done." When loaded \Adth execrations, as David vs^as by Shimei, he submitted meekly to the insults, as the Apostle says ; " When he was reviled, he reviled not again ; when he suffered, threatened not ; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously." As David too was chiefly solicitous for the welfare of the very man who sought his life, (giving express charge to all to spare the Hfe of Absalom,) so did our blessed Lord pray and plead for his murderers ; " Father, forgive them! for they know not what they do."
Thus whilst you admire the spirit and conduct of David, you may well take occasion to admire the infinitely sublimer spirit of the Lord Jesus.]
2. Look to him as an example under any sufferings which you yourselves may be called to bear —
[This is the improvement which an inspired Apostle teaches us to make of the subject : " Take, my brethren," says St. James, " the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suflering affliction, and of patience." We ourselves are all exposed to sufferings, even as David was : for " we are born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward:" nor do we know how soon troubles may come upon us. The possession of a crown was no exemption to David ; nor can any situation, in which we may be, prove an exemption to us. The more secure we are in our own apprehension, the more reason we have to expect that some calamity is near at hand. The saying, " My mountain stands strong ; I shall not be moved ; " wdll be a prelude to the hiding of God's face, and the incursion of some heavy trouble". The very things to which we looked for comfort may become an occasion of the bitterest anguish. Absalom was considered as the most beautiful youth in all Israel, and no doubt had often been looked upon by David with inexpressible delight ; yet this was the man who assassinated his brother and dethroned his father. And thus it is often found, at tliis day, that the objects of our fondest delight become, not the innocent occasions only, but even the guilty sources, of our bitterest affliction.
Are there then any amongst us oppressed with trouble? Let us look to David, and after his example commit our cause to God with meek submission and with humble affiance. Let us see the hand of God in our trials, and \dew men only as his instruments, raised up by him to fulfil and execute his will". Let us view men and devils only as the axe or saw in the hand of him that uses it ; and, under a sense of our own extreme unworthiness, let us *' receive evil at the Lord's hands as well
" Ps. XXX. 6, 7. " Ps. xvii. 13. Isai. x. 5, 15.