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they heard the trumpet, to shout,
and say, “Absalom reigns in He-
bron.” Very many of the people
were in the conspiracy, but a few
were still faithful to David; and a
messenger came, and told him the
news about his wicked son’s re-
bellion. |
What could David do? He had
very little time to think; for Ab-
salom might soon come to Jerusalem,
and kill him, and the faithful peo-
ple. So David said, “ Let us arise
and flee.” All David’s servants were
ready to follow him ; and they went
away from Jerusalem as fast as
possible, and came to the brook
Kidron.

All the people wept with a loud
voice, when they saw their master
escaping from his cruel son.

Who were with David? His
servants, and soldiers, and many of
his faithful friends; and the priests
and Levites with the ark of God.
But when they had passed over the
brook, David told the priests to carry
the ark back to the city. He hoped
God would have mercy on him, and
bring him back there too; but if
not, he was willing for God to do as
He pleased; for he knew all He did
would be right. The priests were to
go to Jerusalem; and David said he

 

ABSALOM.

would stay in the wilderness till
they sent for him. So the priests,
Zadok and Abiathar, carried the ark
back, and David and his friends
went on to Mount -Olivet. As
David went up the hill, he wept,
and all the people wept too ; for they
did not know if they should ever re-
turn home again. 7

David heard that a man named
Ahithophel was among the conspira-
tors. Ahithophel was a very wicked
man. But David knew that God
was wiser than Ahithophel, and he
prayed to be delivered from Ahitho-
phel’s power.

When they came to the top of the
mountain, David worshipped God.
In all his troubles he had one friend
who never forsook him: God wag
always near to help and comfort
him. When Jesus was upon earth,
he loved to go to Mount Olivet to
pray. It was a quiet place, where.
he might be alone. Jesus had more
sorrows than David. He knows
what trouble is; and He can com-
fort His people when they are in
trouble. He sees all their sorrows,
and feels for them when they are in
difficulty and pain; and will give
them comfort when all earthly
friends have forsaken them.