THE SON OF JESSE ON THE THRONE. 195

George. It would not have done for him to have lived
longer, now that the kingdom was David’s, although
Jonathan was heir-at-law.

Marianne. But Jonathan did not care for the king-
dom ; he liked David better ; he would not have thought
of opposing him.

Grandfather. Certainly he would not, yet the people
might. As it was, years passed before the great body
of the Israelites submittted to David. They adhered
to a son of Saul, who appears to have had nothing: to re-
commend him save his connection with royalty. Had
Jonathan lived he would have had a difficult part to act,
to satisfy a people to whom he was deservedly so dear,
and yet make no attempt to gain the throne on which
they wished him to sit.

Johnnie. Where was David now ?

Grandfather. At the time of the battle he was in
Ziklag. On the third day after, 2 man came with torn
clothes, and earth upon his head; he bowed to the ground
before David. “From whence comest thou?” the son
of Jesse asked. “Out of the camp of Israel am I
escaped,” was the reply. “ How went the matter?”
was the question that naturally followed. The man’s
answer was, “ The people are fled from the battle, and
many of the people also are fallen and dead, and Saul
and Jonathan his son are dead also.” ‘ How knowest
thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?” David
demanded. The young man’s answer was to this effect,
that he happened to come near when the sovereign was