them. No sooner was he king over Judah than he sent a message of thanks and blessing to the men of Jabesh-Gilead for what they had done; and long afterwards, when he was king over all Israel, he sought out Mephibosheth, the lame son of Jonathan-but five years old at Jonathan's deathand took him to Jerusalem, and made him eat at his table continually "as one of the king's sons." And all this was for Jonathan's sake; "that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake." The covenant was more than a personal covenant; and when Jonathan was gone, David performed it faithfully towards his son.

26

The two principal persons with whom Jonathan's life was linked were Saul his father, and David his friend. David was a great light, and Saul, as king, was a great light too; Jonathan (though himself truly great) was second to both: but among the lesser lights of Scripture none shine more brightly than he-the brave warrior, the dutiful son, the tender, faithful, and generous friend, the godly man and man of faith.

26 2 Sam. ix.

AHIMAAZ.

HIMAAZ was son to Zadok the priest, and, like his father, remained faithful to David in the rebellion of Absalom, when so many fell away. If but the cause be a right one, it is happy to find father and son on the same side.

When David was forced to flee, he would not let Zadok and Abiathar go with him, but sent them back to Jerusalem to serve his cause there; and with them were to remain their sons, Ahimaaz, the son of Zadok, and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar. Hushai also, David's friend and counsellor, was told to stay at Jerusalem, seemingly as taking part with Absalom, but really to act on David's side. What he learnt of Absalom's plans he was to tell to Zadok and Abiathar, and they, on their part, were to send word of it to David by Ahimaaz and Jonathan. Thus these two young men had an important service, but one by no means free from danger.1

It was not good or safe for them to be in Jeru1 Sam. xv. 27, 36.

salem itself, for even if they were not known to be David's friends, it would not have been easy for them to get in and out of the city to do his errands. But a little way beyond the walls, lying deep down where two valleys join, was a fountain or well called Enrogel, or the fuller's fountain, known also as Joab's well; in this retired spot, close to the city and yet hidden from view, the two young men stayed. There "a wench went and told them" the message they were to take in all haste to David -that he should not rest that night in the plains of the wilderness, for fear of pursuit, but speedily pass over Jordan.

Notwithstanding all their care however, they did not escape notice. Either when the maid spoke to them, or after they had set out, "a lad saw them, and told Absalom." They knew their danger and made all haste away, and got as far as Bahurim, following in David's steps. This place was but a short distance from Jerusalem, but they dared not go further, expecting to be pursued. Here they found a strange hiding-place. In the court of a man's house at Bahurim (one faithful to David) was a well, dry, we may suppose, at that season; into this they went down, and the woman of the house "took and spread a covering over the well's mouth and spread ground corn thereon, and the thing was not known." Possibly it was at this same house that the king and his people had lately refreshed themselves.2

2 2 Sam. xvi. 14.

They did wisely in hiding, and they were not a whit too soon, for they were traced to the house, and soon the servants of Absalom arrived there in pursuit. The woman however proved faithful, and did not betray them. In reply to the question, "Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" she said, "They be gone over the brook of waters." This was not true, and the men of Absalom seem to have doubted her word, for they searched the house themselves. But the two young men were safe in the well, and none suspected what was underneath the heap of corn; so Absalom's servants returned to Jerusalem, and doubtless reported that the messengers could not be overtaken. No sooner were they gone than the two came out of their hidingplace, and went on their way to David, and delivered their message, "Arise, and pass quickly over the water: for thus hath Ahithophel counselled against you."

The woman spoke untruly. It is not our business here to enquire whether she was wrong, for our concern is with Ahimaaz and his companion only, and they had no share in the untruth, for none will go so far as to blame them for hiding. Thus much may be said for the woman, that what she said was said in a good cause, and to save life; and further, that her conduct was exactly like that of Rahab in hiding the two spies; and Rahab, far from being blamed, is spoken of as having acted in faith.3 God is the God of truth, and Josh. ii. 1-6; Heb. xi. 31; James ii. 25.

3

M

He requires truth: but what would now be clearly wrong may then have been allowed, under the dim light then enjoyed, and under the special circumstances of the case. We cannot settle the question, nor are we called to do so.

This at least is clear, that these two young men were faithful to their trust, and were preserved by God's providential care. Humanly speaking, a very small thing would have made to them all the difference of life or death-a little less speed on their part, or a little more on the part of the pursuersa prying eye upon them, when the woman thought no one saw-or even a suspicion crossing the mind of one of Absalom's servants with regard to the heap of corn that was there drying in the sun. But they were engaged in a right cause, and "the Lord hid them," and all that happened was ordered, or overruled, for their safety.

Ahimaaz and Jonathan, having delivered their message, did not go back to Jerusalem; they had done their work, and now joined King David, and went over Jordan with him and his followers, and took part in what followed. They were young men, and it was young men's work that they had done. They had left it to their elders to counsel and command, content themselves to obey. Their youthful swiftness and strength were of great service, and were zealously used. Their fathers sent the message, they did but carry it; but what they * Jer. xxxvi. 26.