CHAPTER XXII. CARMI AND AHITHOPHEL. "WHILE these various incidents," said Belial, "were transpiring without the gate of the city, a scene of more solemn and tragical character was progressing within the walls of far-famed Jerusalem. "Carmi, the prince of Judah, who received Absalom's command to double the guard at the gate, was one of the most powerful nobles of his day; he was a man of few words, but of great estimation and weight of character; he lived retired on his estate in the country, and generally shared but moderately in the political agitations of the period. His opinions, however, when expressed, were received with the most profound respect, and his influence was immense, in that large branch of the house of Judah, of which he was now the head. He had been the early and decided friend of David during the persecutions he sustained from the hand of Saul; the wants of David and his men, in the gloomiest period of their history, had often been supplied from the fruitful fields and abundant flocks and herds in the possession of his friend Carmi. When Saul was dead, Carmi was among the foremost who moved in favor of placing David on the throne of Judah. During the seven years that David reigned in Hebron, Carmi was prominent and powerful among the princes who were regarded as the pillars of his throne. When Ishbosheth was slain, and all the tribes of Israel united under David, the course of policy he adopted cooled the zeal of most of the princes of Judah. It may be that David, anxious to shun the appearance of partiality for his own tribe, leaned to the other extreme; but certain it is, many of his early friends complained bitterly and much. Hard is the lot of a king, surrounded by hosts of powerful and necessary friends, each thinking he has claims to be a special favorite, while, from the very nature of the case, it is impossible to gratify them all. Suffice it to say, that the policy adopted by David alienated many of his earliest and warmest admirers in Judah, and laid the foundations broad and deep for the revolt of that tribe in favor of Absalom. "The state of the public pulse," continued Belial, แ was accurately understood by Ahithophel. Absalom was instructed by him how to approach the princes of Judah. The objectionable points in David's policy were pointed out and aggravated, and promises of important changes were freely made, in case Absalom should be clothed with royal authority. "Such was the astonishing tact and forecast of Ahithophel, that the whole matter was planned and prepared without awakening the slightest suspicion in David or his friends. "It was not spoken of as a revolt, a rebellion, or even a revolution, but simply as the introduction of Absalom, the unquestioned heir to the crown, to a share in the current administration. Thus the consent and coöpera tion of multitudes were obtained, who would have been shocked had the real purpose been known. "Carmi had sought several close interviews with Ahithophel, before he would consent to embark in the revolution; but the ulterior designs of that wily politician were carefully concealed from Carmi, from the nobles, and even from Absalom himself. The great reputation of Ahithophel, and the pledges given by Absalom that all should be conducted by his counsel, clothed the undertaking with character and feasibility that secured the general confidence. Ahithophel understood Absalom thoroughly, how wicked and unprincipled he was; he knew that the flush of success would prepare him for going much farther than he at first anticipated. He therefore advised the great sacrifice at Hebron, for the purpose of paying Absalom's pretended vow. Great multitudes could thus be assembled without exciting suspicion. "He then advised that Absalom should be proclaimed king, without specifying the extent to which he was to be clothed with the royal authority. "In this unexplained state of affairs, he urged an instant march upon Jerusalem. He saw this would force David either to fly or give battle to Absalom. His fond, parental affection, he knew, would prevent the latter; and he saw that, in his sudden, hurried, and troubled flight, he might be easily overtaken and slain. This was Ahithophel's great object. He wished to make David feel his vengeance. This was indeed the sum of his aim. On the kingdom of Absalom he had made little calculation, but he was resolved that David should die. "There was one error in the calculations of Ahithophel, and the Second Book of Samuel ascribes his failure there to the special hand of God. (2 Sam. xvii. 14.) "No man looks upon himself as in the way. Every one is apt to think that the room taken up by himself is occupied to good purpose, and that power and influence in his hands are very appropriately and properly located. Ahithophel did not foresee Absalom's jealousy against himself springing up so soon. Yet this was the chord which, touched by the master-hand of Hushai, the Archite, produced the downfall of Ahithophel and the ruin of Absalom. "The modest, virtuous, and noble mind of Carmi was filled with shame and horror, when Absalom publicly dishonored the young women his father had left to keep the house. Many of the princes of Judah and Israel shared largely in this shame and horror. But when Ahithophel next, in the general council, urged the instant pursuit and slaughter of David, Carmi was almost petrified; matters seemed rushing to a dire extremity, but he was no public speaker to combat the argument. The speech of Hushai the Archite gave him some relief, as it adjourned to another day, at least, the tragical termination of their wretched enterprise. He was carried away by the argument of Hushai on the danger of a night attack on the veteran warriors around David; but when he saw the impression made on Absalom by Hushai's intimations that Absalom had better be king himself— that he was the choice of the people that they did not wish to have a power behind the throne greater than the throne, &c. his soul was in a tornado of trouble. He dreaded an explosion between Absalom and Ahithophel as inevitable destruction to all concerned. "Carmi received and executed Absalom's orders, as above described; but as he returned from the gate, his mind was as a ship on a stormy sea, in a dark night, when the stars are hid, and the rudder is broken, and the compass has fallen overboard. "As he drew near to the capital, he encountered Ahithophel in the street. The aged man had buckled on his armor, taken his sword, and made every preparation for his nigh pursuit of David, not dreaming but that his counsel had been unanimously adopted. "Carmi's hair stood up, his teeth chattered, and his frame trembled as he silently paused after the encounter. "Why have you left the council?' asked Ahithophel, calmly. "The council is dissolved,' answered Carmi. "Where are the troops ordered out for my expedi tion?' "They are not ordered out.' "How? what? That is strangely negligent.' "Absalom has changed his plan.' "Changed his plan! Madness! No other plan will do. David's spirits will rally, if time be allowed him. His old military habits will revive - his old veterans will gather round him — he will soon become formidable every moment is precious delay is full of danger. The decisive blow must be struck to-night. Where shall I find Absalom ? ' -- เ "It was thought,' said Carmi, taking Ahithophel by the arm, that David may be hid in some pit, or place of concealment, and that you would not be able to find |