comparison, 3. The hope that God WO'Uld regard him with pi,ty sootherl him. (Ver. 12.) He felt that ho was in a condition fitted to awaken the Divine compassion, and hoped it would be exercised towards him. In like manner, we may yet more confidently be assured that he who chastises pities us, as a father ,the children he is correctinu (Ps. ciii. 13). 4. He trusted that God WO'Uld render him good in place of the evil h~ was su.ffering. (Ver. 12.) Not that he thought he deserved it, or that his sufTcrincrs gave him a claim on God for it; but, confiding in the mercy which had pardoned him, he could hope for it. Shimoi might curse, but if God would bless (Ps. cix. 28), all would be well. So may we be sure that all that God appoints us to endure from men or from circumstances and events, te will cause to issue in a thousandfold more of blessing, if we trust and serve him, and resign ourselves to his will (see further in homily on eh. xv. 25, 26). In conclusion : 1. In Shimei we see an exa;mple to be carefully avoided. Let any who permit themselves outbursts of passionate anger and railing, see here what a repul- sive spectacle they present to others, and how sad a spectacle to him whom they call their Master. Let all give heed to St. Paul's injunctions in Eph. iv. 31, 32. 2. In David's meek endurance we see an example to be closely imitated; yea, by Christians exceeded. For we have a still better Example, corresponding to a higher Law than David knew (see 1 Pet. ii. 23; Matt. v. 44, 45 ; 1 Pet. iii. 9).-G. W. Ver. 17.-Unfaithfulfriends. Bad men may and often do see and reprove in others the baseness they are themselves practising, and thus unconsciously condemn them- selves. Absalom reprove11 his father's friend Hnshai for supposed unkindness and unfaithfulness to him, while he himself, not merely a friend, but a fondly loved son, was usurping his father's throne, and ready to take away his life (see eh. xvii. 2, 4). Nevertheless, the sentiment which underlies his remonstrance is just, and Hlli!hai would have deserved severe rebuke if he had really been guilty of the conduct he was charged with. It was a time for David's friends to prove themselves to be friends indeed; and to desert him at such a time (as Ahithophel did) would have been per- fidious in the extreme. Hushai, howe•rer, was serving him by obeying his directions and promoting his interests. Whether the deception he practised on Absalom was justifiable is another question, depending for its solution on the answer to be given to the larger question whether and how far belligerents are bound by the ordinary laws of truth and righteousness. The remonstrance of Absalom is suitable to be addressed to any who are acting in a manner contrary to the duties of friendship. .As one and another instance of unfaithfulness or unkindness occurs, the question might well be put to those guilty of them, " Is this thy kindness to thy friend? n The force of the remonstrance would be proportionate to the degree of friendship which had existed, the benefits received, the professions made, etc.; and also the degree of flagrant violation of the laws of friendship which each act exhibited. And if to the obligations of friend- ship are to be added those of some other relationship, as here that of subject and servant of a sovereign, the guilt of unfaithfulness is increased, and remonstrance may well be more severe. The words are very suitable to be addressed to professed friends of our Lord Jesus Christ who act a faithless and disloyal part towards him. I. CHRIST IS OUR ROYAL FRIEND. King, and yet Friend; Friend, and yet Kin~. The claims of each relation to us strengthen those of the other. Although he is so glorious a King, be stoops to be and act the part of a Friend to the meanest and most sinful of his subjects. 1. He fills this position towards them: (I) By his self-sacrificing services on their behalf (John xv. 13). (2) By admitting them to the closest and most confidential intimacy of which each is capable (John xv. 15). (3) By the great- ness and abundance of the benefits he confers on them. 2. Ana they on their part take the position of friends to him: (1) By their acceptance of his friendship. (2) By their vows of eternal love, loyalty, and service to him. The relation of sovereign and subject is, in the best Christians, more and more h>st in, though not destroyed by, that of friend and friend. A love boundless in its promptings and requirements overflows and obliterates the limits of mere law. II. To ACT AN UNFRIENDLY PART TOWARDS HUii IS DESERVING OF THE SEVEREST REBUKE. "Is this thy kindness to thy friend?" 1. Conduct to which the WOTds are applicable. (1) Desertion of Obrist in times of difficulty. "Why wentest thou not 416 THE SEOOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [on. xvn. 1-29,
with thy friend?" (comp. Heh. xiii. 13); "Let us go forth unto him without tho camp, bearing his reproach.'' (2) Mora1 cowardice in respect to him, The wor<ls might well have been addressed to Peter when denying his Lord and Friend-were virtually addrei:sed to him when "the Lord turned and looked" upon him (Luke xxii. 61). It would be well if they could ever be heard by us whenever, from fear of man we arc silent when we ought to speak for Christ, inactive when we should act for him'. (3) Parsimony in gifts and services for the promotion of his cause, (4) Failure in duties of love to_ his frien~s and representativ~--our fellow-Chri_stians, especially the poor and suffering. A t11nely reproach, reaching the heart, might prevent more terrible words at the day of judgment (Matt. xxv. 41-45). (5) Any a.et whatever of incon- sistency U:i~h our position and professi~ns as disciples of Christ. 2. Their peculiar force. Ansmg from the words," thy Friend." (1) Who bas proved himself a Friend mdeed. (2) Whom thou hast often addressed and rejoiced in as such. (3) Whom thou hast often been glad to appeal to in that cbarac.ter for help and deliverance. (4) To whom thou hast many times vowed eternal friendship, and fidelity unto death. The reproach, thus viewed, is adapted to break the offender's heart, producing the deepest sha.~e and self-humiliation, and leading to the most earnest penitence and prayers for forgiveness. 3. From what quarter the remonstrance might come, (1) From o. man's own conscience and heart. It is well when these are sufficiently loyal to Christ to speedily address the offender after this manner. (2) From other friends of Christ. Christians should be sufficiently faithful to their brethren a.ad their Lord to lovincrly reprove serious inconsistencies. (3) From the enemies of Christ. As by David's" enemy the woi·rls were originally spoken. Those who are not themselves Christ's disciples are often quic'!.: to detect the faults of those who are, and to taunt them with them. They sometimes thus render good service to Christians. Fas est et ab hoste doceri,-G. W.