obligations to his friends very easily, and often, indeed, very unreasonably.'

"David is but a man,' said Joab, and, of course, is liable to have some of the imperfections of a man.'

"That pompous mourning,' said Ahithophel, 'which the king made over Abner, and the very severe terms in which, on that occasion, he spoke of some of his firmest friends, struck me as uncalled for and improper. Abner had been to David a bitter and unrelenting foe. But the king's conduct was designed, no doubt, to secure the favor of the eleven tribes, who, as yet, had refused to give in their allegiance to him. Yet, when his own sister's son, the valiant, the swift-footed Asahel, in the excess of his burning enthusiasm to sustain his uncle, against an overwhelming majority, sacrificed his young life, his fall was passed over without any public honors whatever.'

"Joab was silent. He could never hear an allusion to the untimely fall of the gallant Asahel without emotions that were too strong for utterance.

"Ahithophel was confident he had now made a favorable impression, and proceeded thus:

"I have long thought that David is over harsh with old and long-tried friends. Indeed, I have thought that with you and your brother Abishai, considering your great services, he is sometimes quite unreasonable.'

"Well,' said Joab, 'there may have been some ground for that opinion; but where shall we find a man or a prince that is wholly free from defects?'

"I have ever thought,' said Ahithophel, 'that the fame you acquired by defeating Abner at the pool of Gibeon excited the king's envy. He felt that your

military reputation had eclipsed his own; and he has never been so pleasant to you since.'

"Perhaps my too partial friends,' said Joab, 'dwelt on that achievement too much. It was certainly improper to bring David's generalship into the comparison to his disadvantage. But, however, Ahithophel, this is a delicate subject. If I make no complaint of the king's treatment of me, my friends had better be silent.'

"With these words, he fixed his keen, penetrating eyes on Ahithophel, as if in search of his object in agitating such matters. Ahithophel was somewhat confused by the manner of Joab, but, after a moment, concluded it was best to come right to the point he had in view.

6

"There are many,' said Ahithophel, who think, as David is now growing old, and public business is very burdensome, and especially as Absalom shows so much public spirit and capacity, it would be advisable to have him introduced into a share of the administration with his father. I should like to have your opinion.'

"Joab gave the counsellor another scrutinizing look, and asked, 'Is it David's wish?"

"I am not certain,' was Ahithophel's reply.

"Has the king been consulted?' asked Joab, abruptly.

"Perhaps not,' said Ahithophel.

"That is the very first step to be taken,' said Joab. 'I hope the subject will not be breathed to a living soul again till the full and hearty approbation of the king is obtained; otherwise, I am bound in duty to set my face against it.'

66

'Ahithophel now saw clearly that it would not do to

press the subject, and, after some general conversation on other topics, took leave, and returned to his home." Here Lucifer turned to the speaker and said,

"Belial, your memory appears very retentive of ancient events; but have you not forgotten the remark which I made at the time you commenced your rehearsal ?"

"Your majesty," said Belial, "observed that I should not dwell exclusively on the history of kings, courts, and men in public life."

"And further," said Lucifer, "that you should not confine yourself to a recital of your own devices merely, but that you should give sketches of individuals in the common walks of life; in short, something of a picture of society as it existed in Israel in the times of David."

"I understand your majesty," said Belial, "and shall attempt to follow the direction. Let me then remark, once for all, that this whole rebellion was entirely of my projecting, and that Absalom and Ahithophel were the chief instruments I employed. It will not be necessary, therefore, in the prosecution of the story, to refer continually to my own agency and plans.

"I shall presently go more minutely into particulars concerning a number of individuals in the various departments of society. Let me, however, first remark, that there was yet another influence which Ahithophel was exceedingly anxious to bring to the support of Absalom's cause; that is, the influence of the priests, the ministers of religion. But this was very difficult. Zadok and Abiathar were the firm friends of David always in his society; and no sufficient inducement to

revolt could be laid before them. But their two sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, had been Absalom's playmates in childhood and youth; they might be drawn into the conspiracy; and then their fathers would either be induced to join for their sakes, or, at any rate, they would make but little resistance. To accomplish this design, Ahithophel projected that Absalom should tell his father that he had a very solemn vow, which he had made while in exile in Geshur; and that this vow must now be performed at Hebron, with costly sacrifices. This would be a sufficient reason for taking the young priests with him, to officiate at the sacrifice. He was also to take with him a large number of persons from respectable families in Jerusalem, who, being thus brought into circumstances of suspicion, would be likely to identify themselves with Absalom; and this would strongly influence their families and family connections.”

"And why go to Hebron, my son?' asked David, when Absalom came to obtain his permission.

"Hebron is my birthplace,' said Absalom: 'it was there that I first became conscious of existence, and there I wish publicly and forever to dedicate myself to the service of Israel's God. Such was my solemn vow, made when sickened with the loathsome idol-worship practised in the court of Geshur.'

"And you take with you these worthy associates, Ahimaaz and Jonathan. Then go, my son; and a fa

Why, this is the consum

ther's blessing go with you. mation of all my wishes,' said the king, looking on the beautiful form of Absalom, as he left the room.

เ Ah,

he'll be the comfort of my declining days, and close my eyes in death.'"

CHAPTER XVII.

THE REBELLION.

"A CALM and brilliant day, which had thrown its radiance over the broad and fertile inheritance of Judah and Israel, was now drawing towards its close. The beams of the declining sun were richly reflected from the tall, majestic groves on the sides and summit of Mount Olivet. Tranquillity, without a cloud, reigned over Jerusalem and the surrounding fields and vineyards. Shepherds were preparing to lead their flocks and herds from the hills, where they had been feeding through the day, to the folds in which they might rest during the night.

"David and the elders of Israel, in connection with the chief officers of the army, had been deliberating on some interesting state policy; but their deliberations were about to conclude, when a single horseman was discovered on the high road leading from Hebron, making towards Jerusalem at the utmost speed. Down the steep he rushed over rock and hillock, and all obstructions, he hurried his headlong course to the city gate. The guards opened at his approach, for they knew him well. He passed without a word, and urged his jaded horse, covered with foam, and panting for breath, up the street to the palace of the king. There