I. DAVID'S YOUTH, I Sam. 16. Bethlehem was perched upon a narrow ridge, 2000 feet above the Mediterranean, and 6 miles south of Jerusalem, then called Jebus, and occupied by the still unconquered Jebusites. "Bethlehem must have been a well-fortified place in Jesse's day, with those resolute and insolent enemies only six miles away." Knox. Though one of the oldest towns in Palestine (Gen. 35: 16), it was likewise one of the most insignificant. Not a place we should select for such weighty events as happened there !

"David was the youngest son in a family of ten [eight sons and two daughters], the children of one Jesse, a householder and small proprietor who lived in Bethlehem, and farmed land in the neighborhood, but with a larger range for sheep."

"The

David's Character. character and life of David are supremely fascinating, not only to holy souls, but to all men, because of their humanness; their variety; their exhibition of traits of generosity and courage."

The Boys of To-day would be attracted to David. In the early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the pastures. It was in these lonely hours, as he watched his father's sheep, that he attained that skill in minstrelsy which early gave pleasure to his neighbors.

Shepherd Tending Sheep.

It is interesting to picture the boy as he looked during these early years among the sheep. He was rather short in stature, as compared at least with his brothers, but his eyes were bright, and his face was fair a notable distinction in that land of swarthy skins. He was " ruddy," probably meaning that he had red or auburn hair. He was dressed in a loose garment of rough camel's or goat's hair. By day this was girded around his waist by a leathern girdle. At night it was ungirded. For extra warmth he wore, probably, as do the shepherds of Greece to-day, a simple, sleeveless coat of sheepskin or goatskin, which was ample protection against the night dews around Bethlehem.

He carried with him, like the elder shepherds, the crook by which to help the sheep in time of need. Hung to his girdle was his stout oak club, for defence against wild beasts or robbers. But his special weapon was the sling, which was made by the shepherd, either of pliable leather, or, like one in the writer's possession, of woven goat's hair. This he always carried in his hand, or so near as to be always ready at a moment's notice. Eastern shepherds are very skilful in the use of the sling, and often cast to an immense distance, and with so sure an aim as not to hit the sheep, but to strike the ground just beyond, and so thoroughly to frighten the sheep and bring it back, when wandering.

David had abundant opportunity to use this sling, and without doubt became as perfect a marksman as the seven hundred Benjamites who could sling stones at a hair's breadth, and not miss (Judges 20: 16). "There was a regiment of slingers in the Assyrian army, and another in the Egyptian army, and they could cast a stone with as much precision and force as now can be hurled shot or shell. The Greeks in their army had slingers who would throw leaden plummets inscribed with the irritating words, Take this.'" Talmage.

David Anointed King of Israel. When David was fifteen years old came the final rejection of Saul by God, which took the throne of Israel from his family. Samuel, by the command of God, went to Bethlehem to anoint a son of Jesse to be the next king over God's people. We remember the story of how Samuel was forced to pass

by the seven elder sons, stalwart and goodly in appearance though they were, and wait until the youngest son of all was hastily summoned from the sheep to receive the anointing oil. "Man looketh on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart."

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The Man Whom God Chooses. "Curiously enough, the man whom God chooses is apt to be overlooked in the first place. Many of our own national leaders are examples. In smaller spheres it is often interesting to search for the reasons for promotion. A country pastor in a scattered community where gospel services must be carried to the people in many instances, if they were to have any, used to gather up a carry-all' load of young people to help in the cottage or schoolhouse prayermeetings. There was one girl who could never be left out. He was glad of the others, but insisted on calling for her. Some one said, You have half a dozen singers better than Eva is she hasn't much of a voice.' 'I know it,' he always replied, but what she has is serviceable. There isn't one of the half dozen I can depend upon to start the tune if I ask them to.' There is the secret serviceableness. The man whom God chooses is the one who is fitted to his purpose like a tool to the hand."

II. GOLIATH OF GATH, I Sam. 17: 1-11, 23-31. The Philistines lived on the border of the Mediterranean Sea to the west and southwest of Israel. They were hereditary enemies ; oppressions" by the Philistines being among the most numerous of those mentioned in the Judges. They were now again at war, and were

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gathered in great force at Shochoh, in the Valley
of Elah, about sixteen miles from Jerusalem, and
eight or ten miles from Bethlehem. Here there
is a narrow, deep ravine, three miles long (Geikie),
a valley within a valley," on the western side
of which the Philistines encamped, while on the
eastern side, guarding the pass into their own
country, lay the forces of Israel, hastily sum-
moned by Saul. "We may picture to
ourselves," says Conder, the two
hosts, covering the low rocky hills
opposite to each other, and half hidden
among the lentisk bushes; between
them was the rich expanse of ripening bar-
ley and the red banks of the torrent with
its white shingly bed; behind all were the
distant blue hill-walls of Judah, whence
Saul had just come down."

"The natural strength of both positions was very great, since, if either army attacked, they must not only cross the ravine, but also climb the opposite slopes, and so place themselves at a great disadvantage; the long delay of the two armies, in face of each other, was probably due to this fact." Hastings' Dictionary. Therefore the Philistines proposed a less hazardous mode of fighting. As the two armies faced each other, a formidable giant, Goliath of Gath, stepped forth from the ranks of the Philistines and challenged any Israelite to decide the war by single combat. Goliath was 9 feet 8 inches high, taking the cubit at about 18 inches; but the length of the cubit varied at different times. Giants nearly or quite as tall have been noted in more modern times. The London Times of June 14, 1880, describes a reception at which were present Chang, of Pekin, 8 feet 2 inches tall, and Brustad, a Norwegian, 7 feet 9 inches tall. A giant as tall as Goliath visited Berlin in 1857. John Middleton, the Englishman, was 9 feet 3 inches tall. Captain Bates of Kentucky was one inch less than 8 feet, and weighed 526 pounds.

The Armor of Goliath was evidence of his great strength. It was of "brass," i.e. either copper or bronze. His coat of mail weighed 5000 shekels from 150 to 220 lb. avoirdupois. He wore a helmet, and his legs were Javelin. protected by bronze greaves.

His Weapons were first, a javelin, or short bronze spear to hurl at the enemy. This is called a target in v. 6. It was slung over his shoulder. Second, a heavy spear, the shaft of which was like a weaver's beam; and its head, the metal part, weighed 600 shekels, - variously estimated at from ten to twenty-five pounds.

"Not considering himself in need of any shield, he let his squire carry that in front of him as a matter of state." Banks.

Thus armed and plumed, the giant stalked down into the valley, in sight of Saul's camp, and in a voice answering to his huge form defied the armies of Israel. It "reminds us of De Bohun at Bannockburn, or of the Norman Taille-fer at Senlac." Geikie. For forty days he renewed his challenge morning and evening, his armor glittering in the sun, not even the bold Jonathan daring to accept it.

Why are ye, come out to set your battle in array?

Choose you a man for you and let him come down to me.

If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants. But if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants.

I defy the armies of Israel to-day.

Give me a man, that we may fight together.

Saul and all Israel were dismayed, and greatly afraid. III. DAVID IN ISRAEL'S CAMP, 1 Sam. 17: 12-39. The three oldest of David's brothers were in the army of Saul, and Jesse, feeling anxious for news of them, sent David to the camp with some fresh provisions, for the soldiers there, as often in later times, furnished their own supplies. These provisions consisted of (1) an ephah - a little more than a bushel of parched corn, ears of wheat or barley plucked just before they are ripe and roasted or singed in the fire. It is still eaten in Palestine, and is especially fitted for provision for travellers or soldiers.". Int. Crit. Com. "To David's brothers they would be a pleasant reminder of home.” (2) Ten loaves, of bread, small, round, and flat. "In the dry inland air they soon become brittle." (3) As a gift to the colonel of the three sons the captain of their thousand ten cheeses, round balls, each about a pound or two in weight, of Mackie.

white goat's milk cheese." And take their pledge. "In the present [1914-15] raising of an army in Syria for the intended invasion of Egypt, each Turkish soldier had to bring with him a three-days' supply of bread. As sometimes David might not be able to see his brothers, on account of their military duties, and might have to send in his food supply by a messenger, it would be necessary to have the stamp of their signet ring on a leaf or piece of rag as a proof that the gift had reached its destination." G. M. Mackie, D.D., in S. S. Times.

After a few hours' walk David reached the army, and left his carriage, that is, what he was carrying, "in the place of the wagons (R. V.), "a rude rampart or barricade formed of wagons."

Dummelow.

It was the fortieth day of Goliath's challenge, and just as David reached the camp the giant strode out between the two armies, which were both in battle array (v. 21), and gave forth his insolent challenge, which no man dared to accept. David soon took in the state of affairs. "The young poet-shepherd of Bethlehem, having all a poet's dreams and ideals about the army of the Lord and the power that ought to belong to those who represent God, was shocked when he heard the blasphemy of the giant as he defied the armies of the living God. But David was still more shocked to see the cowardice of the people of Israel.” Banks.

His inquiring comments brought upon him the rebuke of his eldest brother, Eliab. He implied that David had run away from his duty to see what was going on; had come out of mere curiosity. "Who is taking care of those few sheep? It was not much we cared to confide to you, but even that little you have neglected.". Vince.

David kept his temper, merely asking, "What have I done? Surely my father's wish to learn of your welfare was enough to bring me here." Or it may be translated, "I merely asked a question." And he kept on with his inquiries until they reached the ears of Saul. We may imagine the king's disappointment when he found that, instead of being an experienced warrior, he was only a fair-haired youth." Rowlands.

Saul was, however, convinced by two arguments:

(1) The courage, skill, and power shown by David in slaying a lion and a bear in defence of his sheep.

(2) His trust in God as his deliverer from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.

Then Saul, who had perhaps the only armor in the camp, tried to fit David for the work before him. He armed him with a coat of mail and a helmet of brass, and gave him his sword. But David was not used to such a weight, and it was worse than useless, so he took it off, and prepared to give battle with his own weapons.

17:40. And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

41. And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.

42. And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.

43. And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

44. And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

45. Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

46. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Goliath " was got up more to tell upon the imagination than for real fighting, and though like a castle, he might have been invincible if attacked with sword or spear, he was much too encumbered with defensive armor to be capable of assuming the offensive against a light-armed enemy. To David belongs the credit of seeing that the Philistine giant was a huge imposition." Pulpit Commentary.

IV. THE FALL OF GOLIATH, 1 Sam. 17: 40-54. David first selects those weapons well known to him as shepherd. He took his staff in his hand. The

shepherd's staff from Palestine in my study is a heavy, oak club. "The Hebrew implies that this was neither his rod nor staff, he had handed them over to his shepherd substitute, but the ordinary stick which the peasant has on a journey for driving his donkey or mule, and for keeping off street dogs in the villages as he passes on his way.". Mackie. It was this, perhaps, which

made Goliath say, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves?

Sling and Stone.

Then David chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, which ran at the bottom of the ravine between the armies. These he put into his shepherd's bag, or scrip, "a pouch or wallet made of goat's-skin or sheep's bladder. Into it the shepherd puts crusts of bread and pieces of cheese, and such first-aid requisites as a needle and thread, a small bottle of olive-oil, lint, and bandaging cotton." Mackie. And his sling was in his hand, as he advanced toward the Philistine.

The

As David advanced Goliath shouted angrily at him, and cursed him by his gods, such as Dagon, Baal, and Astarte. combat thus became a question not merely between David and Goliath, but between God and idols; between true religion and false, as David fully expressed in his answer to the giant (v. 46) that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

True to the customs of the time Goliath as he advanced mocked at David, and promised to give David's body to the wild beasts and the birds of prey. David, also