despondency darkened his mind, David came and played music-perhaps the old cowboy tunes-and he was refreshed and took up his work again. No one has ever understood this peculiar melancholy either then or now; the Bible diagnoses it as possession by an evil spirit, which well describes its effects; this evil spirit could be banished only by music, the method so familiar to-day in the treatment of nervous diseases. Browning has poetically recreated the effect on Saul of David's music. Looking back on Saul's life and career, it does not appear that he was either sensual or vindictive, the two most common vices of monarchs; indeed, he was rather like a big, grown-up boy, incapable of dealing with problems of state. In comparison with the average character of kings, both in ancient and in modern history, Saul meets the test rather well. Neither Saint nor Superman-Multiform Ability-His Radiant Youth-The Combat With Goliath-The Sonata-David Embarrassed by Popularity-His Friendship With Prince Jonathan-His Marriage With Princess Michal-Their Quarrel and Separation-Saul's Anger at the Dinner Table-Parting of David and Jonathan-The Lie to Ahimelech and Its Consequences-David's Simulation of Madness-A Leader of Sedition-The Pretty New Wife-Lamentation of David for Saul and Jonathan-Ishbosheth the King-His Assassination-David Monarch of All He Surveyed-His Kindness to Mephibosheth and Its Sequel-David's Sin and Crime-Nathan the BoldThe Rebellion of Prince Absalom-Character of General Joab-David's Grief for His Son-Murder of Amasa-David's Feeble Old Age-Presumption of Prince Adonijah-Summary of David's CharacterPersonality of David. VI KING DAVID David was neither a saint nor a superman; he was an epitome of manhood. He was a representative of masculinity, and had the virtues and vices that often accompany virility. Physically, mentally, spiritually he may stand as the genius of his race. Leave David out of the Bible, there would be vast empty spaces. In his own person he represents the athlete, the shepherd, the poet, the musician, the mystic, the man-of-war, the father, the friend, and the statesman. His deeds, his poems, and his prayers are alike immortal. In spite of his gross sins, he had a certain greatness of heart that drew the love of men and women who knew him, that still commands the affection and homage of those who read the story of his life. As a shepherd lad, he was the incarnation of the strength, beauty, and grace of youth. King Saul commanded his servants to bring to the court a first-class musician. Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him. When Saul's incompetence became manifest, Samuel was forced by the divine voice to commit high treason, to appoint a new king while the throne was still occupied. It would seem that there was then a higher duty than obedience to the reigning power. Samuel called Jesse to a sacrifice, and passed his numerous sons in review. The first one, Eliab, was a superb creature, of such imposing face and figure that Samuel said to himself, This is the man. But the Voice whispered to him that the true value is not in outward appearance, but in the heart. It was a handsome family, the family of Jesse; and the proud father ordered his seven sons to stand in succession before the prophet. It is like a fairy story, where the obscure and neglected child turns out to be the favourite of fortune. Samuel was puzzled; he asked Jesse if these were all the sons he had. It appeared that Jesse had not thought it worth while to bring the youngest, who was out keeping the sheep. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. To the amazement of the brothers, who, however, seem to have behaved better than the brothers of Joseph, young David was anointed king in the presence of the family. David had not wasted those long days in the pasture; he had become an accomplished musician, he had composed much poetry, and he had discov |