The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 333

exnggemted report is brought back thn.t Absalom had slain all his brothers--sure sign, if it hnd been so, that he wns claimincr the throne, and marchincr to it throu11h the blood of hie kindred-David's attitude is that of passive, panic-st~icken submi;sion" (It H. Plumptre, • Biblical Studies,' p. 89). Who can say that he sinned with impunity, "'l'henceforward the days of his year~ became full of evil, and if he lived (for the Lord caused death to pass from himself to the child by a vicarious dispensation), it was to be a king, with more than kingly sorrows, but with little of kingly power; to be banished by bis son; bearded by his servant; betrayed by his friends; desertoo by his people; bereaved of his children; and to feel all, all these bitter griefs, bound, as it were, by a chain of complicated cause and effect, to this one great, ori11inal0 transgression''· (Blunt, • Undesigned Coincidences,' p. 146). "It often foils, in conrse of common life, That right long time is overborne of wrong; 'l'hrongh avarice, or power, or guile, or strife, Thnt weakens her, and makes her party strong. But justice, though her doom she do prolong, Yet at thE' last she will her own cause right." (Spenser.) D. Vers. 22-29.-(BAAL-HAZOR.) The reven_qe of Absalom. "Absalom hated Am non." References: 1. Third son (Chileab, probably, being dead) of David, by Ma.acah, daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur; born at Hebron, his name (" father of peace ") indicating, perhaps, the hope entertained at his birth (eh. iii. 1-5). "The young handsome hero must have been conspicuous among the soldiers of Israel, and taken bis place among the sons of David, who were 'chief rulers.'" 2. Hatred (when about eighteen'.)years old) and murder (aft-er two yea.rs). 3. Flight to Geshur (ver. 38) and residence there (three years). 4. Return (eh. xiv. 23, 24) and partial reconciliation (during two years); married about this time, and father of three sons (dying in infancy, eh. xiv. 27; xviii. 18) and one daughter (Tamar, named after his sister). 5. Full reconciliation ( eh. xiv. 33; xv. 1-11) and preparation for revolt (four years). 6. Con- spiracy in Hebron (eh. xv. 12, 13). 7. Occupation of Jerusalem (eh. xv. 37; X't'i. 15-19), possession of the palace (eh. xv. 20--23), anointed king (eh. xix. 10), consultations (eh. xvii. 1-14). 8. PursuH of David, and defeat in battle (eh. xvii. 24-26; xviii. 1-8). 9. Slain by Joab (eh. xviii. 9-18). 10. Lamented by David ( eh. xviii. 33; xix. 1-4). Revenge is sinful resentment. It is felt, on account of real or supposed injury, toward the person rath~r than the conduct of the offender; desires his suffering, not his improvement; and seeks it malicionsly, deliberately, and unlaw- fully. "All pain occasioned to another in consequence of an offence or injury received from him, further than what is calculated to procure repl\l'ation or promote the just ends of punishment, is so much revenge" (Paley, ' Mor. Ph.'). It is "a. kind of wild justice " (Bacon, •Essays'). Of the spirit of revenge, which was embodied in Absalom, and too often finds a place in others, observe-- I. !Ts SEEMING JUSTIFICATION; for he who indnlges it commonly seeks to justify himself therein (eh. xiv. 32), it may be, on account of: 1. The grievous ummg suffered, directly or in the person of another with whom he is closely connected. The more this is brooded over, the greater it appears and the more it incites to wrath. 2. 'l'he natural instinct of anger and retaliation, which is " Far, far too dear to every mortal breast, Sweet to the soul as honey to the taste." (Homer.) But it must be directed, controlled, often completely repressed by justice and love. " The taking vengeance on a foe is honourable," it has been said, "rather than the heing reconciled" (Aristotle, 'Rhetoric'). 'frue wisdom teaches otherwise (1 Sam. xi. 12 13; Prov. xx. 22; xxiv. 29). 3. The culpable failure of justice, on the part of the ci;il mn(Tistrate, "the minister of God," etc. (Rom. xiii. 4). It may be a temptation to private vengeance;_ but it does not warrant nny oue in taking th_e hw i~to his m~u hnn<ls; whilst by dorng so he becomes a breaker of the law and Justly liable to It~ ILSAMUE~ Z  THE SECOND DOOK OF SAMUEL. [on. xm. 1-89.