When David was upon his journey from the city, he was met by Ziba, servant to Mephibosheth, with asses and provisions for his majesty's accommodation in his retreat:(8) of whom, when David enquired why Mephibosheth did not come with him; this treacherous servant told him that he staid behind at Jerusalem, hoping to obtain the kingdom of his grandfather, during this disturbance:(9) by which lying aspersion, he gained a grant of all his master's possessions. * 2 Sam. xv. 7. ** Ver. 12,14. *** Ver. 16. **** Ver. 27,28, (5) Ver. 12, 31. (6) Ver. 32, &c. (7) Ver. 37, (8) 2 Sam. xvi. 1. (9) Ver. 3. Here we may introduce a circumstance, which is so far material, as it serves to shew, that the sanctity of David was not quite so universally assented to, as may be imagined, while he was living; and his actions not only fresh in memory, but more perfectly known, than possibly, was prudent to transmit to these distant ages. As David prosecuted his flight, he was met by a man of Saul's family, whose name was Shimei. This man as he came on, kept muttering curses between his teeth, and at length cast stones at the King and his attendants, calling out to him, "Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial; the Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son; and behold thou art taken in thy mischief because thou art a bloody man."* This is pathetic, and truly characteristic of the person to whom the speech was addressed. Some of his retinue were at the point of silencing; this brawler with the "ultima ratio regum;"** but David prevented it,*** wisely considering this not to be a season for proceeding to extremities. Absalom, in the mean time, being come to Jerusalem, like a buck of spirit, took the damsels which his father had left to keep house, and cuckolded the old man by way of bravado, on the top of it****; in a tent erected for this heroic purpose! Ahitophel advised Absalom to select twelve thousand men, and pursue David directly, before he had time to recover his surprize;(5) which was certainly the best resolution that could have been formed. But Hushai, as was concerted, proposed a different plan of operations; opposing to the former, the well known valour and military skill of the old king; and the hazard of making him and his men desperate.(6) * 2 Sam. xvi 7, 8. ** The motto on French cannon. *** 2 Sam. xvi. 9, 10. **** Ver. 21, 22. (5) Chap. xvii. 1. (6) Ver. 8.