Absalom spends four years building up support among Israel and then leads a rebellion against his father David.  David flees Jerusalem with a fee men and Absalom announces that he is the king.  In David’s journey he is cursed by a relative of Saul.  David’s men say that they will kill then man, but David instructs his men to leave the man alone.  David says that if God has told this man to curse him, then who is David to argue.  Mephibosheth, Saul’s closest descendent whom David had honored, pledges his allegiance to Absalom.

“Prayer Chain” by Tim Nolan

My mother called to tell me
about an old classmate of mine who

was dying on the parish prayer chain—
or was very sick—or destitute—

or it had not worked out—the marriage—
or the kids were all on drugs—and

all the old mothers were praying intensely
for all the pain of their children

and for life—they were praying for life—
in their quiet rooms—sipping decaf coffee—

I bet they’ve been praying for me at times—
so I’ll find my way—so I won’t rob a bank—

I’ll take them—the mystical prayers of old mothers—
it matters—all this patient and purposeful love.