24 And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face: David would not permit him to come to court, but resolved still to mortify and punish him, to show the people his detestation of the horrid crime he had committed.

25

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the 26 crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he polled his head, (for it was at every year's end that he polled [it] because [the hair] was heavy on him, therefore he polled it :) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels 27 after the king's weight. And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter,† whose name [was] Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance.

28 So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not 29 the king's face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king, but he would not come to him: and when he 30 sent again the second time, he would not come. Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there: go and set it on fire. And Absalom's ser31 vants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto [his] house, to expostulate with him, and said unto 32 him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? [it had been] good for me [to have been] there still now therefore let me see the king's face; 33 and if there be [any] iniquity in me, let him kill me. So Joab came to the king, and told him and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom, and was reconciled to him.

1.

REFLECTIONS.

HE remembrance of God's forbearance and long suffering religion, especially those branches of it, clemency and mercy. God does not execute his sentence against them immediately; he has made provision to bring home his banished seed, to restore sinners; and has appointed sacrifices under the law, and the sufferings of The weight of his hair as here mentioned, was prodigious, upwards of three pounds. But I think it may rather refer to its value, as the word signifies both the weight of goods, and the value of money.

+ These probably died young, for we read afterward that he had none.

Absalom had ambitious designs in his head, which could not be effected whilst he was kept from court. But Joab, like an old politician, would not go to him, fearing the king would be angry if he should press him, or lest Absalom's popularity should eclipse him, and lessen his share in the king's favour.

He expresses no sense of any injury done to Joab, and is angry that he did not come when he desired him. He then sends him with an impudent message to the king, to let him know that he had rather die than not see him. It was presumption on his father's fondness for him, that made him talk in this high strain. X

VOL. III.

Christ under the gospel, for this kind purpose. This is a proper expedient and an honourable way of doing it. Let sinners there fore remember, that it is their own fault if they are not restored. This should lead us to be merciful and compassionate, even as our Father in heaven is merciful. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

2. We see that a handsome person sometimes covers a deformed soul, v. 25. But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty. Nothing is said of his wisdom and piety; he was only the fine gentleman. His outside beauty concealed a proud, base, malignant soul. This would be a poor commendation of a woman, and much less so of a man. Let us not be proud of external accomplishments, but seek the beauties of the mind, the ornaments of wisdom, virtue, meekness, and humility. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but every one who feareth the Lord shall be praised.

3. See how wise and good men may be deceived and imposed upon by their children, especially when they are over fond of them. David forgave Absalom's horrid crime, admitted him to favour, and cherished a viper in his own bosom. Affection blinds the eyes. Parents should judge wisely and cautiously, even of their own children, and treat them according to their deserts; else they will prove a grief of heart to them, as we shall afterward find this proud wretch did to David; and, if they prove rebellious and disobedient, the more fond they are of them, the greater will be their torment and vexation.

CHAP. XV.

In which is an account of Absalom's rebellion; of David's flight from Jerusalem, and settling some schemes to defeat the insurrection.

1

AN

ND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.* 2 And Absalom rose up early, to show selfdenial, diligence, and concern for the public good, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was [so,] that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city [art] thou? And he said, Thy servant 3 [is] of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters [are] good and right, but [there is] no man, [deputed] of the king to hear thee; the king is old and infirm, his counsellors are bad, and his ministers wicked. This was a 4 false and vile insinuation. Absalom said moreover, O that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any

Some suppose he took advantage of David's sickness to do this; and by a grand equipage to attract the eyes and minds of the people to himself, as David's successor.

† Absalom upon a very slight hearing gave judgment in his favour; and if the cause was for him, it would confirm his opinion of Absalom's wisdom; but if against him, he would hink it would have been better if Absalom had been the judge."

suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice. Absalom, to humble his pride, had no post given him; but he pretended to have a public spirit, that he was willing to serve every ̧ 5 one, and that justice was not now done. And it was [so,] that when any man came nigh [to him] to do him obeisance, to honour him as the king's son, he would not permit him to bow himself, but showed the greatest affability and affection, and he put forth 6 his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel; his beautiful person, being heir apparent, and all these artful insinuations, gained their affections.

7

And it came to pass after forty years from David's anointing, and four years after his reconciliaton with his father, (as Josephus and some ancient versions tell us) that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron; he pretended piety, the more 8 easily to gain his father's consent. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, if the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. He adopted the patriarchal stile, and intimated, that though he was tempted by his grandfather and his court to serve the gods of Ge9 shur, yet he continued steady to Jehovah. And the good king, de10 lighted at this, said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron; this 11 will animate them to come to my standard. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called to grace the solemnity, and partake of the feast; they were men of fortune and refutation, and his father's friends, that he might suspect nothing; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing; they went only to wait on him as the king's son, 12 not in the least suspecting his design. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, [even] from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom; they came under pretence of joining in the sacrifice, and honouring the king's son in these acts of religion.

13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts 14 of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that [were] with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not [else] escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring

Here he was born, and here David began his reign. It was the chief city of the tribe of Judah, next to Jerusalem; much celebrated in the patriarchal times, and famous for its high places, where they still sacrificed.

Ahithophel was capable of doing great mischief, as he was one of David's privy counsel, lors. Some suppose that he was angry at David's affair with Bath-sheba, who was his grand daughter. He was too cunning to think of coming, till he saw what people joined Absalom, and whether his scheme was likely to succeed.

evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword." 15 And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants

[are ready to do] whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16 And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, [which were] concubines, to keep the house; supposing that their sex, and their relation to him, would 17 preserve them from insult. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, on foot, in a mourning condition, and tarried in a place that was far off, to refresh themselves, to wait for others 18 to come up, and put them in order. And all his servants passed on beside him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.

19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, to try his fidelity, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king, that is, with Absalom: for thou [art] a 20 stranger, and also an exile. Whereas thou camest [but] yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us, and expose thee and thy people to toil and hardship? seeing I go whither I may, am quite in an unsettled and dangerous situation, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth [be] 21 with thee. And Ittai answered the king, and said, [As] the LORD liveth, and [as] my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. This showed great courage and 22 fidelity in a stranger, when the king's own son was a rebel. And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that [were] 23 with him. And all the country wept with a loud voice, to see a brave, just, and pious prince reduced to such extremities; and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

24

And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites [were] with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God, as the token of the di vine presence, in order to consult it on proper occasions, and hoping to draw the people after it; and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up to a hill, until all the people had done 25 passing out of the city. And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city; reverence for the ark may save the priests from Absalom's resentment, and persuade the people to return to their duty: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and show me [both] it, and 26 his habitation. But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, [here am] I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him; I am ready to submit to his will, sensible of my ill deservings. 27 The king said also unto Zadok the priest, [Art not] thou a seer,

David chose to leave Jerusalem, that he might prevent a surprise, and not expose it to the horrors of a siege. He did not know how it stood affected to him, as Absalom had many adherents there. He could more easily raise an army in the country, where neither the morals nor the political principles of the people were so much corrupted.

a prophet, and a wise, discerning man, who mightest sift Abealum's counsellors, and remind the people of their fealty ? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, 28 and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me what Absalom's designs are, and which way he will steer his course. 29 Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. Thus David sent back the 30 ark, choosing rather to trust God than it. And David went up by the ascent of [mount] Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot:* and all the people that [was] with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

31

And [one] told David, saying, Ahithophel [is] among the conspirators with Absalom.† And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness; either infatuate him to give foolish counsel, or let it be rejected or defeated 32 as such. And it came to pass, that, [when] David was come to the top [of the mount,] where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him, with his coat rent, and 33 earth upon his head: Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me, being old, and 34 fitter for counsel than for war. But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; [as] I [have been] thy father's servant hitherto, so [will] I now also [be] thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel 35 of Ahithophel. And [hast thou] not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, [that] what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell 36 [it] to Zadok and Abiathar the priests. Behold, [they have] there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's [son,] and Jonathan Abiathar's [son :] and by them ye shall send unto me 37 every thing that ye can hear. So Hushai David's friend came into the city; he returned so secretly, that it was not known he had gone out to David; and Absalom came into Jerusalem.]

1. TH

REFLECTIONS.

HIS story should instruct parents to guard against excessive fondness for their children; or indulgence of them, especially when they discover a bad spirit, and practise wickedness.

*He did this, to express his deep humiliation, shame, and concern. He wept for his own sins, and for the unnatural behaviour of his son, and the marks of divine displeasure that attended it

This touched him very sensibly, because he was a wise man, and knew David's secrets, and he took him for his friend; see Psalm xli. 9.

This was the very spot where Christ wept; there David was looking toward Jerusalem, the ark, and the house of God, and praying; God heard, and sent Hushai to him, (Joshua xvi. 2.) whom he could trust in these circumstances.

It was now that David penned the third psalm, and probably the forty third, where we may see the state of his mind at this time.