"Is the young man Absalom safe?" was the eager inquiry of David.

Ahimaaz gave an evasive reply;

JJ

When Joab

sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was."

"Turn aside," said the king, "and stand here," expecting that the other messenger would soon arrive and let him know the truth of the case.

At this instant Cushi came. "Tidings," said he, "my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee."

Again the exclamation was heard with all the earnestness of parental solicitude, "Is the young man Absalom safe ?" What a moment of thrilling interest, both for speaker and hearer!

The reluctant Cushi must tell the unwelcome truth. It comes like a thunderbolt from his lips upon the ears of the trembling father: "The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is."

David could ask or hear no more. Overwhelmed with grief at the sudden and afflictive news, he retired to a chamber over the gate, there in solitude to give vent to his anguish, and, doubtless, to pour forth his sorrows into the ear of One who alone, he knew, could succor and comfort him in this trying hour. As he withdrew, however, from his sympathizing attendants, he

could not restrain his emotions even for a moment, but burst forth into tears and lamentations, exclaiming in the bitterness of his soul; "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Joab reproves David, who shows himself to the people, and they are encouraged. The tribes take counsel to bring back David to Jerusalem. On his return he is met by Shimei, Ziba and Barzillai. The rebellion of Sheba. Mephibosheth proves his innocence.

The joy of the victors was turned into mourning, when they learned the excessive grief of the king for the loss of his son. They returned into the city, we are told, from the field of triumph, as it were by stealth, "as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle." It is probable that as a body they began to feel reproached at having violated the king's commands with regard to Absalom, and at thus being the cause of the anguish of their beloved monarch. For this anguish continued unabated. David, in his

seclusion, kept his face covered, as was the custom of mourners, and still he cried with a loud voice, "O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!"

Joab was impatient at what he considered such weakness, and breaking in upon the king's retirement, accosted him in a most rude and in-solent manner; telling him that he had brought shame upon the brave men who had, that day, saved his life and the lives of his family. He accused David of loving his enemies and hating his friends, and of declaring, by his conduct, that he had no regard for his people whether in high stations or in low. He said he perceived, that if Absalom's life had only been spared, although Joab and the whole army might have been slain, it would have pleased David well. "Now therefore," he continued, "arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the Lord, if thou go not forth there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now."

David bore with great patience these accusations and threats. He knew the powerful influence which Joab had over the army, and seems to have feared, under the very critical circumstances in which he was placed, to treat this violent and overbearing man, and the murderer, too, of Absalom, with that severity of

justice which his guilty conduct demanded. He yielded, with the best grace he could, and, leaving his retirement, went and took his seat in the gate of the city, the place where justice was administered, and important business transacted, and where the people could easily have access to him. They came thither in vast numbers, to enjoy once more the sight of their monarch, and to congratulate him on his victory over his enemies.

The news of this victory spread rapidly throughout the land. The general voice was soon in favor of the rightful sovereign. The ingratitude which had been shown him, seemed to affect the minds of men deeply. They spoke to each other of the eminent services which he had rendered them, especially in delivering them from the hands of the Philistines, and felt the reproach that was cast on the whole nation by the treatment which he had lately received. Absalom, the traitor, whom they had so foolishly and wickedly chosen to be their king, was dead, and why, therefore, the general inquiry was, is not the monarch to whom our allegiance is due brought back, and restored to the throne?

David heard of these things, and took his measures accordingly. He knew the importance of having the tribe of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, act promptly and decidedly in his favor. As yet, there seemed to be

among them less indication of this than in the other parts of the land. He knew the influence of Zadok and Abiathar, the priests. He sent word to them to use it with the elders of Judah, and to inquire of them the reason of their delay, when the whole country besides were moving to sustain him. "Ye are my brethren," said he, "ye are my bones and my flesh: wherefore then are ye the last to bring back the king?"

He directed Zadok and Abiathar, also, to remind Amasa, the commander of the rebel army, that he was his kinsman, and that if he would return to his allegiance and duty, he should occupy the station which was then held by Joab, and be the highest military officer under the king.

This kind message had its desired effect. David, we are told, "bowed the heart of all the men of Judah, even as the heart of one man ;" so that they sent him word, inviting him to return to his capital and his throne, with all his forces. He lost no time in doing this, and was immediately on his way to the banks of the Jordan.

In the meanwhile the men of Judah assembled at Gilgal in a body, to go and meet the king, and conduct him over the river. A ferry-boat, or raft, was soon in readiness to transport his household, and such things as he might wish to have conveyed across the stream.

At this juncture, and to appease, if possible,