l farewell to the aged prophet he must have been sent from
the presence of Jesse and Samuel, sent back again to his accustomed
task and to await the fulfilling of that destiny which, from the moment
when he thrilled at the touch of the prophet's hand on his head, and
the sound of his solemn words, he felt sure was in some way to link his
life in consecrated service to that of the people of Israel.

But that belief did not alter his conduct in his daily routine of duty,
and with the faithfulness which was one of his marked characteristics,
he continued to care for his sheep, tending them with increased
watchfulness under the stimulus of his new day-dream.

And from that moment David had unconsciously taken the motto which was
his through all his adventurous life:

"I shall not raise my hand against the Lord's anointed."

From that hour when he went back to tend his sheep, after Samuel's
visit, to the time when his destiny was fulfilled, David, even under
the stress of fierce temptation, never moved a finger to hasten events;
never tried to force his way to the throne of Israel, but with buoyant
courage, did his duty day by day, and the monotony of his early
shepherd's life was varied only by an occasional unexpected adventure.

Look--listen--as he wanders over the hillside at dusk, he shows
alarm--he hears a dreaded sound! Ah, yes, one he knew too well--the
stealthy glide of a creeping foe coming to attack his flock.

Alone, with only his sling for weapon, in that wild unpeopled country,
the shepherd boy stands, brave and alert, ready to protect his sheep.
Ah, a lion! the stealthy beast creeps nearer, nearer.

Suddenly David draws his sling, the stone strikes the lion between the
eyes, he falls by a single shot. But look--this is not the end of the
battle. Even while David is encountering the lion, that most dreaded of
all foes of the flock, a huge bear glides with stealthy steps, and
seizes a lamb. Quick as an arrow David hurls himself upon the monstrous
beast, who drops his prey and rises in angry power on his hind legs to
hug and crush his enemy. But David is too quick for him, he grasps the
bear by the jaw with iron force, grapples with him, the great creature
snarls, moans, writhes and is no more, while David, hot with the joy of
victory, turns back to quiet his frightened flock.

Does not this encounter give a hint of the fearless courage that made
David such a famous warrior in later life?

Now let us not