222 BATTLES OF THE BIBLE.

tioned him about Absalom; but on that subject the
young priest gave no information; he intimated to the
king that another messenger had been sent, whose office
it was to speak of the prince. Cushi now came for-
ward, and congratulated the king upon his victory. “ Is
the young man Absalom safe?” the king anxiously
inquired. The answer of Cushi was this, “The enemies
of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do
thee hurt, be as that young man is.” The king had
cause before to dread the worst, but the certainty of it
overpowered him with sorrow. The joy of the victory
was forgotten; at that moment he would rather it had
been a defeat, so Absalom had been spared. He went
up to the chamber over the gate to weep alone ; but he
could not restrain his grief, even when he was within
the hearing of the people, for as he ascended the stairs
he was saying, “Oh my son Absalom! my son, my son
Absalom ! Would God I had died for thee ! Oh Absalom,
my son, my son !”

Marianne. Poor David, I am very sorry for him.

George. I am not at all sorry for him. He ought to
have been very glad that the rebellion was got over so
easily.

Grandfather. You are right, George, he ought to
have been glad, and very thankful to God, who had
given him the victory. Yet his excessive grief at the
death of Absalom was very natural, and though it was
not right, yet I think we ought to pity more than to
blame him. The people heard of the king’s sorrow,