Verse 4
(4) Gave it to David.—It has been suggested that the reason of this gift was to enable his friend David—then poorly clad—to appear at his father’s court in a fitting dress; but this kind of present was usual among friends in those remote ages. Glaucus and Diomed, for instance, exchanged armour of a very different value.
“Now change we arms, and prove to either host We guard the friendship of the line we boast.
* * * * * *
For Diomed’s brass arms, of mean device, For which nine oxen paid (a vulgar price), He gave his own of gold, divinely wrought: A hundred beeves the shining purchase bought.”
Iliad, vi. 286–295.
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