. . .And yet he was so thoroughly absorbed in his thoughts, that he did not notice any number of people excitedly hurrying past him.

He walked on toward the center of the city in a daze. The first time he realized that he was not alone on the streets of Samaria was when he found himself being jostled in a wide thoroughfare leading to the market place.

Then he was awakened out of the stupor in which he had left his home by cries, coming from several directions:

"Shallum!"

"Long live the king!"

"Long life to Shallum!"

Shallum? Who was Shallum? Why was the name being shouted in the streets of Samaria?

Hosea, trying to find his bearings, was asking himself these questions when he arrived in the market place.

There an unusual and most unexpected sight met him. The place was filled with people. Troops were fighting in front of the . . . Read More