CHAPTER VIII.

DAVID THE KING. FROM B.C. 1056 TO B.C. 1015.

David receives News of Saul's Defeat and Death-Abner puts Ishbosheth on the Throne of Israel-The Tribe of Judah adhere to David-A Battle and DefeatAbner kills Asahel-Abner forsakes Ishbosheth, who is murdered-Abner killed by Joab-David made King-Jerusalem-David brings up the Ark of God to Zion-His desire to erect a Temple checked-His kind attention to the Son of Jonathan-War with the Ammonites-David's Sin-Capture of Rabbah Absalom's Conspiracy-The Grievous Trouble of the King-Death of Absalom -The Famine-Numbering the People-The Plague-David makes his Son Solomon king.

UTTER and complete was the defeat of Saul's army, but not until the third day after the disaster did the news reach the ears of David. It was brought to him by an Amalekite who assured him of the death of Saul, on the best of evidence, namely, that he had himself killed the king at the king's urgent entreaty. It would appear that the richly-embroidered coat he wore, or possibly his ring-mailed hauberk, had prevented the selfinflicted wound, when he fell upon his sword, from being fatal, and that, tormented by lingering agony, he had begged this Amalekite to put him out of his misery. With this request the Amalekite had complied, and taking the royal crown and bracelet, had brought them to David, whose grief at the intelligence did not interfere with indignation at the act the man had committed. He had by his own account killed the king, and he paid with his own life for the life he had taken. The lamentation which David composed in memory of Saul and Jonathan is one of the most beautiful elegies of ancient times.

Although Saul was dead, and David long since had been anointed king by Samuel, still his right to the throne was not recognized by the people generally. Those of Judah were the first who acknowledged his claim, while Abner, Saul's uncle, proclaimed Ishbosheth-his grand nephew-king. It would appear that no tribe save that of Judah took part in the nomination of David, but that all the other tribes agreed in the election of Saul's only surviving son. He was a weak, incapable man, and no doubt

Abner merely seized upon him as a tool for his own advancement-feeble Ishbosheth might wear the crown, but Abner would practically be ruler in Israel.

David established himself in Hebron, and for two years no hostile act was committed. At the end of that time Abner resolved on suppressing David's rule altogether. With this object he crossed the Jordan and invaded David's territory. David sent out Joab to meet him, and the opposing forces met near the pool of Gibeon. For some time they remained passive on both sides, each unwilling to strike the first blow, but at last the two generals agreed to a device to excite the flagging zeal of their followers. Twelve men on each side were matched to fight against each other between the two armies, and so well were they matched that no sooner were they within reach of one another than each man seized his opponent by the hair of the head, the scalp, or beard, and sheathed his sword in his body, so that the whole twenty-four were killed on the spot. This spectacle aroused both armies, and a sanguinary battle followed. It ended unfavourably for Abner, whose army was defeated, and he himself compelled to fly. Asahel, the brother of Joab, gave chase, and being a very swift runner would certainly have overtaken Abner, had not that wily and unscrupulous man stricken him with his spear and left him on the road for dead. Joab, and Abishai, another brother, were in hot pursuit of Abner, but night came on and the chase was given up, and Joab and Abner had a parley, which ended in both returning to their own places. The loss on the side of Joab was nineteen men and his brother Asahel; on that of Abner, the loss was about three hundred and sixty.

For more than five years after this engagement David dwelt peaceably at Hebron, and Abner, in the name of Ishbosheth, reigned over all but Judah. This might have gone on had not the assumption of Abner at last kindled a spark of manly feeling on the part of the weak and effeminate king. Ishbosheth ventured to expostulate with Abner, who retorted with a storm of indignation: he plainly told the king that he and he alone had placed him on the throne of his father, and that he who

made kings could unmake them. His behaviour was very much akin to that of the earl of Warwick, with our Henry VI. By his threats of transferring the kingdom to David, Abner entirely silenced Ishbosheth, but not content with this he made overtures to David for a treaty by which David should be recognized by all Israel. In order the more easily to facilitate this business Abner came to Hebron during the absence of Joab, and had an interview with David. Matters were amicably arranged between them, and Abner retired before the return of Joab. When Joab returned he was exceedingly indignant at what had been done, and secretly sent messengers to recall Abner. Joab was suspicious of Abner, and jealous of the influence which he might exercise over David; he knew very well that Abner could never rule the son of Jesse as he ruled the son of Saul, but still Joab felt that his own position in David's court would probably be compromised by Abner, and besides there was the killing of Asahel to be atoned. When Abner, therefore, returned, Joab dissembled, led him into a retired place in order to discuss the proposed change, and stabbed him to the heart.

David was overwhelmed with trouble when he heard what had been done. With all the signs of bitter mourning he followed the murdered man to the grave, and the people mourned with him and made great lamentation.

When Ishbosheth heard that Abner was killed he was completely dismayed, and the people, knowing his weakness and folly, were thrown into much anxiety. Two officers in the army, Rechab and Baanah, thinking to find favour with David, killed the king in his own bedchamber and carried his head to Hebron. They met with a well-merited reward. They were ordered for instant execution, and were hanged at the pool of Hebron.

A wondrous and joyous spectacle followed this act of justice. David was recognized as king over the land. Not only came the elders to Hebron, but also thousands and tens of thousands of the people; the choice men, not only of the neighbouring tribes of Simeon, and Benjamin, and Ephraim, but also of the tribes beyond the Jordan, and of Issachar in the plain of