THE SON OF JESSE ON THE THRONE. 205

difficult post and the bravest men; he was to fight
with the Syrians, while the other part of the army,
under the command of Abishai his brother, were ranged
against the children of Ammon. When all were in
order, Joab said to Abishai, “Ifthe Syrians be too
strong for me, then thou shalt help me; but if the
children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will
come and help thee. Be of good courage, and let us
play the men for our people, and for the cities of our
God. And the Lord do that which seemeth him good.”
This was not a long speech, but it was an excellent one.
By it we are taught three things,—first, that we ought
always to be willing to help each other in difficulties ;
second, that we should fear nothing when in the path of
duty ; and third, that we ought to rest satisfied with
whatever it pleases God to appoint for us. A general
who could preface a battle by such a speech deserved to
win. And win-he did, for no sooner had he drawn near
to the Syrians to fight against them than those hired
warriors turned and fled. When the children of Ammon
saw the rout of the allies on whose support they trusted,
they had no heart to fight, but turned and ran into their
city.

Such was the end of the battle, but it was not the
end of thewar. The Syrian forces rallied again, and
gathered themselves together in greater numbers than
before. When David was told of this, he assembled an
army, crossed the Jordan, and met the Syrians in a
pitched battle. The Syrians were powerful in cavalry