was none to be so much praised as he: but, oh how contemptible does he appear, when we find it added, that these praises were called forth, not for his wisdom, or courage, or justice, or piety, but for his personal beauty: xiii.-xiv. How detestable and dreadful his conduct, in becoming a rebel and a traitor to his too tender and indulgent father; for while thus flattered by the praises of the people, he was stealing away their hearts, and conspiring against his father's throne. He obtained the concurrence and counsel of Ahithophel, who had been his father's bosom-friend, and had professed much religion. This man, however, was both treacherous and hypocritical, and readily joined Absalom's conspiracy. Having obtained from David permission to go to Hebron under pretence of a religious vow, Absalom there convened the people, and got himself proclaimed king; and so strong was the conspiracy, that David and his household fled for safety, leaving only ten of David's concubines to keep house. On this trying occasion, David felt himself under the divine chastisement, and meekly bowed beneath it: his spirit was excellent, and his language beautifully humble, resigned, and pious. "Carry back the ark of God into the city. If I shall find favour in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me again, and shew me both it and 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 in his sight." On hearing that his former counsellor Ahithophel had joined the conspi

ey, David uttered no expression of angry violence, but sought redress and refuge at a throne of grace. "O Lord, I pray thee turn the counsel of Ahithophel isto foolishness." He then sent back his trusty friend Hushai, desiring him professedly to join the Barty of Absalom, that he might endeavour to defeat be counsels of Ahithophel, and give to the friends f David timely notice of the movements of his

Demies: xv.

A time of distress and consternation affords portunity for the base and covetous designs of principled men. The mind that is unhinged by lamity and apprehension, is too easily carried ay by hollow professions of sympathy and endship, and too ready to admit unfounded accutions even against tried friends or unoffending pendants. David was thus imposed upon by Ziba, servant of Mephibosheth, who, taking advantage the general consternation, unknown to his master, lowed David with presents, and basely suggested him that Mephibosheth flattered himself with Dectations of obtaining the kingdom. David too stily admitted the slander, and rewarded the base I treacherous informer with a grant of all the possions that he had formerly bestowed on his master. they proceeded on their way, Shimei, one of the erents of the house of Saul, came forth against vid with bitter revilings and cruel insults. Abishai uld fain have cut him off; but David felt his ults light, compared with the cruelty of his unna

tural son, and submitted to them as an affliction from the hand of God. It is good to see the hand God directing, though not dictating, the injuries men. Men may say unkind things of us, or to u which we do not deserve; but we deserve this, an far worse than this, at the hand of God, and it is wis to receive it as a correction, or at least an intimatic of evil, or the appearance of evil, which may hav crept in unperceived by ourselves, and which require hesitation, watchfulness, and prayer: xvii-xviii.

Ahithophel's first counsel to Absalom was to comm a deed of unparalleled atrocity, namely, that should enter his father's house, and dishonour h wives in the sight of all the people. Such an a was indeed enough to preclude all possibility of reconciliation, and to shew Absalom's determine purpose either to conquer, or die in the struggle: th was what Ahithophel designed, and with this detestabl advice Absalom unreluctantly complied. He ne proposed that they should immediately pursue afte David and his party: but this advice Hushai strongl opposed, assigning plausible reasons, but having i reality the safety of David in view. He who rule the hearts of the children of men, and often defeat the wisest purposes of the wicked, so influenced th hearts of Absalom and the people, that Hushai' counsel was preferred, and that of Ahithophel rejected on perceiving which, Ahithophel, stung with mortified pride and disappointed ambition, retired to his house arranged his affairs, and hung himself.-By his me

lancholy example we are reminded, that all our powers and abilities are from God, and that if we do not use them in his service, and for the good of our fellow-creatures, He can in a moment deprive us of them, and turn them into foolishness. Great abilities with a sanctified heart are great blessings; but if Employed in the service of sin and Satan, they become a curse to their possessor, and to those with whom he is connected: 2 Sam. xvi. 15-23. xvii.

Absalom now followed after his father over Jordan, and having made Amasa his chief captain, pitched in the plains of Gilead, (see Map;) David and his party being in Mahanaim, (see Map,) where they were kindly succoured by Barzilai, a venerable Gileadite. On the ensuing morning, David's army went forth to battle, under the command of Joab, Abishai, and Ittai. David himself, yielding to the earnest persuasions of the people, forbore to accompany them, but strictly charged the commanders, in the hearing of all the people, that they should deal gently with the young man Absalom for his sake.-How striking the contrast! Absalom aimed directly at the life of his indulgent father; David desired nothing so much as the preservation of his rebellious son. Hard indeed must be the heart of that youth, who is not moved and melted by this tenderness.

The armies joined battle in the wood of Ephraim, (see Map,) and many of the people were slain by the servants of David, who pursued them through the Wood: among the rest, Absalom fled on a mule, and