DAVID’S WANDERINGS, 163 CXYV. } Pavin's WANDERINGS, [ANE his wanderings. Many C4 ! 0 JP Z. 5} ever he went; he was SIAVID was not alone in G men came to him to help him; they followed wher- their captain, and they obeyed him. Some of David’s soldiers were very brave men. The Philistines were | now fighting again against Israel; and David and his men used to go, and try to conquer them. One day, David was very tired and thirsty with long fighting. The Philistines’ camp was then at Bethlehem; and there was a well of water at Bethle- hem; but David and his men were afraid to drink it, because their enemies were near. When David was so thirsty, he cried, “Oh! that one would give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem!” David’s soldiers heard what he said; and they bravely ran in through their enemies, to the well, and drew the water, and brought it to David. They loved their master so much, that they did not think about their own danger. Was David glad to drink the water ? No; he saw his friends in danger, and he did not like them to suffer for him; and when they brought the water to him, he said, “No, I will not drink it; my brave soldiers have suffered more than I, and they are thirsty too; this water is too good for me; I will give it to God.” So he poured it out an offering to the Lord. The Philistines now came to fight against a place named Keilah ; and David asked God if he should go, and try to save it. He was right to ask, for we ought always to ask God’s blessing before we do any thing. God told David to go, and promised to help him; so David went, and fought against the Philis- tines, and saved the people of Kei- lah. When Saul heard that David was there, he thought he could kill him, and that he could not escape. But David again asked help from God, and was delivered. Wicked people cannot hurt the servants of God without His permission, and God did not permit Saul to hurt David. David now wandered about in the woods and deserts, for fear of Saul. It was asad life; but he trusted in God, and was peaceful and happy. He wrote many beauti- ful psalms when he was wandering and hiding in those wild places. Where was Jonathan? Did he ever see his friend David again ? Yes, Jonathan had not forgotten him; and when he heard where David was, he went to see him se- cretly in the wood. David and Jonathan were very glad to meet again for a little time. They had much to say to one another. Jona- than comforted David in the right way; he told him to trust in God. He said, “Do not fear; my father cannot hurt thee, because God has promised to keep thee, and to make thee king; and He never forgets His promises.” Then David and Jonathan prayed together, and ' kissed one another for the last time: they never met again on earth. But now their happy souls are in heaven together; all their sorrows are ended ; they will never weep again.