the battle himself, and led his own
army, but he gave victory to Abishai, the brother of Joab, general of
his forces, over the Idumeans, [12] and by him to David, when he sent
him with an army into Idumea: for Abishai destroyed eighteen thousand
of them in the battle; whereupon the king [of Israel] placed garrisons
through all Idumea, and received the tribute of the country, and of
every head among them. Now David was in his nature just, and made his
determination with regard to truth. He had for the general of his whole
army Joab; and he made Jehoshaphat, the son of Ahilud, recorder. He also
appointed Zadok, of the family of Phinehas, to be high priest, together
with Abiathar, for he was his friend. He also made Seisan the scribe,
and committed the command over the guards of his body to Benaiah; the
son of Jehoiada. His elder sons were near his body, and had the care of
it also.

5. He also called to mind the covenants and the oaths he had made with
Jonathan, the son of Saul, and the friendship and affection Jonathan had
for him; for besides all the rest of his excellent qualities with which
he was endowed, he was also exceeding mindful of such as had at other
times bestowed benefits upon him. He therefore gave order that inquiry
should be made, whether any of Jonathan's lineage were living, to whom
he might make return of that familiar acquaintance which Jonathan had
had with him, and for which he was still debtor. And when one of Saul's
freed men was brought to him, who was acquainted with those of his
family that were still living, he asked him whether he could tell him
of any one belonging to Jonathan that was now alive, and capable of a
requital of the benefits which he had received from Jonathan. And he
said, that a son of his was remaining, whose name was Mephibosheth, but
that he was lame of his feet; for that when his nurse heard that the
father and grandfather of the child were fallen in the battle, she
snatched him up, and fled away, and let him fall from her shoulders,
and his feet were lamed. So when he had learned where and by whom he was
brought up, he sent messengers to Machir, to the city of Lodebar, for
with him was the son of Jonathan brought up, and sent for him to come
to him. So when Mephibosheth came to the king, he fell on his face and
worshipped him; but David encouraged him, bade him be of good cheer,
and expect better times. So he gave him his father's house, and all the
estate which his gran