love, bis Divine dignity, M the Son of God, the King Messiah (eh. vii. 16) rendered his treat~ent peculiarly sinful, and reveals the sin of men in its true light. 3. His oompass1on for h1tman misery-loss, suffering, bondage, death, in the present and the future; the necess11ry fruit of human sin (Matt. viii. 17; John xi. 35; Luke xiii. 34- 35). 4. Hu en.durance of Dimne abandonment to the power of darkness and dooth (Ps. xxii. 1; Luke xxii. 44; Mark xv. 34; Beb. v. 7); wherein (without the sense of personal guilt and remorse) he gat.hered into his experience all the griefs endured by tb_c _~ervants of_God _in all ages from and for trans~essors, and_ all the woes of humanity ar1S1ng from ahenat.Jon from God; and whereby, rn unfaltering trust and entire self. devotion, he fulfilled the Father's will, overcame sin, death, and hell, and "became unto all them that obey him the Author of eternal sRlvation." "The chastisement was laid u~n him for our peace; and through his stripes we were healed " (Isa. liil. 5, 10 ; Ps, xxn. 8, 16, 18, 24--31). III. TnE soanows OF THE CHRISTIAN. For every one who follows Christ must tread the path of sorrows (not only such as are natural, but such as are spiritual And Divine), on account of: 1. The manifold sins of which he has been guilty against the Lord (Matt. v. 4). "We have not time to mourn. The worse for us. He that lacks time to mourn lacks time to mend ; Eternity mourns that." (' Philip van Artevelde.') 2. The evil, e_ffecf,$ wrought thereby in himself and others. .. Weep not for broad lands lost; Weep not for fair hopes crost; Weep not when limbs wax old: Weep not when friends grow cold; Weep not the.t dee.th must pa.rt Thine and the best-loved heart; Yet weep, weep all thou can- Weep, weep, because thou art A sin-defiled man." (Trench.) 3. The sinful opposition of men· to Christ, his kingdom, and his people; unbelief, ·enmity, and persecution; the effects of which be shares with his Lord and for his sake (John xvi. 33; 1 PeL iv. 13; Phil i. 29; Col i. 24). "For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping," etc. (Phil. iii 18). 4. '.L'he miserable condition and gloomy prospects of the impenitent. Be mourns over them "with many tears" (Acts x:z:. 19, 31) "in the tender mercies of Jesus Christ" (Phil. i. 8), and is willing to undergo the greatest sacrifice and suffering for their salvation (Rom. ix. 2, 3). "IC we suffer we shall also reign with him" (2 Tim. ii 12).-D.
Ver. 31.-(MoUNT 0LIVET.) The counsel of Ahithophel. "Turn, I pray thee, the counsel of .A.bithophel into foolishnesB, 0 Jehovah." (References: eh. xv. 12, 34:;, xvi. 15, 20-23; xvii. 1-7, 15, 23; 1 Chron. xxvii. 33.) While ascending the Mount of Olives, David received intelligence that his counsellor, Abithophel the Gilonite, had gone over to Absalom. He was the wisest statesman in Israel, and nothing was more adapted than his counsel to ensure the success of the revolt. The effect which his defection produced upon David is evident from the prayer (suggested probably by his name, "brother of a fool") that forthwith broke from his lips. As he continued his journey, he, perhaps, reflected on the former course of Abithophel (the Old Testament Judas) in the light of present knowledge, and indulged somo such sentiments as are expressed in Ps. xlL, • The comfort of the afflicted and betrayed;' Ps. Iv., 'Prayer against a treacherous friend;• Ps. lx:ix., cix. Observe that- I. A FAMILIAR FRIEND ll.AY DECOME A DEADLY FOE, "Also my friend [literally,' man of my peace'], whom I trusted, Who did eat of my bread, Rath lifted up his heel againllt me." (Ps. xii. 10; John xiii. 18.) Ott, XV, 1-37,] THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 389