tilities commenced between the houses of Saul and David; for upon an occasion when the two armies met, Abner proposed to Joab, the captain of David's forces, an amicable trial of strength between twelve men on each side; this being agreed to, Abner's men treacherously killed their opponents, which breach of faith occasioned a general engagement. Abner being defeated, fled, and being pursued by Asahel, (the brother of Joab,) killed him; and this gave rise to an enmity between Joab and Abner, which was terminated only by the death of the latter. The spark of war being thus kindled it continued to blaze for five years, during which time "David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker;" till at ́length Abner having taken offence at Ish-bosheth, went over to David's side, and offered to establish him upon the throne of Israel. In consequence of this overture a negotiation was carried on between David and Abner, which exciting the jealousy of Joab, he assassinated him, to the great grief of David, who publicly testified his abhorrence of the deed, and attended the funeral of Abner. 2 Sam. ii. 12-32; iii. Soon after this event Ish-bosheth was murdered B C. by Baanah and Rechab, (') two of his servants, who (') brought his head to David in the expectation that 1048. he would reward them for the deed, but he had them put to death, and caused Ish-bosheth's head to be interred in the sepulchre of Abner. All obstacles to the throne being removed, David was now proclaimed king of all Israel, seven years and a half after the death of Saul. David immediately attacked and took the fort of Sion, and expelled the Jebusites from Jerusalem. Hiram, king of Tyre, sent embassadors to congratulate David upon his accession to the throne, and with presents of cedar wood, and workmen of every kind to, construct him a house. 2 Sam. iv. v. 1-12; 1 Chron. xiv. 1, 2.

In the ninth year of David's accession, Israel B. C. was invaded by the Philistines, whom he totally de- (2) feated in two battles. (2) 2 Sam. v. 17-25; 1 Chron. 1046

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xiv. 8-17. It was during this war with the Philistines, that three of David's "valiant men" risked their lives to obtain some water for him from the well of Bethlehem. (See 1 Chron. xi. 16-19.)

The following year David attempted to remove (3) the Ark from Kirjath-jearim, (3) (where it had been 1045 deposited upon its return from the Philistine's lands upwards of seventy years before) that he might place it in the tabernacle he had prepared for it in Sion; but being terrified by the untimely fate of Uzzah, who was struck dead for irreverently touching it, he left it for three months in the house of Obed-Edom, when, having made proper preparation, he again attempted its removal in the most solemn manner, himself attending the procession with all possible humility, for which he was ridiculed by his wife Michael, the daughter of Saul. 2 Sam. vi; 1Chron. xiii, xv, xvi.

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David's next purpose was to build a temple to God, in which he was, at first, encouraged by the prophet Nathan, who was afterwards commissioned by God to prohibit the measure, informing him at the same time that it should be executed by his son. 2 Sam. vii.; 1 Chron. xvii. (See Prophecy, 5th Period, N.)

18.

David continuing his wars and conquests, subdued the Philistines, Moabites, the Syrians both of Zobah and Damascus, and the Idumeans or Edomites (thus accomplishing the word of God. Gen. xxv. 23; xxvii. 40. Numb. xxiv. 1 Chron. xviii. 12, 13.) 2 Sam. viii; 1 Chron. xviii. The interval of peace that followed these victories, allowing David leisure for the exercise of the social virtues, he made enquiry after Saul's family, and finding that there was a son of Jonathan named Mephibosheth still in existence, he bestowed upon him the lands of Saul, committing the management of them to Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth. 2 Sam. ix.

David's war with the Ammonites, (assisted by the Syrians) upon the occasion of Haman's ill-treatment of his

embassadors, happened in the 18th year of hisB. C. reign. (4) 2 Sam. x; 1 Chron. xix. xx. It was (*) towards the end of this war (5) that he sullied his 1037 character by his treatment of Uriah, the Hittite, (5) and his marriage with Bathsheba; for which, being 1034 reproved by the prophet Nathan, by his humility and repentance, he appeased the anger of God, and averted some portion of the punishment his crimes had merited. 2 Sam. xii. 1-23. Dr. Hales observes, that "the fall of David is one of the most instructive and alarming, recorded in that most faithful and impartial of all histories, the HOLY BIBLE. The transgression of one idle and unguarded moment, pierced him through with many sorrows, and imbittered the remainder of his life, and gave occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme on account of this crying offence "of the man after God's own heart." When he only cut off the skirt of Saul's robe, his heart smote him for the indignity thus offered to his master; but when he treacherously cut off a faithful and gallant soldier, who was fighting his battles, his heart smotè him not; at least we read not of any compunction, or remorse of conscience, that he either felt or expressed, till Nathan was sent to reprove him. Then, indeed, his sorrow was extreme; and his Psalms, composed on this occasion, express, in the most pathetic strains, the anguish of a wounded spirit, and the bitterness of his penitence; see Psalm li.; and his thankfulness for the Divine pardon and forgiveness, Ps. xxxii. ; and his rapturous praise and thanksgiving, Ps. ciii. Still the rising again of David holds forth no encouragement to sinners who may wish to shelter themselves under his example, or flatter themselves with the hope of obtaining his forgiveness; for, though his life was spared, yet God inflicted those temporal judgments which the prophet denouneed, "that his soul might be saved in the day of THE LORD, and that others, admonished by his example, might be the more afraid to offend."

Shortly after this began the dissensions in David's family, which led to the chain of disasters and distresses, that fulfilled the sentence pronounced by the prophet Nathan, as the punishment of his guilt. Amnon was slain by his brother Absalom, who in consequence was obliged to fly his country, and remained three years in exile at the court of his mother's father, Talmai, king of Geshur; and it was not till five years after the commission of his offence that, by the mediation of Joab, he was re-admitted to his father's presence. 2 Sam. xiv. The same year, Absalom breaking out into open rebellion, obliged his father to seek refuge with a few faithful followers on the eastern side of the Jordan. Now, indeed, was the faith and patience of " the man after B. C. God's own heart," tried to the utmost. The death () of Absalom, by the hand of Joab, (6) restored 1023 David to his throne; but it inflicted a wound upon his parental feelings, from which he was long in recovering. 2 Sam. xv-xix. Added to this, the arbitrary spirit of Joab subjected him to perpetual vexations, and the sedition of Sheba, (see 2 Sam. xx.) though of short duration, contributed to protract his sufferings.

Two years after the death of Absalom, the land (1) was visited with a grievous famine for three years; (') 1021" And David enquired of the LORD, and the LORD answered; it is for Saul and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites," to appease whom, David, at their request, delivered up to them seven of the descendants of Saul, who were put to death by them. 2 Sam. xxi. 1-14.

The Philistines taking advantage of the civil (3) and domestic troubles of Israel, invaded the king1018 dom, but were totally defeated, and finally subdued. () 2 Sam. xxi. 15-22.

The state of ease and security which succeeded to these several revolts and invasions, seems to have been dangerous to David, for it was in this interval that he is said to have been tempted by Satan (1 Chron. xxi. 1.) to number Israel,

contrary to the known will of God, and in opposition to the remonstrance of Joab, who vainly endeavoured to dissuade him from the measure. These proofs of obstinacy and presumption excited the anger of God, who by the prophet Gad, proposed to him the alternative of seven years of famine, three months defeat by his enemies, or three days pesti- B. C. lence, the latter of which was chosen by David, () (9) who, recalled to his usual humble and contrite spirit 1017 exclaimed, "Let us fall now into the hand of the LORD, for his mercies are great, and not into the hand of man; so the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning, even unto the time appointed, and there died of the people from Dan, even unto Beersheba, seventy thousand men," after which, by David's earnest prayers," the LORD was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel." 2 Sam. xxiv. 1 Chron. xxi; xxii. 1.

his

Restored by this expiation to peace with God, David remained for two years in as much ease and tranquillity as age and infirmities would admit of; at the end of that time, a conspiracy of his favourite son Adonijah, supported by Joab and Abiathar, induced him to declare Solomon his successor, (1 Kings, i. 5-53) (') to whom (') he afterwards gave full directions for the building 1015 of the Temple, the government of the kingdom, the treatment of the suspected characters, Joab and Shimei, and the favour to be shewn to the sons of Barzillai, in requital of their father's kindness; and having recommended him to the fidelity of the princes of Israel, he died (2) the following year (2) having reigned forty years. 1014 1 Kings, ü. 1-11; 1 Chron. xxii, xxviii, xxix.

The first years of Solomon's reign were distinguished by extraordinary wisdom and prudence. Adonijah and Joab having shewn symptoms of disaffection, were immediately .put to death, and Abiathar the high priest was deposed, and replaced by Zadok. Abiathar was the last highpriest of the family of Eli, and his degradation from the pontificate completed the accomplishment of the sentence