time of need, notwithstanding the absence of that symbol, through which, under other circumstances, he ought to have been approached.
It was moreover unavailing. What could the ark do, unless accompanied by God himself? What had it done for Israel when taken from Shiloh to protect them against the PhiHstines ? Of itself it had no power : and therefore it was taken prisoner by the Philistines, whilst those who bare it were slain ^. And what if this unauthorized measure should lead to a similar result ? How could he ever lift up his head again, after having brought such dishonour upon God ?
It was impious. What was this, but to transfer to a crea- ture the attributes of Deity, and to expect from the ark the help which could proceed from God alone ? This would have been to provoke God to jealousy, and to excite his displeasure at the very time that he most needed an interest in his favour.
On these grounds David sent back the ark; and humbly committed his cause into the hands of his invisible but almighty Protector.]
2. His submission to God —
[Exceeding heavy were the afflictions of Da\'id at this time. He was driven from his throne ; in hourly danger of being destroyed with all his faithful attendants ; and this through the ambition and cruelty of his favourite son. For- saken by some of his most endeared friends, and loaded with curses by his envenomed enemies, he fled in the most discon- solate state that can be imagined. Hear the pathetic account given of him in the following context: " David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered ; and he went barefoot. And all the people that were with him covered every man his head ; and they went up, weeping as they went up*^." But his afflictions were great, no less in a spiritual than in a temporal \dew. Indeed it is in this \dew that he chiefly complains of them throughout
the Psalms^
But in the midst of all, he submitted meekly to the painful dispensation, leaving it to God to order for him whatsoever in His wisdom he should see fit. He knew that, if God should interpose in his behalf, all should yet issue well, and he shovild yet again worship God in his sanctuary : but, if God had ordained otherwise, he was prepared to kiss the rod, and to bless the hand that chastised him with it. " If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me again, and shew me both the ark and his habitation : but if he thus say,
e 1 Sam. iv. 11. d ver. 30.
^ See Ps. xlii. 1 — 5, 10. and xliii. 3, 4. and Ixxxiv. 1 — 4.