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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。
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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 long discipline
of his wilderness life； calling into exercise courage； fortitude； patience；
and faith in God； had been appointed by the Lord as a preparation for the
throne of Israel。 David had enjoyed precious experiences of the love of God；
and had been richly endowed with His Spirit； in the history of Saul he had
seen the utter worthlessness of mere human wisdom。 And yet worldly success
and honor so weakened the character of David that he was repeatedly overcome
by the temper。
Intercourse with heathen peoples led to a desire to follow their national
customs and kindled ambition for worldly greatness。 As the people of
Jehovah； Israel was to be honored； but as pride and self…confidence
increased； the Israelites were not content
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with this pre…eminence。 They cared rather for their standing among other
nations。 This spirit could not fail to invite temptation。 With a view to
extending his conquests among foreign nations； David determined to increase
his army by requiring military service from all who were of proper age。 To
effect this； it became necessary to take a census of the population。 It was
pride and ambition that prompted this action of the king。 The numbering of
the people would show the contrast between the weakness of the kingdom when
David ascended the throne and its strength and prosperity under his rule。
This would tend still further to foster the already too great
self…confidence of both king and people。 The Scripture says； 〃Satan stood up
against Israel； and provoked David to number Israel。〃 The prosperity of
Israel under David had been due to the blessing of God rather than to the
ability of her king or the strength of her armies。 But the increasing of the
military resources of the kingdom would give the impression to surrounding
nations that Israel's trust was in her armies； and not in the power of
Jehovah。
Though the people of Israel were proud of their national greatness； they did
not loo