MS M.638, fol. 26v

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David Meets Saul, Soothing Music

Old Testament Miniatures with Latin, Persian, and Judeo-Persian inscriptions

Paris, France
ca. 1244–1254
390 x 300 mm

Purchased by J.P. Morgan (1867–1943) in 1916

MS M.638, fol. 26v
Page description: 

David Meets Saul
David arrives at court. He is accompanied by four of Saul's servants and a donkey carrying a young goat sent by Jesse as homage to the king. The king is exceedingly pleased with the young David. (1 Kings 16:20–21)

Soothing Music
David's playing soothes the king. The troublesome demon departs, and the exhausted Saul is able to rest. Servants and elders gather together and remark on the boy's beautiful playing. (1 Kings 16:22–23)

Translation: 

Folio 26v (Latin)

Upper half: How David, sent by his father to the king, offered him a bottle of wine and bread and one kid which his father had given him to be carried on an ass, and the king loved him dearly. (I Samuel 16: 20, 21)

Lower half: How, whenever the evil spirit came upon the king, David took his harp and played it and the evil spirit departed from the king. (I Samuel 16:23)

Folio 26v (Persian)

Persian foliation: 18

Upper left margin: David’s father gave him a sheep, a bottle of wine, and some loaves of bread and said, "As you are going to the king, take along this offering." David came to the king’s court and presented his gifts. The king was pleased seeing David and he loved him exceedingly.

Lower half: Whenever Satan tortured Saul, His Excellence David would play his instrument and would sing, Satan would depart and King Saul would be relieved.

Folio 26v (Judeo-Persian)

Credits: 

Content consultant: Richard Leson

Persian translated by Sussan Babaie

Judeo-Persian translated by Vera Basch Moreen

Latin translation by Eran Lupu

After the commentary volume accompanying the Fine Art Facsimile edition by Faksimile Verlag Luzern