The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-09-12

battle at Mt. Gilboa was going on,
David was just returning from a suo-
cessful pursuit of band of Amalekites
who had pillaged his own home. The
news of Saul's death was brought to
him by an Amalekite, who claimed to
have killed Saul by his own hand. For
| making such claim, David had him
put to death.
In accordance with the express COM
mand of Jehovah, David established
himself at Hebron, where he was
promptly crowned king of Judah. This
Hebron, some twenty miles Southwest
of Jerusalem, was the home of Abra-
ham and Isaac. and lis one of the old
est cities in the world. Here David
reigned for seven and a half years,
sending his trusted followers to live
in the adjacent cities, where they be-
came leaders.
He seems to have made no special
effort to extend his dominion beyond
the territory of Judah. He sent a mes
sage to the men of Jabesh-Gilead. COM
mending them for burying Saul, assur-
ing them God would blel5 them for
their kindness, promising that he him
self would one day roquite them for it,
and informing them that he had been
Amounted king of Judah. He strength
ened himself by forming matrimonial
alliances with the kings of the ada
cent nations. Meanwhile, a sort of
border warfare was kept up on the
north of his kingdom, Abner, the son
of Ner. who had been the commander
of Saurs army acting in behalf of the
house of Saul, and having established
his headquarters at Mahanaim, on the
eastern side of the Jordan River. Some
| five years after Saul's death, Abner
had his fourth son, Ishbosheth, crown
ed as king of Israel. He was a man
of no force of character,-a mere fig
urehead; but in his name, Abner con-
tinued to run the kingdom.
Soon after Ishbosheth had been
crowned. Abner marched his army too
close to Davids territory to suit that
individual and force under Joab,
the nephew of David, and the chief
military officer in his kingdom, was
sent to meet him. The leaders who
were old friends, met at the pool of
Gideon, and agreed that twelve men
from each side should be chosen who
should fight the battle. They fought
so fiercely that twenty of the twenty
four were killed; and both armies be-
came involved. Abner was defeated,
loosing eighteen men to every one that
Joab lost. AS he himself fled, he was
closely pursued by Joab and his two
brothers, Abishai and Asahel BY
striking backward, he slew Ashael, his
foremost pursuer, and thus incurred
the unrelenting hostility of Joab.
In course of time, Abner married
woman who had been the wife of Saul,
for which act he was sharply reproved
by the feeble minded Ishbosheth. Be.
coming angry thereat. Abper threat
ened to turn the kingdom over to the
son of Jesse. and he opened negotia-
lions for that purpose. AS preliminary
to any further consideration of the
matter, David demanded the restora-
ton of Michal, his girl-wife. from
whom he had been separated so long.
This was done. An arrangement was
entered into with the principal men of
Israel, by which they were to carry
out the will of God by turning over
the whole kingdom to David.
Abner had one meeting with David,
when Joab was not present. The lat
ter, returning from foray, and learn
ing of the visit, sent messengers after
Abner and brought him back. Taking
him to one side as for a private inter-
view, he treacherously slew him in re-
venge for the death of his brother
Asahel. For this base act, David plac-
ed a terrible curse on his great kins-
man. He also commanded the people
to mourn for Abner, saying that a
"prince in Israel has fallen"
After Abner's death the end of Ish-
bosheths feeble reign was not far off
Two of his captains assassinated him
in his bed, and hoping to receive re-
ward, brought the head of the king
to David, boasting of what they had
done. He promptly had both of them