grow clearer and stronger the more I learn of his ways. I was long anxious to discharge the debt of gratitude which I owed to Jonathan: what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?'

"I confessed my obligations to Jonathan publicly, before my whole kingdom. Yes, and I will confess and honor my Redeemer before the world. I will speak of his testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

"I composed and sung beautiful stanzas in honor of Jonathan, and I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live, I will praise my God while I have any being.

"I showed kindness to Mephibosheth for his father Jonathan's sake, and I will show kindness to the children of my Redeemer, for the love I owe to him.'

"The conversation of David and his three friends now turned on other topics, and assumed a more lively character. The king now took particular notice of the Ammonite prince, and mentioned the kind attentions he had received from Nahash, his father, during the time he was hunted and pursued by the jealousy of Saul. The Ammonite, in return, with much politeness and propriety, rehearsed the deep and abiding interest his father had taken in David's welfare. 'I was a small lad at the time,' said he; 'yet well do I remember how often the severity and unreasonableness of my lord's persecutions were the theme of conversation in my father's house, and also the joy that inspired the whole family circle, when we learned that those persecutions were ended, and that my lord had come to the throne.'

"The afternoon passed away in agreeable and varied conversation; but we must leave them, to notice another class of persons who demand our attention."

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM.

"IN a few days after the overthrow of Apsalom, Phinehas the Levite departed from Mahanaim on his return to Bahurim. Tamar returned with the family, and they were accompanied by Ahimaaz and Jonathan, whom King David had sent with some important message to their fathers, Zadok and Abiathar.

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They had crossed Jordan in safety, and were rejoicing in the prospect of reaching their beloved home, when Phinehas remarked to Jonathan, 'Our neighbor Shimei is now, no doubt, in great perplexity.'

"Very likely,' answered Jonathan.

"I learn,' said Phinehas, 'that he went to Absalom, and told him how he had cursed David, and how he had discovered where you and Ahimaaz were hid at Bahurim, and urged Absalom to promote him to some important office.'

"And how did he succeed?' asked Jonathan.

"But indifferently,' said Phinehas. Absalom knew something of his history, and spoke of Michal deceiving him with the image, and Saul losing the skirt of his robe, while Shimei was guarding him, and some other mishaps in his early life; and presently the news was brought that Ahithophel had despaired of their cause,

and had hanged himself. This alarmed Shimei, and he drew off. He thought, no doubt, that if there was any danger of Absalom's failure, he had gone too far already. Shimei would gladly know whether summer or winter is coming, before he decides what coat he will put on. But he must be in great perplexity now.'

"With such conversation the party hied along till the buildings of Bahurim rose in view.

"Frightful rumors of the vengeance which the king, now restored, would inflict on the authors of the disgrace and the calamity which had befallen the country, had been spreading and increasing from day to day. Never did Fame show off her diversified talents on a larger scale than now. Appalling reports of the hot treasures of royal wrath, that were reserved and ready for the leading actors in this wide-spread mischief, had come on the wings of every breeze. And they multiplied and magnified, and gathered gloominess in their progress. The fears of Shimei told him that this black tempest must discharge its principal fury on his devoted head. He was of the family of Saul; and busy fame had not omitted to circulate that the storm of the rebellion, that burst so suddenly on the land, had originated in a secret influence exerted from that quarter. Shimei himself had publicly declared more bitterness against David than any man alive. And worse still, he was right on the road along which the king would return. So he must fall into the lion's mouth in the first moments of his devouring fury. Could he have been kept out of sight till public vengeance was glutted and gorged with the blood of others, there might be more hope. But this was im

possible. He thought of flight. But it would not do ; for the whole country was full of persons anxious to recommend themselves to the king on his return. And Shimei saw, that should he attempt to fly, he would certainly be pursued and brought back by those who were anxious to make their own peace with the king.

"To follow Ahithophel's example seemed the only resort. But the idea of hanging had always been horrible to him. He thought of running himself through with a sword, throwing himself from a precipice, and other forms of self-destruction. But his heart failed and recoiled at the prospect of each.

"Just in the height of his perplexity, he cast his eye on the Jordan road, and discovered Phinehas the Levite and his company returning home. Here, he saw, was an opportunity of learning accurately the real state of things around David, and what must be anticipated. “He had aimed, it is true, to injure Phinehas, and also Jonathan and Ahimaaz, in his report to Absalom. But this was no time to stand upon trifles. He hastened, therefore, and met his old acquaintances with a most rueful countenance the very picture of extreme terror and despair.

"Cruelty had no place in the heart of Phinehas. And though in Shimei's days of vaporing, and putting on airs of consequence, Phinehas had indulged his humor freely at the expense of the man of the house of Saul, yet now, when Shimei stood before him, haggard and trembling in every limb, and evidently tortured with horrible anticipations, the sympathies of Phinehas were strongly moved; for the object before him was most pitiable.

REEDO

(UKIV CA

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THE RETURN TO JERUSALEM.

"Neighbor Shimei, how are you to-day asked Phinehas.

"Ruined,' said Shimei, utterly undone.'

"Not so bad as that, I hope,' said Phinehas.

"But David is coming back triumphant,' said Shimei. "Certainly he is, and as he was a good king before, no doubt he will be a good king again,' answered Phinehas. “Ah, but what of those that rose up against him? What can they do?'

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"They are defeated,' said Phinehas, and many of them dead, and the rest have fled, every man to his tent.' "O, had I known the matter would turn out thus,' said Shimei, I should have acted very differently.' "No doubt of that,' answered Phinehas; but mortals are blind to the future.'

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"'O, I have been so imprudent!' said Shimei : 'there was no necessity for my coming out so publicly, and saying so much that was provoking to King David at that time. I might just as well have been quiet, till I could have seen how things would go. I am vexed with myself.'

"It is too late to correct that now,' said Phinehas. "I have heard that the king has slain all that joined in the rebellion,' said Shimei, who have fallen into his hands since the overthrow of Absalom.'

"Few have been taken as yet,' said Phinehas: 'I think they have mostly fled; but certain it is, none have been slain since the battle.'

"But has he not said, that all who took part in the rebellion shall be put to death?'

"Not that I have heard,' said Phinehas; and I have no idea he will adopt such a course.'