This was artfully made the occasion of introducing David to court. The king was advised to divert himself with music; and David was contrived to be recommended to him for his skill on the harp.*** Saul accordingly sent to Jesse, to request his son; which was immediately complied with: and David was detained at court, in the capacity of the king's armour-bearer.**** Here the story begins to grow confused, beyond _lay_-skill to reconcile. A war with the Philistines is abruptly introduced; in the midst of the relation of which, we are abruptly informed that David returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep(5) again; from whence his father sent him with provisions for his brothers, who were in the army.(6) What can be thought of this? Jesse hardly recalled his son from the honourable post of armour-bearer to the king; it is not likely that he was turned off, since we afterwards find him playing on the harp to the king, as before;(7) neither was it proper employment for the king's armour-bearer to be feeding sheep, when the army was in the field, and his majesty with them in person! Why--the most easy method is to take it as we find it; to suppose it to be right, and go quietly on with the story. In the Philistine army was a man of extraordinary size, named Goliah, who came out of their camp, day by day, challenging and defying any one among the Hebrews to single combat, and to rest the decision of their quarrel upon the event; an offer which no one among the Israelites was hitherto found hardy enough to accept.(8) *1 Sam. xvi. 14. ** Josephus. *** 1 Sam. xvi. 18. **** Ver. 21. (5) Ch. xvii. 15. (6) Ch. xvii. 17. (7) Ch. xviii. 10. (8) Ch. xvii. 4, &c. David is said to have arrived at the army just as it was forming for engagement; at which time the giant advanced as before, with reproachful menaces; and, after having enquired carefully concerning what reward would be given to the conquerer of this giant, and learning that great riches and the king's daughter were to be the prizes of conquest, David courageously declared before Saul his acceptance of the challenge,* notwithstanding the contempt with which his offer had been treated. Saul, relying on the youth's ardour and assurance of victory, girded his own armour on him:** but David put it off again, trusting entirely to a pouch of stones, and his own skill in slinging.*** The success answered his hopes, and stamped, what would otherwise have been deemed a rash undertaking, with a more respectable name; he knocked Goliath down with a stone; then ran in upon him, cut his head off with his own sword, and brought it triumphantly to the king of Israel.**** The consequence was the defeat of the 'Philistines.