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of them； for as when they are desirous of obtaining the same；
they acquire them by ten thousand evil practices； so when they
are afraid of losing them； they get them confirmed to them by
practices much worse than the former； as if no other calamity so
terrible could befall them as the failure of acquiring so exalted
an authority； and when they have acquired it； and by long custom
found the sweetness of it； the losing it again： and since this
last would be the heaviest of all afflictions they all of them
contrive and venture upon the most difficult actions； out of the
fear of losing the same。 But let it suffice that I have made
these short reflections upon that subject。
6。 When David heard that Abner was slain； it grieved his soul；
and he called all men to witness； with stretching out his hands
to God； and crying out that he was not a partaker in the murder
of Abner； and that his death was not procured by his command or
approbation。 He also wished the heaviest curses might light upon
him that slew him and upon his whole house； and he devoted those
that had assisted him in this murder to the same penalties on its
account； for he took care not to appear to have had any hand in
this murder； contrary to the assurances he had given and the
oaths he had taken to Abner。 However； he commanded all the people
to weep and lament this man； and to honor his dead body with the
usual solemnities； that is； by rending their garments； and
putting on sackcloth； and that things should be the habit in
which they should go before the bier； after which he followed it
himself； with the elders and those that were rulers； lamenting
Abner； and by his tears demonstrating his good…will to him while
he was alive； and his sorrow for him now he was dead； and that he
was not taken off with his consent。 So he buried him at Hebron in
a magnificent manner； and indited funeral elegies for him； he
also stood first over the monument weeping； and caused others to
do the same； nay； so deeply did the death of Abner disorder him；
that his companions could by no means force him to take any food；
but he affirmed with an oath that he would taste nothing till the
sun was set。 This procedure gained him the good…will of the
multitude； for such as had an affection for Abner were mightily
satisfied with the respect he paid him when he was dead； and the
observation of that faith he had plighted to him； which was shown
in his vouchsafing him all the usual ceremonies； as if he had
been his kinsman and his friend； and not suffering him to be
neglected and injured with a dishonorable burial； as if he had
been his enemy； insomuch that the entire nation rejoiced at the
king's gentleness and mildness of disposition； every one being
ready to suppose that the king would have taken the same care of
them in the like circumstances； which they saw be showed in the
burial of the dead body of Abner。 And indeed David principally
intended to gain a good reputation； and therefore he took care to
do what was proper in this case； whence none had any suspicion
that he was the author of Abner's death。 He also said this to the
multitude； that he was greatly troubled at the death of so good a
man； and that the affairs of the Hebrews had suffered great
detriment by being deprived of him； who was of so great abilities
to preserve them by his excellent advice； and by the strength of
his hands in war。 But he added； that 〃God； who hath a regard to
all men's actions； will not suffer this man ＇Joab＇ to go off
unrevenged； but know ye； that I am not able to do any thing to
these sons of Zeruiah； Joab and Abishai； who have more power than
I have； but God will requite their insolent attempts upon their
own heads。〃 And this was the fatal conclusion of the life of
Abner。
CHAPTER 2。
That Upon The Slaughter Of Ishbosheth By The Treachery Of His
Friends； David Received The Whole Kingdom。
1。 When Ishbosheth； the son of Saul； had heard of the death of
Abner； he took it to heart to be deprived of a man that was of
his kindred； and had indeed given him the kingdom； but was
greatly afflicted； and Abner's death very much troubled him； nor
did he himself outlive any long time； but was treacherously set
upon by the sons of Rimmon； （Baanah and Rechab were their names；）
and was slain by them； for these being of a family of the
Benjamites； and of the first rank among them； thought that if
they should slay Ishbosheth； they should obtain large presents
from David； and be made commanders by him； or； however； should
have some other trust committed to them。 So when they once found
him alone； and asleep at noon； in an upper room； when none of his
guards were there； and when the woman that kept the door was not
watching； but was fallen asleep also； partly on account of the
labor she had undergone； and partly on account of the heat of the
day； these men went into the room in which Ishbosheth； Saul's
son； lay asleep； and slew him； they also cut off his head； and
took their journey all that night； and the next day； as supposing
themselves flying away from those they had injured； to one that
would accept of this action as a favor； and would afford them
security。 So they came to Hebron； and showed David the head of
Ishbosheth； and presented themselves to him as his well…wishers；
and such as had killed one that was his enemy and antagonist。 Yet
David did not relish what they had done as they expected； but
said to them； 〃You vile wretches； you shall immediately receive
the punishment you deserve。 Did not you know what vengeance I
executed on him that murdered Saul； and brought me his crown of
gold； and this while he who made this slaughter did it as a favor
to him； that he might not be caught by his enemies？ Or do you
imagine that I am altered in my disposition； and suppose that I
am not the same man I then was； but am pleased with men that are
wicked doers； and esteem your vile actions； when you are become
murderers of your master； as grateful to me； when you have slain
a righteous man upon his bed； who never did evil to any body； and
treated you with great good…will and respect？ Wherefore you shall
suffer the punishment due on his account； and the vengeance I
ought to inflict upon you for killing Ishbosheth； and for
supposing that I should take his death kindly at your hands； for
you could not lay a greater blot on my honor； than by making such
a supposal。〃 When David had said this； he tormented them with all
sorts of torments； and then put them to death； and he bestowed
all accustomed rites on the burial of the head of Ishbosheth； and
laid it in the grave of Abner。
2。 When these things were brought to this conclusion； all the
principal men of the Hebrew people came to David to Hebron； with
the heads of thousands； and other rulers； and delivered
themselves up to him； putting him in mind of the good…will they
had borne to him in Saul's lifetime； and the respect they then
had not ceased to pay him when he was captain of a thousand； as
also that he was chosen of God by Samuel the prophet； he and his
sons； （2） and declaring besides； how God had given him power to
save the land of the Hebrews； and to overcome the Philistines。
Whereupon he received kindly this their alacrity on his account；
and exhorted them to continue in it； for that they should have no
reason to repent of being thus disposed to him。 So when he had
feasted them； and treated them kindly； he sent them out to bring
all the people to him； upon which came to him about six thousand
and eight hundred armed men of the tribe of Judah； who bare
shields and spears for their weapons； for these had ＇till now＇
continued with Saul's son； when the rest of the tribe of Judah
had ordained David for their king。 There came also seven thousand
and one hundred out of the tribe of Simeon。 Out of the tribe of
Levi came four thousand and seven hundred； having Jehoiada for
their leader。 After these came Zadok the high priest； with
twenty…two captains of his kindred。 Out of the tribe of Benjamin
the armed men were four thousand； but the rest of the tribe
continued； still expecting that some one of the house of Saul
should reign over them。 Those of the tribe of Ephraim were twenty
thousand and eight hundred； and these mighty men of valor； and
eminent for their strength。 Out of the half tribe of Manasseh
came eighteen thousand； of the most potent men。 Out of the tribe
of Issachar came two hundred； who foreknew what was to come
hereafter； （3） but of armed men twenty thousand。 Of the tribe of
Zebulon fifty thousand chosen men。 This was the only tribe that
came universally in to David； and all these had the same weapons
with the tribe of Gad。 Out of the tribe of Naphtali the eminent
men and rulers were one thousand； whose weapons were shields and
spears； and the tribe itself followed after； being （in a manner）
innumerable ＇thirty…seven thousand＇。 Out of the tribe of Dan
there were of chosen men twenty…seven thousand and six hundred。
Out of the tribe of Asher were forty thousand。 Out of the two
tribes that were beyond Jordan； and the rest of the tribe of
Manasseh； such as used shields； and spears； and head…pieces； and
swords； were a hundred and twenty thousand。 The res