The works of Josephus with great diligence revised and amended according to the excellent French translation of Monsieur Arnauld D'Andilly : also the Embassy of Philo Judæus to the Emperor Caius Caligula :

CHAP. XI.

The single Combat betwixt David and Goliath, and the slaughter of the Philistines that follow'd it.

DAvid advanc'd boldly against Goliath, being assisted in an invisible manner by God; and drawing one of the stones out of his Scrip, and fitting it to his Sling, he threw it against Goliath, which gave him such a stroke on the Forehead, that it pierced him to the very Brain, so that he fell down suddenly dead; and David running upon [ M] him, as he lay sprawling on the earth, cut off his Head with his own Sword: for he him∣self had none. As soon as he was strucken down, terror and confusion fell upon all the Army of the Philistines: for seeing the most esteemed Warrior amongst them over∣thrown and slain, they began to fear the issue of their Battel, and resolved to flie; which they did in great disorder and confusion, hoping by that means to deliver them∣selves out of danger. But Saul, and the whole Army of the Hebrews, pursu'd them, with great shouts and cries; and in the pursuit, made a great slaughter of them, and drove them to the borders of Gath, and even to the gates of Ascalon. In this Battel, there dyed on the Philistines side, above Thirty thousand, and the hurt and wounded were [ N] twice as many. Saul returning back to the Camp, pillaged and burnt their Tents; but David bore Goliaths head to his Pavilion, and hung his Sword in the Tabernacle, and con∣secrated the same to God. But Saul afterward conceived a secret hatred against David, upon this occasion: As he returned triumphant like a Conqueror with his Army, the Women and Maidens singing and dancing to their Cymbals and Tymbrels, in way of honour, came out to meet him: the Women sung, that Saul had slain thousands of the Philistines; and the Virgins answer'd, that David had slain Ten thousands: which when Saul understood, and saw that barely thousands were ascrib'd to him, and Ten thousands to David, he thought that after so glorious Acclamations, there wanted nothing to Da∣vid, but the name of King. For which cause he began to fear and suspect him: and by [ O] reason of this fear, he thought he was too near his own person, and therefore from be∣ing one of the chiefest in authority about him, which was to be one of his chief Com∣manders

[ A] and guard, he made him Captain over a 1000, rather respecting his own security than Davids honor; to the intent that being often engag'd in encounters with the Enemye he might perish by some disaster or other. But David, having in all places the assistance of Almighty God, returned alwayes with good success: so that his extraordinary Valor acquir'd him an universal esteem, and Michol, Sauls Daughter, that was about that time marriageable, began to be enamor'd with him, that she could not hide her passion even from the King her Father. Saul, instead of being displeas'd, rejoyc'd at it, hoping by that means the sooner to entrap David. He gave ear thereto with some shew of allow∣ance, and told them who spoke of it to him, that he would willingly give him his Daugh∣ter to Wife; for he reason'd thus with himself: I will propose that I will give him my [ B] Daughter in marriage, on condition that he bring me six hundred Philistines heads; and I am certain that being valiant and generous as he is, he will with joy accept this condi∣tion, because the more dangerous it is, the more glory it will acquire to him; and so exposing himself to all manner of dangers, he will be slain by the hands of the Phili∣stines; and that intention which I have conceived against him, shall succeed according to mine own hearts desire: for I shall be delivered of him, in sending him out of the world, not by my means, but by other mens hands. Having taken this resolution, he charged his Courtiers to sound Davids sentiments, and how he stood affected to the mar∣riage: and they told him, That the King bare him great kindness, and so rejoyc'd that the People admir'd him, that he would give him in marriage the Princess his Daughter. David [ C] answer'd, Think you it a small matter to be Son-in-law to the King? for my self, I esteem otherwise, considering mine own base condition, who have neither reputation, nor any honoura∣ble quality. When Sauls servants had reported to him what answer David made them, Tell him (said he) that I value not Goods or Presents, (for that were to expose my Daughter to sale, and not to match her with an Husband.) I seek a Son-in-law that hath Valor, and that is adorned with all Virtue, such as is manifest and apparent in thee: and my desire is, that for the dowry of my Daughter, thou give me neither gold nor silver, nor any other wealth out of thy Fathers house; but that thou make War upon the Philistines, and six hundred of their heads, shall be the most acceptable dower thou canst present me with. My Daughter also desires, above all the dowers, to be married to a Man that is so ennobled and famous for the overthrow of the [ D] Enemies of her Father and her Countrey.

When these words were reported to David, he was very joyful, thinking that Saul acted sincerely concerning this alliance: and without delay, or taking counsel or delibe∣ration, whether the thing were easie or impossible for him to execute, he incontinently departed with his company to find out the Enemy, and execute the condition upon which the marriage was promised him; God assisted David in this occasion, as in all others. And after he had slain a great number of them, and cut off six hundred of their Heads, he returned, and presented them to the King; and in consideration thereof, desired the performance of his promise.

[ E] [ F] [ G]

Notes

• Ver. 49, 50, 51.
• Davids victo∣ry against Go∣liath.
• The Phili∣stines flie, and are discomfi∣ted.
• Ver. 52, 53.
• 30000 of the Philistines slain.
• 1 Sam. 18. 6, ad 9.
• Saul privily hateth David.
• Saul from one of his chief Nobles, ma∣keth David a tribune, to the end that being often drawn out by the ene∣my▪ he might be slain.
• Ver. 17, ad 26.
• Sauls daughter in love with David.
• Saul subtilly objecteth Da∣vid to slaugh∣ter, under a colourable condition of slaughtering the Philistines
• Ver. 27, &c.
• Saul, under co∣venant of 60•• Philistines heads, promi∣seth David his daughter.