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what was agreeable, and what was distasteful to the king, in the success of that day, begged to be permitted to run after Cushi; and Joab gave way to his importunity: and he, taking the advantage of an easier road, out-ran Cushi.

ONE of David's watchmen espied them fpeeding forward, and immediately informed the king; who hearing of one man coming alone, concluded him a meffenger sent by Joab, with fome account of the battle and the watchman then calling out, That he saw another man running alone, the king concluded, that he alfo was fent with further news; and upon the watchman's telling him, That he took the foremost to be Ahimaaz, the fon of Zadok, the king faid, He is a good man, and bringeth good tidings. And when Abimaaz came within hearing, he cried out, All is well and coming up to the king, fell proftrate before him, and bleffed GOD for the deliverance wrought in his favour against his rebel subjects. The king then eagerly inquiring, Whether Abfalom were fafe? Ahimaaz answered, That when he came away, he faw a great tumult; but could not tell what it meant.

THE

THE king, doubtlefs, apprehended the worft; and Abimaaz's diffimulation had this good effect, that it prepared him for it.

The

CUSHI came up foon after, and repeated the joyful tidings, that Ahimaaz had brought. And being also asked, If Abfalom were fafe? he answered with a wish, That all the king's enemies might be as that young man. king could not stand the account; but immediately ran up to his chamber, to give vent to his distress: yet could not refrain from tears and lamentations, even till he got thither; but was heard crying out, as he went, O my fon Abfalom! my fon, my fon Abfalom! Would God I had died for thee, O Abfalom my fon, my fon!

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THE king's command to fpare Abfalom, was indeed an extraordinary instance of mercy (equalled only in him, who, dying, prayed for his murderers); yet it is to be accounted for from his fatherly fondness, and the benignity of his nature. But there is fomething aftonishing in this excefs of grief for fuch a reprobate; and, I confefs, it is, to me, utterly unaccountable, from any other principle, than the fad and fhocking reflection, of his having died with all his fins upon

his head; and gone down quick to perdition.

I CAN recollect but one man in all the accounts of antiquity, whofe character will bear to be compared with Abfalom's; and that is, Cyrus the younger.

CYRUS was allowed the completeft, moft accomplished man among the Perfians, as Abfalom among the Ifraelites. There is nothing particularly faid of his beauty (except, that he had a great quantity of long hair); but as he is allowed the moft majestic man among the Perfians, after the elder Cyrus, who was remarkably beautiful; and as perfonal advantages always entered into the idea of a majestic man, in the earlier ages; it is probable, that Cyrus alfo excelled in these They were both royally defcended; both immoderately ambitious; both bent upon destroying their brothers, who stood in their way to the throne; and both laid trains to destroy them. Cyrus mifcarried in his attempt; but Abfalom fucceeded in his. Both were pardoned these crimes, for which they deferved to die: and both no fooner pardoned, than they formed a defign of rebellion against the persons who forgave them; which

which they carried on by a long train of practifed popularity, calumny, and diffimulation. And, to conclude, they both died in rebellion, and in battle; the one against his father, the other against his brother: and both died childless, at least without heirs to continue their name. Here indeed they differed: Artaxerxes infulted the remains of his rebellious brother. David lamented the death of his rebellious fon.

CHA P. XIII.

DAVID, grieving to Excefs, is reproved by Joab, and brought to appear in public. Measures are concerted with Zadok and Abiathar, for his Reftoration. The King returns to his Capital.

W

HEN David's army perceived his affliction, they confidered themfelves, as a kind of criminals, who

had contravened the king's command, and were, upon that score, in difgrace with him;

and

and for that reason they stole back to the city in filence; as men, not less ashamed of the battle they had won, fled from their enemies

than if they had

by which means the victory of that day was turned into mourning, unto all the people.

WHEN Joab returned from the field, and faw the king abandoned to grief, and lamenting his fon in a most distressful manner; the people alfo difconfolate, hanging down their heads, and hiding themselves; he broke in upon the king, without any previous form or referve; and giving a full loose to the impetuofity of his nature, fiercely reproached him with a most unkind and unbecoming behaviour to a brave army, who had just saved him and his family from deftruction; and yet were treated as fo many cowards and traitors ; and a rebellious, reprobate son, so far preferred to all their united merits, that he was well fatisfied, that if all they had perished in their duty, and that fingle fon furvived, it had been matter of joy to their fovereign. He then added a furious threat, and confirmed it by a folemn oath, by the living GOD, that if he did not inftantly quit his apartment,

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