first. If possible, our agreements and promises should Le expressed in terms that cov,•r all we think and intend. The mutual confidence of society depends on the cultivation of frankness and candour. 'l'he first inconvenience is the least. The promiHes of Gr,,! are "yea and Amen." There is no disappointing reservation for us when we arrive at the pa.lace of the great King. II. EMDARRASBMENTS OF PATERNAL CONDUCT, Great consideration is due to David when we endeavour to form an estirne.te of his conduct. His position, brought on, it is , true, by his own sad sin, was most perplexing. On the one side there was (1) the very natural and great displeasure against a son who could cherish revenge for tw 0 whole years, and then presume to take upon himself the vindication of justice, thus reflecting on royal authority; (2) the absolute need of chastisement for a young man of violent spirit and haughty temper; (3) the importance of maintaining inAuence over the people by not seeming to palliate the violence of his own family; (4) Lhe temvtation to which so handsome and attractive a young man would be exposed wern he to be prematurely welcomed into society again; (5) the secret influence of his favourite wife, Bathshebe., who could not but remind him of the claims on the succession of the son specially named by the prophet as "beloved of the Lord" (eh. xii. 2-1, 25). '!'hen on the other side there was (1) his natural yearning over a hitherto favourite son, the more so as he feared lest he should fall a victim to evil ways; (2) J oab'g evident interest in Absalom, and the expediency of conciliating so powerful a man; (3) the near connection of Absalom with the tribe of Judah, and the danger of raising up a party should there be an appearance of harshness; (4) the remembrance of the unqualified promise virtually given to the wise woman of Tekoah, that he would regard God's mercy to his banished ones as his model; (5) the reflection that, after his own dreadful sin in the case of Uriah, God had restored him to personal favour. Under some such conflicting influence David could not grant all that was desired. Happily modem parents have not to decide on the doom of fratricides; but troubles do arise which place them in most embarrassing circumstances. Much charity is needed in our judgments on the action taken in cases of difficulty. There is much unknown to the outward observer. It is important, in all these times of perplexity, to cast our care on the Lord, and seek the special guidance which he has promised. Divine influence alone can keep us from being unduly biassed in either direction. Our decisions may mea.n perpetual weal or woe to children. III. THE DISCIPLINE OF PARTIAL PRIVILEGE. It is a severe but wholesome discipline for Absalom to be kept two years without full restoration. Possibly David may have ascertained from others that his temper was not much improved, and that he did not show the signs of penitence or regret becoming one who looked for full restoration to paternal favour. Then, also, David could not but remember that, with his own resto- ration to God, there was attached a temporal chastisement, which, while it did not touch the reality of the Divine forgiveness, was designed for public good; and possibly he may have thought that the privilege of returning to Jerusalem only might be accepted as a sign of actual personal forgiveness, and at the same time put Absalom under wholesome restraints. This kind of discipline does exist in human affairs and in Church life. Children and men are caused to feel that some inconvenience has resulted from their conduct, even though they are no longer punished. In so far as we fall in with the natural or designed tendency of this discipline, we may tum its annoyances into a means of recovery from the more.I failings which have been our bane. IV. THE PERILS OF PERSONAL ATTRACTIONS. The beauty of Absalom is referred to in such a way as to suggest that he was not only awe.re of it, but that it exercised a fascinating influence over others, and tended to gather around him persons likely to be influenced by personal appearances, and therefore not the most helpful t~ one _who needs the stimulus and support of high moral principles. Personal beauty 1~ a gift of God, and, were not sin iu the world e.s a disturbing element in the physical and moral development of the hume.n race, the probability is the.t the avera?e beauty of form I.\Ild expression would equal or surpass what is now regarded as except10nal. Unfortunately, it is sometimes e.llied to a vain and frivolous spirit, and in that case it becomes a snare. There are instances in which beauty he.s been associated with the devout earnest spirit of religion, e.nd has been made tributary to obtaining e. hallowed influence over others. Special pre.yer and strong safeguards are required for our sons e.nd daughters whose D, SAMUEL, 2 A 'l'HE SECOND T300K OF SAMUEL. [en. XIV. 1-33.
perBonnl Rt,traotione may lay them open t.o the flatteries and friendships of the unwise and unholy. Y. THE Th""TIMATIONS OF DANGEROUS TENDENO!Ell. It was natural for Absalom to lle rest.Jess under the restraint of two years, though, hA.d his spirit been very lowly and peniteut, he would have kept it within due limits. The treatment of Joa~was nn intimation that t,he daring t.omper which slew Amnon was still there. He who could sl't a field of barley on fire in order to get his messages atl;ended to WIP.S capable, unless the tondencies were checked, of producing a more serious conflagration. 'l'he presenco within a young man of strong passions, R violent temper, a hatred of restraint or love of pleasure, is a sign of danger. It is in the nature of forces to work their way outwl\rd. lf we say, "the child is father to the man," we may also say that the moral forces within are the creators of the life without. Unless strong counter-influences are brought to bear to neutralize their action or to extirpate them, they will gain power by being daily cherished, and a free, jovial, handsome Abs.'l.lom may become the not.orious rebel, whose hand turns against his own father. Human life exhibits such developments still. Young men should interrogate their own nature, and fairly face the moral dangers that may lie there, before their power renders introspection and suppression difficult if not impossible. Those who have charge of the young should note signs of struggling forces, and adapt the moral education according to the individual requirement.