DAVID MOURNING OVER ABSALOM.

Then said Ahimaaz the son of Zadok, Let me now run, and bearthe king tidings, how that the Lord hath avenged him of hisenemies. And Joab said unto him, Thou shalt not bear tidings thisday, but thou shalt bear tidings another day: but this day thoushalt bear no tidings, because the king's son is dead. Then saidJoab to Cushi, Go tell the king what thou hast seen. And Cushibowed himself unto Joab, and ran. Then said Ahimaaz the son ofZadok yet again to Joab, But howsoever, let me, I pray thee, alsorun after Cushi. And Joab said, Wherefore wilt thou run, my son,seeing that thou hast no tidings ready? But howsoever, said helet me run. And he said unto him, Run. Then Ahimaaz ran by theway of the plain, and overran Cushi.

And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went upto the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes,and looked, and behold a man running alone. And the watchmancried, and told the king. And the king said, If he be alone,there is tidings in his mouth. And he came apace, and drew near.And the watchman saw another man running: and the watchman calledunto the porter, and said, Behold another man running alone. Andthe king said, He also bringeth tidings. And the watchman said,Me thinketh the running of the foremost is like the running ofAhimaaz the son of Zadok. And the king said, He is a good man,and cometh with good tidings.

And Ahimaaz called, and said unto the king, All is well. Andhe fell down to the earth upon his face before the king, andsaid, Blessed be the Lord thy God, which hath delivereth up themen that lifted up their hand against my lord the king. And theking said, Is the young man Absalom safe? And Ahimaaz answered,When Joab sent the king's servant, and me thy servant, I saw agreat tumult, but I knew not what it was. And the king said untohim, Turn aside, and stand here. And he turned aside, and stoodstill.

And, behold, Cushi came; and Cushi said, Tidings, my lord theking: for the Lord bath avenged thee this day of all them thatrose up against thee. And the king said unto Cushi, Is the youngman Absalom safe? And Cushi answered, The enemies of my lord theking, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as thatyoung man is.

And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber overthe gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my sonAbsalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, OAbsalom, my son, my son!

And it was told Joab, Behold the king weepeth and mourneth forAbsalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning untoall the people: for the people heard say that day how the kingwas grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth thatday into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when theyflee in battle.

But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loudvoice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!—2 Samuelxviii, 19 33; xix, 1-4.