84 "A IMAN AFTER AIFN0E OWN HEART "

morning light and the evening shadows, His power and
wisdom in the rising sun and in the shining stars. In the
fields of Bethlehem, with his harp for company, and his
thoughts led by the Spirit of the Lord, David was learn-
ing to sing the sweet songs and write the earnest prayers
that we have in the book of Psalms.
 But David's harp-playing and sweet voice were not
all unknown. Saul the king was not happy, for he had
been doing wrong; he seemed troubled and afraid, and
his servants said, Try and find a man who can play well
on the harp, and sing, and see if music will not charm
away the king's trouble." Some one told Saul that Jesse
of Bethlehem had a brave and handsome young son, who
could play well on the harp. So Saul sent messengers to
Jesse, saying, Send me Iavid thy son, who is with the
sheep." Jesse made utp a present and sent it by David to
"the king. Iavid went into the palace and played before
Saul; and he was pleased and seemed well, as if the sweet
music had driven away the evil spirit that had tormented
him. lie loved David, and made him his armor-bearer,
to go with him and carry his weapons.
 He sent back to Jesse a message, saying, Let David,
 I pray thee, stand before me, for he hath found favor in
 my sight."