Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/270

 time." But  David  answered:  “Kill  him  not;  for  who  shall  put forth  his  hand  against  the  Lord’s  anointed,  and  remain  guiltless? But  now  take  the  spear  which  is  at  his  head,  and  the  cup  of water,  and  let  us  go.”

So they  took  the  spear  and  the  cup  of  water  and  went away. And no  man  knew  it,  or  saw  it,  or  awoke;  for  a deep sleep from  the  Lord  was  fallen  upon  them. They both  went  on till  they  came  to  the  other  side,  and  stood  on  a hill  afar  off. Then David  called  aloud  to  Abner,  the  captain  of  Saul’s  army, and said:  “Wilt  thou  not  answer,  Abner? Art thou  not  a man? Why then  hast  thou  not  kept  thy  lord  the  king? And now where is  the  king’s  spear,  and  the  cup  of  water  which  was  at his  head?”

At these  words  Saul  awoke  from  his  sleep  and  cried  out: “Is this  thy  voice,  my  son  David?”  And  David  answered:  “It is my  voice,  my  lord  the  king. Wherefore doth  my  lord  persecute his servant? What have  I done?”  Saul, feeling  his  own  injustice, exclaimed: “I  have  sinned;  return,  my  son  David,  for  I will  no more  do  thee  harm,  because  my  life  has  been  precious  in  thy eyes this  day. Blessed art  thou,  my  son  David.”  Then  they parted in  peace.

A short time  after  this  there  was  a battle  fought  between the Israelites  and  the  Philistines  on  Mount  Gelboe. A great number of  the  Israelites  were  slain,  and  amongst  them  the  three sons of  Saul. At last  the  whole  weight  of  the  fight  turned  upon Saul; the  archers  overtook  him  and  grievously  wounded  him.

Seeing himself  surrounded  by  the  enemy,  who  wished  to  take him alive,  he  drew  his  sword  and  fell  upon  it. David was  thus delivered from  his  mortal  enemy;  yet  so  far  from  rejoicing  at  his