Absalom being met by some of David's men, endeavored to escape from them by fleeing into the wood. The mule on which he rode passing under the thick boughs of a great oak, his head was caught in the branches of it, so that he could not extricate himself, and the animal passing from under him, he hung there, suspended between the heaven and the earth.

CHAPTER XXXIII.

Absalom is slain by Joab. The lamentation of David over him.

A man who saw Absalom hanging from the bough of the oak, ran and told Joab of it. "Why," said the latter, "didst thou not smite him to the ground? and I would have given thee ten shekels of silver, and a girdle."

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Though I should receive a thousand shekels of silver in mine hand," was the reply, "yet would I not put forth my hand against the king's son for in our hearing the king charged thee, and Abishai, and Ittai, saying, Beware that none touch the young man Absalom." To this he add

ed, that had he killed Absalom, he would himself have been exposed to lose his life; for the king would soon have heard of the deed, and even Joab would have been ready to bring the offender to punishment.

Joab's answer was short and hurried. "I may not tarry thus with thee," was all he had to say. He was bent on his purpose, and knew that despatch was necessary. He hasted to the spot where Absalom was, and taking three darts in his hand, he thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet living. To make sure of his victim, (as if the bloody deed was not consummated,) Joab ordered ten men who bare his armor, to fall upon Absalom with their weapons, which they did, and then taking the lifeless body, they cast it into a deep pit in the wood, and covered it over with a great heap of stones.

Feeling sure of a complete triumph, and that the rebellion would now be for ever crushed, Joab called his men back from the pursuit of the enemy by the sound of the trumpet, and the slaughter ceased.

Scarcely a name appears on the records of history, either sacred or profane, so marked with the vilest crimes as that of Absalom. And few miscreants have come to a more untimely end. This murderous and incestuous parricide little expected to die as he did, and to have such a burialplace. For, having no son to perpetuate his me

mory, he had erected a large pillar in the king's dale, a short distance from Jerusalem, to which he had given his name, and near which he probably intended to have his remains deposited. The pillar stood for years, the monument of his infamy; and his name still endures, but only to meet with the abhorrence of all the wise and good.

Much as Absalom, however, may have deserved to die, Joab could not be justified in putting him to death. He had no right to do this. He might easily have taken him as a prisoner, and delivered him up to the king, to be dealt with as justice and the interests of the nation should require. Besides, he acted in direct violation of the orders of David, and we have reason to believe from vindictive and selfish motives.

Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, had already been one of the bearers of an important communication to the king, and he was now desirous of conveying to him the news of the victory which had just been gained. On his asking permission of Joab to do this, the latter refused; feeling unwilling that Ahimaaz should be the first and very unwelcome messenger to inform David of the death of Absalom. Joab promised him, however, that on another day he should have the honor of bearing a message to the king, and then, turning to a man whose name was Cushi, directed him to go on this errand.

Cushi was immediately on his way, running at full speed, which Ahimaaz observing, entreated Joab to let him go also, and, renewing his request, obtained permission. Taking a nearer course, or being swifter of foot, he outran Cushi, and was the first to reach Mahanaim.

David, in the meanwhile, was sitting in anxious suspense, between two of the gates of the city, to learn the fate of the battle; and the watchman, who had gone up to the roof over the gate, to see whether any one was approaching, descried Ahimaaz at a distance, and informed the king that he saw a man running alone. "If he be alone," said David, "there is tidings in his mouth." For he concluded that a single person running swiftly at such a time, must be a messenger from the army.

Soon the watchman called out that he saw still another man running alone, and the king said, "he also bringeth tidings."

As the first came nearer, the watchman exclaimed that he seemed, from his running, to be Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok. "He is a good man," said David," and cometh with good tidings."

Ahimaaz, approaching the gate, cried out, "All is well," and being brought before the king, prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "Blessed be the Lord thy God, which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand against my lord the king "

"Is the young man Absalom safe?" was the eager inquiry of David.

Ahimaaz gave an evasive reply; "When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.'

"Turn aside," said the king, "and stand here," expecting that the other messenger would soon arrive and let him know the truth of the case.

At this instant Cushi came. "Tidings," said he, "my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee."

Again the exclamation was heard with all the earnestness of parental solicitude, "Is the young man Absalom safe ?" What a moment of thrilling interest, both for speaker and hearer!

The reluctant Cushi must tell the unwelcome truth. It comes like a thunderbolt from his lips upon the ears of the trembling father: "The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is."

David could ask or hear no more. Overwhelmed with grief at the sudden and afflictive news, he retired to a chamber over the gate, there in solitude to give vent to his anguish, and, doubt. less, to pour forth his sorrows into the ear of One who alone, he knew, could succor and comfort him in this trying hour. As he withdrew, however, from his sympathizing attendants, he