to Jonathan's children; so he called Ziba, an old servant of Saul, and said, "Tell me whether there are any of Saul's children living now, that I may show the kindness of God to them." Ziba said, "Yes; there is a son of Jonathan, named Mephibosheth, still alive, but he is lame." Then David told Ziba to go and bring Mephibosheth. Now, Mephibosheth became lame in this way. On that sad day when his poor father was killed in battle, his nurse took him up in haste to carry him away, and he fell out of her arms. The fall hurt the little boy, and he was lame ever afterwards.

Mephibosheth felt alarmed when the king sent for him, and he fell on his face before David. But David spoke to him very gently and affectionately; for he remembered Jonathan, and he loved Mephibosheth, because he was Jonathan's son. David said to him,

"Fear not; I will show thee kindness for Jonathan's sake. I will give thee again all the land which belonged to Saul, and thou shalt eat every day at my table." Then Mephibosheth bowed again before David, and thanked him for his kindness.

David called Ziba, and said, "I have given all Saul's possessions to Mephibosheth. Now thou and thy sons must take care of the land for him, and bring the fruits to him; but he shall eat always at my table." Ziba promised to obey the king. He was a rich man, and had many servants, who helped him to take care of Mephibosheth's land. Mephibosheth had a house in Jerusalem where he lived; but every day he dined with the king, and David honored and loved him very much. But David had new troubles now. When he was young, he had been troubled by Saul;

when he was old, he was now troubled by his for David had sinned, and sin

own children

always causes sorrow. David had many sons, and some of them were very wicked. One named Absalom, and another, Amnon, did not live in love and peace together. Absalom hated Amnon, and hatred was in the heart of Absalom a long time. It grew stronger and stronger, till at last he determined to kill his brother Amnon; for he could not rest while he lived. He thought first he would kill him secretly, without his father's knowledge. So he made a great feast and invited all his brothers, and commanded his servants to kill Amnon when he came. Amnon came to the feast. And when they were all merry, the servants rushed in, and smote Amnon, and killed him. All his brothers were frightened, and fled; and Absalom fled, too, because he

was afraid that David would punish him for the murder of his brother.

The king soon heard the sad story; and he arose, and rent his clothes, and lay on the ground, and wept; and all his sons wept, too. But Absalom escaped to Geshur, and stayed there three years; and David did not see him all that time. One son was gone away, and another son was dead. David mourned for them both. At last Joab came to the king, and begged that Absalom might come home. David was ready to forgive his wicked son, for he still loved him. So he told Joab to bring Absalom from Geshur. Still David would not see his son; so Absalom dwelt in his own house in Jerusalem. Two years had now passed since Absalom's return, and David had not yet seen him. Then Absalom began to be impatient and angry. He was not sorry for

his sin and he did not like to be punished. He sent for Joab, but Joab did not come. Absalom sent again; still Joab did not come. At last Absalom grew angry. There was a field belonging to Joab, near Absalom's house; and Absalom, in his passion, sent his servants to set it on fire.

When Joab saw his field burning, he went to Absalom, and asked, "Why have thy servants set my field on fire?" And Absalom answered," Because I sent for thee, and thou didst not come. Go now to the king, and ask why I am come from Geshur; I might as well have stayed there, if I am never to see the king's face." This was not a gentle message to his father; still David loved his son SO much, that, when he heard the message, he sent for Absalom to forgive him.

So Absalom came to his father, and