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music, but he did not care about
the holy things which David loved
so much. Saul wanted to forget

 

 

GOLIATH.

his misery, but he did not want to
return to God. ,

C—_—_—_—ee

CVIII.

POLIATH.

% |HE Israelites’ old enemies,
the Philistines, now came
to fight against them
again. They pitched their
tents on a high moun-
tain, and Saul and his army stood
upon another mountain opposite,
and there was a valley between the
two armies. The Philistines had
with them a very bold commander,
a great giant, named Goliath. He
was very tall, and covered with
thick armor; and he had a great
sword, and shield, and spear: and
he stood, and cried to the army of
Israel, “Why do you come to fight
against me? If you can, choose a
man, and let him come and fight
me, and try to kill me” The Is-
raelites were much frightened when
they heard the proud Philistine
speak thus, and Saul was frightened
also.

Jesse’s three eldest sons followed
Saul to the battle, but David went
home to keep his father’s sheep at
Bethlehem. One day, Jesse called
David, and said, “Go now to the
camp and see thy brothers, and ask
if they are well, and take them
some corn, and ten loaves of bread ;
and carry these ten cheeses to their
captain.” David obeyed; he asked
aman to keep his sheep while he
was away, and went to the camp.
When he came near the army, he
heard a great shout; the soldiers

 

~

were just going to begin the battle.
Then David made haste, and ran to
speak to his brethren. While they
were talking, the great giant came
out of the Philistine’s army, and
spoke as he had done before; and
David heard him. Then all the Is-
raclites, when they saw Goliath, ran
away for fear. But David said,
“Who is this Philistine who comes
to frighten God’s people? What
power has he to hurt us, if God is
on our side?” Then the eldest
brother spoke very unkindly to
David, and said, “ Why camest thou
here? What hast thou done with
the few sheep in the wilderness? I
know thy pride, and the naughti-
ness of thy heart; for thou art
come down to see the battle” But
David answered gently, “What
have I now done? Is there not a
cause ?”

Then some of the people went to
Saul, and told what David said; and
Saul sent for David. When David
came to the king, he spoke very
boldly, for God made him bold, and
he said, “Do not fear this great
Philistine; I am ready to go and
fight him.” But Saul said, “ Thou
hast not power to conquer him;
thou art young, and he is very
strong, and has been used to fight-
ing all his life” David answered,
“Tam a shepherd, and I keep my
father’s sheep in Bethlehem. One