brought about under the blessing of God, by the prayers and efforts of the followers of Christ. The spirit of the Gospel will alone produce it; and this spirit must breathe out, and speak, and act in the tempers, the conversation, and conduct of christians. They are the light of the world. They are the salt of the earth. They are the leaven that must work in and through the whole mass until it is leavened.

My young friend, are you meek, forgiving, gentle, and peaceable? Or, does the spirit of pride, of resentment, of animosity towards any, reign within your breast? Search and see.

CHAPTER XXI.

Abner offers his services to David, and makes a league with him. Joab slays Abner.

For about five years after the battle of Gibeon there was a continued state of warfare between the house of Saul and the house of David; undoubtedly some battles and skirmishes taking place, though no particular account of them is given. During this period David was increasing in power and influence, and gaining an

ascendency over his competitor. He remained still at Hebron, and six sons were born to him by as many wives, during his residence in that city. Amnon, his first-born, was the son of Ahinoam; Chileab, the son of Abigail; Absalom, of Maacah, the daughter of Ta.mai king of Geshur; Adonijah, of Haggith; Shephatiah, of Abital; and Ithream, of Eglah. It is thought that he married Maacah in order to form a friendly alliance with her father, whose territory was contiguous to the half tribe of Manasseh beyond the Jordan. David hoped, in this way, to strengthen himself the more against Ish-bosheth, who had great influence in that region.

In the meanwhile Abner was busily employed in doing every thing he could to increase his power; apparently, to promote the interests of his sovereign, but really, it would seem, to prepare the way for his own higher advancement. For there is reason to believe that the throne had now become the object of his ambition. He had taken to himself, and treated as his wife, a woman whose name was Rizpah, and who had been a concubine of Saul. To do this was understood, in those times, as at least indicating an attempt upon the crown, and, sometimes, as asserting a claim to it.

Ish-bosheth complaining of this procedure on the part of Abner, the latter became greatly enraged, and did not hesitate to address the king

"Am I a dog's

in the most violent language. head," he exclaimed, "which against Judah do show kindness this day unto the house of Saul thy father, to his brethren, and to his friends, and have not delivered thee into the hand of David, that thou chargest me to-day with a fault concerning this woman?" He then proceeded to let Ish-bosheth know that he would have his revenge, and an ample one too, for the indignity which had been offered him. Imprecating the curse of God upon himself, if he did not fulfil his purpose, he declared that as the Lord had sworn to David, even so would he act in behalf of the right of the latter, to translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beer-sheba."

Ish-bosheth was struck with terror at the threat, and standing in great awe of one who he knew had raised him to the throne, and sus tained him in power, he dared not make any reply. He hoped, however, to devise some mode by which the offended Abner might be pacified, and diverted from his design. But it was too late. The latter, to gratify his revenge, or to take what he deemed a politic course, (thinking, perhaps, that his rupture with Ish bosheth would make it very difficult to push his ambitious plans,) or, from these motives combined, sent a message to David of the most friendly kind. He

insinuated that he himself was really the one in authority over the tribes which were subject to Ish-bosheth, and said that if the king of Judah would enter into a league with him, his power should be exercised to bring the whole land of Israel under the dominion of David.

The latter, in reply, engaged to enter into such a league; but on one condition, that Abner should not visit him for this purpose, unless he restored to David his wife Michal, the daughter of Saul, whom he obtained by his perilous triumph over the Philistines. He had never been divorced from her, or repudiated her. She had been forcibly and unjustly taken from him, and he had a right to her as his lawful wife. At the same time, David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, to make a formal demand of Michal. This may have been done to screen Abner, and to make it easier for him to carry into effect his design of espousing the cause of David. At any rate, what with his fears of refusing, and the additional threats of Abner if he failed to comply, Ish-bosheth sent immediately and took Michal from her husband, who, it seems, had a strong affection for her. He accompanied her weeping, a considerable distance, as far as Bahurim, a town in the tribe of Benjamin, where Abner, who took her in charge, ordered him to return home to Gallim.

What a striking proof do we find, in this part

of our history, of the evils of polygamy and of the vastly superior advantages and blessings of the domestic state as it now exists under the Gospel dispensation. Let us be truly grateful for our happier lot in this respect, and do all we can, the grace of God assisting us, to render our families the scenes of mutual christian affection among their members, the nurseries of the devoted followers of the Savior, and of faithful laborers in his vineyard.

Abner now began to push his plans of supporting David with new vigor. He conferred with many of the elders of Israel, men in authority, and whose power and influence were great, and made known his views to them, urging their co-operation. "Ye sought for David," said he, "in times past to be king over you: Now then do it: for the Lord hath spoken of David, saying, By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies." He addressed the same language to the leading men of the tribe of Benjamin, among whom Ish-bosheth had some of his most devoted adherents; and when he thought he had secured a party strong enough to justify an open revolt, he hastened to Hebron. Twenty of his followers accompanied him, as an escort to Michal, whom he restored in safety to David. This, with the new prospects which were now open