in principle, have occurred, and will perhaps occur again. The moat conspicuous and, in some respects, of course, the unparalleled, instance was that of our Saviour when the " gates of hell " had taken oounsel to virtually prevent the salvation of the world by the only method approved of God. Of the people there we.s none with him. .All depended on what he would do. The fate of the world rested with himself. In Caleb and Joshua, in Athe.nasius contra mundum, in the leaders of the Reformation, in the noble men and women who snffered martyrdom in Madagascar, and in many private inst11.nces !n which family religious interests have been at stake, we may see emergencies demand- mg of the faithful the exercise of the highest qualities. IV. U~'DISCIPLTh'ED llHNDS ARE INFLUEN0ED BY WHAT WORKS ON THEIR BUS0EPTI- BILITIES. Hushai displayed his saga.city and skill by adapting his argument to his man. He wisely did not controvert the particular advice of Ahithophel, but so far complimented him and conciliated Absalom by simply saying that, though good, it was not so just now (ver. 7). And while tacitly recognizing the valour of the twelve thousand, he suggested that there we.s special danger in attacking men "chafed in their minds." His line of argument was to work upon .Absalom's/ears, vanity, and suspicions. David and his men were not ordinary men; they were bold, desperate, watchful, and gifted in strategy, and the possibility of a reverse would produce a panic among Absalom's followers. Thus fear is awakened. The whole of the forces of Israel should be gathered, and Absalom himself should set out at the head of an imposing army, and so concentrate enthusiasm o.round his own person, and gain the renown of being conqueror of the mighty one. Thus vanity is aroused. No one else should take the lea.cl, but the prince himself shonld, by maintaining a personal influence and winning a victory, keep power in his own hand, and so prevent the uprising of a powerful rival. Thus suspicions are awakened. Hushai was a good rhetorician in assailing the will through a graphic description of details, which in their effect could not but call forth fear, vanity, and suspicion-those prompters of the will. All men, but mostly the undisciplined in mind, a.re liable to be influenced to action by such appeals. This method explains how masses of men are often swayed by a clever presentation of facts blended with possibilities. There is a legitimate use of this method in seeking to win men over to action in harmony with 1'he gospel. The Word of God is not handled deceitfully (2 Cor. iv. 2) when we set forth facts and possibilities to awaken godly fear and prompt to repentance; for this is only part of the function of the teacher and preacher. Men may be caught by such guile in order to be trained in the knowledge of the truth. V. THERE 18 AN UNTRACEABLE ACTION OF GoD IN THE MINDS OF MEN, The explanation given of the superiority of Rushe.i's counsel in its influence over Absalom is that it was the determination of God to defeat the good counsel of .Ahithophel (ver. 14). Unquestionab1y his counsel was the best for .Absalom's purpose. But the wise man is not to glory in his wisdom ; all hearts are naked and open to him who brings to nought the wisdom of the wise and the understanding of the prudent (Ps. xxxiii. 10; Isa. viii. 10; 1 Cor. i. 19; ii. 6). .All through Hebrew and Christian history there are evidences of God's action on the minds of men, sometimes causing them blindness, sometimes inspiring with unusual courage and wisdom. and sometimes filling them with dread (John xii 40; Luke x.xi. 15; Deut. ii. 25; Ps. ix. 20). This direct action of God on the human mind is involved in any just conception of his freedom as an Infinite Spirit, is in harmony with our action on one another, is essential to moral government, is implied in the work of regeneration, is the ground of faith in prayer, and is a basis of our belief that he will in due time defeat the wiles of the devil and bring all things into 6Ubjection to him.self. We ought to lay hold of this truth with all firmness, and carry on Christian work in the assurance that greater is he that is for us than all who can be aga.inBt us, and that he has ways of reaching men of which we have no visible trace. Vere. 15-29.-The facts are: 1. Hushai. having informed Zadok and .Abiathar of his counsel, urges them to send quickly to David, ad~ising him to flee at once h?yond the river. 2. Their two sons, staying out of the city in order to be of service ~s occasion required, are informed by a girl of the duty required, and at once go on their errar.d. 3. In spite of being recognized by an enemy who told Absalom, they go 011 Oil, XVII, 1-20,] THt SECOND BOOK Ol!' SAMUEL. 423
their way, and take refuge in a well at Bahurim, where they are secreted by the woman of the house. 4. The pursuers, being deceived by the woman, ret11rn to Jerusalem, while the two young men escape ancl tell all to David, who at once, before the morning dawns, passes with all his men over Jordan. 5. Ahithophel; sePing that his connsel is not followed, goes home, arranges his affairs, and destroys himself. 6, David passing on to Mahanaim, Abaalom also crosses the Jordan with hie torces, making Amasa cbief captain in place of Joab. 7. On David's arrival with his men at Mahanaim, hungry, thirsty, and weary, he receives gifts of food and clothing from Shobi, Machir, antl Barzillai.