gather the Jews so that they might spend three days in fasting and
prayer, while she and her maidens did the same, and, said she, "So
will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law, and if
I perish, I perish."

Esther went in. The king graciously held out the golden sceptre to
her, accepted her invitation to a banquet, and finally ordered the
wicked Haman to be hanged, and measures to be taken to preserve the
lives of the Jews.

[Illustration: ESTHER BEFORE THE KING.]




DAVID AND JONATHAN.


Jonathan was the son of Saul, the king. He loved David greatly, and
regretted that his father, through jealousy, sought David's life.
David, after the last attempt of Saul to smite him to the wall by a
javelin, fled away, and meeting with Jonathan said: "What have I done?
What is mine iniquity, and what is my sin before thy father that he
seeketh my life?"

Jonathan sympathised deeply with his friend, and tried to save him. He
promised to ascertain whether Saul fully intended to kill David, and,
if so, to inform him, that he might escape. Meantime David was to
remain in hiding, but on the third day Jonathan was to return with the
required information. Before they parted they entered into a solemn