The Tupelo journal., 1908-01-10

0PpSdiCu W lilo OllCldi, anu dlteT llHs
gering a few moments and failing to
obtain anything save a superficial un-
derstanding Of the matter, he turned,
and with an amused expression on his
face he again entered the palace
courtyard and was soon mingling
with the groups of men who had as
sembled In the kings audience hall.
The king had not yet assembled his
throne, and the buzz Of conversation
filled the great hall as the officials
talked of the various matters which
were to be brought before the king.
AS the last conner entered and
Joined himself to a group standing
not far from the throne he was greet
ed with the inquiry:
And what errand brings you
thither?'
And then n Of the group, noticing
the half-amused expression which had
not yet left his face. spoke up and
said:
Surely 1t is a pleasant message
which Nahshon hath for the king this
day"
And thus challenged, the man ad-
dressed went on with great gusto to
relate the incident which had just
transpired at the outer gate.
1T was not quite clear to me
whether or not the women purposed
to present the king with the babe,
and each was c~ontending for the
honor of SO DOING
And to think that they should sup
pose that the king had time or thought
for such as they or for matters such
as might come between them"
The words of the last speaker were
spoken with a rising infection, show
ing the contempt which he felt at so
absurd a proposition, and during the
momentary hush which had fallen
they rang out clear and distinct, so
that the king, entering at that mo
ment, overheard what was said.
Instantly upon the appearance Of
the king there was a hush, and every
thing else was forgotten in the for
malities of receiving and paying hon.
age to their lord.
For some moments after the formal
ceremonies were over the young king
remained silent, thoughtfully contem-
plating the assembly of the chief men
before him.
What think you," he asked at
length, lis the most important mat
ter to come before us? Is the king
| dom greater than the rights of the in
dividual?"
Puzzled by the words of the king,
the officials before him remained ST.
lent. And again the king spoke.
Should not the king have time for
any who desire judgment rendered."
Again there was silence. Then,
turning his eyes upon the official who
was speaking when he entered, lie
asked:
And who is it that is beneath the
thought of the king?"
In great confusion and trepidation
the man mumbled something, and
then Nahshon, grasping the trend Of
the kings mind and heart, boldly
stepped forward and recounted with
no spirit of ridicule, now, the story of
| the two women who had been waiting
at the gate that morning.
I'VE shall do nothing this day un-
til the case of these two women is
heard" calculated the king.
Instantly one of the kings close
advisers stepped to his side and whis-
pered in his ear something at which
the king impatiently shook his head
and exclaimed, so that all in the room
heard:
What if they are? Have not even
the harlots need of the righteous judg-
ment of the king?"
And then turning to one of the mes
sengers standing ear he commanded
the m to be sought out and
brought in forthwith.
Had ever such a thing come to pass
before in Israel, the chief men asked
themselves that day as they left the
audience chamber and departed for
the different portions of the king
dom? Surely the wisdom and justice
of God rested on their king that even
| the lowest and most ~despised should
be able to come to him and find help.
And everywhere throughout the
kingdom the story spread of the two
women and the disputed babe, and
the judgment which the king had
judged; and all Israel feared the
king; for they saw that the wisdom Of
God was in him to do judgment.