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3. When <strong>David</strong> was gone a little far<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong>re met him Ziba, <strong>the</strong> servant<br />
<strong>of</strong> Mephibosheth, (whom he had sent <strong>to</strong> take care <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> possessions which<br />
had been given him, as <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> Jonathan, <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> <strong>Saul</strong>,) with a couple <strong>of</strong><br />
asses, loaden with provisions, and desired him <strong>to</strong> take as much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m as he<br />
and his followers s<strong>to</strong>od in need <strong>of</strong>. And when <strong>the</strong> king asked him where he<br />
had left Mephibosheth, he said he had left him in Jerusalem, expecting <strong>to</strong> be<br />
chosen king in <strong>the</strong> present confusions, in remembrance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> benefits <strong>Saul</strong><br />
had conferred upon <strong>the</strong>m. At this <strong>the</strong> king had great indignation, and gave <strong>to</strong><br />
Ziba all that he had formerly bes<strong>to</strong>wed on Mephibosheth; for he determined<br />
that it was much fitter that he should have <strong>the</strong>m than <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r; at which Ziba<br />
greatly rejoiced.<br />
4. When <strong>David</strong> was at Bahurim, a place so called, <strong>the</strong>re came out a<br />
kinsman <strong>of</strong> <strong>Saul</strong>'s, whose name was Shimei, and threw s<strong>to</strong>nes at him, and<br />
gave him reproachful words; and as his friends s<strong>to</strong>od about <strong>the</strong> king and<br />
protected him, he persevered still more in his reproaches, and called him a<br />
bloody man, and <strong>the</strong> author <strong>of</strong> all sorts <strong>of</strong> mischief. He bade him also go out<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land as ,an impure and accursed wretch; and he thanked God for<br />
depriving him <strong>of</strong> his kingdom, and causing him <strong>to</strong> be punished for what<br />
injuries he had done <strong>to</strong> his master [<strong>Saul</strong>], and this by <strong>the</strong> means <strong>of</strong> his own<br />
son. Now when <strong>the</strong>y were all provoked against him, and angry at bin;, and<br />
particularly Abishai, who had a mind <strong>to</strong> kill Shimei, <strong>David</strong> restrained his<br />
anger. "Let us not," said he, "bring upon ourselves ano<strong>the</strong>r fresh misfortune<br />
<strong>to</strong> those we have already, for truly I have not <strong>the</strong> least regard nor concern for<br />
this dog that raves at me: I submit myself <strong>to</strong> God, by whose permission this<br />
man treats me in such a wild manner; nor is it any wonder that I am obliged<br />
<strong>to</strong> undergo <strong>the</strong>se abuses from him, while I experience <strong>the</strong> like from an<br />
impious son <strong>of</strong> my own; but perhaps God will have some commiseration<br />
upon us; if it be his will we shall overcome <strong>the</strong>m." So he went on his way<br />
without troubling himself with Shimei, who ran along <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
mountain, and threw out his abusive language plentifully. But when <strong>David</strong><br />
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