Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/267

 by and  listened  to  the  words  of  David;  and  when  David  had made an  end  of  speaking,  Jonathan  began  to  love  him  as  his own soul. There was  a custom  for  friends  to  exchange  garments; so Jonathan  took  his  coat  and  gave  it  to  David. He took  his sword, and  his  bow,  and  his  girdle,  and  gave  them  also to David.

Now when  David  returned  home  with  Saul, after  having slain Goliath,  the  women  came  out  of  all  the  cities  of  Israel,  with flutes and  cymbals,  and  they  sang:  “Saul  slew  his  thousands,  and David his  ten  thousands."  Hearing  this  Saul  was  angry,  and ever  after  regarded  David  as  his  rival.  Next  day  Saul  was  again troubled  by  the  evil  spirit,  and  whilst  David  played  the  harp before  him,  the  king  threw  a spear  at  him  hoping  to  nail  him  to the  wall.

David, however,  stepped  aside  and  avoided  the  blow. Some time after  David  was  appointed  by  Saul  captain  over  a thousand men. He was  moreover  promised  Michol,  the  king’s  daughter, in marriage,  if  he  killed  a hundred  Philistines. By this  proposal Saul hoped  to  get  rid  of  David,  thinking  that  he  would  never be able  to  fulfil  the  conditions,  but  that  he  would  be  slain  by the  Philistines. Saul, however,  was  disappointed,  for  David  slew two hundred  of  the  enemy,  and  thereby  gained  the  affection  of the  whole  people. This unexpected  success  of  David  enraged Saul more  than  ever.

Blinded by  passion,  Saul  ordered  Jonathan,  his  son,  to  kill David. But Jonathan,  knowing  David  s innocence  and  virtue  and loving him  exceedingly,  gave  warning  to  him  and  said: “My  father seeketh to  kill  thee;  wherefore  look  to  thyself,  and  abide  in  a secret  place,  and  thou  shalt  be  hid."  David  listened  to  his  advice and  remained  hidden  in  the  fields.

One day,  however,  when  Saul  was  in  a better  humour  than usual, Jonathan  said  to  him:  “Sin  not,  O king! against thy  servant David, because  he  has  not  sinned  against  thee,  and  his  works are very  good  towards  thee. Why, therefore,  wilt  thou  sin  against innocent blood?”