The Palatka news and advertiser., 1917-02-23

there were only six hundred of them,
and not spear or sword among them,
for the Philistines would not permit
a smith to live in the land of the Is
rGelites. Six hundred against the
thousands and thousands encamped
against them at Michmash.
But there was one man near Saul
who never despaired, who knew no
fear-thc bravest, the lovliest of racn
he said to his companion who bore
his armor, "Come with me and tell no
man, we will go on and see what can
be done with the uncircumcised Phil
listineG." 1t was in the midst of the
night; they left the small camp Of
Saul and made their way across the
valley; they scaled a steep crag, and
on their hands and knees crept in sight
Of the watch fires, and the host slum-
boring strong and secure. Then they
stood up. These two men on top of
the rock, and the guards ieered at
them, "Ho. ho!" The Hebrews are
creeping out of their holes, was the
croy, and these two turned out to be
Jonathan, the son Of the king, and his
companion in arms. A single word
passed between these two heroes, ard
then they fell upon the Phllllstlne,s
host, and slaughtered right and left
Now was heard a cry! The He
brews are upon us, to arms! to arms!'
The whole camp, thousands and thous-
ands walked with startled cry, seized
their arms, rushed out OF their tents,
and IN the darkness began to STAY one
another. Blind with fear, they knew
neither friend nor foe; the earth
trcmblcd and the air was filled with a
fearful sound; 1t reached the camp OF
Saul. tie listened, looked, then gave
the word to ms small band ana they
charged upon the dlSmayed, pane
struct Phillistines. Out Of the hoIee
ana rocks came the h!dlhg ISfac! Jc'
to attack the flying hosts. All dAy
the fight went on, and the battle pass
cd even to Bethaven, until the men
were weary OF slaughter, and tainted
for want of food. They Killed them
from Mlchmash to Ajalan, and broke
the power OF that most Warllke tribe
that day.
Victories over Moab, and Anon and
Edom and Amalet followed, and Is
racl became strong. Now, Saul took
upon him the state of a King. His
bodyguard was recruited with the tai
lest men Of the land; wherever he
found one he pressed him into SER
vice. His son sat at his now sump-
tuous table, and his wife and daugh-
tcrs wore rings and amulets, and
dressed in cloth of finest fabric. He
organized his armies and placed at
their head the most vallient captain,
Abner the son of Ner, his own cousin.
This man sat at the Kings board, and
was next the king in power. Great
herds of cattle were collected for the
King, and were in charge of Doeg the
Edomite. The subservient high
priest, waited the commands of this
king, whose word was law in camp, in
court, and in the Tabernacle.
But Samuel and Saul had quarreled
because of the cattle, which the peo-
pic had saved at the sacking of the
and it was a very bitter
quarrel, vet Saul had yielded him
self to Samuel and gave up to him
Agag, king of the Amalekites, whom
Saul had spared; Samuel hewed him
in pieces with his own hand. That
day Samuel left Saul, and came no
more to see him. He mournod for
Saul. so the story goes, but we do
not read where Saul mourncd for
Samuel. The King now felt his pow
or, and with power came luxury and
self indulgence, and at last fits of in
sanity. An eveil spirit troubled him,
for the spirit of God and goodness
which seems to have inspired him at |
irst, dep, .rtod from him. His change
IF heart did not last; he yielded to
;he seduction of an animal nature,
md forgot the aspirations of his soul. |
We can we'll believe that the threat
,nings and denunciations of Samuel |
nav have shaken his mind and filled
t with fears; for Soul and all the
people believed that Samuel was in
Iced prophet of Jehovah. His
sought how to alay these
,aroxisms and they told Saul of a
young man who could play upon the
,arp and make sweet music.
The Young and ruddy David stood
,cfore him with his rude instrument,
md struck from it's strings, sounds
which soothed the soul: perhaps he
onr the SONGS which he had sung