mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2
Samuel 17:25. As to his personal appearance, we only know that he was
red-haired, with beautiful eyes and a fair face (1 Samuel 16:12; 17:42).
His early occupation was that of tending his father’s sheep on the uplands
of Judah. From what we know of his after history, doubtless he frequently
beguiled his time, when thus engaged, with his shepherd’s flute, while he
drank in the many lessons taught him by the varied scenes spread around
him. His first recorded exploits were his encounters with the wild beasts of
the field. He mentions that with his own unaided hand he slew a lion and
also a bear, when they came out against his flock, beating them to death in
open conflict with his club (1 Samuel 17:34, 35).
While David, in the freshness of ruddy youth, was thus engaged with his
flocks, Samuel paid an unexpected visit to Bethlehem, having been guided
thither by divine direction (1 Samuel 16:1-13). There he offered up
sacrifice, and called the elders of Israel and Jesse’s family to the sacrificial
meal. Among all who appeared before him he failed to discover the one he
sought. David was sent for, and the prophet immediately recognized him
as the chosen of God, chosen to succeed Saul, who was now departing
from the ways of God, on the throne of the kingdom. He accordingly, in
anticipation, poured on his head the anointing oil. David went back again
to his shepherd life, but “the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that
day forward,” and “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Samuel
16:13, 14).
Not long after this David was sent for to soothe with his harp the troubled
spirit of Saul, who suffered from a strange melancholy dejection. He
played before the king so skilfully that Saul was greatly cheered, and began
to entertain great affection for the young shepherd. After this he went
home to Bethlehem. But he soon again came into prominence. The armies
of the Philistines and of Israel were in battle array in the valley of Elah,
some 16 miles south-west of Bethlehem; and David was sent by his father
with provisions for his three brothers, who were then fighting on the side
of the king. On his arrival in the camp of Israel, David (now about twenty
years of age) was made aware of the state of matters when the champion
of the Philistines, Goliath of Gath, came forth to defy Israel. David took
his sling, and with a well-trained aim threw a stone “out of the brook,”
which struck the giant’s forehead, so that he fell senseless to the ground.
David then ran and slew him, and cut off his head with his own sword (1