rcpronched thie rnnn for cruelty and hard-heartcdnesA, now turns to him for the purpose of using those very qunlities for accomplishing his own cruel design. The presence of such a man in Israel for doini the evil work of his superior is typical of a universal foot. There is n vBSt amount of reserve evil in the world, waiting only for some influential will to draw it out into activity. ']'he power of superiors over subordinates sometimes extends to the moral sphere. In strict fact, a king hlLB only power, in virtue .of his office, over the legal actions of his subjects, and a mlLBter over the leaal actions of his servants; but when e. king or a master, in excess of his right, extends his authority Into the moral sphere, it too often happens that the subordinate whose conscience is not sensitive allows the authority due to the legal position to pass over to the moral sphere and break down the defences of conscience. This is an abuse of influence on the one ·side, and an abandonment of moRt sacred duties on the other. The wicked heart is a.pt to find excuses in the fact that a superior leads the way, and that, if guilt lies anywhere, it is on him. III. MEN DENT ON AN EVIL DESIGN WILL EVEN BISE: '!'HE BUIN OF THE IXXOCENT IN CARRYING OUT THEm SCHEMES. David knew very well that Joab could not carry out his instructions without, not only exposing Uriah to the certain risk of death, but also placing other men, not concerned in this domestic trouble, in positions of peril : for the meaning of the instructions was plainly to create a position of extreme peril, which in war can only be done by engaging a troop. What if several innocent men fell in this "hottest battle" I Uriah, at all events, would be amongst them I The more the progressive conduct of the king is scrutinized, the more base and abominable does it appe_ar. This dreadful sin is not confined to David. Monarchs and diplomatists, who from motives of vanity or mere love of power bring on wa.r, really cause the death of innocent men and the wailings of widows in carrying out their designs. What if ~housands of i;nen fall-! Some regal or other obstacle to ambition or pride wiUat least be. got rid of! That is the moral side of too ma.ny wars. The ea.me in a measure applies to men v;,ho will be rich, though it cost the health, the poverty, and often lives of workmen. What of all that? Wealth must be secured ! Other instances are to be found in modern life, IV. MEN IN. CARRYING OUT' NEFABIOUB DESIGNS ARE CAREFUL TO CONFORM TO TirE DECENCIES OF OUTWARD LIFE, Bad men understand one another. There is a free- masonry in evil. Joab knew what he was about when he anticipated that David would I11anifest signs of wrath on hearing of his fruitless attack on the city. Each ~vii-doer played his Bart with skill. The messenger was to remind David of historic parallels (ver. 21), and to tell him that the rash man Uria.b, who led the bootless assa.ult,•h11d .been punished for his rashness by death. No court-martial would be n!lcesse.ry, lamentable as the affair certainly was I Heart answers to heart. The anger i;eases; maxims concerning the chances of wa.r come to one's aid (ver. 25); the lessons ~£,failure must be_ laid to he!ll~; the general at the head of the army must not be discouraged. All thiR was very proper-in harmony with the proprieties of life. Men doing evil are inwardly ashamed of it, and are compelled to keep up the appearance of doing and being good. It is the outward conformity with the decencies of life that enables wicked men to go on in their evil ways for years. They follow the teaching and example of their chief, who is a liar in deed and word, and ,who, to perfect his schemes, assumes, if necessary, the form of an "angel of light." V. EVIL MEN BRING THEIR DEVICES TO A SUCCESSFUL ISSUE WITH ONE NOTA.llLE EXCEPTION. The success of David was complete. Uriah wa.s safely put away; Bathsheba was the king's wife within a date to prevent convincing exposure; the army and the people were kept in ignorance of actual facts; the future was hopeful; ~ut there was one fact on which the infatuated king did not reflect-the Lord was displeased. The brethren of Joseph seemed to succeed in getting rid of a troublesome brother, but -God saw their wickedness, and this counted for mor11 than th11y then imagined. The ,wicked husbandmen sucoeeded in freeing themselves from annoyance when they killed :the heir (Matt. x.xi. 38); but there was One to reckon with of whom they did not think . .The conspiring scribes and Pharisees doubtless congratulated themselves that their :plans for getting rid of the" babbler" who caused them so much trouble were won- derfully successful; but there was One whose "power" was not secured to their side (Acts ii, 23, _24). Kings nnd diplomatis~s and eJ;actora of unjust ll\bour1 llD.d secret 276 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [err. xr. 1-27,
defraudel'B, and evil livers may euooeed in keeping up appearances, in passing as honour- eble men, and in securing their heart's desire; but there will always be one factor In the case with which they some day will have to reckon-the di:;pleasure of the Lord. Gl:':-.'ERAL LESSONS. 1. It is a disgraoe to a tnaster to be in league with a servant, and 1t puts the mRster within the servant's power. Many a subordinate is in possession of seorets which, if used, would blast character and ruin earthly prospects. The coils of iniquit~ ! 2. Every new device to bide sin, and every effort to keep up appearances, only blmds the mind the more to the actual state of the soul in its relation to God. :J. In a.JI our affairs, and especially when tempted to persist in courses of sin, we should endeavour to remember that we shall have to reckon with One who knows nil and is already displeased. 4. That a man professing religion can go on in o. secret course of sin without giving due heed to the knowledge which he must possess of God's know- ledge of himself and deeds, is a striking sign of the utter deterioration of his spiritual sensibilities and his being nigh unto perdition.