crush his disciples (Acts v. 33); and it is in force now when men pr8sUmo to dispense with his t.eaching and BBving power. It is the old antagonism of the serpent and the Seed. Let every Christian brace himself to the conflict. IX. THERE IS AN UNCONSCIOUS FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY. It is not likely that eit\Jer Nat\Jan or David proclaimed to the world the terrible prediction that 'W6S to be fulfilled wit.bin a few years (eh. xii. 7-12). Ahithophel was, therefore, an unconscio1111 instmment in fulfilling the Word of God when he gave the desperate advice to Absalom (vers. 21, 22). It is thus that, in the perfectly free 11.Ct.ion of men, God's purposes are realized. He chastises his children by using men who at the same time are uncon- 11Cious of being so used. This wonderful foreknowledge of what free men will do, and the execution of moral ends by the action of responsible agents, is possible alone to the lnfinite One. There is involved in it a mystery before which we do well to bow with all humility. Men little think how their very deeds of evil are being worked into the warp and woof of the world's life, so as at last to bring out to view the wisdom and righteousness of God. ~x. PUBLIC MEN HA VE IT IN TREffi POWEB TO DEBASE PUBLIO MORALS. By the counsel given to Absalom, Ahithopbel no doubt widened the breach between father and son beyond the point of reconciliation, and by a bold stroke inspired confidence in the minds of waverers; but he did it at the cost of public morality. The tone of public life was lowered. Vice became familiar. A blow was struck in an ostentatious way at purity of thou~ht and feeling. A voluptuous throne meant a sensual people. There is always a temptation to public men to strike for power by deeds of doubtful and sometimes immoral character. Political ends may be secured at the cost of loss of moral tone to the community. Those who do this may be great and wise in the eye of the world, but they are the real enemies of the people, and deserve, as they will experience, the retribution of God. XI. REPUTATIONS GREAT IN THE WORLD ARE NOT, THEREFORE, GREAT WITH Gon. Ahithophel was a man in great repute as a counsellor (ver. 23), but he was not in honour with God. The clever head was associated with a base and treacherous heart. The standard of distinction on earth is not the same as that in heaven. Intellectual powers are often grand in their ra.n~, but the excellence of the man lies in the sub- ordination of them to high and holy moral principles. The greater the abilities, the greater the sin of not using them for God and his kingdom. There are many "first" in this life who will some day be "last" (Matt. xiL 30). The worship of intellect is one of the banee of modem times. Conformity to the sermon on the mount is more honourable than cleverness in human affairs. GENERAL LESSONS. 1. It is a safe rule of life to commit ourselves to an undertaking only on the condition that God approves as well as "all the men." 2. It is of immense advantage in times of perplexity to have in the mind a few clear and well- defined principles of conduct to which we may refer for guidance. 3. It is legitimate to bring the force of first principles to bear on those who are bent on evil ways, though it is not right to use them as a cloak for double-facedness. 4. In the midst of contend- ing claims on our allegiance, we should give due force to the inquiry as to whom we a.re under the most binding obligations to serve, and it will be seen that Christ has the prior claim. • •• ••
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vere. 1-4.--{OLIVET.) The benefacewn of Zioa. (References: eh. ix. 3, 9-13; xh. 24-30.) David had taken his last look at Jerusalem, and was" a little past the top" of Mount Olivet in his descent on the other side, when he was met by Ziba, the servant of Mepbiboshetb, with au apparently ihonghtful and ger.eroUB p~esent. This man w~s originally a slave of the house of Saul ; became a. freed-man at its downfall; made his fortune out of its ruins; and had fifteen sons and twenty slaves. About seventeen years before, when inquiry was made for "any of the hou~ of Saul," h~ gave inform~- tion concerning the son of Jonathan. By the restoration of Mephibosheth to his patrimony, Ziba w&B reduced to his former status, and thenceforward c,dtivat~ the land for his master. And now, foreseeing the issue of the conflict, he sought to ingra- OH, XVI. 1-23.) TtfE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. 400
tiate himself with the king, regain his position, and obtain his master's estate. Such appears to be the key to his conduct. We have here an illustration of a benefaction: 1. Occurring at a seaBonable moment; when most needed and least expected; valuable in itself, and still more for the faithfulness and kindness it seemed to manifeRt. A man of David's generosity could not but be greatly alfected by it. But an admirable gift does not always express a commendable purpose (Deut. xvi. 19; Eccles. vii. 7). "What- ever Ziba intended in this present, God's providence sent it to David for his support" (Matthew Henry). 2. Proceeding from unworthy motives: selfishness, covetousness, cunning craftiness (eh. i. 2-10), hidden under an ostentatious display of loyalty, sympathy, and benevolence. Ziba was well acquainted with the character of David, and shrewdly calculated upon the means of improving his present necessities to secure his own advantage. Impure motives often lurk, sometimes unconsciously, beneath imposing benefactions. 3. Conferred at another's expense; and by the employment of deceit, treachery, and robbery. "The whole, though offered as Ziba's, is the property of Mephi- bosheth: the asses are his, one of them his own riding animal: the fruits are from his gardens and orchards" (Smith, 'Dictionary'). Poor Mephihosheth ! He was at this moment waiting for the return of his faithless and pitiless slave with the ass, to enable him to follow the king. His own account of his absence was consistent with his actions (eh. xix. 24); and the treachery of Ziba could not be denied. "Treacherous servants are a curse to their masters." It is no uncommon thing for one man to seek the credit which is due to another, and obtain it by deceiving, disappointing, and injuring him. 4. Accompanied with a false accusation. "And Ziba said," etc. (ver. 3). It was not improbable that the adherents of the fallen dynasty might seize the opportunity to attempt its restoration (ver. 5; eh. xx. 1); and already, perhaps, David entertained some suspicion of the loyalty of Mephibosheth. Hence Ziba might calculate on finding a ready hearing for his calumny. But "every tie, both o/ int rest and gratitulle, 0