The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 29

(1) The law that "like prod!uces like," which is proved to demonstration in the breeding of lower o.nimals (illustrations from horses bred for speed or en- durance, dogs for fleetness or scent, pigeons for swiftness or beauty, &c.), asserts itself in man. Not only a.re plvysical qualities inherited, so that we recognise a. " family likeness'' between children of the same parents; but mental qualities are inherited too ; statesmanship, heroism, or artistic gift, reappearing in the same family for generations. Moral tendencies are transmitted too; and Scripture exemplifies it. If Isaac is so luxurious that he must have his savoury dish, we do not so much wonder that Esau, his son. sells hie birthright for a mess of pottage. If Rebekah, like Laban her brother, is greedy and cunning, her son Jacob inherits her tendency, and must live a life of suffering, and present many an agonising prayer before he is set free from his besetting sin. So is it still. The drunkard gives to his offspring a craving for drink, which is a disease. In more senses than one, "The evil that men do lives after them.'' 81ll'ely, then, when not only future happiness, but the destiny of children depends on the choice of a life partner, there shoald be regard paid not merely to physical beauty, or mental endowment, 01· social position, but, above all these, to moral and spiritual worth. (2) It is argued that this law of moral heritage affects personal responsi- bility; that it is hardly fair to condemn a man for a sin to which he is natu- rally prone. But" shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Whatever your parentage, you are not "committed to do these abominations." If the dispo- sition be evil, it need never become the habit of life. It is something you may yield to, but it is something you may resist ; for " He is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able to bear." Rather should any tendencies to evil be recognised as God's voice calling attention to the weak places of character, that there we may keep most eager watch and ward. And because we are weak, He has sent His Son to bring deliverance to the captives, that through Him we may be inspired with hope, and fitted with strength, and rejoice in the liberty wherewith Christ makes His people free. II. ADONIJAH WAS MISLED BY ADULATION. "He was also a, very goodly man." Physically, as well as morally, he was a repetition of Absalom. His parents were guilty of partiality. David loved him the more because (like the lost boy) Adonijah was so fair, so noble in mien, so princely in stature. Courtiers and soldiers (who looked, as they did in Saul's time, for 0, noble-looking king) flattered him. J 011b and Abia.thar joined the adulators. Intoxicated with vanity, Aclonijah set up a royal court, as Absalom had done (see ver. 6). Every position in life has its own temptations. The ill-favoured child who is the butt at school and the scapegoat at home is tempted to bitterness and revenge. His character is likely to be unsightly, as a plant would be, which grows in a damp, dark vault. There can belittle beauty if there is no sunshine. On the other hand, if the gift of physical beauty attracts attention and wins admiration, or if conversational power be brilliant, &c., it is n. source of peril. Many 11, one has thus been befooledinto sin and misery, or entmpped into an unhappy marriage, and by lifelong sadness po.iJ the penalty of folly, or venturing too far, prompted by ambition, he,s fallen, like Icarus when his waxen wings melted in the sunshine. When that time of disappointment and disenchant- ment oomes, happy is it when such an one, like the prodigal, comes to himself, and says, " I will arise, and go to my father 1" III. ADONIJAH WAS UNDISCIPLINED AT HOME. "His father had not displeasea him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done sol" This refers not only to the epecio.l act of 1·ebellion, but to the tendencies and habits lee.ding up to it, which David had not checked, for fear of vexing the high-spil"ited lad. The wenk indul- gence of children (such o.s that which Eli exhibited) is the cause of untold misery. Not mo.ny parents blazon abroad the story of their domestic grief. Loyal hands draw down the veil over the discord at home, and that agony of prayer which is heard by " the Father who seetli in secret." You do not see the girl who mars the beo.uty of her early womanhood by a flippo.nt disregard of her parents, 0,ud whose own pleasure seems to be the only law of her life. You do not see the chihl whose hast,y passion and \mcontrolled temper a1·e the dree,d of the honsehohl ; who, by  22 THE FIRS'.r BOOK OF lUNGS. [oR, I, 1-liS.