200 BOYS OF THE BIBLE.

handful of arrows, and he thrust three of them “through the
heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the oak. Absalom
did not come to his death by his long hair, but that long hair
held him in such a position that it was easy for his professed
friend Joab to perfect his dastardly work of assassination.

So the life that began in the midst of such promise and
beauty ends in revolt and treachery and a shameful death!

Absalom had built a pillar in the King’s Dale, which he
proposed should serve as his monument, but the children of
Israel who stood faithfully by the grand old King provided
another monument or memorial. They threw the body of
Absalom in a pit and covered him with stones, and it was
expected that whosoever passed by would throw a stone in,
as a token of scorn and reproach. ‘That pit of shame in the
wood of Ephraim, and not the stately pillar in the King’s
Dale, was the true memorial of Absalom.

We have spoken often in these pages of the priceless
treasure of a mother’s love. This story tells of a father’s
anguish over his wayward son. There is not a scene in the
whole Bible more pathetic than this scene where the broken-
hearted King mourns for his wayward Absalom.

Hear how he pleads with the captains and generals as
they start forth to the battle:

“Deal gently for my sake, with the young man, even
_ with Absalom!”

And, as the battle waged from morning until night, David
stood on the high tower over the gate of Mahanaim to watch
for those who should bring the tidings of the battle. As the
day declined, messengers began to appear in the distance. At
last Ahimaaz drew near.

“And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the King, ‘All is
well.’ And he fell down to the earth upon his face before