The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Samuel — Section 402

malter of fact, Husho.i's heart wo.s with David, o.nd hie lo.ngua..,e wae capable of beina interpreted in accordance with hie true feeliags. It ie e. que~ion of casuistry as ~ whether, under the circumeto.nces, he we.e wo.rro.nted in devieiag me.'lns for deluding Abso.lom. The Bible does not commit itself to a.II the acts of its cho.ractere • and in our judgment on men we ought to have Home regard to the moral atmosphere'of their dolly lives, But in this ambiguous expression of fidelity we have an instance of what largely prevails in the world. Men still coin phrases to afford satisfaction to others while keeping peace with their own convictions. Forms are adopted which are unim- peachable; but the real feeling is kept secret. In some countries there are current forms for expre~eing loyalty to the " powers that be," freely employed to the satisfac- tion of rulers and the safety of those who use them. Attachment to certain political priaciples is announced while the particular application of them is a matter of private reservation. In commercial houses a form of loyalty to employers' interests often passes with a purpose to sacrifice them to a rival interest. In Church affairs it is possible to accept standards in form and empty them of essential content. The practice is to be condemned in every case. Strong faith in God can dispense with such expedients. He who was chastising David through Absalom knew how to restore the chastened one in due time, without the expedients of human duplicity. The example of Christ and his apostles is better than that of Abraham, Jacob, and Hushai (cf. Gen. xii. 13- 20; xxvii. 20-27; John xviii. 33-37; Acts iv. 7-12). VII. GREAT PRINCIPLES ADE LIABLE TO ABUSE. Hushai evidently laid down a great and sound principle as the rule of his conduct when he declared that, as for himself, he was prepared to serve him whom the " Lord, and this people, and all the men of Israel" might choose. Had Absalom been as keen as he was ambitious, he would have seen that this ,vas a principle which so far could not ensure attachments to himself, because two of the conditions were not fulfilled at present. No doubt be hoped. that, in some straage way, his choice by " this people" would be supplemented by the choice of God and all Israel. There was here an abuse of a principle, commonly recognized in those times, by both Hushai and Absalom. Hushai took it as a m~re cover for saving his conscience, while getting Absalom to believe in his fidelity; The same twofold object was sought by the following question and the very safe assertion, "As when (,~~~) I served in thy father's presence, so will I be (;i~7~ j;?) in thy presence." He would. be the same man while professing to serve Absalom. On the other band, Absalom evidently thought the principle laid down very pious aad patriotic, and to be respected because it was a principle, and in his superstitious a.nd superficial deference to an orthodox utterance, he detected not the purpose for which it was stated. In the one case a principle was subordinated to cunning in a good cause; and in the other it was simply admired as a platitude by a bad man. The trade in important principles of action is very common. They are made to subserve ends by no means good. Advantage is taken of their natural influence over men, by reason of their clearness and moral force, to hoodwink them for carrying out special designs. Platform and press too frequently have dealt with great truths for no special love of the truths, but for party purposes, a.nd to save credit for intelligence and good sense. Also there is a. superstitious regard for a certain class of religious, moral, and political principles which causes many persons to think well of those who proclaim them, simply because of proclaiming them. This unreality in both public a.nd private life should be dis- countenanced, VIII. GREAT POWERS CONCENTRATE AGAINST THE LORD'S ANOINTED. The followers of Absalom, under the guidance of Ahithophel, confer with him as to the best course to pursue in order to effectually establish the position of the usurper, and cut off the fugitive king. In a measure, the second psalm is now fulfilled, substituting "counsellors" for "kings" (Ps. ii. 2). The fact that David had been anointed by God must have been familiar to them all. This evidence of his right to reign was clear enough, and no counter-deposition had come from God; a.nd yet such is the blindness and desperate nature of men when alienated from God, that they meditate the destruction of a. rule guaranteed from Oh high. Sin i~ m~dness_ as well as vilen~ss. ~ur Savi~ur remin~s his disciples that the same combmatlon will take place aga.rnst his authority (Ps. 11.; Matt. xvi. 18). 'l'he conspiracy was formed when keen and crafty men sought his death (Matt. xii. 14; xxvii. 7; John xviii. 14); it was revived when they sought to 408 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [on. Xvt. 1-23.