emphatically the Holy One, was appointed to be traced through more than one apparently polluted channels; but so it is, and all we bave to do with it is to adore and wonder.

After the taking of Rabbah, other wars arose with the Philistines; in one of which David, waxing faint, had nearly been slain by Ishbibenob, one of the sons of the giant, when he was preserved by Abishai, the son of Zeruiah, who slew the Philistine. Upon this occasion the men of David sware unto him, "Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel."* And after this there was another battle, where Labmi, a brother, and Sippai and another son of Goliath, the Gittite, were respectively slain by Sibbechai, the Hushathite, Elhanan, the son of Jair, and Jonathan, the son of Shimea, one of David's brothers.†

It is neither safe nor lawful for fallible man to construe particular acts of divine providence into judgments upon individuals; but can we wonder if, after the complicated ruin and disgrace which David had brought upon Uriah and his house, a righteous God should see fit to punish the monarch in some sort after a similar manner? Nor is it without its use, that sinful man should know that although particular sins may be pardoned, so that his salvation may be secured, yet that it rarely happens but that such sins meet with some proportionate punishment in this life; and that there is a much greater certainty of retribution for every evil action than is generally imagined.

In the case of David, however, we have the authority of God himself to come to such a conclusion, as that monarch soon found to his sorrow, when the peace of his own family became invaded by the vices and rebellion of his children. Absalom, who was David's son by Maacah,§ had a fair sister

+ 1 Chron. xx. 4-8.

2 Sam. xxi. 16, 17.
2 Sam. xii, 11, 12.

§ 2 Sam. iii. 3.

of the name of Tamar, with whom Ammon, another of the monarch's sons by Ahinoam,* became enamoured. By the advice of his cousin Jonadab, who was a subtle, and without doubt, a wicked man, he feigned sickness, and when his sister came, in compliance with his request, to make him a couple of cakes, he ravished her; and, as frequently happens in similar cases, immediately conceived as strong an aversion as he had before entertained a passion for her, and turned her out of doors; upon which she returned home to her brother Absalom's house.

At first Absalom advised his sister to keep the matter secret, upon the ground of Ammon being their brother; but he only smothered his resentment, and waited for an opportunity to avenge himself; taking care, in the mean time, to avoid all communication with the offender.

When David heard of the melancholy occurrence, he was very wroth; but it is not said that he adopted any measures for the punishment of Ammon: if he had, he might have prevented the catastrophe which ensued.†

At the expiration of two years, Absalom invited all his brethren to a sheep-shearing at Baalhazor, and with some difficulty prevailed upon David to let Ammon go amongst the rest. According to a previous command, Ammon was assassinated, whilst merry with wine, by the servants of Absalom, who immediately fled to Talmai,‡ the son of Ammihud, King of Geshur, with whom he resided three years.§ David at first mourned bitterly for the loss of Ammon;

2 Sam. iii. 2.

In proof of this suggestion, the Septuagint, the Vulgate, and Josephus, have the following addition to the text-" But he would not grieve the soul of Ammon his son, for he loved him, because he was his first born." Ad. Clarke.

He was his grandfather. 2 Sam. iii. 3.

§ 2 Sam. xiii. 3.

but, as that grief wore off, his heart softened towards Absalom, which was soon perceived by Joab.

By the means of an ingenious device, Joab induced David to allow Absalom to return in privacy to his own house; but would not see him himself. This youthful prince was remarkable for beauty of person, and particularly for a profusion of fine hair. Becoming impatient of living in retirement, he sent for Joab, and prevailed upon him to reconcile him unto his father David; and when Absalom bowed himself on his face to the ground, the king kissed him, and a reconciliation, which was no doubt sincere on the part of David, apparently took place.*

David, however, had yet to experience a still greater trial; for this favourite son, as he really was, soon afterwards engaged in a scheme of rebellion against his father's throne and person, which was but too successful. Having assumed an appearance of state, he basely insinuated that his father neglected to administer judgment to his subjects, and lamented that he was himself deprived of the power of doing so. By an affected condescension, he won upon the affections of the people, so that he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.†

As soon as he imagined he had secured the affections of the populace, he obtained leave from David to go to Hebron, the place of his birth, under the hypocritical pretence of paying a vow he had made whilst at Geshur, that if Jehovah would bring him again to Jerusalem, then he would serve Jehovah.

According to a previously concerted plan, as soon as Absalom had arrived in Hebron, he was proclaimed king; and one of the chief conspirators was A hithophel, the Gilonite. That this conspiracy was of wide and alarming extent, we

may collect from the immediate determination of David to abandon Jerusalem, refusing even to take the ark along with him. Taking with him his household, the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the Gittites, and accompanied by Ittai, the Gittite, who refused to quit his sovereign, David took his way over the brook Kidron, toward the wilderness, all the country weeping with a loud voice, as the people passed

over.

David ordered Zadok, the priest, to remain with the ark in Jerusalem, and keep his son Ahimaaz, and Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, with him; purposing to stay in the plain until he received information from them. 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.*

On the top of the mount, and whilst performing an act of solemn worship to God, Hushai, the Archite, came to meet him, with his coat rent, and earth upon his head; but David sent him also back to Jerusalem, to feign submission to Absalom, in order that he might counteract the influence of Ahithophel, who was amongst the conspirators, and whose counsel David earnestly prayed Jehovah that he would turn into foolishness.

On his arrival at Bahurim, Shimei, the son of Gera, a Benjamite, of the family of Saul, cursed David as he passed by, and cast stones and dust‡ at him and his people, saying,

2 Sam. xv. 30.

Even so, or with much more contempt, men's eyes,
Did scowl on Richard; no man cry'd God save him!
No joyful tongue gave him his welcome home;
But dust was thrown upon his sacred head;
Which with such gentle sorrow he shook off,
His face still combating with tears and smiles,

Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial. Jehovah hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and Jehovah hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom, thy son: and behold thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.* Abishai would have instantly slain him, but David forbid him, saying, let him curse, because Jehovah hath said unto him, curse David; who shall then say, wherefore hast thou done so? Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it: let him alone, and let him curse; for Jehovah hath bidden him. It may be that Jehovah will look on mine affliction, and that Jehovah will requite me good for his cursing this day.†

In the mean time, Absalom, with Ahithophel and all the men of Israel, entered into Jerusalem; and Hushai was received into the young prince's counsel. David had left behind him ten of his concubines to take care of the royal palace; and upon Absalom's demanding advice what course he should pursue, in order to secure himself in the throne, Ahithophel advised that he should connect himself with his father's concubines, in order that all Israel might hear that he was abhorred of his father; so that the hands of all that were with Absalom might be strong: thus giving full evidence that the prayers of David‡ had been heard.

The unhappy youth followed this profligate advice, and that the scandal might be the greater, a tent was spread on

The badges of his grief and patience;

That had not God, for some strong purpose, steeled
The hearts of men, they must perforce have melted;
And barbarism itself have pitied him.

RICHARD II.-YORK.

* Sam. xvi. 8.

+ 2 Sam. xvi. 11, 12.