including his son Jonathan, to whom he owed some of his most brilliant victories, together with his cousin Abner, the sar-zaba, who led the royal guard.* Among the men of distinguished valour who had taken service under Saul, he soon singled out David, son of Jesse, a native of Bethlehem of Judah.** David was the first Judaean hero, the typical king who served as a model to all subsequent monarchs.  His elevation, like that of Saul, is traced to Samuel.  The old prophet had repaired to Bethlehem ostensibly to offer a sacrifice, and after examining all the children of Jesse, he chose the youngest, and “anointed him in the midst of his brethren:  and the spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David."***

* 1 Sam. xiv. 50, 51.  There is no record of the part played by Abner during Saul’s lifetime:  he begins to figure in the narrative after the battle at Gilboa under the double reign of Ish-bosheth and David.

     ** The name of David is a shortened form of Davdo, Dodo,
     “the favourite of Him,” i.e.  God.

*** The intervention of the prophet occupies 1 Sam. xvi. 1- 13.  Some critics have imagined that this passage was interpolated at a later date, and reflects the events which are narrated in chap. x.  They say it was to show that Saul was not alone in enjoying consecration by the prophet, and hence all doubt would be set at rest as to whether David was actually that “neighbour of thine, that is better than thou,” mentioned in 1 Sam. xv. 28.

His introduction at the court of Saul is variously accounted for.  According to one narrative, Saul, being possessed by an evil spirit, fell at times into a profound melancholy, from which he could be aroused only by the playing of a harp.  On learning that David was skilled in this instrument, he begged Jesse to send him his son, and the lad soon won the king’s affection.  As often as the illness came upon him, David took his harp, and “Saul was refreshed, and the evil spirit departed from him."* Another account relates that he entered on his soldierly career by killing with his sling Goliath of Gath,** who had challenged the bravest Israelites to combat; though elsewhere the death of Goliath is attributed to Elhanan of Bethlehem,*** one of the “mighty men of valour,” who specially distinguished himself in the wars against the Philistines.  David had, however, no need to take to himself the brave deeds of others; at Ephes-dammim, in company with Eleazar, the son of Dodai, and Shammah, the son of Agu, he had posted himself in a field of lentils, and the three warriors had kept the Philistines at bay till their discomfited Israelite comrades had had time to rally.****

     * 1 Sam. xvi. 14-23.  This narrative is directly connected
     with 1 Sam. xiv. 52, where we are told that when “Saul saw
     any strong man, or any valiant man, he took him unto him.”