The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-03-01

T. E n L Il .
badly the oldest now living He had slain
Amnon the frst-born, and Chileab iii: 3
was probably dead, as no farther mention
is made of him. Yet he had no assurance
that he should inherit the crown. The rule
of descent to the oldest son was not yet es-
tablished; and he may have had intima-
tons that Solomon, "the beloved of the
Lord" xii: 25,) was to have this honor
Without waiting o. he would seize his
fathers kingdom.
Verse Tt is kally admitted that
4" forty years" is az that has crept into
the text in trans and should read
"four years." So Us in the Syriac and
Arabic versions an JosephuS. He had
spent four years a S admission to his
fathers presence Using his polite arts
to gain popular faV
Verses 8, 9.-H fed permission to go
to Hebron to pay aV&w which he said he
had made when in exile at Geshur in Syria
the purport of which was, if returned to
Jerusalem he would offer sacrifice of
thanksgiving. If be made such vow, he
did not keep it in its spirit. Ithowever suit
ed his purposes to have the mask Of religion;
and he knew this plea would be most likely
to secure permission from bis father to 60 to
Hebron. The unsuspecting and indulgent
father readily granted the request.
Hebron was chosen as the place at which
openly to set on foot the conspiracy, because
it was city of ancient renown, was his
own birthplace iii: 81 David's recent CAPT,
tai as King of Judah, and city of the
priests Josh. xxi 2, who could sOlemnize
the religious rites connected with his alleged
VOW.
Verse 1O.-Having for four years pre-
pared for himself friends in every tribe and
every city, he now sent spies to inform those
who were of his pay of his purpose to
seize the kingdom, 30 inform them of
the signal that wOul p be given them,
when they were to f, his standard. By
having trumpeters aevated points at
suitable intervals, the would soon spread
from Hebron throug the land, that he
was proclaimed King
Verse 1O--He left allen accompanied
by two hundred men, ut opposition from
David. Indeed, as he sS going ostensibly
for a religious purpose, he may have obtained
men of high position from the court, to give
royal sanction to the sacrifice and festival at
Hebron. So skilfally had he managed his
plots, that though spies were sent throughout
the whole land, these attendants "went in
their simplicity, not aware that a conspiracy
was on hand. 1t is probable, however, when
the mask was thrown of, and they found
themselves oStensibly committed to the trea-
son, that many or all thought it polite to act
with Absalom'S party. And we may sup
pose that one so artful as this leader had
selected them with this in view.
Verse 12.-AhithOphel, who had been
David's wisest counsellor, and was looked
upon as "an oracle of God" xvi 23,) now
at his native city Giloh near Hebron, was
sent for by Absalom, who knew he was ready
for revolt. Ahithophel had son ELAN
among David's mighty men, (xxiii: 81, and
it is not improbable that he was the ELAN
who was father to Bathsheba Xxi: 81 This
gives some plausibility to the assertion of
Jewish writers, that Ahithophel joined the
conspiracy against David, through disgust
and revenge, on account of Davids conduct
to Bathsheba his granddaughter. Absalom's
deep laid schemes, and the causes of diSSat
isfaction with the present government, readily
explain the fact that the conspiracy became
suddenly strong, and that "the people con-
tinually increased with Absalom.'
David fees before AbsalOm.-Verses Is,
14.-David had little time to prepare force
to meet AbsalOm he wished to save the city
he had beautifed from being beseiged and
sacked and therefore urged his men to
hasten their retreat. 1spay have been pru-
dent in David to leav city; but this
does not look like the of war who had
spread the terror of arms through all
lands, and made Isr ne of the great
kingdoms of the world sha6Oa is written
upon bis eScutcheon glory is departed.
Yet when chsfed un RiS conspiracy he
would again have en the battle but for
the remonstrance of pple xvii: ~
the army in person, ~ then he "waxed
faint" Xxi; 49,
Remarks Il. Obedience to parents is
A. = h;oboak &c J,t;oo 70 mon Honor thu