self-will, destroys hell." 7. Suspicion and jealousy of hiR brother. "It is our impreH- eion that David already knew that Solomon was, by the Lord'a appointment, to be hiR euccoseor to the throne. In the promise made to David through Nathan, it was clearly indicated that a son not yet born was to sit upon his throne, and when Solomon was born he could not but understand that this applied to him. If he had any doubt of this, it must have been removed by his knowledge that the 'Lord loved him,' and had, through Nathan, bestowed upon him the new name of Jedidiah (eh. xii. 24, 25). It is even probable that he hnd, long before the present time, if not from the first, received those more distinct intimations of the Lord's will in this matter, which he mentions in 1 Chron. xxviii. 5-7.... As the intimations we have traced were long before afforded, it is likely that the pledge (1 Kings i. 17) which was founded on them had not been so long delayed" (Kitto, 'Daily Bible llluet.'). " Absalom was a bold, valiant, revengeful, haughty, enterprising, magnificent, eloquent, and popular prince; he was also rich, ambitious, and vain of his personal accomplishments; and, after the death of Amnon and his reconciliation with his father, he saw no hindrance in his way to the throne. He despised Solomon because of the meanness of his birth and his tender years. He was himself of the blood-royal, not only by his father, but also by his mother; and doubtless in hie own apprehension of sufficient age, authority, and wisdom to sustain the weight of government. He seemed to stand nearest to the throne ; but his sin was that he sought it during his father's lifetime, and endeavoured to dethrone him in order to sit in his stead" (Calmct). " 0 sacred hunger of ambitious minds, And impotent desire of men to reign I Whom neither dread of God, that devils binds, Nor le.we of men, that com.monweals contain, Nor bands of nature, that wild beasts restrain, Can keep from outrage and from doing wrong, Where they may hope a kingdom to obtain: No faith so firm, no trust oe.n be eo strong, No love so le.sting then, that may endure long." (•The Faerie Queene,' canto xii.) II. POPULARITY FRAUDULE?ITLY ACQUmED. "Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel" (ver. 6); by methods which many a demagogue has since adopted. "David won their hearts by noble deeds of generosity, as well as by deeds of prowess;" but Abse.lom stole them by: 1. Subtlety and guile. 2. Ostentation; affecting royal state. "Absa.lom prepared him cha.riots," etc. (ver. 1; eh. xiii. 23, 27; 1 Sam. viii. 4-22). 3 . .Assiduity, in attending to public affairs. "Absalom rose up early," etc. (ver. 2). "Those who least understand the duties and could least endure the burdens of authority are commonly most desirous of it; but when ambition prompts, the most self-indulgent assume the· appearance of diligence, and the most haughty that of e.ffo,bility and condescension; and while men aspire to the pinnacle of earthly grandeur, they, for the time, pay the most abject court to the meanest of the mob!" (Scott). 4. Co11rtesy and pretended sympathy. "Absalom called unto him, and said. Of what city art thou?" eto.; "He put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him" (ver. 6). "And then I stole all courtesy from heaven, And dressed myself in such humility, That I did pluck allegiance from men's hearts, Loud shouts and salutations from their mouths, Even in the presenoe of the crowned king." (' King Henry IV.,' Part I. act iii. sc. 2.) 5. Flattery. "Absalom ea.id unto him, See, thy matters are good and right" (ver. 3). 6. Disparagement of the existing administration, and insinuation of the king's incapa- bility and neglect. "But there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee." 7. Fair and lavish promises, and holding out the prospect of e. golden age under his reign. "And Absalom said, Oh that I were made judge in the land!" etc. (ver. 4). It is not to be wondered at that, by such arts as these, aided by his ready speech and attractive person and manners, ho turned the hearts of the people, already prepared for change, from their rightful monarch. "After thus flattering the people, e.ud ingratiating him- 382 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [ou, xv. 1-:H,
E1elf into their favour during fonr yel\rs, be decides upon the execution of his cunningly devised project" (Ewe.Id). " The success of this godless rebel shows I\ ll\ck of true theocre.t.ic feeling in the mass of the people, who, in l\bl\ndoning the kina's 0 government were guilty of opposition to the government of God" (Erdml\nn). '