tion which he practised, and guilty so far as he departed from the strict line of honesty and truth. Both reason and Scripture teach us to believe this, though the subject is attended with difficulties which, in the opinion of the writer, no human intellect is able fully to solve. To disbelieve it, involves us in difficulties still more profound and inexplicable.

Hushai, having accomplished his purpose, immediately went to inform Zadok and Abiathar of what had taken place, advising them to send without delay to David, to tell him not to lodge that night in the plains of the wilderness, but to pass over the Jordan, lest he and his men should be overtaken and destroyed. It would seem from this that Hushai had still some fears, lest Absalom might, after all, change his mind and yield to the counsel of Ahithophel. At any rate, he thought it the only safe course to apprise David of his danger, whether it might be more or less immediate.

Jonathan and Ahimaaz, the sons of the priests, were at this time concealed in En-rogel, or the fuller's fountain, on the south-east side of Jerusalem, supposed by some to have been the same with the fountain of Siloam. For they did not think it safe to be seen in the city, but waited in their hiding-place to receive any communications from their fathers, as had been previously arranged. These communications were now made to them by a maid-servant who was employed for

in some

that purpose; and they were immediately on their way to convey the intelligence to David. A lad that saw them and suspected their errand, ran to the city and made it known to Absalom, who lost no time in despatching some of his attendants after them. Jonathan and Ahimaaz seem, way, to have apprehended the danger to which they were exposed, and procured a place of concealment in the well of a house in Bahurim. The woman of the house was probably a friend of David, and favored them on that account; and the more effectually to secure them against being found, she placed a covering over the well's mouth, and spread some ground corn thereon, as if to dry it in the sun.

In the meanwhile the pursuers were close at hand, and approaching the house inquired of the woman where they could find Jonathan and Ahimaaz. She told them that they had just passed a neighboring stream of water; and after a fruitless search, the disappointed messengers of Absalom returned to Jerusalem.

The woman letting the priests' sons know that the danger was now past, they left their retreat, and making all possible despatch soon communicated to the king the intelligence with which they were entrusted.*

On hearing it, David perceived the threatening

* While on the banks of the Jordan, and before crossing it, David is supposed to have composed Psalms 42 and 43.

danger, and immediately followed the counsel which was given him. By the morning light he and his men, having all passed safely over the Jordan, pursued their march to Mahanaim. This was a city of the Levites, in the tribe of Gad, on the brook Jabbok, which falls into the Jordan some distance north of the Dead Sea. Here the exiles halted, and soon received much kindness from some of the most distinguished individuals in that region. "Shobi, the son of Nahash, of Rabbah, of the children of Ammon, and Machir, the son of Ammiel, of Lo-debar, and Barzillai, the Gileadite, of Rogelim, brought beds, and basons, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentiles, and parched pulse, and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty in the wilderness."

While these things were taking place, the life of Ahithophel was brought to a close in a way to show the melancholy result of disappointed pride and ambition, and how God often abandons the wicked to consummate their own destruction. It seems that when he found his counsel was not followed by Absalom, in a fit of desperation he suddenly left Jerusalem, and returned to his residence in Giloh, and there, after arranging his affairs, deliberately hung himself.

How deep is the guilt of suicide, when reason still retains her empire in the soul! What a sad illustration it affords of the evil of sin, thus to urge its victim to rush unprepared into the presence of that holy and just Being who continues us in life that we may consecrate it to his service, and who claims the sole right of removing us from this world only when and how he deems best.

It was not long before Absalom, following the counsel of Hushai, collected a large army, which he placed under the command of Amasa, a cousin of Joab, and marching with it in pursuit of David, encamped in the land of Gilead, not far from Mahanaim.

David, being still in that city, began now to take efficient measures to prepare for the battle which he saw must soon take place between his forces and those of his rebellious son. He ascertained the number of effective men on whom he could rely, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them, dividing the whole into three parts. At the head of the first division he placed his able general Joab. Abishai, the brother of Joab, (and both, it will be recollected, the nephews of the king,) commanded the second; while the third was under Ittai, the Gittite. David intended to go out himself with his men, but they remonstrated against it in the strongest manner. "Thou shalt not go forth," they exclaimed," for if we flee away, they will not care

for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succor us out of the city."

The king yielded to their entreaties; and while his forces marched out of the city, he stood near the gate, viewing them as they passed, and, as we have reason to believe, exhorting them to conduct with intrepidity in the approaching conflict. But although thus maintaining the rightful authority of his government, and manifesting the skill and courage of a military hero, David still yearned with all the tenderness of a fond father over Absalom. He could not endure the thought of his being slain, even while leading on his forces in this parricidal rebellion. He gave a parting order to the three commanders of the army, in the hearing of all the men. "Deal gently," said he, "for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom."

The battle soon began. The conflict was a severe one; but the forces of David prevailed. Absalom and his party were routed with a great slaughter, twenty thousand of his men being killed. This decisive engagement took place near the wood of Ephraim, into which many of the rebel army retreated, and, in their confusion, being incapable of resistance, were overtaken and destroyed. More were slain in this way, we are told, than in the open field.