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think those do not do well who call these valiant men； as so many
historians and other writers who treat of them are wont to do；
although I confess those do justly deserve some commendation
also； but those only may be styled courageous and bold in great
undertakings； and despisers of adversities； who imitate Saul： for
as for those that do not know what the event of war will be as to
themselves； and though they do not faint in it； but deliver
themselves up to uncertain futurity； and are tossed this way and
that way； this is not so very eminent an instance of a generous
mind； although they happen to perform many great exploits； but
when men's minds expect no good event； but they know beforehand
they must die； and that they must undergo that death in the
battle also； after this neither to be aftrighted； nor to be
astonished at the terrible fate that is coming； but to go
directly upon it； when they know it beforehand； this it is that I
esteem the character of a man truly courageous。 Accordingly this
Saul did； and thereby demonstrated that all men who desire fame
after they are dead are so to act as they may obtain the same：
this especially concerns kings； who ought not to think it enough
in their high stations that they are not wicked in the government
of their subjects； but to be no more than moderately good to
them。 I could say more than this about Saul and his courage； the
subject affording matter sufficient； but that I may not appear to
run out improperly in his commendation； I return again to that
history from which I made this digression。
5。 Now when the Philistines； as I said before； had pitched their
camp； and had taken an account of their forces； according to
their nations； and kingdoms； and governments； king Achish came
last of all with his own army； after whom came David with his six
hundred armed men。 And when the commanders of the Philistines saw
him； they asked the king whence these Hebrews came； and at whose
invitation。 He answered that it was David； who was fled away from
his master Saul； and that he had entertained him when he came to
him； and that now he was willing to make him this requital for
his favors； and to avenge himself upon Saul； and so was become
his confederate。 The commanders complained of this； that he had
taken him for a confederate who was an enemy； and gave him
counsel to send him away； lest he should unawares do his friends
a great deal of mischief by entertaining him； for that he
afforded him an opportunity of being reconciled to his master by
doing a mischief to our army。 They thereupon desired him； out of
a prudent foresight of this； to send him away； with his six
hundred armed men； to the place he had given him for his
habitation； for that this was that David whom the virgins
celebrated in their hymns； as having destroyed many ten thousands
of the Philistines。 When the king of Gath heard this； he thought
they spake well； so he called David； and said to him； 〃As for
myself； I can bear witness that thou hast shown great diligence
and kindness about me； and on that account it was that I took
thee for my confederate； however； what I have done does not
please the commanders of the Philistines； go therefore within a
day's time to the place I have given thee； without suspecting any
harm； and there keep my country； lest any of our enemies should
make an incursion upon it； which will be one part of that
assistance which I expect from thee。〃 So David came to Ziklag； as
the king of Gath bade him； but it happened； that while he was
gone to the assistance of the Philistines； the Amalekites had
made an incursion； and taken Ziklag before； and had burnt it； and
when they had taken a great deal of other prey out of that place；
and out of the other parts of the Philistines' country； they
departed。
6。 Now when David found that Ziklag was laid waste； and that it
was all spoiled； and that as well his own wives； who were two； as
the wives of his companions； with their children； were made
captives； he presently rent his clothes； weeping and lamenting；
together with his friends； and indeed he was so cast down with
these misfortunes； that at length tears themselves failed him。 He
was also in danger of being stoned to death by his companions；
who were greatly afflicted at the captivity of their wives and
children； for they laid the blame upon him of what had happened。
But when he had recovered himself out of his grief； and had
raised up his mind to God； he desired the high priest Abiathar to
put on his sacerdotal garments； and to inquire of God； and to
prophesy to him； whether God would grant； that if he pursued
after the Amalekites； he should overtake them； and save their
wives and their children； and avenge himself on the enemies。 And
when the high priest bade him to pursue after them； he marched
apace； with his four hundred men； after the enemy； and when he
was come to a certain brook called Besor； and had lighted upon
one that was wandering about； an Egyptian by birth； who was
almost dead with want and famine； （for he had continued wandering
about without food in the wilderness three days；） he first of all
gave him sustenance； both meat and drink； and thereby refreshed
him。 He then asked him to whom he belonged； and whence he came。
Whereupon the man told him he was an Egyptian by birth； and was
left behind by his master； because he was so sick and weak that
he could not follow him。 He also informed him that he was one of
those who had burnt and plundered； not only other parts of Judea；
but Ziklag itself also。 So David made use of him as a guide to
find oat the Amalekites； and when he had overtaken them； as they
lay scattered about on the ground； some at dinner； some
disordered； and entirely drunk with wine； and in the fruition of
their spoils and their prey； he fell upon them on the sudden； and
made a great slaughter among them； for they were naked； and
expected no such thing； but had betaken themselves to drinking
and feasting； and so they were all easily destroyed。 Now some of
them that were overtaken as they lay at the table were slain in
that posture； and their blood brought up with it their meat and
their drink。 They slew others of them as they were drinking to
one another in their cups； and some of them when their full
bellies had made them fall asleep； and for so many as had time to
put on their armor； they slew them with the sword； with no less
case than they did those that were naked； and for the partisans
of David； they continued also the slaughter from the first hour
of the day to the evening； so that there were； not above four
hundred of the Amalekites left； and they only escaped by getting
upon their dromedaries and camels。 Accordingly David recovered
not only all the other spoils which the enemy had carried away；
but his wives also； and the wives of his companions。 But when
they were come to the place where they had left the two hundred
men； which were not able to follow them； but were left to take
care of the stuff； the four hundred men did not think fit to
divide among them any other parts of what they had gotten； or of
the prey； since they did not accompany them； but pretended to be
f