336 THE KING'S MIRROR 



from him, either by_jje^andmg. Jiia^a 



as ^ or 



shall let him live many days; for I have no revenge to 

 cherish against him, either for plunder or for the loss of 

 kinsmen, except such as was incurred while he was 

 cleansing the land with righteous punishment; and it 

 is neither my proper business nor that of anyone else 

 to take revenge for such; for it is a more serious matter' 

 than even a wise man can conceive to lay hands on the 

 Lord's anointed, who is dedicated and hallowed to God. 

 Let us take his saddle-cup and his spear for a proof, and 

 then let us return to our forces." * 



Now you will understand the character of both King 

 Saul and David from what I have just told you. David 

 knew that he was chosen of God to govern, that he was 

 the Lord's anointed, consecrated and hallowed to God 

 no less than Saul was. He also knew that God had re- 

 jected Saul. And God delivered Saul into David's hands, 

 so that he could have taken Saul's life at any time, if 

 he had wished. David showed great faithfulness and 

 humility in this, that every time he saw Saul, he bowed 

 before him and saluted him as any other unhallowed 

 layman would, who had not been set apart for chieftain- 

 ship. Although Saul lay in wait for his life, David con- 

 tinued to serve him, and worried the king's enemies as 

 much as he could. On the other hand, Saul had nothing 

 against David except that he knew God had chosen 

 him to be king; and he showed great wickedness and 

 fierce hatred in striving to slay an innocent man, one 

 who served him faithfully. He likewise displayed an 



* Cf . / Samuel, xxvi. 



