he," murmured Samuel to himself. But God's answer came
quickly. No, this was not the man. Samuel saw only the outward signs of
strength and beauty, but God saw deeper into the heart.

So the eldest son passed on, and one by one the six brothers followed,
all sons that a father might well be proud of. But God sent no sign to
show that any of them was the chosen king.

[Illustration: "Surely this is he," murmured Samuel to himself.]

Samuel was puzzled. What could it mean? Then he turned again to Jesse.

"Are here all thy children?" he asked.

Surprised at the question, Jesse suddenly remembered the little lad,
his youngest son, who was out in the fields tending the sheep. Was it
possible that Samuel had any use for him?

"Send and fetch him," ordered Samuel instantly, "for we will not sit
down till he comes hither."

So a messenger was sent in haste to bring David; and presently he came
hurrying in, and as soon as Samuel saw him he knew his search was ended.

He was only a little shepherd lad with the breath of the hills about
him, his golden hair tossed by the wind, his fair face flushed, and his
sunburned hand holding his shepherd's crook. But there was no doubt that
God had chosen him.

"Arise and anoint him, for this is he," said God's voice in Samuel's
heart.

Slowly, then, the old man rose and held the oil aloft and poured it upon
the boy's bowed head, while the rest of the company looked silently on.

They were puzzled to know what it all meant. Perhaps the elder brothers
were envious, and wondered why this mere child should be singled out for
special favour. But no one dared to question God's messenger.

Nothing further happened just then. Samuel returned as he had come by
the winding white road, and before long his visit was forgotten as the
people settled to their work again.

[Illustration: Saul tries to kill David]

Only David, out in the fields, thought more and more about what had
happened, and grew more and more certain that it had been a call from
God to do some special work for Him. The wonder of it filled his mind,
but it never interfered with his work.

There was little time for idle dreaming in the boy's life. He was as
watchful as ever in his care for his sheep and as courageous as ever in
guarding them from prowling beasts. Even in his leisure time he was busy
too, and there was not one of the sunny hours of daylight that he
wasted.

He loved music, and he taught himself to play o