estates of his master.

He had remained in solitude, without shaving his beard, or changing his clothes, during the whole absence of the king, and now gladly returned to his former place at the royal table.

Some reforms in the offices of state were made at this time, and Joab was replaced at the head of the army. That such a man should be continued in service and hold an honourable post, seems wonderful to us, but his zeal in the cause of his master had been the apology for his most atrocious acts, and now that David was far advanced in life, the experience of Joab was particularly useful. For even at this late period his reign was not finished without new disturbances from the Philistines, the most restless of all the contiguous powers.

KINGS AND CHRONICLES.*

The determination which had been signified to David by Nathan the prophet, that he should not himself erect a temple to Jehovah, did not lessen his desire to glorify the Most High, nor abate his zealous promotion of every means for the advancement of his magnificent plan, but rather stimulated his industry in collecting materials to facilitate the labour of Solomon, his son and successor. By his trade to the East, and his numerous and successful wars, he had acquired an immense quantity of silver and gold, of brass, iron, and precious stones, and a prodigious quantity of all these materials was laid up for the contemplated building; and workmen were employed in preparing timber and stone.

From his youth, the life of David had been a scene of affliction and fatigue; under their corroding influence he became entirely debilitated in his sixtieth year, and unable any longer to appear in public; but his mental powers being yet unimpaired, his ministers attended in his cham

* The books of Kings and Chronicles are here classed together, because they treat of the same period of history; one relating some things omitted in the other. The story is taken indiscriminately, from both. The Chronicles appear to have been compiled after the captivity, from ancient and authentic documents.

ber, and from his bed received the usual direction and advice.

In this state of affairs, Adonijah, the brother of Absalom, and now the eldest son of the king, incited a party, into which he had the address to draw even Joab and the priest Abiathar, to set him on the throne. Adonijah, like Absalom, had a fine form and insinuating manners; his father's fond indulgence had allowed him to imitate his ill-fated brother, in the splendour of his retinue, and being now entitled by primogeniture to the succession, he might have thought it but a venial fault to put the crown on his head during the life of his declining parent. A great entertainment was accordingly prepared at Gihon, a place very near to Jerusalem, and all things were in readiness for the consummation of his scheme, when it was discovered by the prophet Nathan, and by him communicated to Bath sheba, the mother of Solomon. By his advice she repaired instantly to the king, and bowing herself to the ground, respectfully reminded him, that he had promised her, upon his oath, that Solomon her son should reign. While they yet talked on the subject, Nathan came in to inform the king of the assemblage at Gihon, and the usurpation of Adonijah. Not a moment did he hesitate to confirm his promise with a solemn asseveration to the mother of Solomon, but seeing the cruel contests to which the kingdom was about to be exposed by the rivalry of the princes, he resolved to put the question at rest whilst he yet had the power. Calling therefore for Zadok the priest, he commanded him to set Solomon on the king's own mule, and attended by the officers of state, and a party of the military, to take him to Gihon, and there anoint him, and proclaim him king over Israel.

The sound of the trumpets and the shouts of "God save king Solomon," soon reached the ears of Adonijah and his party, and as quickly dispersed them; the usurper himself taking refuge at the foot of the altar, laid hold of its horns, and refused to depart until the young king should assure him a pardon.

FANNY. I do not know what may be the policy of kings; but I shall certainly be glad to hear that the first royal act of Solomon was one of mercy to his brother.

: MRS. M. He did pardon Adonijah, and moreover assured him of protection so long as he remained a peace able subject. The faults of Joab and Abiather were like wise passed over for the present.

Passing rapidly through the busy and tempestuous life of David, we have now arrived at its closing year. Although his bodily powers were exhausted, yet his pious and patriotic soul was alive to the glory of God, and the welfare of Israel. His design to build the temple had been publish ed, and Solomon had been placed on the throne, according to the divine command; still his inexperience required instruction, and his youth demanded support. Wherefore rising from his bed, the venerable monarch assembled the princes of Israel, the state officers, and all the principal. men of the empire, and made a most eloquent address, in which he told them, of the ardent desire he had conceived "to build an house of rest for the Ark of the Covenant," but that he had been forbidden to take that honour upon himself—and it now devolved upon Solomon, whom the Lord had chosen to succeed him in the kingdom-that he had nevertheless provided abundance of materials for the work, but that it was an arduous and magnificent undertaking, and seeing that the Lord their God had subdued

all their enemies and blessed them with tranquillity on every hand, he commanded them to improve the time dili-gently, and with heart and hand to assist their young and inexperienced king in his pious labour. Then turning to his son, he beautifully exhorts him; "And thou, Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy father, aud serve him with a perfect heart and a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be fond of thee-but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever! Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.” He then gave him a comprehensive description of the edifice, which he said had been communicated by the Spirit to him-delivered to him an immense quantily of silver and gold, for the decorations of the house, and for a vast variety of utensils to be used in their ceremonious service. And lastly, he instructed him in the administration of the Temple worship, by the Levites, whom he divided into twenty-four courses, including priests, levites, singers, musicians and porters-to serve in rotation. Then blessing the people with thanksgiving and prayers, for them and their monarch, the grand audience concluded. The day following a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand sheep, were sacrificed in burnt offerings, and king Solomon was gladly accepted by all the people of Israel.

Amongst the latest advice which David gave to his successor, we find him gratefully remembering the worthy Barzillai, and enjoining on Solomon to cherish and honour the sons of his father's benefactor: whilst he warned him, that Shimei was a dangerous man; but inasmuch as his life had been guaranteed by the promise of David-that