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sheth, and proclaimed him king. Ishbosheth was a weak insignificant person, and Abner in all probability intended to gratify his own ambition by virtually reigning over Israel, while Ishbosheth was the nominal king.

Most of the tribes adhered to Ishbosheth, and for two years he reigned in peace, David making no attempts against him. But though Ishbosheth was nominally the king, it was in fact Abner who reigned; and, after two years, he made war against David and Joab, which lasted through the remainder of Ishbosheth's reign. The first battle was very bloody: Abner and Israel were put to the worse; but Asahel, the brother of Joab and nephew of David, was slain by Abner in self-defence. This was always borne in mind by his brethren, Joab and Abishai, and they watched for an opportunity of revenging his death.-How sickening is it to read of war and bloodshed, murder and revenge! and what a lovely spirit does Christianity inculcate, which, were it universally spread, would put an end to all these dreadful evils: 2 Sam. ii.

For five years and a half this civil war was carried on, David's party becoming stronger and stronger, and that of Ishbosheth weaker and weaker. About this time Abner took offence against Ishbosheth, and offered his services to David, who made it a condition that his wife Michal should be restored to him. This was complied with, and then Abner visited David in Hebron, and was very active in bringing over to his interest the elders of Israel. Just as David had

cordially entertained and peaceably dismissed Abner, Joab returned from battle with a great spoil; and on hearing what had passed, bitterly reproached David, and immediately resolved to take his long-cherished vengeance on Abner, whom he followed after, and treacherously slew; which David greatly lamented. Ishbosheth now seemed to give up all for lost; and not long after, he was slain on his bed at noon by two men, named Rechab and Baanah, who cut off his head, and carried it to David, not doubting.but he would rejoice in the death of his adversary. David, on the contrary, was indignant at so foul an act of treachery, and caused the perpetrators of it to be executed: iii. iv.

The people in general were now willing to unite in David as their king; all the tribes therefore assembled, and publicly anointed him. Soon after his accession, David took the strong hold of Zion, which up to this period had remained in the possession of the Jebusites, and henceforth Jerusalem became the seat of royalty, and the metropolis of the Jewish empire. The Philistines soon afterwards attacked David; but having asked counsel of the Lord, he went up and prevailed against them, and destroyed their idols: v. One of the first acts of David's established reign was to fetch up the ark from Kirjath-jearim: "for,' said he, we inquired not at it in the days of Saul," and to that neglect might the disasters of Saul's reign be justly traced. On this occasion, the joy of David and the people was marred by the death of Uzzab,

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DAVID DANCING BEFORE THE ARK.

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