THE FATHER OF A RACE OF KINGS. 177

the naughtiness of thy heart: for thou art come down
that thou mightest see the battle.” Eliab spoke un-
reasonably, because envy had got the better of him. He
was angry that a brother who was so much younger than
he, a youth who knew nothing of the practice of war,
should speak so boldly against the Philistine who sent
terror through all the camp ; and he was angry that the
brother on whom he had been accustomed to look down
met with consideration and respect from the soldiers.
Suffer not envy to enter your hearts my children. It is
a most sinful passion. We ought to find real pleasure
in the advancement and prosperity of others. Although
Eliab in one breath accused his brother, and accused
him unjustly, of idleness, pride, and silly curiosity,
David’s reply was gentle. He asked what evil he had
done, and if there was not a cause for his being there.
When the words of David came to the ears of Saul, he
sent for him. “ Let no man’s heart fail because of
him,” said the young shepherd; “ thy servant will go
and fight with this Philistine.” The king thought him
unfitted for such an office, from his youth and inex-
perience in war; but David told him he had had
encounters as formidable as that with this Philistine
giant. Twice, when he was feeding his father’s flock,
they had been attacked by wild animals—once by a
lion, and once by a bear. Both of these fierce animals
David had killed; and the champion of Gath, he said,
would be as one of them, because he had defied the
armies of the living God. Confidently did Jesse’s
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