263 (§75B). The first necessity was to prevent the enemies all around Israel from interfering with the new kingdom. Who was the first enemy subdued? Locate their territory. In several campaigns these old enemies were prevented from giving any more trouble. The next enemy was in the southeast: who were they? Locate their territory. The next was an old city in the north, then a people in the south, then a nation to the east who hired northern allies. Locate all these, and note that David subdued all his troublesome neighbors. One people was left on the northwest coast, but they were a commercial and not a military people. What alliance did David make with them? 264 (§75C). David was able to conquer all these enemies because he had a noble company of knights about him. They were brave and loyal to their king. We study one fine passage that tells of a heroic deed during one of the Philistine campaigns. What do you think of the bravery of the heroes and the conduct of the king? WRITTEN REVIEW Draw an outline map of Canaan. Mark Jerusalem which David made his capital. Mark the territory of each of the enemies whom David conquered. You will find that you will have to go all around the map showing that David had to defend his people on every side. XXV. DAVID AND HIS REBEL SON THE STORY =§76. The Treacherous Son and the Loyal Friends= (II Sam. 14:25, 26; 15:1-15, 18-37) A. ABSALOM'S BEAUTY AND TREACHERY Now in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head, (now it was at every year's end that he cut it: because the hair was heavy on him, therefore he cut it:) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels, after the king's weight. And Absalom prepared him a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man had a suit which should come to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, "Of what city art thou?" And he said, "Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel." And Absalom said unto him, "See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee." Absalom said moreover, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!" And it was so, that when any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. And it came to pass at the end of four years, that Absalom said unto the king, "I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the Lord, in Hebron." And the king said unto him, "Go in peace."