dfather Saul was in possession of, and bade him
come and diet with him at his own table, and never to be absent one day
from that table. And when the youth had worshipped him on account of his
words and gifts given to him, he called for Ziba, and told him that he
had given the youth his father's house, and all Saul's estate. He also
ordered that Ziba should cultivate his land, and take care of it, and
bring him the profits of all to Jerusalem. Accordingly, David brought
him to his table every day, and bestowed upon the youth, Ziba and his
sons, who were in number fifteen, and his servants, who were in
number twenty. When the king had made these appointments, and Ziba had
worshipped him, and promised to do all that he had bidden him, he went
his way; so that this son of Jonathan dwelt at Jerusalem, and dieted at
the king's table, and had the same care that a son could claim taken of
him. He also had himself a son, whom he named Micha.

CHAPTER 6. How The War Was Waged Against The Ammonites And Happily
Concluded.

1. This were the honors that such as were left of Saul's and Jonathan's
lineage received from David. About this time died Nahash, the king
of the Ammonites, who was a friend of David's; and when his son had
succeeded his father in the kingdom, David sent ambassadors to him to
comfort him; and exhorted him to take his father's death patiently, and
to expect that he would continue the same kindness to himself which
he had shown to his father. But the princes of the Ammonites took this
message in evil part, and not as David's kind dispositions gave reason
to take it; and they excited the king to resent it; and said that David
had sent men to spy out the country, and what strength it had, under the
pretense of humanity and kindness. They further advised him to have a
care, and not to give heed to David's words, lest he should be deluded
by him, and so fall into an inconsolable calamity. Accordingly Nahash's
[son], the king of the Ammonites, thought these princes spake what was
more probable than the truth would admit, and so abused the ambassadors
after a very harsh manner; for he shaved the one half of their beards,
and cut off one half of their garments, and sent his answer, not
in words, but in deeds. When the king of Israel saw this, he had
indignation at it, and showed openly that he would not overlook this
injurious and contumelious treatment, but would make war with the
Ammonites, and would avenge th