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 insolent 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 be fell 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 impor-. tance 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?"

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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,

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the indignation of David, whom he had so latel reviled and treated in the most abusive manner, Shimei of Bahurim, the Benjamite, attended by a thousand men of his tribe, hasted to meet him, and formed part of his escort as he crossed the Jordan. Prostrating himself before the king, in the most humble manner, he confessed the wrong which he had done and implored forgive. ness. He added that to show the sincerity of his repentance and loyalty, he had come the first to congratulate his sovereign on his return, among all of the house of Joseph, by which name the other tribes were sometimes distinguished from that of Judah. Abishai could not endure what appeared to him to be such mean hypocrisy, and exclaimed that Shimei, instead of being pardoned, deserved to be put to death for having cursed the Lord's anointed.

But David had too much magnanimity of soul tc revenge himself under such circumstances upon one who had injured him. He rebuked the denunciation of Abishai, in which probably Joab joined, as if it had proceeded from those who were inimical to his true interests. "What have I to do with you," said he, "ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should this day be adversaries unto me? shall there any man be put to death this day in Israel? for do not I know that I am this day king over Israel?" Then, turning to Shimei and calling upon God to witness the sincerity of the de