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there to the ground, and I would have given thee ton shekels of silver, and a girdle?

And the man said unto Joab, Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand, yet would I not put forth mine hand against the king's son: for in our hearing the king charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young Absalom.

Otherwise, I should have wrought falsehood against mine own life: for there is no matter hid from the king, and thou thyself wouldest have set thyself against me.

Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.

And ten young men that bare Joab's armour, compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him.

And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing after Israel: for Joab held back the people.

And they took Absalom and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him and all Israel fled every one to his tent.

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Now Absalom in his life-time had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name, and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run and bear the king tidings, how that the LORD hath avenged him of his enemies.

And Joab said unto him, thou shalt not bear tidings this day, but thou shalt bear tidings another day; but this day thou shalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead.

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Then said Joab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou And Cushi bowed himself unto Joab, and

hast seen.

ran.

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, also run after Cushi. And Joab said, wherefore wilt thou run, my son, seeing thou hast no tidings ready?

But howsoever (said he) let me run.

And he said

unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and overran Cushi.

And David sat between the two gates: and the watch. man went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lift up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

And the watchman cried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone, there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.

And the watchman saw another man running; and the watchman called unto the porter, and said, Behold, another man rúnning alone. And the king said, He also bringeth tidings.

And the watchman said, Methinketh the running of the foremost, is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man, and cometh with good tidings.

And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. And he fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, and said, Blessed be the LORD thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lift up their hand against my LORD the king.

And the king said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered, When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but 'I knew not what it was.

And

And the king said unto him, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside and stood still.

And behold, Cushi came, and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord the king: for the LORD hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee.

And the king said unto Cushi, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

And the king was much moved, and went up to the 'chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would GOD I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

David experienced the happy effects of his faith and piety; for it pleased GoD to encourage many faithful subjects and brave soldiers to espouse his cause, and they resorted to him from all quarters, so that in a few days he had a powerful army to resist Absalom and his rebellious followers. Provisions also were brought to him in abundance, by persons of the greatest distinction throughout all the regions round about.

Shobi was that son of Nahash who is supposed to have been made viceroy of Rabbah by David. Machir was the person who had maintained Mephibosheth; he

seems to have been a man of a most benevolent disposition, ready at all times to succour men in distress. Barzillai was a worthy man, who also knew the best use to which riches can be applied.

As Absalom was bent on his impious and rebellious scheme of establishing himself on the throne by the mur der of his venerable parent, David was under a necessity

of

of using means for his own security: he could not sacrifice his friends to the impetuous rage of a head-strong young man; neither could he, consistently with honour and religion, desert the throne to which he had been raised by the immediate appointment of God, and the universal consent of the people. He was the LORD'S anointed, and as such he bore the sword of justice, with which it was his duty to chastise sedition and rebellion, even in the person of his own son. His forces are supposed to have amounted to 4000 men. Unwilling to spill the blood of his subjects, or draw his sword against a rebellious son, David yielded to the intreaties of his servants, and did not go forth with his troops. There is no doubt but that the pious king seized this opportunity of entreating the LORD to complete his deliverance, for his psalms abound with sentiments adapted to such an occasion.

The excessive tenderness which David expressed for Absalom shews his character in a most amiable light; he was willing to impute his rashness to youth and inexperience, therefore he intreated his generals and captains to spare Absalom for his sake, hoping that he would reform.

Notwithstanding the superiority of the rebel army, and the restraint which David's kind commands, in favour of Absalom, had laid upon his party, this wicked son could not escape the punishment due to such unparalleled crimes; the justice of GoD overtook him; and his hair, which had been his ornament and pride, became instrumental to his destruction: he was consigned of God to that very punishment to which the law condemned trai. tors, and parricides, viz. hanging on a tree.

Joab was of a very impetuous temper, and knowing the good consequences that were likely to ensuę, notwithstanding the king's commands to the contrary, he determined

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determined to pierce the rebellious heart of this unnatural son; and the soldiers finding that Absalom was dead, shewed their detestation of his crime, by throwing stones on his carcase.

While the two armies were engaged, the poor king sat in the gate, equally dreading a victory or defeat: at length Ahimaaz and Cushi were discerned by the watchmen. David flattered himself that their intelligence was of the most pleasing kind, and we find Ahimaaz evaded the telling him immediately of the death of Absalom; but when Cushi arrived, David's fears were confirmed. His lamentation needs no comment. It is impossible for any words to be more expressive of the grief of a tender parent, for the untimely death of a wicked son, who was cut off in the midst of his sinful course. Who can read it without feeling a sympathetie concern for the sorrows of this truly affectionate father, and a detestation of the crimes of the son? May the fate of Absalom be a warning to all disobedient youths, who with unfeeling ingratitude rend the hearts of those that have a right to their kindest attention; for they may regard it as a certainty, that GOD will punish them for such unnatural wickedness, in an exemplary manner.

SECTION XXII.

JOAB REPROVETH THE KING.

DAVID CEASETH TO MOURN FOR ABSALOM.

From 2 Samuel, Chap. xix.

AND it was told Joab, Behold the king weepeth andmourneth for Absalom.

And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.

And

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