Camp in

the dead of the Night with one Com-

panion. What enfued thereupon 226

Chap. XX. Mr. Bayle's Objections to this

Part of the Sacred Hiftory confidered 239

Chap. XXI. David flies to Achith King of

Gath; from thence he removes to Zik-

lag. Mr. Bayle's Cenfure of his Conduct

...bere

253

Chap. XXII. The Philiftines engage in a new

War against Saul. David invited to it.

Saul's

Saul's Adventure with the Pythoness at

Endor

264

Chap. XXIII. Other Opinions upon this Head examined

275

Chap. XXIV. David goes with Achifh to the Rendezvous of the Philiftine Army at Apheck. The Philiftine Lords would fuffer him to go no farther. What ensued thereupon 301 Chap. XXV. The Battle of Mount Gilboa 319 Chap. XXVI. A fhort Effay upon the Character of Jonathan 330 Chap. XXVII. Objections answered; and Reafons urged, to fhew, that the Battle of Mount Gilboa was fought on the next Day after Saul's confulting the Pythonefs 337 Chap. XXVIII. David receives an Account of Saul and Jonathan's Death. His Lamentation upon that Head

349

AN

A N

Historical Account

Of the LIFE and REIGN of

King DAVID.

CHAP. I.

An Account of Saul's Rejection, and David's Defignation to the Throne.

W

HEN the decree of divine rejection and depofition was pass'd upon Saul, for his deliberate and obftinate disobedience in relation to Amalek, David was, by a very express and particular defignation of Almighty GoD, (such a designation as plainly fhews its divine original) appointed to fucceed him.

Ir will not be amifs to explain this matter a little more fully.