Davideis :: :: University of Virginia Library

I sing the life of David, Israel's king!
Assist, thou sacred Pow'r who didst him bring
From the sheepfold, and set him on the throne,
Thee I invoke, on thee rely alone;
Breathe on my muse, and fill her slender quill,
With thy refreshing dews from Hermon hill,
That what she sings, may turn unto thy praise,
And to thy Name may lasting trophies raise.

After King Saul had, by the sin he wrought
In Amalek, divine displeasure brought
Upon himself, and so the Lord provok'd,
Though his offence he with religion cloak'd,
That God of his promotion did repent,
And, in decree, the kingdom from him rent.

Whilst the good Prophet on his mournful string,
Bewail'd the destin'd downfal of the king,
God to him did his sacred herald call,
Sam'el, by whom he had anointed Saul,
And said, How long for Saul dost mean to mourn?
Up, quickly fill with sacring oil thy horn;
To Bethlemitish Jesse I intend,
Thee, on a special errand strait to send,
For I among his sons provided have
A king who shall my people rule and save.

Though to the Prophet it was fully known,
That God had Saul determin'd to dethrone,
And raise another; for himself did bring
From God th'unwelcome sentence to the king;)
Yet did this dang'rous errand him surprise;
And smit with fear, How can I go! he cries;
If jealous Saul should of the bus'ness hear,
My head must pay for mine offence I fear.
The Lord, a gracious Master, fully knew
The Prophet's heart was firm, upright and true;
And that his fear from frailty did arise,
A fair expedient for him did devise.
Go, go, said he, an heifer with thee take,
And say, I come a sacrifice to make
Unto the Lord: Call Jesse thereunto,
And I will then direct thee what to do;
Go, entertain no fear but fear of me,
And him anoint whom I shall shew to thee.

Away went Samuel. And, to Bethl'em come,
Conven'd the elders of the place, on whom

A trembling fell, a dreadful panic fear,
Lest some great ill had drawn the Prophet there;
Wherefore they ask'd him, If he came in peace?
He answering, Yes; their fears did quickly cease.
He told them then, he came to hold a feast
Unto the Lord, that love might be increas'd
Among them. Bid them haste, and sanctify
Themselves, that to the feast they might draw nigh.

Then unto Jesse's house the Prophet went,
Upon his special errand most intent.
Amongst his sons when Eliab he espy'd,
This must be he, within himself he cry'd;
For Eliab was the eldest, stout and tall,
A fit successor he might think for Saul;
He therefore said, surely, ‘the Lord's anointed
‘Is now before him;’ this hath he appointed.

But God thus check'd him. Look not at the face
Nor outward stature; but the inward grace:
I view not man like man; th'external part
He looks upon, but I regard the heart.
The Prophet thus instructed, now no more
Consults weak reason as he did before;
But when Old Jesse had before him set
Sev'n of his sons, all proper persons, yet
The prophet to his guide now keeping close,
Told him the Lord had chosen none of those.

Sure these are not thy all, the Prophet cry'd;
No, one there still remains, old Jess' reply'd,

My youngest son, my shepherd's place he fills,
And tends his fleecy charge on distant hills.
Send, fetch him, said the Prophet, quickly home,
For we will not sit down until he come.

A speedy messenger for David flies,
And brings the sprightly youth before their eyes,
A rosy bloom adorn'd his comely face,
Sweet to behold, and manly with a grace;
Before the Prophet, Jesse makes him stand,
The Prophet soon received the Lord's command,
‘Arise, anoint the youth, for this is he;’
And Samuel strait approach'd with bended knee,
Assum'd his horn, and on young David's head,
The consecrating oil did freely shed.

From that day forward upon David came,
The Spirit of the Lord; which might proclaim,
To well discerning eyes his unction, as
Of Saul's rejection a sure token 'twas,
That the good spirit did from him depart,
And to an evil spirit left his heart.

This evil spirit from the Lord is said,
On Saul to come, and it such trouble made
To Saul and all his servants, that they thought
The best expedient was, there should be sought
Some skilful man, who on his harp might play,
And drive that spirit, for the time away.
This they propose. He shews a ready mind
To try it, bids them such an harper find.

One mention'd David, whom he thus set forth,
A cunning player, and a man of worth;
Valiant and wise; a comely person; one
To whom the Lord had special favour shown.

This pleased Saul; to Jesse strait he sent
To fetch young David; David quickly went,
A tender kid the chearful youth did bring,
With bread and wine, a present for the king.

His office is assigned him to stand
Before the King, and with a skilful hand,
When Saul was troubled, on his harp to play,
And when he play'd, the sp'rit was drove away.

This made him dear to Saul; Saul quickly found,
The benefit which did to him redound
From the sweet harper's music; for the sake
Whereof he did him armour-bearer make:
A martial office 'twas, to bear the shield
Of Saul, when he should march into the field;
Which shews, he found the youth as well could wield
His arms (a lance or spear, and massy shield)
And thereby, if occasion were, defend
His person, and in need, due succour lend;
As softly strike upon the tuneful string,
And by harmonious lays relieve the king.
Unwilling therefore David should return,
Lest he his absence might have cause to mourn,
He sent again to Jesse to request,
That with his leave, he might be longer blest

With David's service, that he might be freed
From his affliction: Jesse soon agreed.