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From the Death of Saul to the Death of David - Flavius Josephus

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And Shimei, <strong>the</strong> son <strong>of</strong> Gera, came with a thousand men, which he brought<br />

with him out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tribe <strong>of</strong> Benjamin; and Ziba, <strong>the</strong> freed-man <strong>of</strong> <strong>Saul</strong>, with<br />

his sons, fifteen in number, and with his twenty servants. All <strong>the</strong>se, as well as<br />

<strong>the</strong> tribe <strong>of</strong> Judah, laid a bridge [<strong>of</strong> boats] over <strong>the</strong> river, that <strong>the</strong> king, and<br />

those that were with him, might with ease pass over it. Now as soon as he<br />

was come <strong>to</strong> Jordan, <strong>the</strong> tribe <strong>of</strong> Judah saluted him. Shimei also came upon<br />

<strong>the</strong> bridge, and <strong>to</strong>ok hold <strong>of</strong> his feet, and prayed him <strong>to</strong> forgive him what he<br />

had <strong>of</strong>fended, and not <strong>to</strong> be <strong>to</strong>o bitter against him, nor <strong>to</strong> think fit <strong>to</strong> make<br />

him <strong>the</strong> first example <strong>of</strong> severity under his new authority; but <strong>to</strong> consider that<br />

he had repented <strong>of</strong> his failure <strong>of</strong> duty, and had taken care <strong>to</strong> come first <strong>of</strong> all<br />

<strong>to</strong> him. While he was thus entreating <strong>the</strong> king, and moving him <strong>to</strong><br />

compassion, Abishai, Joab's bro<strong>the</strong>r, said, "And shall not this man die for<br />

this, that he hath cursed that king whom God hath appointed <strong>to</strong> reign over<br />

us?" But <strong>David</strong> turned himself <strong>to</strong> him, and said, "Will you never leave <strong>of</strong>f, ye<br />

sons <strong>of</strong> Zeruiah? Do not you, I pray, raise new troubles and seditions among<br />

us, now <strong>the</strong> former are over; for I would not have you ignorant that I this day<br />

begin my reign, and <strong>the</strong>refore swear <strong>to</strong> remit <strong>to</strong> all <strong>of</strong>fenders <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

punishments, and not <strong>to</strong> animadvert on any one that has sinned. Be thou,<br />

<strong>the</strong>refore," said he, "O Shimei, <strong>of</strong> good courage, and do not at all fear being<br />

put <strong>to</strong> death." So he worshipped him, and went on before him.<br />

3. Mephibosheth also, <strong>Saul</strong>'s grandson, met <strong>David</strong>, clo<strong>the</strong>d in a sordid<br />

garment, and having his hair thick and neglected; for after <strong>David</strong> was fled<br />

away, he was in such grief that he had not polled his head, nor had he<br />

washed his clo<strong>the</strong>s, as dooming himself <strong>to</strong> undergo such hardships upon<br />

occasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> change-<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> king's affairs. Now he had been unjustly<br />

calumniated <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> king by Ziba, his steward. When he had saluted <strong>the</strong> king,<br />

and worshipped him, <strong>the</strong> king began <strong>to</strong> ask him why he did not go out <strong>of</strong><br />

Jerusalem with him, and accompany him during his flight. He replied, that<br />

this piece <strong>of</strong> injustice was owing <strong>to</strong> Ziba; because, when he was ordered <strong>to</strong><br />

get things ready for his going out with him, he <strong>to</strong>ok no care <strong>of</strong> it, but<br />

regarded him no more than if he had been a slave; "and, indeed, had I had my<br />

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