Sometimes he would exclaim in the hearing of these people: “O that they would make me judge over the land, that all who have business might come tome, that I might do them justice!” Moreover when any man came to salute him, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him. Thus he enticed the hearts [1] of the men of Israel.
When he thought he had gained over all the men of Israel to his side, he asked his father to let him go to Hebron in fulfilment of a vow. David, suspecting no evil, allowed his son to depart. And when Absalom had reached Hebron , he sent messengers to all the tribes of Israel, telling them that when they heard the sound of a trumpet, they should say: “Absalom reigneth in Hebron.” And it came to pass that many of the people, not knowing his treachery[2], followed Absalom.
When David heard of Absalom’s revolt, he determined to leave the city, lest the citizens should suffer on his account. And having left the city with his attendants he came to the brook Cedron[3], his feet bare and his head veiled. And crossing the brook he came to Mount Olivet, where he wept for the guilt of his unnatural son and for his own sins. On the side of Mount Olivet he was met by a man named Semei, of the family of Saul, who threw stones and earth at David and cursed him: “Come out, come out, thou man of blood.” Abisai, full of wrath, cried out: “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? I will go and cut off his head.” But David answered: “Behold, my own son seeketh my life; how much more one of the house of Saul! Perhaps the Lord may look upon my affliction and render me good for the cursing of this day.” He saw the hand of God in this new trial.
- ↑ Enticed the hearts . By flattering the people and making himself familiar with them he won their hearts, and gave it to be understood that if he were king, it would be all the better for them. Thus by degrees he gathered round him a large number of adherents.
- ↑ His treachery, i. e. the design to march on Jerusalem and take it, in order to seize the person of his father and take possession of the throne.
- ↑ Cedron. Which flowed in a deep valley to the east of the town, between it and the Mount of Olives, being crossed by a bridge. Picture to yourselves the aged king ascending the Mount of Olives, barefoot, weeping and with his head covered, a fugitive before bis own son. How grieved he must have felt at the faithlessness of bis people and the unnatural conduct of his son ! How* weary the way must have been to him!
