justilied himsetr in its commission. On this account, perhaps, David would not permit him, when recalled, to see hie face, but ordered him to remnin at bis own houRe (ver. 24); testifying his abhorrence of the crime, and desiring "to carry further the dis- cipline of approval, to wait till his son was more manifestly penitent." If Abmlorn had been in a proper frame of mind, it might have been beneficial; as it was," this half-forgiveness wae an imprudent measure, really worse than no forgiveness at all, and bore very bitter fruit" (Keil). "The end showed how fatal the policy of expectation wns, how terribly it added bitterness to the sense of alienation that had already been growing only too strong within him" (Plumptre). "A flash of his old kingliness blazes out for a moment in his refusal to eee his eon. But even that slight satisfaction to justice vanishes ae soon as Joab chooses to insist that Absalom shall return to court. He seems to have no will of his own. He bas become a mere tool in the hands of his fierce general; and Joab'e bold upon him was his complicity in Uriah's murder. Thus at every step he was dogged by the consequences of his crime, even though it wa.~ pardoned sin" (Maclaren). Yet immediate and full forgiveness might have failed to subdue the heart of Absalom, and win filial confidence and affection. "Let favour be showed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness," etc. (Isa. xxvi. 10). In hls spirit and conduct we observe: 1. Ingratitude for the favour shown toward him. He estimated it lightly (knowing little of the fatherly love from which it proceeded), save as a means to his own honour and advancement. Than ingratitude nothing is more odious. 2. Impatience, fretfulness, discontent under restraint and chastisement; which a true penitent would have endured humbly and cheerfully; increased as time passed away (two years) and no further sign of royal favour appeared. 3. Presumption on account of the privilege already granted to him, bat which be repudiated as worthless, unless followed by other privileges, such as became his royal birth and involved his reinstatement in his former dignity. He looked upon himself as rightful heir to the throne. He may, however, have suspected a rival in the youthful Solomon (now six or eight years old), and feared the influence of Bathsheba on behalf of her son. 4. Resent- ment and revenge for the neglect, contempt, and wrong which (as be conceived) he suffered (ver. 29). "See, Joab's field is beside mine, and he has barley there; go and set it on fire" (ver. 30). 'l'his appears to have been an act of passion rather than of policy. Joab's slackness, in contrast with his former zeal (ver. 23), was doubtless due to his desire to make the most of his influence with the king, to constrain Absalom humbly to entreat bis intercession, and so to increase his feeling of dependence and obliga- tion; it was only when he perceived that he had to deal with "a character wild, impulsive, and passionate," that he deemed it necessary again to alter his tactics. 5. Wilfulness in seeking the attainment of his ambitious aims. "I will see the king's face." His presence at court was essential to the accomplishment of the daring design upm the crown, which be may have already formed; and he would brook no denial Possibly bis bereave- ment (ver. 27; eh. xviii. 18) intensified his determination. "The strongest yearning of an Israelite's heart was thrown back upon itself, after a short-Ii ved joy, and his feelings towards his own father were turned to bitterness and bate." 6. Defiance of conviction of guilt. "If there be any iniquity in me," etc. "The manner in which be sot,ght to obtain forgiveness by force manifested an evident spirit of defiance, by which, with the well-known mildness of David's temper, he hoped to attain his object, and in fact did attain it" (Keil). He also doubtless relied on the support of a party of the people, dissatisfied with the'.king's severity toward him, and favourable to his complete restora- tion. Even Joab yielded for the present to his imperious and resolute demand. 7. Heartless formality. "He bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom" (var. 33). His heart was not humbled, but lifted up in pride ; yet he openly received the pledge of reconciliation; and herein David's blinduess and weakness reached their culmination. "He did not kiss the ill will out of the heart of hie son" (Krummacher). "When parents and rulers countenance such imperious characters, they will soon experience the most fatal effects." (Here is another "meeting of three remarkable men," 1 Sam. xix. 22-24, Joab, Absalom, David.) Remarks. 1. No hard and impenitent heart is prepared to receive and profit by forgiveness. 2. Such e. heart is capable of turning the greatest benefits into mean~ of further and more daring rebellion; and "treasures up for itself wrath against the day of wrath." 3. ·whilst "God is good and ready to forgive," he grants forgiveness only to those "who call u PL'll 362 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [on, uv. 1-38,
him" in humility and eince1ity, confessing and fol'll&king their sins (Ps, lxxxvi. Ii; cxnviii. 6; xxxii. 6; li. 17).-D.