The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-08-30

there the stirring reports Of the bat.
tie with Its III consequences 10 Israel
were repeated over and over again,
and the same questions stirred the
hearts OF the people as TO who nov
would lead them as troubled the
I 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 II they assembled
at Hebron. their chief city, news OF
the meeting might reach the ears
of the philistines and stir them to
immediate attack.
II 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 10 Judah. but Just al they were
about to do so a runner brought It'd
ings that David had joined his forces
with those OF Achish, the phlllstine
king. and had shared in the recent bat
lie which had resulted so d~isastrously
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 Zlklag 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 tho arm
les of Israel he took David and his
men along"
A long painful silence followed this
d~isconcerting 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 I>found
there awaiting me a 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 It
was that the full details OF Davld's RI.
turn to 2iklag. 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, we're made
known.
Then he did not fight with the
Philistines against Israeli" they OK.
claimed, n to the other, their de.
preston giving place to the Joy Of a
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 20
into the land Of the Philistines TO
carry him word. II the coming OF
such messenger reaches the ears of
the Philistines. | fear 1t will 20 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 a breathless runner
who exclaimed as soon as he was
able to o the power OF speech:
David! Hebronl"
whats 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 a d%eliverer."
And so 1t was that the men OF Ju.
dab came and there they anolnted
David king over the house OF Judah,