Page 226 - Bible History

THE KING FROM WHOM THE REDEEMER DESCENDED 199
to Hebron was that he wished to ful ll a vow and o er sacri ce in that city, but his real object was to have himself made king. He expected an army to join him in the south. With this army he hoped to capture Jerusalem and compel his father to surrender.
When David heard that Absalom had risen up against him, he ed from Jerusalem, for he wished to spare the people of the city the misery of a siege. He commanded two priests to remain in Jerusalem with the Ark, and instructed them to keep him informed of Absalom's intentions.
Absalom and his army entered the city of Jerusalem A 11 and took possession of David's palace. He made every
J e ort to win the people over to his side, and when
he thought that he had accomplished this purpose and that they trusted him, he set out in pursuit of his father.
One of David's followers, a man named Chusai, had remained in Jerusalem to keep the king informed of all that was going on in the capital. Chusai now sent messengers to David, urging him to leave the Jordan, where he was hiding. The king obeyed the instruc­tions of the messengers and ed to the land of Galaad, where he was received with all kindness.
Absalom pursued his father to the land of Galaad. David prepared to meet the attack of his son. He divided his army into three companies, intending to lead one of them himself, but the people of the c y persuaded him to remain behind with them.
David's army met the men of Absalom in a wooded valley, where a erce battle was fought. The army