patriarchs and prophets-第194章
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now it is better that thou be ready to succour us out of the city。 And the
king said unto them； What seemeth you best I will do。〃
2 Samuel 18：3； 4； R。V。
From the walls of the city the long lines of the rebel army were in full
view。 The usurper was accompanied by a vast host； in comparison with which
David's force seemed but a handful。 But as the king looked upon the opposing
forces； the thought uppermost in his mind was not of the crown and the
kingdom； nor of his own life； that depended upon the wage of battle。 The
father's heart was filled with love and pity for his rebellious son。 As the
army filed out from the city gates David encouraged his faithful soldiers；
bidding them go forth trusting that the God of Israel would give them the
victory。 But even here he could not repress his love for Absalom。 As Joab；
leading the first column； passed his king； the conqueror of a hundred
battlefields stooped his proud head to hear the monarch's last message； as
with trembling voice he said； 〃Deal gently for my sake with the young man；
even with Absalom。〃 And Abishai and Ittai received the same charge〃Deal
gently for my sake with the young man； even with Absalom。〃 But the king's
solicitude； seeming to declare that Absalom was dearer to him than his
kingdom； dearer even than the subjects faithful to his throne； only
increased the indignation of the soldiers against the unnatural son。
The place of battle was a wood near the Jordan； in which the great numbers
of Absalom's army were only a disadvantage to him。 Among the thickets and
marshes of the forest these undisciplined troops became confused and
unmanageable。 And 〃the people of Israel were slain before the servants of
David； and there was there a great slaughter that day of twenty thousand
men。〃 Absalom； seeing that the day was lost； had turned to flee； when his
head was caught between the branches of a widespreading tree； and his mule
going out from under him； he was left helplessly suspended； a prey to his
enemies。 In this condition he was found by a soldier； who； for fear of
displeasing the king； spared Absalom； but reported to Joab what he had seen。
Joab was restrained by no scruples。 He had befriended Absalom； having twice
secured his reconciliation with David； and the trust had been shamelessly
betrayed。 But for the advantages gained by Absalom through Joab's
intercession； this rebellion； with all its horrors； could never have
occurred。 Now it was in Joab's power
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at one blow to destroy the instigator of all this evil。 〃And he took three
darts in his hand； and thrust them through the heart of Absalom。 。 。 。 And
they took Absalom； and cast him into a great pit in the wood； and laid a
very great heap of stones upon him。〃
Thus perished the instigators of rebellion in Israel。 Ahithophel had died by
his own hand。 The princely Absalom； whose glorious beauty had been the pride
of Israel； had been cut down in the vigor of his youth； his dead body thrust
into a pit； and covered with a heap of stones； in token of everlasting
reproach。 During his lifetime Absalom had reared for himself a costly
monument in the king's dale； but the only memorial which marked his grave
was that heap of stones in the wilderness。
The leader of the rebellion being slain； Joab by the sound of the trumpet
recalled his army from the pursuit of the fleeing host； and messengers were
at once dispatched to bear the tidings to the king。
The watchman upon the city wall； looking out toward the battlefield；
discovered a man running alone。 Soon a second came in sight。 As the first
drew nearer； the watchman said to the king； who was waiting beside the gate；
〃Methinketh the running of the foremost is like the running of Ahimaaz the
son of Zadok。 And the king said； He is a good man； and cometh with good
tidings。 And Ahimaaz called； and said unto the king； All is well。 And he
fell down to the earth upon his face before the king； and said； Blessed be
the Lord thy God； which hath delivered up the men that lifted up their hand
against my lord the king。〃 To the king's eager inquiry； 〃Is the young man
Absalom safe？〃 Ahimaaz returned an evasive answer。
The second messenger came； crying； 〃Tidings； my lord the king： for the Lord
hath avenged thee this day of all them that rose up against thee。〃 Again
from the father's lips came the absorbing question； 〃Is the young man
Absalom safe？〃 Unable to conceal the heavy tidings； the herald answered；
〃The enemies of my lord the king； and all that rise against thee to do thee
hurt； be as that young man is。〃 It was enough。 David questioned no further；
but with bowed head he 〃went up to the chamber over the gate； and wept： and
as he went； thus he said； O my son Absalom！ my son； my son Absalom！ would
God I had died for thee； O Absalom； my son； my son！〃
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The victorious army； returning from the field； approached the city； their
shouts of triumph awaking the echoes of the hills。 But as they entered the
city gate the shout died away； their banners drooped in their hands； and
with downcast gaze they advanced more like those who had suffered defeat
than like conquerors。 For the king was not waiting to bid them welcome； but
from the chamber above the gate his wailing cry was heard； 〃O my son
Absalom！ my son； my son Absalom！ would God I had died for thee； O Absalom；
my son； my son！〃
〃The victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people； for the
people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son。 And the
people gat them by stealth that day into the city； as people being ashamed
steal away when they flee in battle。〃
Joab was filled with indignation。 God had given them reason for triumph and
gladness； the greatest rebellion that had ever been known in Israel had been
crushed； and yet this great victory was turned to mourning for him whose
crime had cost the blood of thousands of brave men。 The rude； blunt captain
pushed his way into the presence of the king； and boldly said； 〃Thou hast
shamed this day the faces of all thy servants； which this day have saved thy
life； and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters； 。 。 。 in that thou
lovest thine enemies； and hatest thy friends。 For thou hast declared this
day； that thou regardest neither princes nor servants： for this day I
perceive； that if Absalom had lived； and all we had died this day； then it
had pleased thee well。 Now therefore 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 befell thee from thy youth until now。〃
Harsh and even cruel as was the reproof to the heart…stricken king； David
did not resent it。 Seeing that his general was right； he went down to the
gate； and with words of courage and commendation greeted his brave soldiers
as they marched past him。
（746）
Chapter 73
The Last Years of David
The overthrow of Absalom did not at once bring peace to the kingdom。 So
large a part of the nation had joined in revolt that David would not return
to his capital and resume his authority without an invitation from the
tribes。 In the confusion that followed Absalom's defeat there was no prompt
and decided action to recall the king； and when at last Judah undertook to
bring back David； the jealousy of the other tribes was roused； and a
counterrevolution followed。 This； however； was speedily quelled； and peace
returned to Israel。
The history of David affords one of the most impressive testimonies ever
given to the dangers that threaten the soul from power and riches and
worldly honorthose things that are most eagerly desired among men。 Few
have ever passed through an experience better adapted to prepare them for
enduring such a test。 David's early life as a shepherd； with its lessons of
humility； of patient toil； and of tender care for his flocks； the communion
with nature in the solitude of the hills； developing his genius for music
and poetry； and directing his thoughts to the Creator； the
