Page 233 - Bible History

206 GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE UNDER KINGS
Levites were placed throughout the country to rep­ resent David as civil o cers and judges. The o cers gave their orders to the heads of the tribes in David's name, and the heads of the tribes put them into execu­ tion. The judges had duties like those of the judges of today. ,
David's David built storehouses for grain levied as taxes, care tor
resour s at convement places throughout the country. They
were looked after by o cers. Vineyards, wine cellars, oil cellars, and the valleys where sheep grazed were cared for by an o cer of the king. Plowing and plant­ ing were directed by skilled farmers, and orchards were cultivated under expert direction.
In his court David had a civil council, a chief secre­ tary, a chief historian and a chief taxgatherer. Two high priests had charge of the religious ceremonies. David divided the Levites into groups. Some cared for the Ark, others guarded the treasures collected for the Temple, others formed a choir that chanted the sacred music.
David was a patron of poetry and music. He wrote beautiful poetry and was an excellent musician. Even as a boy he played the harp for Saul. He composed religious hymns for feast days. They are known today as Psalms. Many of these are prophetical, and fore­ tell the su erings .1d triumph of the Messias.
One of the most beautiful of these psalms David wrote en Saul was persecuting him. He was think­ ing of the days when he was a shepherd boy and he
music
David's o icial house­ hold
David's poetry and