David was roused from his lamentations by the reproaches of his victorious general,* who flushed with success, told him the truth, but, perhaps, told it too coarsely. It is evident that Joab now lost the favour of his master, which the murder of Abner, the killing Absalom in direct contradiction to David's express order; and lastly, his want of sympathy, and his indelicacy in the present instance, were the apparent causes. After the battle, he invited Amasa, Absalom's vanquished general, to return to his duty: very imprudently and unaccountably promising him the chief command of his army in the stead of Joab;** which was seemingly but an unthankful return for the victory that officer had just gained him, and for his attachment to his interest all along. Amasa, it is true, was a near relation; but Joab, according to Josephus, stood in the same degree of consanguinity; they being both the sons of David's sisters, this offer must therefore have been rashly influenced by his resentment against Joab, as before mentioned. The remains of Absalom's scattered army dispersed to their homes in the best and most private manner they could:*** but David inadvertantly plunged himself into fresh troubles, by causing himself to be conducted home by a detachment from the tribe of Judah.**** This occasioned disputes between that and the other tribes. They accused Judah of stealing their king from them.(5) * 2 Sam. xix. 5-7. ** Ver. 13. *** Ver. 3, **** Ver. 11, 15. (5) Ver. 41. Judah replied, that they gave their attendance, because the king was of their tribe; and that it was their own free will:* the others rejoined that they had ten parts in the king, and that their advice should have been asked as to the bringing him back.** At this juncture, one Sheba took advantage of the discontent, "and blew a trumpet, and said, we have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tent, O Israel."*** The consequence of this, was a second insurrection. Amasa was ordered to assemble an army to suppress it; but not proceeding with the desired speed, Abishai was afterward commissioned with the same trust; Amasa and Abishai met and proceeded together, and were joined by Joab and his men. But Joab, not thoroughly liking to serve under a man he had so lately vanquished, and having as few scruples of conscience as his old master, made short work, stabbed Amasa, and reassumed the command of the whole army.****