Once a year Samuel’s mother went to see him and always took with her a little coat. One night, when Samuel was asleep, he heard his name spoken. He thought Eli called him, and ran to see what he wanted. But Eli said he had not called him. So he went back to bed. Again he heard “Samuel,” and again he ran to Eli. But Eli had not called him. Still again he was called and ran to Eli. Then Eli knew that God had spoken and told him to say, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,” next time he was called. Samuel did this, and God told him of something terrible that was going to happen to Eli and his sons. [Illustration: SAMUEL AND ELI.] DEATH OF ELI AND HIS SONS. A little while after God spoke to Samuel, the Israelites fought against the Philistines. They were beaten. Then they took the ark of God from the tabernacle and marched against the Philistines. At first the Philistines were afraid of the ark. But they fought bravely. The Israelites were again beaten. Eli’s two sons were killed and the ark of God was taken. Eli was then ninety-eight years old. He was blind. He was sitting on a bench by the roadside when he heard the sad news. He was so overcome by the intelligence he fell over backward and brake his neck. That was what God told Samuel would happen. [Illustration: ELI RECEIVING THE NEWS OF THE DEATH OF HIS SONS.] PLAYING ON THE HARP BEFORE SAUL. Saul was the king of Israel. David was a shepherd boy, the son of Jesse. He had a happy, ruddy face that made everybody like him. Besides he was very brave. Once he killed both a lion and a bear that came to eat up the lambs in his father’s flock. He knew how to throw stones with a sling and could play on the harp beautifully. One day King Saul was feeling very sad and wanted somebody to play to him. He thought music would make him feel better. His servants told him about David. So he sent for him. David came and played so nicely on the harp that Saul forgot all about his trouble. [Illustration: DAVID PLAYING ON THE HARP BEFORE SAUL.] DAVID AND GOLIATH. The Israelites and Philistines were at war. Goliath was a Philistine giant. He used to come out in front of the Israelites every day and dare any one to fight with him. He was so big and strong that all the Israelites were afraid to try. One day David came to the camp on an errand, and when he saw Goliath he made up his mind to fight him. So he chose five smooth stones out of a brook and put them in his shepherd’s bag. Then with sling in hand he went toward Goliath. Goliath laughed at him, but David did not mind that. He threw a stone with his sling. It hit Goliath on the forehead and he fell to the ground. Then David cut off his head. [Illustration: DAVID.] DAVID AND ARAUNAH.