I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan : very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons

perished!

of war

And David commanded that the children of Judah should be taught to use the bow.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

It is likely that David had already heard the event of the battle, but he might not have received a certain account of the manner of Saul's and Jonathan's death; the tale which he heard from the Amalekite seems to have been invented with a view of obtaining a reward from David; for the Scripture says, that Saul was dead before his armour bearer killed himself. So far was David from rejoicing, that he expressed the utmost affliction, and shewed a noble resentment against the person who boasted of having slain the LORD's anointed, This man owning himself to be an Amalekite, David was fully justified in commanding him to be put to death; and by doing so he gave a convincing proof, that he was zealous for public justice, in preference to private interest. "David's elegy is truly pathetic *; sorrow for Saul's unhappy fate made him forget his cruelty and injustice towards him, and he considered him as a brave man, a valiant leader, a magnificent prince of GOD'S own appointment, and the father of Jonathan, nearly allied also to himself by marriage."

From the expression that Saul and Jonathan were lovely in their lives, and in their death they were not divided, we may infer, that though Jonathan, on some

*Delany's Life of David.

particular

particular occasions, felt the effects of Saul's ungovernable temper, there was in general great harmony between them.

How tender is David's lamentation for this dear friend! He had reason to say, that Jonathan's love to him was wonderful: for surely never was there such an instance of disinterested friendship!

David's behaviour on Saul's death affords an excellent lesson, for it teaches us to avoid personal reflections on those that have injured us, as it is possible they may have done many praiseworthy actions; and it is ungenerous to speak ill of the dead, because they cannot vindicate their own characters.

It is painful to read of the death of that amiable man Jonathan. Why it pleased GOD to suffer him to be cut off we are not told, and therefore it is not right to indulge ourselves in fruitless enquiries. We should in such cases always call to mind, that in the present world we must not expect to see crimes or virtues fully recompensed; for here the wicked frequently prosper, while good persons endure the extremest affliction; but we may assure ourselves, that in a future state every one will receive the just reward of his actions; and there might David hope to meet again the dear friend whom the fate of war had separated from him.

It must not be omitted, that the friendship of Achish towards David seems to have continued; otherwise we may suppose, that he would have endeavoured to improve the victory he had gained over Saul, to effect the entire overthrow of Israel.

SECTION

SECTION LXXXVIII.

DAVID GOETH TO HEBRON-IS MADE KING OF JUDAM -ISH-BOSHETH MADE KING OF ISRAEL.

From 1 Chron. Chap. xii.-2 Sam. Chap. ii.

Now there came to David at Ziklag, whilst he kept himself close because of Saul the son of Kish, mighty men, helpers of the war.

They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones, and shooting arrows out of a bow, and they were even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin.

And of the Gadites there separated themselves unto David, into the hold to the wilderness, men of might, and men of war fit for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as the roes upon the mountains.

And there fell some of Manasseh to David (when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle, but they helped them not, for the lords of the Philistines, upon advisement, sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul, to the jeopardy of our heads). And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host.

At that time, day by day, there came to David to help him, until it was a great host like the host of GOD.

And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up unto any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.

So

So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelitess.

And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron.

And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over of the house of Judah; and they told David, saying, that the men of Jabesh-gilead were they that buried Saul.

And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the Lord, that have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

And now the LORD shew kindness and truth unto you: and I also will requite you this kindness, because ye have done this thing.

Therefore now let

be ye valiant: : for

your hands be strengthened, and your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them. But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim. And he made him king over all Israel, but the house of Judah followed David.

And Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ishbosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim, to Gibeon.

And Joab the son of Zeruiah, and the servants of David went out, and met together by the pool of Gibeon and they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. And Abner said to Joab, Let the young men now arise, and play before us. And Joab said, Let them arise.

Then there arose and went over by number twelve

of

of Benjamin, which pertained to Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David.

And they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword in his fellow's side; so they fell down together: wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is in Gibeon.

And there was a very sore battle that day: and Ab. ner was beaten, and the men of Israel, before the servants of David.

And there were three sons of Zeruiah there, Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel: and Asahel was as light of foot as a wild roe.

And Asahel pursued after Abner, and in going he turned not to the right hand, nor to the left, from føllowing Abner.

Then Abner looked behind him, and said, Art thou Asahel? And he answered, I am,

And Abner said to him, Turn thee aside to thy right hand or to thy left, and lay thee hold on one of the young men, and take thee his armour. But Asahel

would not turn aside from following of him.

And Abner said again to Asahel, Turn thee aside from following me: wherefore should I smite thee to the ground? how then should I hold up my face to Joab thy brother?

:

Howbeit he refused to turn aside: wherefore Abner with the hinder end of the spear smote him under the fifth rib, that the spear came out behind him and he fell down there, and died in the same place: and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died, stood still.

Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah, by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.

And