Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-09-12


rible battle the people talked, and
wondered what further misfortune
awaited the nation.
with Saul and his three sons dead,
who. was there to lead the nation?
Confusion and uncertainty prevailed.
Even AbnCr the leader OF the
hosts of Israel was apparently
unable to rally his forces and
suggest some plan of action. The
people were as sheep without shep-
herd SO for days and weeks the dis
order and confusion continued, even as
far south as in the land of Judah. And
there the stirring reports OF the bat
tie with its i'll consequences to Israel
were repeated over and over again,
and the same questions stirred the
hearts of the people as to who now
would lead them as troubled the
northern tribes. In the spirit of much
depression the elders of judah came
together to consider the situation,
meeting secretly in one of the little
obscure towns lest if they assembled
at Hebron, their chief city, news of
the meeting might reach the ears
of the Philistines and stir them to
immediate attack.
1t was but natural that the first
thought should be of David and some
were for an immediate sending of
a messenger to him inviting his re-
turn to Judah, but just as they were
about to do so runner brought It'd
ings that David had joined his forces
with those OF Achish, the Philistne
king and had shared in the recent bat
tie which had resulted so disastrously
to the army of Israel.
What, David fight against his
brethren in Israeli" the elders ex.
claimed.
YES" replied the messenger.
Thou knowest how he has been
dwelling in the land of the Philistines
for now these many months, and how
King Achish gave him Ziklag in which
to dwell. And Achish made league
with him and trusted him as he might
a brother, so that when he gathered
| his armies to go out against the arm
| les of Israel he took David and his
men along"
A long painful silence followed this
disconcerting news. Whittier, now,
| indeed, would judah turn. David had
failed them. Now that he had taken
up arms against his own countrymen
there could never more be place for
| him in judah. And with even great
| er depression than before the elders
| departed to their homes,
But the next day strange things had
! happened in judah. The elders sent
| messengers to each other with the
| query:
Hath David sent aught to thee?
Behold, when ! arrived home / found
there awaiting me goodly portion of
the spoil which David had sent with
loyal greetings. What thinkest thou
concerning it?"
1t can be imagined what surprise
and establishment such tidings brought
to each of the elders and hastily they
reassembled early on the following
day to consider the matter. Then IL
was that the full details of David's re-
turn to Ziklag, his pursuit of the en-
envy which had burned his city and
carried off the women and children,
and of his recovery of everything
which had been taken, were made
known.
Then he did not fight with the
Philistines against Israeli" they ex-
claimed, one to the other, their de-
preston giving place to the joy of
new hope.
Let us send greetings at once to
David, and invite him to return" Gag
erly suggested one.
But who is there who will dare go
into the land of the Philistines to
carry him word. If the coming of
such messenger reaches the ears of
the Philstines, / fear it will go hard
with David, and may bring the Phil
istine armies down upon u.s." spoke
up another cautiously
Then followed an earnest discussion
which was suddenly interrupted by
the entrance of GREATNESS runner
who exclaimed as soon as he was
able to recover the power of speech:
David! Hebron!"
What's that you say?" fairly shout
ed the elders, so excited were they.
David has come to Hebron?"
The messenger nodded his head in
assent, and added:
yea, and he hath brought all his
men and all his substance, and his
wives and all whatsoever he hath"
Then let us go up to Hebron and
there anoint him as our king Sure
ly God has looked down upon us in our
Distress and hath sent deliverer."
And so it was that the men of Jul
dab came and there they anointed
David king over the house of Judah.