her concern in that dangerous instance of
fortune-telling, which it was not lawful for her to have done, because
of the fear she was under of the king, while she knew not who he was,
yet did she undertake it, and go through with it; on which account she
entreated him to admit that a table and food might be set before him,
that he might recover his strength, and so get safe to his own camp. And
when he opposed her motion, and entirely rejected it, by reason of his
anxiety, she forced him, and at last persuaded him to it. Now she had
one calf that she was very fond of, and one that she took a great deal
of care of, and fed it herself; for she was a woman that got her living
by the labor of her own hands, and had no other possession but that one
calf; this she killed, and made ready its flesh, and set it before his
servants and himself. So Saul came to the camp while it was yet night.

4. Now it is but just to recommend the generosity of this woman, [28]
because when the king had forbidden her to use that art whence her
circumstances were bettered and improved, and when she had never seen
the king before, she still did not remember to his disadvantage that
he had condemned her sort of learning, and did not refuse him as a
stranger, and one that she had had no acquaintance with; but she had
compassion upon him, and comforted him, and exhorted him to do what he
was greatly averse to, and offered him the only creature she had, as a
poor woman, and that earnestly, and with great humanity, while she had
no requital made her for her kindness, nor hunted after any future favor
from him, for she knew he was to die; whereas men are naturally either
ambitious to please those that bestow benefits upon them, or are very
ready to serve those from whom they may receive some advantage. It would
be well therefore to imitate the example and to do kindnesses to all
such as are in want and to think that nothing is better, nor more
becoming mankind, than such a general beneficence, nor what will sooner
render God favorable, and ready to bestow good things upon us. And so
far may suffice to have spoken concerning this woman. But I shall speak
further upon another subject, which will afford me all opportunity of
discoursing on what is for the advantage of cities, and people, and
nations, and suited to the taste of good men, and will encourage them
all in the prosecution of virtue; and is capable of showing them the of
acquiring glory, and an ev