Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/262

 When the  servants  saw  that  this  counsel  was  pleasing  in  the eyes of  Saul,  one  of  them  added: “Behold,  I have  seen  the  son  of Isai,  a skilful  player,  and  a man  fit  for  war,  and  prudent  in  his words, and  a comely  person.”  Thereupon  David  was  sent  for,  and Saul made  him  his  armour-bearer. And whenever  the  evil  spirit  was upon Saul,  David  took  his  harp  and  played  with  his  hand,  and  Saul was refreshed  and  better,  for  the  evil  spirit  departed  from  him.

The Omniscience  of  God.  He  knows  the  mind  and  feelings  of  man. He knew  David  better  than  his  own  father  knew  him.

The Wisdom  of  God.  It  was  by  the  guidance  of  Divine  Providence that, on  account  of  his  musical  talents,  David  was  summoned  to  the court of  the  king,  who  naturally  had  no  suspicion  that  the  young shepherd was  destined  to  be  his  successor. The simple  youth,  who  was then about  twenty  years  old,  learnt  at  court  the  art  of  government  and the duties  of  a king,  and  was  thus  prepared  for  his  future  position.

The Faithfulness  of  God.  Almighty  God,  by  choosing  David  of the  tribe  of  Juda  to  be  king,  fulfilled  that  which  He  promised  by  the mouth of  the  dying  Jacob,  i.  e.  that  there  should  be  a sceptre  in  Juda, which should  not  depart  from  him  till  the  Messias  Himself  came.

Obedience. Samuel was  obedient  to  God,  for  though  he  was  very sorry that  Saul  was  rejected,  he  obeyed  when  commanded  to  anoint another king. David was  obedient  to  his  father. He did  not  murmur at the  humble  task  set  him  by  his  father  of  guarding  and  feeding  the flocks in  the  fields  of  Bethlehem.

The value  of  virtue.  God  rejected  the  proud  Saul  and  chose  the young and  humble  David  to  be  his  successor. Even David’s  father,  to whom  Samuel  had  confided  that  one  of  his  sons  was  chosen  to  be  king, had not  the  remotest  idea  that  David,  the  shepherd-boy,  could  be  the chosen one. He had  not  even  thought  it  worth  while  to  mention  his youngest son  to  the  prophet,  when  he  asked  to  see  his  sons. He said to himself:  “God  will  be  sure  to  have  chosen  one  of  my  elder,  fine, warlike sons.”  But  the  eyes  of  God  were  fixed  on  the  young,  modest David, for  He  does  not  look  to  the  appearance,  but  to  the  heart. David was pious,  humble,  steadfast,  and  pure;  therefore  God  loved  him,  and chose him  to  be  the  shepherd  of  His  people. Beauty, fine  clothes, riches are  nothing  in  the  eyes  of  God;  the  only  thing  that  is  of  value