[
166]
So Samuel, when he had given him these admonitions, went away. But
the Divine Power departed from Saul, and removed to David; who, upon this
removal of the Divine Spirit to him, began to prophesy. But as for Saul,
some strange and demoniacal disorders came upon him, and brought upon him
such suffocations as were ready to choke him; for which the physicians
could find no other remedy but this, That if any person could charm those
passions by singing, and playing upon the harp, they advised them to inquire
for such a one, and to observe when these demons came upon him and disturbed
him, and to take care that such a person might stand over him, and play
upon the harp, and recite hymns to him.
1
Accordingly Saul did not delay, but commanded them to seek out such a man.
And when a certain stander-by said that he had seen in the city of Bethlehem
a son of Jesse, who was yet no more than a child in age, but comely and
beautiful, and in other respects one that was deserving of great regard,
who was skillful in playing on the harp, and in singing of hymns, [and
an excellent soldier in war,] he sent to Jesse, and desired him to take
David away from the flocks, and send him to him, for he had a mind to see
him, as having heard an advantageous character of his comeliness and his
valor. So Jesse sent his son, and gave him presents to carry to Saul. And
when he was come, Saul was pleased with him, and made him his armor-bearer,
and had him in very great esteem; for he charmed his passion, and was the
only physician against the trouble he had from the demons, whensoever it
was that it came upon him, and this by reciting of hymns, and playing upon
the harp, and bringing Saul to his right mind again. However, he sent to
Jesse, the father of the child, and desired him to permit David to stay
with him, for that he was delighted with his sight and company; which stay,
that he might not contradict Saul, he granted.
2