Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1907-10-03

I
who had carried him and cared for
him tenderly 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 10 have him
for his friend. too
When II was suggested % him once
that the kingdom OF Israel belonged
to him by right OF inheritance rather
than 20 David. and that had Il not
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 20
yield the kingdom 70 the man whom
| God had chosen for king surely he
was nat going TO be less a man. lie
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 IL was when the messenger
came from David seeking him. he
did not share the evil forebodings
which troubled his friends. They we're
certain that King David plotted his
hurt. and that for him 10 place him
self entirely in David's power was to
court disaster Of tie most distressing
kind
BE IL good or bad which shall be-
fall me" he had replied. quietly. ''nev-
ertheless | will 90. would see the
face % him who was so great a friend
OF my father" And quickly gather
ing his household together. he prepar-
/ ID to leave with the messenger on the
following day
How came King David to know Of
me and my whereabouts he dues-
Toned the messenger as they made
their journey.
One Ziba. q servant OF the house
Of saul. thy grandfather. told him %
thee and he would not rest content
until he had sent for thee. the mes
senger replied
But why should the king take
bought for one ike me. who am least
of all my fathers house-and q Grip
pie, he added. sadly.
All. but thou knowest no. the good
ness Of the kings heart His thought
is toward the least OF his people In
Israel Surely thou kuowest 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 hearts"
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
Ike unto himself 20 rule over his peo-
Pile
In this spirit Of alteration for King
David. Mephibosheth entered Jerusa.
iem and vas shown into the roval
presence And Mephibosheth fell upon
upon his face to the ground and did
the king reverence. But the latter
,ame forward quickly and placing his
hand upon the bowed head. said nj.
fectionateIy:
"MephIbosheth,"
Behold thy servant" responded
Nephibosheth. 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 al
my table continually" said David.
The possessions OF the house of
Saul and place at the royal table,
Nerhibosheth listened as one in a
dream. Could it he true, Again he
bowed himself before the king. and
said:
What is thy servant. that thou
shouldst look upon such n dead dog as
| am"
But the king would hear no more.
brit forthwith gave orders that Ne.
phibosheth was to become a member
" the royal household and calling
Iioa the old servant of Saul. instruct.
cd him concerning the management
OF the estate and affairs of Mephibo-
sheth.