David

King and Prophet of Israel; born in Bethlehem, B. c. 1085; was the eighth and youngest son of Je e of Bethlehem. He was keeping his father’s flocks when he was selected and anointed by the prophet Samuel, at the age of 15, to succeed Saul. Having been brought to the court of Saul to soothe the melancholy of the king by his harp, he first signalized himself by slaying Goliath of Gath, a gigantic Philistine. He won the friendship of Jonathan, and the love of his daughter Michal, but at the same time drew upon himself the jealousy, and fury of the unhappy king, who repeatedly attempted to kill him, David fled into the wilderne , concealing himself in caverns. At the head of a band of outlaws and malcontents he baffled every attempt of Saul to capture him. When Saul fell, David was acknowledged king by the tribe of Judah; but the other tribes placed Ishbosheth, the younger son of Saul, on the throne, occasioning a civil war. On the death of Ishbosheth, however, the contending parties united in submi ion to David, who reigned with great glory for 30 years. He took Jerusalem from the Jebusites, and gained considerable victories over the Philistines and other neighboring nations; but tarnished his glory by taking Bathsheba from Uriah, her husband, and putting him to death. He also suffered by causing the people to be numbered. A rebellion was excited against him by his son Absalom, which was quelled, and Absalom slain. When the news of this was brought to David, he lamented the untimely fall of his son in affecting terms. At the close of his life he abdicated in favor of his son Solomon. He died 1015 B. c. The historical picture of David fully supports the tradition that “ the sweet singer of Israel” was the greatest poet of his time, and the founder of the sublime religious lyric poetry of the Hebrews, though many of the Psalms are productions of the Davidic spirit more than of David’s own pen. David L., (often called St. David), King of Scotland; born about 1080; succeeded his brother, Alexander the Fierce, in 1124. He married Maud, grandniece of William the Conqueror; and was earl of North umber land and Hunting dom when called to the Scottish throne. He died in 1153. David I1., King of Scotland, son of Robert Bruce; born in 1322; succeeded to the throne in 1329. On the death of his father he was acknowledged by the great part of the nation. Edward Baliol formed a party for the ‘purpose of supporting his pretensions to the crown; he was backed by Edward II}. of England.