THE SON OF JESSE ON THE THRONE. 193

The mortal part seemed to his earthly mind of more
importance than his immortal soul.

George. But he would have been killed at any rate,
grandfather, and the Philistines might have made him
die a very disgraceful death.

Grandfather. It is not in the power of any one to
disgrace us ; whatever they may do, no real disgrace can
attach to us unless we bring it upon ourselves. At the
hands of the Philistines Saul might have met with tor-
ture and abuse ;—he might have suffered a death of
lingering pain, but in all that there would have been no
dishonour. He dishonoured himself by his cowardice.

George. Cowardice, grandfather! It seems to me a
brave thing for a man to kill himself when he knows
that he must die soon at any rate.

Grandfather. You know, my boy, that he is a
cowardly man who is afraid of anything which cannot
do him real harm. It is fear of man which causes self-
murder,—and fear of man is cowardice ; for what does
our blessed Saviour say ?—“ Fear not them which, after
they have destroyed the body, have no more that they
can do; but fear him who is able to cast both soul and
body into hell; yea, I say unto you, fear him.” The
fear of God will make a man brave: the fear of man
will make him a coward. ‘The taking away of one’s own
life is caused by the latter fear entirely overpowering
the former. It is committed by those who, aware that
they cannot face death calmly, choose to rush upon it
madly. This, George, is cowardice. Saul’s last rash

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