Davideis :: :: University of Virginia Library

BY this time Adonijah, and the rest
Who had been entertained at his feast,
Their banquet past, were ready now to bring
Him forth in publick, to proclaim him king;
Buoy'd up with confidence of their success,
A priest attending them the work to bless,
And the old gen'ral Joab at their head,
The military forces up to lead;
When, on a sudden, the rebounding cries
Of Solomon's attendance, them surprize;
They heard and started; and the more they hear,
The more they're with amazement struck, and fear.
‘What,’ said old Joab, when he heard the sound
Of trumpets, and the shouts which trumpets drown'd,
‘May we suppose the cause of this to be?—
‘The city in an uproar seems to me.’

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While he yet spake, came one unto the door,
Who had been proling out some time before,
Jonathan, who was son unto the priest
Abiathar, of traitors not the least,
Who having been abroad upon the scout,
Had seen the work the city was about.

Him, Adonijah seeing, said, ‘Come in,
‘And tell us what the matter is.—Begin,
‘For thou a man of noted valour art,
‘And usually good tidings dost impart;
‘Say, what's the bus'ness?’—‘Ah, alas!’ said he,
‘My tidings now will not be good to thee;
‘For, verily, our lord king David now
‘Hath Solomon made king.’ Then told him how,
Were, and by whom it managed had been,
And what relating to't, he'd heard or seen;
Adding, ‘the people's joy for their new king,
‘They so express'd, as made the city ring;
‘And that the noise is, which ye now have heard,
‘The cause of which is justly to be fear'd,
‘For Solomon now on the throne doth sit,
‘And doth to every one what he thinks fit.’

At this report, the guests were all afraid,
And slipt away; not one amongst them staid
With Adonijah. He, as well he might,
Deserted thus, fled in a grievous fright
Unto the altar, of its horns laid hold,
Hoping that sacred place now, as of old

217

It had to others done, might him protect;
At least till he might other means project,
His pardon to obtain. This being laid
Before king Solomon, he thereon said,
‘If he himself a worthy man will shew,
‘There shall for this no punishment ensue;
‘But if hereafter he again shall try
‘Ill practices against me, he shall die.’

Then Solomon sent messengers to bring
Him from the altar down unto the king;
He came, and to the king himself did bow,
Which shew'd he did his sov'reignty allow;
The king dismissing him, this only said,
‘Go to thy house, do well, and ben't afraid.’

This gentle dealing th'ancient king approv'd,
No doubt, because Adonijah he lov'd;
And, therefore, probably was glad to see
In his successor so much lenity;
Which made him, when his courtiers came to wait
Upon him, and with joy congratulate
This great deliv'rance, bow himself, and say,
‘Blest be the Lord, ev'n Israel's God this day,
‘Who, whilst I'm living, hath vouchsafed one
‘Of mine own sons to sit upon my throne.’
The sense whereof did make this godly king,
Unto the Lord, his Nunc dimittis sing.

218

And now the days of David drawing nigh,
Wherein, by course of nature, he should die,
He of king Solomon his leave did take,
And unto him he thus at parting spake:

‘I go the way of all the earth,’ said he,
‘Be strong, and let the man appear in thee.
‘God's sacred charge observe throughout thy days,
‘And walk uprightly in his holy ways;
‘His statutes keep, his high commands obey,
‘His judgments dread, his doctrines all display,
‘That in whate'er thine hand doth undertake,
‘Thou may'st the Lord to thee propitious make;
‘Then will the Lord confirm his word, which he
‘Most graciously did speak concerning me,
‘When he, some years ago, was pleas'd to say,
‘If thine shall take good heed unto their way,
‘With all their heart, and all their soul to walk,
‘In truth before me, justice never baulk,
‘Then shalt thou never want a favour'd son
‘To sit upon the Israelitish throne.’

This said, he Solomon instruction gave,
How he hereafter should himself behave,
To some who had from their allegiance swerv'd;
And others, who of him had well deserv'd:
Then having seen full threescore years and ten,
And forty passed in a glorious reign,

219

He with his fathers slept, and was interr'd
In his own city, which he most preferr'd;
And which, to honour him, thenceforth became
The royal sepulchre for men of fame.
And now my muse, might she so high presume,
Would write this epitaph upon his tomb.

EPITAPH.

Here lies king David, whose sharp sword did quell
The fiercest enemies of Israel.
Here the sweet singer lies, whose various state,
The psalms by him composed, do relate.
Here lies the man, who (for the greatest part)
Did walk according to the Lord's own heart.
His body in the grave below doth rest:
His spirit lives above, among the blest.

2 Sam. vii. 12.