The bats were more frightened than Miriam. They flew about in a blind way. Several times they almost brushed against the faces of Rebecca and Levi, the tallest ones in the party. "Ugh! I don't like bats," said Miriam. "I am going outside." "Just wait a minute until I see if there are any pretty decorations on the walls. Look! Here is just what I was searching for." Levi held his torch up near the roof. "Isn't it beautiful? How can Nature work in such a regular pattern?" said Rebecca, half to herself. "It is because she is the handmaiden of the Lord," replied Levi, reverently. After they had left the cave and were once more out in the bright sunshine, the children were allowed to choose a place for the picnic dinner. They had brought water for bathing the hands and face as well as for drinking. Levi had told them before they started that there was no well or spring near the place. After they had washed and prayed, they were all ready to enjoy the nice luncheon Rebecca had prepared. "Tell us stories about King David, won't you, please Levi?" asked Solomon. "When you spoke of the cave of Adullam this morning you said David hid there with a great many of his followers. I suppose that made me think of him now." "I should like nothing better," said Levi, stretching himself out on the ground. "But would you all like to hear about the 'Sweet Singer of Israel'?" "Indeed we would," sounded a chorus of voices. CHAPTER VIII. THE SWEET SINGER OF ISRAEL "VERY well, then. Let us go back to the days of long ago, long, even, before the destruction of our beloved city. Let us seek David on the hillsides, tending his flocks with loving care. "One day a visitor came to the house of Jesse, David's father. This visitor was no other than the prophet Samuel. He had received a command from the Lord telling him to take a vial of oil and seek the house of Jesse. "'There,' said the Lord, 'you will find the new king who is to succeed Saul.' "Samuel hastened to obey. When he reached Jesse's house, he asked to see his sons. One by one passed before him till the eighth son, David, appeared. Then the voice of the Lord again spoke to Samuel. It said: "'Arise, anoint him, for this is he.' "As soon as the prophet had anointed David with the oil, the young man was filled with the spirit and power of God. At the same time, they left King Saul, who did many foolish and bad deeds after this. "But what of David? Did he go out into the world and declare himself the future king of Israel? Not so. He continued to live his peaceful, quiet life as a shepherd. He learned to sing, and play upon the harp. He now showed himself indeed the 'Sweet Singer of Israel.' "He began to show power in other ways, too. Many times the fierce lions and savage bears came creeping upon his flocks. Many times David met and overpowered them with the strength given to him by the Lord."