nnd miso up pictures of gree.t possibilities. The mass of men do not think; they feel, and cue led by the clover orator who can stir up their feelings. It is not always a credit to" go with the multitude," and fall in with e.n order of things because it is popular. 'l'he vox populi me.xim is often folse. Of One it was once true, " Of the people there was none with him." He we.a "despised nnd rejected of men." X. AJS ILLUSTRATION OF THE MOST DREADFUL OF CONSPIRACIES. It is not necessary to endeavour to trnce resemblo.nce in nll details between antagonism to the mortal king in Zion and opposition to the immortal King in Zion. But there has been and still ia n plot to destroy the authority of him whose right it is to reign. Fashion, wealth. power of speech, wit, and e.lliances with wise Ahithophels, continue tu undennine and eventually overthrow the influence of Christ over the hearts of men. 'l'he "gates of hell" te.ke counsel against the Lord e.nd his Anointed. Another seat of supreme influence is being set up e.s e. substitute for that occupied by the Anointed One, and " spies" are e.broe.d seeking to create doubt and distrust in the hearts of the faithful. As we read the account of Abse.lom's ingratitude, daring, and baseness, and foe! for his deeds the utmost detestation, so holy beings who look on the endeavour to destroy the authority of Christ over men cannot but regard tho deed as the basest, most daring, nnd at the same time most fatal to the perpetrators, ever attempted. The wicked may seem to triumph, but their end is destruction. Vera. 13-30.-The facts are: 1. David, being informed of the rising in favour of Abse.lom, calls upon his friends to flee from Jerusalem, in order to avoid its being smitten by a sudden attack. 2. His servants bein_g: willing to go with him, he leads out his entire household, with the exception of a few to take care of the house. 3. In his departure he is e.ccompli.nied by his body-guard, and the six hundred men which followed him from Gath. 4. Observing Ittai in the company, he suggests that, being a stranger t;1ml exile, he should not risk his fortunes with his own ; but, on receiving an assurance that it was his deliberate desire so to do, he permits him to pass on. 5. The people of the district ·weep with a loud noise as he crosses the brook Kidron, and passes on toward the wilderness. 6. The e.rk of the covenant being brought out into the pro- cession, when the people have passed the brook, David urges on Zadok that the ark be conveyed back to the city, expressing his humble hope that it might please God to allow him to see it once more, and, in any case, he submits to the appointments of Providence. 7. David requests Zadok and others with the ark tu return to the city, and to inform him in the -wilderness should anything of great importance arise. 8. The king expresses his grief by passing up the Mount of Olives, with covered head and weeping, accompanied by a covered and weeping multitnde.
Su.umission in the day of adversity. The order of the narrative of David's departure from Jerusalem is rather involved, as may be seen by comparing vers. 17, 19, 23, 30; but the e.ctual facts are clear enough. As soon as he became aware of the extent of the rebellion, he resolved to leave the city, and we have a record of the fact and the incidents accompanying it. The first and most obvious impression produced on the mind of the reader is the prompt and quiet submission of the king to the force of circumstances, not because he was of cowardly spirit, but because he saw in what was happening the providence of God. If we analyze the conduct and words of David in their relation to the great fall and Nathan's prophecy (eh. xii. 9-13), we shall _see the lee.ding features characterizing his submission, and in so doing we shall get a. view of the me.in characteristics of all true Christian submission in the day of adversity. I. A REOOGNITION OF PERSONAL DESERT. The prompt action, the surrender of regal state, the broken spirit, the barefooted departure from the seat of authority, an~ thR tender references to God doing with him as seemed him good (ver. 26), all pomt to more tho.n e. forced submission to mere military necessity. There may have been a deep inexpressible anguish on account of filial ingratitude, and the father's. heart could ~ot but weep in silence over nn errin" lost child; but the remembrance of his own great sm, and the words of the prophet or° God, furnishe,I tbe chief theme of reflection; for tlie son's ingratitude base ns it was, had become the rod to chastise for the errors cf the J•nst. A forgiven roan docs not the less think of the sin tlS a disgrace and worthy of being branded ns evil. AJvor~tics co1ue to us all--happily, few know the sorrow cf 3i6 THE SECOND BOOK OF S.A.MUlu, [dll, X\', 1-37,