Being once again supreme in command, Joab proceeded directly to the reduction of the malecontents who shut themselves up in the city of Abel of Beth-maacha: he battered the town, but by the negociation of a woman, the inhabitants agreed to throw Sheba's head to him over the wall; which they performed;(5) and thus was quiet once more restored. Joab returned to Jerusalem, where we are told that he was general over all the host of Israel.(6) Not a syllable appears of any notice taken by David of the murder of the general by himself appointed: and of the assassin's usurping the command of the army. Not finding room in its proper place, it shall now be noticed, that when David was returning to Jerusalem from the reduction of Absalom's rebellion; with the men of Judah, who came to escort him, Shimei, the Benjamite,(7) joined him at the head of a party of his own tribe. * 2 Sam. xix. 42. ** Ver. 43. *** Chap. xx. 1. **** Ver. 7, 9. (5) Ver. 15, 16, &c. (6) Ver. 23. (7) Ver. 16. This man, who at a former meeting, so freely bestowed his maledictions on David when a fugitive: upon this change of circumstances, reflecting on the king's vindictive temper, came now to make his submission: David accepted his acknowledgements, and confirmed his pardon with an oath.* We shall have occasion to refer to this passage anon. Mephibosheth came also to welcome David on his return, and undeceive him with regard to the false Ziba's representation of him;--but he appears to have met with no other redress, than a remittance of _half the grant_ made to Ziba of his estate.** * 2 Sam. xix. 28. ** Ver. 29. These intestine troubles put David upon pondering how to secure himself, as far as he could forecast, from any future disturbance. It is the part of good politicians, not only to form wise designs themselves, but also to make proper advantage of public occurrences, that all events indiscriminately may, more or less, lead to the purposes wanted to be obtained. Of this policy we shall observe David to be mindful, in the ensuing transaction. Not that a panegyric upon his contrivance in this instance is by any means intended; for certainly a more barefaced transaction was never exhibited: such indeed as could only have been attempted among the poor bigoted Jews. It is sufficient, however, that it answered David's purpose; than which more could not have been expected from the most complete stroke that refined politics ever produced. But view it in a moral light, and certainly a blacker piece of ingratitude and perfidy can hardly be imagined. It was impossible to continue the narrative without prefacing thus much.