Ver. 3.-The spirit that refuses good advice, Joab was not always a good adviser. More than once he bad led David into difficulties. But he was a skilful and bold statesman. He looked rather to the consequences and ultimate influences of political actions than to the maintenance of high political principles. In this case he feared more the penalty that would follow than the sin itself. But his advice was good. We may not say that even good advice is necessarily to be taken. Our jude:ment con- cerning it should be exercised, and our decisions upon it should be made. That which is absolutely good, or in a general wo.y good, may not be the best thing o.t a particular time, or for a particular individual. I. GooD ADVICE MAY BE UNACCEPTABLE IN ITSELF. It may demand hard things or unpleasant things. It may be difficult to discern the grounds 011 which it is based. It may involve humiliations and confessions of mistake. It may bring heavy respon- sibilities. It may unduly strain feeling. It may be quite different from the advice wo expected. It mo.y seem, to our jud~ent, anything but good. II. GooD ADVICE MAY BE UNACCEPTABLE THROUGH THE PERSON WHO GIVES IT. We estimate the value of advice by the giver. Our confidence in him gives quality to his advice. Probably David WR.S at this time so annoyed with Joab that his eyes were blinded, and be could not see how wise his counsel was. To judge advice by the giver is, as a rule, quite safe; but care is needed lest prejudice should prevent our recognizing the good in the counsel of those we dislike, and lest undue affection should prernut our seeing the error in the advice of those whom we may_personally esteem. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend," etc. III. GooD ADVICE HAY BE UNACOEPTABLE THROUGH THE STATE OF JUND OF THE PERSON WHO RECEIVES IT. 'l'bere may be e. proud unwillingness to receive advice at all; 1111 over and undue self-reliance. There may be e. strong purpose and resolve against which the advice goes, as in David's case. So we learn that to be proper recipients of good advice from our follow-men, or from God's Word, we need to win and to keep the humble, open heart.-Il.. T.
Vers. 7, 8.-Judgment revealing iniquity. In these verses it is notc,l that God's jucl<>ment on sin revealed the sinfulness of his doings to the sinner. "God is known ·by the judgment that be executetb." Still, it is largely truo that wcn do not sec thoi.: 34.B 1.'RE FIRST BOOK OF TE:E CIIRONICLES. [ctt. xn. 1-30.