Ziba had befriended his friends in a time of need (eh. xvi. 1, 2), and had been foremost to welcome himself back (eh. xix. 17). 'l'he kindness of the man in the hour of need was a set-off to his deceit. On the other haJ:?rl, the forfeiture of the property of Mephi- boshelh by royal decree was he.Red on false information; and being a member of a royal house, and not proved to have been openly disloyal, he certainly had a claim to resto- ration to rights. 'l'he brevity of the narrative leaves the actual decision of David in some obscurity (ver, 29). But the sense seems to be that David solved the difficulty by restoring the old relations as a matter of practice (eh. ix. 9-11), without formally revoking the legal right of Ziba. As formerly, so now, the two families were to live on tho produce of the soil, and in this there was great consideration, for Mephibosheth was physically incapable of looking after his own affairs. The example of David, as a matter c,f procedure, is worthy of attention. Life is crowded with rlifficulties analogous to this, Claims and counter-claims force themselves on our attention. ·wrongs have to be righted and merits have to be considered in alleviation of judgment. The prin- ciple on which David acted was a sound one, and can be used by us in all things, namely, to deal with anomalies practically, not merely speculatively, and to aim at a. restoration of things to their natural basis. 'l'o bring men and things back to nature, so far as circumstances admit, is a safe and prudent rule. The old relationship of Ziba to Mephibosheth (eh. ix. 2-4), and the incapacity of the latter, rendered it most unwise to cut the knot of present complications by having recourse to the practical division indicated in eh. ix. !i-12. There is a natural basis, if we will only take pains to find it, in our modern complications. GENERAL LESSONS. 1. We should see in the returning success of the servant of God after a·season of severe chastisement a token of our joyous return to the possession of privilege when we have been duly exercised by the chastisement of Providence (Heh. xii. 5-7). 2. Success is not to be regarded as less real because imperfect and weak men crowd in with it, though we ought to separate their attachment from the elements of endurance in the success. 3. In selecting friends we should not place much reliance on those most eager in their expression of interest. Words are to bo tested by deeds. 4. It is incumbent on all Christians to pmge from their relation- ships, whether of master, servant, professor of religion, member of Church, or subject of the realm, every trace of doubtful loyalty. 5. 'l'he profession of interest in reli~ion is to be carefully weighed, seeing that an uneasy conscience will often prompt to a formal profession when there is not sincere love and faith. 6. It will be a great gain to the Chnrch if we can instil into the minds of the young the most cardinal principles of Christianity, which, by their dominating power, will expel inferior views and lead to right action. 7. We may encourage the poor !l.nd oppressed to take heart from seeing how in the course of history God does vindicate the needy, The great vindications will be when the King of kings comes to judgment.
Vere. 31-43.-The facts are: 1. Barzillai, having provided sustenance for David while he was at Mahanaim, and accompanying him over Jordan, is entreated to go and live with him at Jerusalem. 2. Barzillai, having no relish for the kind of life which be thought prevailed at court, pleads age and infirmity and e. fear of being an incumbrance to David, as a reason for not complying with bis request, but asks that his own son Chim.ham may be permitted to go. 3. David consent~, promises to do for Barzillai all that he may require, kisses and blesses him, and, while the good old man returns home, David passes on to Gilgal, conducted by all the people of Judah and half the people of Israel. 4. The men of Israel protest against what they conceive to be the stealthy way in which the men of Judah forestalled them in bringing back the king. 6. The men of Judah assign, as the explanation of their conduct, that they were not mercenary, but that their near kinship was the clue to their zeal. 6. The controversy waxes strong on the men of Israel asserting in their rejoinder that, being ten tribes, they had more right in the king than had Judah .
.A beautiful old age. The scene described by the historian of the parting of Barzillai and David is one of the most touching to be found in Old, Testament story ; and the two elements which chiefly contribute to its interest are-the return of the banished ki1:1g w his beloved Qity R!ld bis throne at the close of a most auious season; and 4i8 THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL. [en. XIX, 1-43