180 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

that he was obliged to absent himself from his pre-
sence.

Marianne. Why did the king take an ill-will to him
when he had done such a great action ?

Grandfather. When the army was returning from the
defeat of the Philistines, the women from all the cities
of Israel came out to meet the king, singing, dancing,
and playing on musical instruments. They sang, “ Saul
has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
From that day forward we are told that Saul “ eyed
David.” He looked on him with hatred and suspicion—
hatred so furious that he even sought to take his life.
Twice David saved his life by hastily departing from
the presence of his jealous sovereign. Disappointed in
his villanous attempt, Saul thought to make Israel’s
brave defender fall by a Philistine hand, so he caused
his servants to tell the young Bethlehemite that he would
give him his daughter Michal to be his wife if he first
slayed two hundred Philistines. David cheerfully un-
dertook this task, and succeeded in it; but though Saul
gave him his daughter as he had promised, yet he hated
him more and more.

Marianne. Could Jonathan not do something to make
David’s situation more comfortable ?

Grandfather. Jonathan did all he could. He warned
David of coming danger, and he used all his influence
with his father to persuade him to be on friendly terms
with so brave and faithful a servant. The king followed
the advice of his excellent son, and for a short time there