the savior of their daughter. He was made at home in their house,
and won general favor by reason of his excellent character. The
young shepherd felt attracted to the study of sacred subjects. He
frequented the school of the prophets, and he was particularly
entranced with the eloquence of the great Isaiah.

The pretended Azrikam did not view the friendship established
between Tamar and Amnon with a favorable eye. He took the priest
Zimri into his confidence, and made him his accomplice and aid in
disposing of his rival. Jedidiah, meanwhile, remained faithful to
his promise, and persisted in his intention of giving his
daughter in marriage to Azrikam, in spite of her own wishes in
the matter. When the tender feeling between Tamar and Amnon
became evident, Jedidiah dismissed the latter from his house.

The period treated of is the most turbulent in the history of
Judea. The conflict of passions and intrigues is going on that
preceded the downfall of the kingdom of Judah and the great
Assyrian invasion. Moral disorder reigns everywhere, iniquity and
lies rule in place of justice. The upright tremble and hope,
encouraged by the prophets. The wicked are defiant, and give
themselves up shamelessly to their debauches.

"Let us drink, let us sing!" exclaimed the crowd of the impious.
"Who knows whether to-morrow finds us alive!"

Zimri meditates a master stroke. Every evening Amnon betook
himself to a little hut on the outskirts of the town, where his
mother and his sister lived. Zimri surprises him. He takes Tamar
and Teman there, and they watch Amnon embrace his sister. Now all