200 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

lest Abner might be his rival in the counsels or in the
armies of David. But Abner’s death came not unde-
servedly. He had been a man of blood, and had caused
the shortening of many lives. David grieved much for
the death of Abner, and paid all the respect to his me-
mory that he could, burying him with due honour, and
following him to the grave as his chief mourner. The
death of Abner was felt as a great loss by the feeble
minded son of Saul, who, however, did not long survive
his protector. Two of his captains slew him in bed, cut
off his head, and carried it to Hebron where David was.
They expected a reward from him, but he justly sen-
tenced them to die. The head of Ishbosheth was buried
in the burying place of Abner.

George. The death of Ishbosheth would end the war ?

Grandfather. It did. All the tribes of Israel went to
Hebron to ask David to be their king. From that time
forward, David ruled over all Israel and Judah. He
had reigned in Hebron seven years and a half over the
tribe of Judah alone. He reigned in Jerusalem thirty-
three years over the twelve tribes.

Johnnie. Then there would be no more war in his
reign after he was made king over all the country.

Grandfather. The Israelites all owned him as their
sovereign, yet he was not free from war. From the com-
mencement to the close of his career was one continued
scene of strife. First, there was Jerusalem to subdue,
which was in the hands of the Jebusites. When David
with an army went against the place, the inhabitants