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lights； the
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Author of every good and perfect gift。 Daily revelations of the character
and majesty of his Creator filled the young poet's heart with adoration and
rejoicing。 In contemplation of God and His works the faculties of David's
mind and heart were developing and strengthening for the work of his
afterlife。 He was daily coming into a more intimate communion with God。 His
mind was constantly penetrating into new depths for fresh themes to inspire
his song and to wake the music of his harp。 The rich melody of his voice
poured out upon the air； echoed from the hills as if responsive to the
rejoicing of the angels' songs in heaven。
Who can measure the results of those years of toil and wandering among the
lonely hills？ The communion with nature and with God； the care of his
flocks； the perils and deliverances； the griefs and joys； of his lowly lot；
were not only to mold the character of David and to influence his future
life； but through the psalms of Israel's sweet singer they were in all
coming ages to kindle love and faith in the hearts of God's people； bringing
them nearer to the ever…loving heart of Him in whom all His creatures live。
David； in the beauty and vigor of his young manhood； was preparing to take a
high position with the noblest of the earth。 His talents； as precious gifts
from God； were employed to extol the glory of the divine Giver。 His
opportunities of contemplation and meditation served to enrich him with that
wisdom and piety that made him beloved of God and angels。 As he contemplated
the perfections of his Creator； clearer conceptions of God； opened before
his soul。 Obscure themes were illuminated； difficulties were made plain；
perplexities were harmonized； and each ray of new light called forth fresh
bursts of rapture； and sweeter anthems of devotion； to the glory of God and
the Redeemer。 The love that moved him； the sorrows that beset him； the
triumphs that attended him； were all themes for his active thought； and as
he beheld the love of God in all the providences of his life； his heart
throbbed with more fervent adoration and gratitude； his voice rang out in a
richer melody； his harp was swept with more exultant joy； and the shepherd
boy proceeded from strength to strength； from knowledge to knowledge； for
the Spirit of the Lord was upon him。
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Chapter 63
David and Goliath
When King Saul realized that he had been rejected by God； and when he felt
the force of the words of denunciation that had been addressed to him by the
prophet； he was filled with bitter rebellion and despair。 It was not true
repentance that had bowed the proud head of the king。 He had no clear
perception of the offensive character of his sin； and did not arouse to the
work of reforming his life； but brooded over what he thought was the
injustice of God in depriving him of the throne of Israel and in taking the
succession away from his posterity。 He was ever occupied in the anticipating
the ruin that had been brought upon his house。 He felt that the valor which
he had displayed in encountering his enemies should offset his sin of
disobedience。 He did not accept with meekness the chastisement of God； but
his haughty spirit became desperate； until he was on the verge of losing his
reason。 His counselors advised him to seek for the services of a skillful
musician； in the hope that the soothing notes of a sweet instrument might
calm his troubled spirit。 In the providence of God； David； as a skillful
performer upon the harp； was brought before the king。 His lofty and
heaven…inspired strains had the desired effect。 The brooding melancholy that
had settled like a dark cloud over the mind of Saul was charmed away。
When his services were not required at the court of Saul； David returned to
his flocks among the hills and continued to maintain his simplicity of
spirit and demeanor。 Whenever it was necessary； he was recalled to minister
before the king； to soothe the mind of the troubled monarch till the evil
spirit should depart from him。 But although Saul expressed delight in David
and his music； the young shepherd went from the king's house to the fields
and hills of his pasture with a sense of relief and gladness。
David was growing in favor with God and a man。 He had been instructed in the
way of the Lord； and he now set his heart
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more fully to do the will of God than every before。 He had new themes for
thought。 He had been in the court of the king and had seen the
responsibilities of royalty。 He had discovered some of the temptations that
beset the soul of Saul and had penetrated some of the mysteries in the
character and dealings of Israel's first king。 He had seen the glory of
royalty shadowed with a dark cloud of sorrow； and he knew that the household
of Saul； in their private life； were far from happy。 All these things served
to bring troubled thoughts to him who had been anointed to be king over
Israel。 But while he was absorbed in deep meditation； and harassed by
thoughts of anxiety； he turned to his harp； and called forth strains that
elevated his mind to the Author of every good； and the dark clouds that
seemed to shadow the horizon of the future were dispelled。
God was teaching David lessons of trust。 As Moses was trained for his work；
so the Lord was fitting the son of Jesse to become the guide of His chosen
people。 In his watchcare for his flocks； he was gaining an appreciation of
the care that the Great Shepherd has for the sheep of His pasture。
The lonely hills and the wild ravines where David wandered with his flocks
were the lurking place of beasts of prey。 Not infrequently the lion from the
thickets by the Jordan； or the bear from his lair among the hills； came；
fierce with hunger； to attack the flocks。 According to the custom of his
time； David was armed only with his sling and shepherd's staff； yet he early
gave proof of his strength and courage in protecting his charge。 Afterward
describing these encounters； he said： 〃When there came a lion； or a bear；
and took a lamb out of the flock； I went out after him； and smote him； and
delivered it out of his mouth： and when he arose against me； I caught him by
his beard； and smote him； and slew him。〃 1 Samuel 17：34； 35； R。V。 His
experience in these matters proved the heart of David and developed in him
courage and fortitude and faith。
Even before he was summoned to the court of Saul； David had distinguished
himself by deeds of valor。 The officer who brought him to the notice of the
king declared him to be 〃a mighty valiant man； and a man of war； and prudent
in matters；〃 and he said； 〃The Lord is with him。〃
When war was declared by Israel against the Philistines； three of the sons
of Jesse joined the army under Saul； but David
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remained at home。 After a time； however； he went to visit the camp of Saul。
By his father's direction he was to carry a message and a gift to his elder
brothers and to learn if they were still in safet