all of
the sheepfold and the murmur of the dancing streams. It acted like a
charm. The black misery was lifted from his heart, and the evil spirit
was put to flight by the song of the shepherd boy.

It was no wonder, then, that the king, for a time at least, loved the
boy with his bright face and sunny hair, and wanted to keep him as his
armour-bearer. But perhaps, as Saul grew well and had no further need of
the music, David was no longer wanted, and so he went back again to the
Bethlehem fields to look after his sheep.

God had made use of David's skill in music, and before very long another
call came to him. This time the need was for one who could aim straight,
who had a quick eye and a steady hand.

War had broken out. The fierce Philistines had come up with their great
armies to try and conquer the land. Every man in Israel who could fight
was called up to protect his country. Already David's three elder
brothers had joined Saul's army, which was preparing to fight the enemy.

[Illustration: Jesse sends David to the camp.]

On either side of a narrow valley, divided by a stream which ran along
over smooth stones, the two armies faced each other. There they were
encamped, like wild beasts ready to fly at each other's throats. At any
moment the fight might begin, and that stream be stained red with blood.
Only the Philistines were far the strongest, and the Israelites had but
little chance of victory.

This valley was seven or eight miles distant from the little town of
Bethlehem, and Jesse waited anxiously, day after day, for news of his
three sons. At last he could bear the anxiety no longer, and he
determined to send David to the camp to carry food to his brothers and
bring back news how they fared.

So, very early one morning, David set out on his errand. He had
carefully put his sheep under the care of another shepherd, and he took
with him parched corn and loaves of bread for his brothers, as well as
ten cheeses which his father was sending to the officers under whom they
served.

It was not long before the boy came within sight of the valley, and his
heart began to beat with excitement, for he saw that he had arrived just
as something was about to happen. The armies were drawn up in battle
array, and suddenly a great shout went up from both sides. It was the
battle-cry of the two armies which sounded in his ears.

There was no time now to carry food and gifts, so David quickly left his
load at the