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But who was to carry to the king tidings of what had happened? Joab knew David too
well to entrust them to any one whose life he specially valued. Accordingly, he sent a
stranger, a Cushite; and only after repeated entreaty and warning of the danger,
allowed Ahimaaz also to run with the news to Mahanaim. Between the outer and the
inner gates of that city sat the king, anxiously awaiting the result of that decisive day.
And now the watchman on the pinnacle above descried one running towards the city.
Since he was alone, he could not be a fugitive, but must be a messenger. Soon the
watchman saw and announced behind the first a second solitary runner. Presently the
first one was so near that, by the swiftness of his running the watchman recognized
Ahimaaz. If so, the tidings which he brought must be good, for on no other errand
would Ahimaaz have come. And so it was! Without giving the king time for question,
he rapidly announced the God-given victory. Whatever relief or comfort the news must
have carried to the heart of David, he did not express it by a word. Only one question
rose to his lips, only one idea of peace^29 did his mind seem capable of contemplating,
"Peace to the lad, to Absalom?"
Ahimaaz could not, or rather would not, answer. Not so the Cushite messenger, who by
this time had also arrived. From his language - though, even he feared to say it in so
many words -David speedily gathered the fate of his son. In speechless grief he turned
from the two messengers, and from the crowd which, no doubt, was rapidly gathering
in the gateway, and crept up the stairs leading to the chamber over the gate, while those
below heard his piteous groans, and these words, oft repeated, "My son Absalom, my
son! My son Absalom! Oh, would that I had died for thee! Absalom, my son - my
son?"
That was not a joyous evening at Mahanaim, despite the great victory. The townsmen
went about as if there were public mourning, not gladness. The victorious soldiers stole
back into the city as if ashamed to show themselves - as if after a defeat, not after a
brilliant and decisive triumph.
It was more than Joab could endure. Roughly forcing himself into the king's presence,
he reproached him for his heartless selfishness, warning him that there were dangers,
greater than any he had yet known, which his recklessness of all but his own feelings
would certainly bring upon him. What he said was, indeed, true, but it was uttered most
unfeelingly - especially remembering the part which he himself had taken in the death
of Absalom - and in terms such as no subject, however influential, should have used to
his sovereign. No doubt David felt and resented all this. But, for the present, it was
evidently necessary to yield; and the king received the people in the gate in the usual
fashion.
The brief period of insurrectionary intoxication over, the reaction soon set in. David
wisely awaited it in Mahanaim. The country recalled the national glory connected with
(^)