These three Kings, to wit, Saul, Dauid and Salomon, who by succession held the famous and re∣nowmed kingdome of the He∣brewes, when it was yet whole and entire, I would pray you to set mee downe their stories particularly.

It is true: these Kings in their time, were the most re∣nowmed of any that euer fol∣lowed after them, and they were the first that euer was ouer the people of God.* Saul was the son of Kish, of the tribe of Beniamin; which was a great prerogatiue to that tribe, being the least and the last. By séeking of his fa∣thers Asses which went astray, hée came by Gods prouidence vnto the place where Samuel the Lords Prophet dwelt. Samuel séeing him, and knowing Gods will concerning him, hée enter∣tained Page  175 him amongst the best of the people, and the next day he annoynted him King ouer the people of Israell: and because it should not séeme incredible, hée gaue him thrée speciall tokens, by the which hée should know that the Lord God had so ap∣pointed: all which tokens came to passe that same day. Samuel ha∣uing also assembled the people, he told them that the Lord had appointed them a King, euen in his wrath, because they refused to be guided and gouerned by him, and he presented Saul before them: at which time they cryed and said, God saue the King. And immediately Samuel hauing de∣clared what dutie did belong vnto the King from his subiects, the Lord touched the hearts of a band of men, who hereupon followed the King to the wars against Nahash the Ammonite, in the behalfe of Iabesh Gilead that desired helpe of the Is∣raelites. The spirit of the Lord came vpon Saul, & he was turned Page  176 into another man, that is to say, hée by the same Spirit became more wise, and more heroically valiant, then hée was before, and in qualities méete for a King.

How came it to passe, that Saul was sent to seeke the Asses? His Father being a man of great re∣putation and riches, hee had many others no doubt to send.

It was the diuine and secret prouidence of God, that the Asses went astray, and that Saul should séeke after them, whereby he might be brought as it were by the hand, vnto the place where Samuel was, and for that purpose which his holy Maiestie had determined. That which Almighty GOD hath done herein, was not to declare vnto men what hée could doe, but what hee would doe, for the better stay of faithfull men vp∣on his promises and prouidence, and withall to teach all men, that when any matter happeneth to the good of the godly, hée Page  177 should not attribute it to his owne endeuour or paines, nor yet to the fayned Gods, as by Fortune and Chance: but euen by a secret diuine rule, bringing great and mighty things to passe by weake and small meanes. And that the very guiding •and of GOD was in it, appeares plainly: for God told Samuel, •ay∣ing; To morrow about this time I will send thee a man of Beniamin, named Saul, him shalt thou annoynt to be gouernour ouer my people Is∣raell.

Why was God displeased with his people of Israell for asking a King, sithence they had none?

Almighty God was not angry with them simply for as∣king a King:* but because hée himselfe had gouerned them, and guided them alwayes be∣fore, without a King, to wit, by Patriarches, by Chiefete∣nants, and Iudges: Vnder whose gouernment they alwayes prospered so long as they obey∣ed the Lord in any measure. Page  178 And in that time in which they desired a King, they were go∣uerned by Samuel a holy man, and the Prophet of the Lord: they desired a King, euen in wan∣tonnesse and pride of heart, and not in regard of any want. Therefore the Lord said to Sa∣muel,* Heare the voyce of the peop∣ple: they haue not cast away thee but they haue cast away mee. As though he had said, thy gouern∣ment was my gouernment, or as I commanded thée: they doe not reiect thée in this, but me, there∣fore heare them, and tell them what manner of man he shall be vnto them.

Doth God appoint ouer any Nation such kings and rulers as shall tyrannize and deale roughly with their subiects?

When as the people are not thankefull vnto him for a good King, and when they doe not humbly acknowledge the be∣nefit thereof, then hée vsually plagueth them with wicked ty∣rannous Kings.

How did Saul behaue him∣selfe towards God, hauing receiued such a speciall fauour, as to be made a King ouer such a great Nation?

After he had raigned two yeares ouer Israell,* he did that which was euill in the sight of the Lord, to wit, in offering a burnt offering:* which was not lawfull for any to doe saue for the Priests, vpon paine of death. Therefore the Prophet Samuel told him plainely from the Lord, that therein hée had done foolish∣ly, and that his kingdome should not continue: and so Samuel de∣parted from him in great indig∣nation, for the zeale hée bare to the Lord, and for the loue he bare to the kingdome.

Saul as we read was in great distresse,* by reason of many thou∣sands of the Philistines that were come against his people Israell: and they by reason of Samuels long tar∣rying at Gilgall,* were scattered and fled, saue sixe hundred men that re∣mained with the King. Therefore Saul fell to his prayers, and did offer Page  180 as hee said, a burnt Offering vnto the Lord: tell me what offence was this, as the present necessitie re∣quired?

*Saul in like manner trans∣gressed the voyce of the Lord, in keeping the King of the A∣malekites aliue, whereas hée was commanded to kill him, and in reseruing for Sacrifice, the best of the Oxen, and the best of the Sheepe, which was also directly forbidden. Out of which place I will answere your demaund or question from the mouth of Samuel the holy Pro∣phet: When thou wast little in thine owne sight, wast not thou made King ouer Israell? The Lord commanded thee to kill the Amalekites, and to let none re∣maine: Now thou hast not obeyed the Lords voyce, but hast turned to the prey: wherein thou hast done wickedly in the sight of the Lord. Rebellion is as the sinne of witchcraft, and transgression is wickednesse and Idolatry. Behold, thou hast cast away the word of the Page  181 Lord: therefore hee hath cast away thee. Hereby you may sée that sinne or transgression is not rec∣koned for the smalnesse or great∣nesse thereof, with God, as it is with men: for many times small sinnes in our sights are great sinnes in Gods fight: and great sinnes in our fight are small in his sight. Men must rule them∣selues by his word, by his holy Lawes, and not according to good intents, or earthly mens di∣rections.

How did Saul behaue him∣selfe towards his subiects?

Saul enuied Dauids good report and iust desert. When Dauid returned from the slaugh∣ter of the Philistines, the women by one consent, and as it were by Gods appoyntment, met Da∣uid, crying and saying,* Saul hath slaine his thousand, and Dauid his tenne thousand: and for this cause onely Saul was excéeding wroth with Dauid, and euer af∣ter sought to kill him: and in Page  182 the persecuting of him he slew euery of the Priests that fauou∣red him, and tooke an oath of all his subiects to betray him. It were too long to particulate his cruelties towards others his poore subiects, whom he should haue defended and maintayned.

What was Sauls end?

The Spirit of God be∣ing departed from him, and his owne heart giuen him, hée euer after followed that, euen to the wars of the Philistines, at which time hée desperately slew him∣selfe.