Times-promoter., 1907-11-22

repeated the words as he had kept his
long vigil, and the plaintive yearning
in the voice anu the haggard, care
worn look upon the face indicated the
depth of feelings which surged within.
1t was David the father, and not
David the king, who strained his eyes
out over the plain, and longed for
tidings of the wayward son. Not
since he had left Jerusalem, driven
forth by the strong conspiracy Of Alb
salon, had he ceased to yearn for the
young man or plan for his safety If
the rebellion should be successfully
crushed.
For this reason when the army
which had rallied to the support of
King David was marching forth he
charged the captains of the three divi-
sions, saying: Deal gently for my
sake with the young man, even with
Absalom." And the men standing
near heard and told others SO that 1t
was known to all the army what
David had said. And now as he sat
there In the gate and the hours
dragged slowly by, David wondered If
his admonition would be needed. His
heart was troubled because of the
weight of personal guilt which he felt
was responsible in large measure for
the present trouble.
"Ah," he sighed, "how wish could
go back 90, 80 years. 1t is my sin
which has brought this upon me.
Had done my duty my son would not
to-day be seeking my life and the
kingdom
Vain regret is poor comforter, and
so 1t was that David found only har.
assment for his soul in living over
again his life in memory. His mis-
takes and sins rose up before him.
He recalled the beautiful boy Absalom,
his fair countenance and noble bear
ing, and he remembered the pride with
which he had watched his physical
and mental development. He had not
been conscious then that the influence
of the mother Maacah, who was a
daughter of the king Of Geshur, was
strong enough to turn the heart Of the
youth away from the true God, but
now 1t was all plain to him how the
taking of wives from among the
princesses Of the heather nations
about had led to all manner of evils,
not only in his own family, but in the
nation as well. Absalom had not the
fear of the Lord before him, and he
knew now that he had failed to help
his son by precept and example to
know and serve the true God.
Surely" he exclaimed again, "they
will remember my charge to deal
gently with the young man. Gladly
would give my life for him. Oh, that
he were restored to me that might
help him into the right way. Gladly
will | forgive hKa all if he will but
turn and serve the God of Abraham
and Isaac. and Jacob"
His musings were suddenly cut short
by the cry of the watchman upon the
tower far above his head.
"A runner, my lord the. king!" he
shouted.
"Cometh he alone?" anxiously in
quired the king. for if so, there be
tidings in his mouth"
| @Yea, he runneth alone" was the
| reply, and then after moment pause
he added, excitedly: Behold, ! see
another man running, and he is also
! alone"
| IF that be SO, he also bringeth It'd
ings,"' calculated the king, and rising
from his seat he paced back and forth
in nervous expectancy.
Me thinketh," shouted down the
watchman again. "that the running oi
the foremost is like the running ol
Ahimaaz the son of Zadok."
God be praised cried David. che
is a good man, and bringeth good It'd
/ ings."
! And without waiting to hear more
he hurried through the gate and al
most ran in the direction of the mar
who by this time was in plain view
The, sight Of the king caused the run
ner to redouble his efforts, and a:
he drew within hailing distance. hi
/ shouted:
IsaAll is we'll " vs.ss s.s
And then as he came near to thu
king he fell upon his face to The