SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID.



"So Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines  and whithersoever he turned himself he vexed them. 

And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them. ..... And there was sore war against the Philistines all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him."

At last, Saul became very careless, and took his own way, instead of doing as the Lord told him. Then the Lord told Samuel to go to the home of Jesse the Bethlehemite, and anoint one of his sons to be king over Israel. And Samuel went to Bethlehem, and when Eliab was presented to him, he said, " Surely, the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." So Jesse brought seven of his sons before Samuel, one after another, but Samnel said, "The Lord hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. ..... But theSpirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him." -

Then Saul's servants advised him to send for a cunning player on the harp, that he might be quieted by the sound of sweet music. "And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. 

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him. "Then Saul sent for David, and when he came, Saul was greatly pleased with him, and made him his armor-bearer. And when the evil spirit was upon Saul, David took his harp and played, and Saul was refreshed, and the evil spirit departed from him.