for the moment, but 1\8 being the natm·al consequence of his parents' folly and sin. Ilut let us now_ consider what shape tl..t.is same infatuation took; let us separate it into its constituent parts, that we may the better understand Rehoboam's charac- ter, and see the workings of his mind. Observe- r. liIS ENTIRE UNCONSCIOUSNESS OF DANGER. There were not wanting, to those 'IVho could read the signs of the times, many indications of peril. It was a .. siguifica,nt hint" that Shechem had been selected for his coronation; that the tribes insisted on a conference; that instead of acclamations he was met with stipulations. It was & presage of danger that their first words to Solomon's son, to David's grandson, were of a "heavy yoke" and a grievous burden. It was still more ominous that Jeroboam had already raised the stnndnrd of revolt and that this arch-rebel-according to the received text, but see on vers. 3, 20-wns present among the mnlcontents. Even if he had not at that time been recalled from Egypt, still :Rehoborun knew full well that he was there, and ready to rebel age.in if opportllllity offered. All these were mutterings of the coming storm, and no one who was not a fool conld have failed to perceive their import. II. Hrs VACILLATION AND IRRESOLUTION. Bishop Hall observes that his stipu- lating for three days in which to consider their demand was the only word he spoke which argued wisdom. Matthew Henry, on the other hand, thinks that it was "impolitic to take time to consider,'' and it may well be doubted whether this was not really a false aud dangerous move. Had ho bluntly refused all concessions and laid hands on the ringleaders, it is very probable that such a display of energy would have quelled the spirit of insurrection. Or had he graciously and instantly promised a redress of their grievances, he would have preserved his crown. But this delrty was dangerous. It set them a-thinking what they would do in case of a refusal. A Fabian policy has saved some states, no doubt; but how many has it destroyed? And if, as has been suggested (on ver. f>), the object of the three days' delay was that he might summon his young companions to his side, its nnwisdom is still more apparent. . IIL Hrs PfilDE AND OBSTINACY. It was pride, not mental incapacity, led him to reject the counsel of the old men and seek for further advice. It was because it went against the grain to be a " servant," even for one day. That they should have presumed to ask concessions, or to parley with him at all, was an offence in his eyes. It is easy to read his vexation between the lines. With his high-flown notions of Divine right, with the characteristic contempt of an autocrat for the masses, it was mortiiying to :find his subjects bandying words with him. We may be pretty sure that, had the old men advised "whips of scorpions," &o., we should have heard of no further consultation. The pride of Solomon and the pretensions of Nao.mah reappe:u- in their son. IV. Hrs FOLLY. This, which is conspicuous all the way through, is especially manifest in (1) l..t.is turning to the young men for advice, and (2) in his taking it in preference to that of the old men. We might also instance the threats to which he stooped, and the mission of Adoram, but these come more appropriately under- V. Hrs INSOLENCE AND DEFIANCE. Had he wished to provoke a rebellion, he could not have taken more effectual means to secure the end. "I will add to your yoke." "I will chastise you with scorpions." What cry could he possibly expect in return. except a war-cry, such as he presently heard? If he had meant to pllllish, he should surely have held his tongue and used hie hands. To boast of what he would do is like the Chinese warrior, who thinks to disperse his enemies by a ferocious shout. And to send Adoram, not to make overtures of peace-Reho- boam's folly would hardly go so far as to select him for such a mission-but, as it would seem, to collect tribute or to make a show of his authority, why, if he had deeigned to make the breach i.1Teparable, and to stamp out the last faint hope of reconciliation, he could not have done more. It was the act of a, spoilt child, it was the coming out in the flesh of what was bred in the bone, Amongst the lessons this history teaches are these: (1) The sine of the fathers are vis1kd upon the children, and that by the operation of" so-called natural laws. {2) That God uses the folly, as well as the wrath, of man to praise Him. (8) That OS, XII. 1--24.) THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 259
if II fool be brayed in e. morte.r with II pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him, (4) The.t the mother he.a the marring or the making of her child in her hands. (6) Tha.t, "A pebble in the streamlet's source, Ho.th turned the course of many a river; A dewdrop on the be.by plant, Hath warped the giant oak for ever."