The Origin of Freemasonry and Knights Templar ... - Lodge Prudentia

FREEMASONRY AND KNIGHTS TEMPLARking of Israel, who, we are told, was troubled withan "evil spirit." David, by playing upon the harp,soothed and "refreshed" Saul, and the "evil spiritdeparted from him." On the breaking out of warwith the Philistines in 1063 B. C. he seems to havebeen released from the house of Saul, and returnedhome to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem. Hisfather soon after sent him to the camp of King Saulwith provisions for his brethren. On his arrival hefound the two armies drawn up in battle array,ready for attack, and as he talked with his brethren,Goliath, the Philistine giant, came forward, and, forthe fortieth time in as many days, offered his challengefor a single combat. David prevailed uponSaul to let him go and meet him, whereupon hechose five smooth stones out of the brook, and putthem in a shepherd's bag which he had, and, withhis sling in hand, he drew near to the Philistine.Goliath came on, and "David put his hand in hisbag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smotethe Philistine in his forehead; and he fell upon hisface to the earth." For this and other deeds ofvalor, according to the promise of the king, he receivedMichal, Saul's youngest daughter, in marriage.He was given a command in the army rindat quitted himself well on all occasions, and rapidlygained the confidence and love of the people. ButSaul was offended by the praises which David receivedfor his prowess, and not only regarded hisson-in-law with bitter jealousy, but made repeatedattempts upon his life. David at length (1056 B.C.) was obliged to flee and seek refuge in the wildernessof Judea, where he soon gathered a band ofsix hundred men, whom he kept in perfect control36