but were drn.wn indifferently from them moderate men,anrl wenk()n Absnlom's cause. 1111. It was of a<lvautage only to such as woro Ver. 20. - Give ooun1el among you ; deeply committed to the rebellion, ond bent Hebrew, for you; but we have no way in on killing David. To him it was terrible English of expressing the force of this sorrow; for he knew that this open shame phrase, In Greek it is called the ethic was the punishment of his own secret dative, u.nd is supposed to give character to infamy (eh. xii. 11, 12); and in it, ngain, ho the u.ddress, and indicate that those to whom saw the meshes of the avenger's net tivht- the words are spoken have also an interest ening around him. "' in the mu.tter. Ver. 22.-A tent; Hebrew, the tent; that Ver. 21.-Ahithophel ■aid. Ahithophel's constantly used hy David and hia family for counsel was utterly abominable, even though the enjoyment or the cool evening breeze, the deed would not be regarded by any of and which the citizens of Jerusalem had the Israelites as incestuous. A king in- frequently eeen erected on the flat roof of herited his predecessor's harem, and Absa- David's house. It was when walkin~ on lom's act was a coarse and rude assertion this roof that David had given way to guilty that David's rights were at an end, and that pBBsion. e.nd now it is the scene of his crown and lands and property, even to his dishonour. wives, now all belonged to the usurper. But, Ver. 23.-The counsel of Ahithophel, etc. while polygamy had thus degraded the These words form a sort of apology for wives and concubines into mere chattels, Absalom. He ought to have had more the harem was the property most jealously respect for hls father than to offer him so guarded by its owner ( eh. iii. 7 ; l Kings grievous an insult, and aggravate by so ii. 22); and Absalom's act was an outrage terrible a deed the quarrel between them. which David could never have pardoned. But his conduct from first to last was utterly .And this was what Ahithophel wanted. He mean and selfish, and his only excuse here was afraid that if .Absalom's cause began to is that there was such a glamour round decline, he might come to terms with hls .Ahithophel, that men yielded up their own father, who would readily forgive a son if judgment to him without an effort, and did he submitted, but would certainly punish what he advised as if it had a religious .Ahithophel. For his own selfish purposes, sanction. At the oncle of God; Hebrew, therefore, he led Absalom on to a crime had asked the Word of God; that is, had whioh rendered a reoouciliation with David consulted God by Urim and Thummim. impossible, and pledged all the conspirators When a. man went to the priest to inquire to carry out the matter to the bitter end; in this way, he did whatever he was told; and that end could only be the death of and the word of Ahithophel was accepted David if the conspiracy succeeded. But with equal deference. this bitterness to David would vex all
HOMILETICS. Vera. 1-14.-The facts a.re: 1. David, passing on his way, is met by Ziba with a pre- sent for the king and his servants. 2. On inquiring after Mephibosheth, David is told by Ziba. tha.t he was staying in Jerusalem in expectation that, a.s a result of the present revclt, the kingdom would be restored to him as representative of the house of Saul 3. Acceptin~ this statement as correct, David assigns Mephibosheth's property (eh. h. 9-12) to Ziba, who thereupon makes obeisance. 4. Proceeding to Bahurim, David is assailed by Shimei, who curses him, casts stones at him, reproaches him with deeds of evil, and avers that, e.s a punishment, God had taken the kingdom from him and given it to Absalom. 5. Astonished at the insolence, Abishai seeks permission to slay the man ; but David, piously recognizing a providential chastisement in the event, will not have it so, and points out further to his people that this wa.s but a small trouble in comparison with Absalom's conduct, and that probably God would have compassion and vouchsafe a compensating blessing. 6. David and his company proceed on their way, still insulted by Shimei, till they come to a place where they can refresh themselves .