his baggage with the keeper of the baggage, and ran forward to the foremost ranks, where, as he knew, the

position of Judah, and therefore of his brothers, must be (Numbers 2:3; 10:14). While conversing with them,

the scene previously described was re -enacted. As Goliath approached nearer and nearer, the order of battle

was dissolved before him. It is quite characteristic that these fear-stricken Israelites should have tried to

excite one another by dwelling on the insult offered to Israel, and the reward s which Saul had promised to

the victorious champion of his people. Quite characteristic also, from what we know of him, was the bearing

of David. We need not attempt to eliminate from the narrative the personal element, as we may call it, in the

conduct of David. God appeals to outward motives, even in what is highest - such as the loss or gain of our

souls, - and the tale of what was "to be done" to him who wrought such deliverance in Israel might well fire

a spirit less ardent than that of David to realize Israel's great need. But what was so distinctive in David -

who probably knew Saul too well confidently to expect the literal fulfillment of his promises -was the

spiritual response to the challenge of the Philistine which sprung unbidden to his lips (ver. 26), and which,

when the hour for personal action came, was felt to be a deep reality to which his faith could confidently

appeal (vers. 36, 37). Truly we seem to breathe another atmosphere than that hitherto in the camp of Israel;

nor could his public career be more appropriately begun, who was to pasture Israel according to the

integrity of his heart, and to lead them "by the skillfulness of his hands" (Psalm 78:70-72).

And here we have another instance of the prefigurative character of the history of David. As "the brothers"

and near kinsfolk of our blessed Lord misunderstood His motives, and could not enter into the spirit of His

work, so Eliab, when he imputed to David a dissatisfied ambition that could not rest contented with humble

avocations, and when he characterized his God-inspired courage and confidence as carnal, and a delight in

war and bloodshed for its own sake (ver. 28). But it was too late to arrest David by such objections. Putting

them aside, as making a man an offender for a word, but without retaliating by convicting Eliab of his own

uncharitableness, worldliness, and unbelief, David turned away to repeat his inquiries. Tidings of the young

champion, who had displayed quite another banner against the Philistine than that of Saul, we re soon

brought to the king. In the interview which followed, the king bade the shepherd think of his youth and

inexperience in a contest with such a warrior as Goliath. Yet he seems to speak like one who was half

convinced by the bearing and language of this strange champion, and easily allowed himself to be

persuaded; not so much, we take it, by the account of his prowess and success in the past as by the tone of

spiritual assurance and confidence in the God of Israel with which he spake.

Once more thoughts of the past must have crowded in upon Saul. There was that in the language of this

youth which recalled the strength of Israel, which seemed like the dawn of another morning, like a voice from

another world. But if he went to the combat, let it be at least in what seemed to Saul the most fitting and

promising manner - arrayed in the king's own armor -as if the whole meaning of David's conduct - nay, of the

combat itself and of the victory - had not lain in the very opposite direction: in the confessed inadequacy of

all merely human means for every such contest, and in the fact that the victory over Goliath must appear as

the Lord's deliverance, achieved through the faith of a personal, realizing, conscious dependence on Him.

And so Saul's armor must be put aside as that which had "not been proved" in such a contest, of which the

champion of the Lord had never made trial in such encounters - and of which he never could make trial. A

deep-reaching lesson this to the Church and to believers individually, and one which bears manifold

application, not only spiritually, but even intellectually. The first demand upon us is to be spiritual; the next

to be genuine and true, without seeking to clothe ourselves in the armor of another.

A few rapid sketches, and the narrative closes. Goliath had evidently retired within the ranks of the

Philistines, satisfied that, as before, his challenge had remained unanswered. And now tidings that a

champion of Israel was ready for the fray once more called him forth. As he advanced, David waited not till

he had crossed the wady and ascended the slope where Israel's camp lay, but hastened forward, and picked

him five stones from the dry river-bed in the valley. And now the Philistine had time to take, as he thought,

the full measure of his opponent. Only a fair-looking, stout, unarmed shepherd -youth, coming against him

with his shepherd's gear, as if he were a dog! Was this, then, the champion of Israel? In true Eastern fashion,

he advanced, boasting of his speedy and easy victory ; in true heathen spirit the while cursing and