The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-10-04

tunes Of King David. The old servant
who had carried him and cared foi
him tenderiy in his youth had told
him OF the great friendship which had
existed between King David and his
father, and much OF the gentle, heroic
spirit which had characterized his
father was possessed by himself. He
felt a warm glow in his heart at every
mention OF King David's name. and
he had a longing desire to have him
for his friend, too.
When 1t was suggested to him once
that the kingdom of Israel belonged
to him by right of inheritance rather
than to David, and that had 1t not
been that he was . cripple he might
by force of arms have asserted his
rights, he had replied with spirit that
II his father Jonathan had recognized
the divine will and was willing to
yield the kingdom to the man whom
God had chosen for king surely he
was nat going to be less a man. He
felt he could honor the memory OF
his noble father in no better way than
to cherish the friendship which he
had held for David.
And so 1t was when the messenger
came from David seeking him. he
did not share the evil forebodings
which troubled his friends. They were
certain that King David plotted his
hurt, and that for him to place him
self entirely In David's power was to
court disaster of the most distressing
kind.
BE 1t good or bad which shall be-
fall me-" he had replied, quietly. 'nev-
ertheless | will go. / would see the
face of him who was SO great a friend
OF my father" And quickly gather
ing his household together, he prepar-
ed to leave with the messenger on the
following day.
How came King David to know Of
me and my whereabouts" he ques-
TONED the messenger as they made
their journey.
One Ziba, a servant of the house
of Saul, thy grandfather, told him Of
thee and he would not rest content
until he had sent for thee" the mes.
senger replied.
but why should the king take
thought for one like me, who am least
OF all my fathers %house--and a Grip,
pie" he added. sadly.
"Ah, but thou knowest not the good.
ness of the kings heart. His thought
is toward the least of his people in
Israel. Surely thou knowest the great
love which he had for thy father iona.
than, and would he not desire to do
kindness unto his SON"
But do not the great burdens of
ruling so vast a kingdom press heavy
upon him and give him no time to
follow the dictates of his own hearth"
Again thou dost not understand or
know the king, for more precious in
his sight is loyalty to the friend of
former days than all the prestige and
honor and glory which the making of
new and powerful friends can bring"
was the earnest response.
And so as they journeyed the heart
of Mephibosheth was cheered. by the
goodly account which the messenger
gave OF all the righteous acts of the
king, until at last he exclaimed:
Surely, God hath chosen a man
like unto himself to rule over his PEG.
pie" 2
In this spirit of alteration for King
David, Mephibosheth entered Jerusa.
lem and was shown into the royal
presence. And Mephibosheth fell upon
upon his face to the ground and did
the king reverence. But the latter
came forward quickly and placing his
hand upon the bowed head, said, af-
fectionately:
"Mephibosheth!"
Behold thy servant" responded
Mephibosheth, earnestly.
Fear not, Mephibosheth, for / will
surely shew thee kindness for iona.
than thy fathers sake, and will re-
store thee all the land of Saul thy
father; and thou shalt eat bread at
my table continually" said David.
The possessions Of the house of
Saul and a place at the royal table!
Mephibosheth listened as one In a
dream. Could IT be true? Again he
bowed himself before the king, and
said:
What is thy servant, that thou
shouldst look upon such a dead dog as
I ann"
But the king would hear no more,
brt forthwith gave orders that Me.
phibosheth was to become a member
IF the royal household and calling
Xiba. the old servant Of Saul, instruct.
ed him concerning the management
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