Patriarchs and Prophets

“Lord, how are they increased that trouble me!
Many are they that rise up against me.
Many there be which say of my soul,
There is no help for him in God.
But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me;
My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
I cried unto the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me out of His holy hill.
I laid me down and slept;
I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people,
That have set themselves against me round about....
Salvation belongeth unto the Lord:
Thy blessing is upon Thy people.” Psalm 3:1-8.
David and all his company—warriors and statesmen, old men and youth, the
women and the little children—in the darkness of night crossed the deep and
swift-flowing river. “By the morning light there lacked not one of them that was
not gone over Jordan.”
David and his forces fell back to Mahanaim, which had been the royal seat of
Ishbosheth. This was a strongly fortified city, surrounded by a mountainous district
favorable for retreat in case of war. The country was well-provisioned, and the people
were friendly to the cause of David. Here many adherents joined him, while wealthy
tribesmen brought abundant gifts of provision, and other needed supplies.
Hushai’s counsel had achieved its object, gaining for David opportunity for escape;
but the rash and impetuous prince could not be long restrained, and he soon set
out in pursuit of his father. “And Absalom passed over Jordan, he and all the
men of Israel with him.” Absalom made Amasa, the son of David’s sister Abigail,
commander-in-chief of his forces. His army was large, but it was undisciplined and
poorly prepared to cope with the tried soldiers of his father.
David divided his forces into three battalions under the command of Joab, Abishai,
and Ittai the Gittite. It had been his purpose himself to lead his army in the field;
but against this the officers of the army, the counselors, and the people vehemently
protested. “Thou shalt not go forth,” they said: “for if we flee away, they will not care
for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but thou art worth ten thousand
of us: therefore
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