the promised honour, and expected to receive the hand of Merab, on his return from a successful expedition against the Philistines, he found her already married to another! The discovery of Michal's love now afforded the malicious king another opportunity of exposing the life of David. His servants were secretly instructed to flatter him with reports of the high estimation in which he was held by the king, and the fair prospect of becoming his son-in-law. But the modest shepherd, so far from presuming on his own merit, replied, that he did not consider himself entitled to so high an honour: his father's house was of no importance in Israel, nor was he rich enough to pay the dowry of a king's daughter.

FANNY. The objection of David requires an explanation, mother. What did he mean by paying a dowry?

MRS. M. Their custom was, that the man who received a wife should pay a sum of money to her father, instead of expecting to receive one with her, as it is with us. The objection was just what Saul desired; aud was easily obviated by requiring of David only the slaughter of an hundred Philistines. Double that number of the king's enemies fell beneath the valiant arm of David; and Saul, no longer able to elude his engagement, was obliged to give him the hand of his daughter.

CHARLES. Saul would now be more tender of the life of his son-in-law?

MRS. M. The policy of kings, my son, is not often directed or restrained by such associations as are held sacred by their subjects. The express design of Saul, in this case, disappointed in his hope of ridding himself of David by the hands of the Philistines, was, by marrying him to his daughter, to bring him more completely within

the reach of his own wily schemes; for, his envy and rage increasing in proportion to the esteem and admiration of the people for David, he barbarously commanded his confidential servants, and even Jonathan, his most beloved friend, to slay him privately in the very presence of his wife. The affectionate pleading of Jonathan, however, averted his fate for the present; and David was again brought to soothe, by the melody of his harp, the deselating spirit of the miserable monarch. But his presence only aggravated the malignant flame, and he was compelled to fly from the stroke of the javelin, again aimed at his life, whilst he dexterously exercised his art, for the relief of his wicked persecutor.

Both his wife and his friend, now believing no longer the insincere professions of their father, assisted him to escape to Ramah; where he found Samuel, and related to him all that had befallen him since the king had treacherously taken him into his service.

Naioth, a city belonging to the sacerdotal tribe, and the site of one of Samuel's national schools, seemed to offer a secure retreat to the innocent refugee, and thither he went, accompanied by Samuel. But neither the protection of the prophet-the entreaties of Jonathan-the affinity of David to his family-nor the sanctity of his retreat withheld the infuriated monarch: he not only sent messengers to Naioth, but went thither himself to seize his prey! Fortunately, however, the hunted chief was apprised of his approach in time to make good his escape, and to improve the opportunity by a hasty visit to the city, to consult with his friend. In this stolen interview, the amiable prince, arguing rather from his own affectionate heart, than from any evidence on the part of

Saul which might justify David in putting himself into his power, endeavoured vainly to persuade him to resume his accustomed place in the royal household-guaranteeing the safety of the one, by refusing to admit the objected turpitude of the other. At length, however, it was settled that the prince should try to mediate a peace, and communicate the result to the unhappy fugitive, by a signal agreed on between them.

Disappointed of his object, the enraged king returned to his house: and the feast of the new moon, which happened the following day, afforded an opportunity to Jonathan to perform his generous purpose. The seat which David had been accustomed to occupy on public days, at the royal table, now empty, arresting the king's eye, he hypocritically inquired, why the son of Jesse did not appear as usual. But the concerted plea and apology of Jonathan produced only a burst of madness; in which the javelin was now aimed at the life of his son; and his magnanimity was reproached with the charge of meanly promoting the ambitious designs of David to the downfall of his own house! Grieved by the baseness of his fatherby the cruel insult offered to himself-and by the disap#pointment of his hope for his dearest friend, Jonathan hastily left the festive board, and met the son of Jesse at the appointed place in the fields. He was obliged to acknowledge the result of his application to his father: and the faithful pair met only to lament their ill-fated friendship-and to part with renewed vows of everlasting fidelity.

CATHERINE. Why did not David, after all these vexations, retire to the peaceable habitation of his family, at Bethlehem,

MRS. M. Designed to be the Ruler of the nation, it was proper that he should be kept in their view, that his virtues and accomplishments might recommend him to their voluntary acceptance, when the time for his elevation should arrive; I do not mean to say, that such were the motives that actuated David. The conclusion arises from the usual course of Providence, who leads His subjects into such measures as are best suited to his own purposes.

Finding the protection of the prophet of no avail, and still seeking an asylum from the wrath of Saul, David bent his way to the city of Nob, where the ark of the covenant sojourned at this time; but finding there a man named Doeg, an Edomite, the chief herdsman of Saul, who might perhaps betray the place of his retirement to his master, whom he would not provoke to violate again the peaceable residence of the priests, he staid only to obtain some refreshment from Abimelech, the chief priest, and the sword of Goliah, his famous antagonist, which had been laid up in the tabernacle, and then proceeded to Gath.

Here he was soon recognized as the hero who had been celebrated in songs for the slaughter of their champion, and their apparent hostility now reduced him to the sad necessity of feigning himself insane, until he found an opportunity of escaping to a great cave, called Adullam, not far from the celebrated town of Bethlehem. To this dreary abode he was traced by his father's family, who immediately came thither to sympathise in his distress, or supply his necessities. But David could not see his father and his mother thus exposed to the fury of Saul; he conducted them therefore to Moab, and having obtained from the king an asylum for them, returned to his cave. His friends discovered the retreat of the persecuted youth, and resorted to

his fortress, until a little army of four hundred men was collected about him.

Meanwhile, the relentless monarch had led out his men to the heights of Gibeah, in pursuit of the fugitive-but not knowing which way to turn, and suspicious that his own servants were really in the service of David, he stood up and harangued them on the folly of supposing that they could obtain places and rewards under his rival, reproaching them with concealing from him the place of his retreat. Doeg, the herdsman, who was amongst the attendants of the king, now supplied fuel to his fury, by informing him, that David had been hospitably received by Abimelech the priest. Abandoning himself, therefore, to his ungovernable passion, he summoned not only Abimelech, but all the inferior priests of Nob, to the number of eightyfive, to answer for their conspiracy with his enemy. In vain the venerable priest declared his own perfect innocence, and his conviction of the loyalty and services of David, "the son-in-law of the king!"-sentence of instant death was pronounced on them all! But no one except the wicked Edomite, would venture to put forth his hand against the priests of the Lord. Sole executioner, he gratified the tyrant, by slaying them all in his presence! The whole city of Nob, both man and beast, was next sacrificed to his savage vengeance. One son of Abimelech, named Abiather, alone-escaped, and carried intelligence of the horrible tragedy to David, who, lamenting the sad destruction he had innocently occasioned, assured the forlorn Abiather of his friendship and protection.

An incursion of the Philistines soon after these events, afforded David an opportunity of relieving the city of Keilah, which they had besieged, and of supplying his men,