patriarchs and prophets-第190章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
sought to gratify every thought of his heart； regardless of the requirements
of God。 Notwithstanding his great sin； God had borne long with him。 For two
years he had been granted opportunity for repentance； but he continued in
sin； and with his guilt upon him； he was cut down by death； to await the
awful tribunal of the judgment。
728
David had neglected the duty of punishing the crime of Amnon； and because of
the unfaithfulness of the king and father and the impenitence of the son；
the Lord permitted events to take their natural course； and did not restrain
Absalom。 When parents or rulers neglect the duty of punishing iniquity； God
Himself will take the case in hand。 His restraining power will be in a
measure removed from the agencies of evil； so that a train of circumstances
will arise which will punish sin with sin。
The evil results of David's unjust indulgence toward Amnon were not ended；
for it was here that Absalom's alienation from his father began。 After he
fled to Geshur； David； feeling that the crime of his son demanded some
punishment； refused him permission to return。 And this had a tendency to
increase rather than to lessen the inextricable evils in which the king had
come to be involved。 Absalom； energetic； ambitious； and unprincipled； shut
out by his exile from participation in the affairs of the kingdom； soon gave
himself up to dangerous scheming。
At the close of two years Joab determined to effect a reconciliation between
the father and his son。 And with this object in view he secured the services
of a woman of Tekoah； reputed for wisdom。 Instructed by Joab； the woman
represented herself to David as a widow whose two sons had been her only
comfort and support。 In a quarrel one of these had slain the other； and now
all the relatives of the family demanded that the survivor should be given
up to the avenger of blood。 〃And so；〃 said the mother； 〃they shall quench my
coal which is left； and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor
remainder upon the earth。〃 The king's feelings were touched by this appeal；
and he assured the woman of the royal protection for her son。
After drawing from him repeated promises for the young man's safety； she
entreated the king's forbearance； declaring that he had spoken as one at
fault； in that he did not fetch home again his banished。 〃For；〃 she said；
〃we must needs die； and are as water spilt on the ground； which cannot be
gathered up again； neither doth God respect any person； ye doth He devise
means； that His banished be not expelled from Him。〃 This tender and touching
portrayal of the love of God toward the sinnercoming as it did from Joab；
the rude soldieris a striking evidence of the familiarity of the
Israelites with the great truths of redemption。 The king； feeling his own
need of God's mercy； could not resist
729
this appeal。 To Joab the command was given； 〃Go therefore； bring the young
man Absalom again。〃
Absalom was permitted to return to Jerusalem； but not to appear at court or
to meet his father。 David had begun to see the evil effects of his
indulgence toward his children； and tenderly as he loved this beautiful and
gifted son； he felt it necessary； as a lesson both to Absalom and to the
people； that abhorrence for such a crime should be manifested。 Absalom lived
two years in his own house； but banished from the court。 His sister dwelt
with him； and her presence kept alive the memory of the irreparable wrong
she had suffered。 In the popular estimation the prince was a hero rather
than an offender。 And having this advantage； he set himself to gain the
hearts of the people。 His personal appearance was such as to win the
admiration of all beholders。 〃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
crown of his head there was no blemish in him。〃 It was not wise for the king
to leave a man of Absalom's characterambitious； impulsive； and
passionateto brood for two years over supposed grievances。 And David's
action in permitting him to return to Jerusalem； and yet refusing to admit
him to his presence； enlisted in his behalf the sympathies of the people。
With the memory ever before him of his own transgression of the law of God；
David seemed morally paralyzed； he was weak and irresolute； when before his
sin he had been courageous and decided。 His influence with the people had
been weakened。 And all this favored the designs of his unnatural son。
Through the influence of Joab； Absalom was again admitted to his father's
presence； but though there was an outward reconciliation； he continued his
ambitious scheming。 He now assumed an almost royal state； having chariots
and horses； and fifty men to run before him。 And while the king was more and
more inclined to desire retirement and solitude； Absalom sedulously courted
the popular favor。
The influence of David's listlessness and irresolution extended to his
subordinates； negligence and delay characterized the administration of
justice。 Absalom artfully turned every cause of dissatisfaction to his own
advantage。 Day by day this man of noble mien might be seen at the gate of
the city； where a crowd of suppliants waited to present their wrongs for
redness。
730
Absalom mingled with them and listened to their grievances； expressing
sympathy with their sufferings and regret at the inefficiency of the
government。 Having thus listened to the story of a man of Israel； the prince
would reply； 〃Thy matters are good and right； but there is no man deputed of
the king to hear thee；〃 adding； 〃O that I were made judge in the land； that
every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me； and I would do
him justice！ And it was so； that when any man came nigh to him to do him
obeisance； he put forth his hand； and took him； and kissed him。〃
Fomented by the artful insinuations of the prince； discontent with the
government was fast spreading。 The praise of Absalom was on the lips of all。
He was generally regarded as heir to the kingdom； the people looked upon him
with pride as worthy of this high station； and a desire was kindled that he
might occupy the throne。 〃So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel。〃
Yet the king； blinded by affection for his son； suspected nothing。 The
princely state which Absalom had assumed； was regarded by David as intended
to do honor to his courtas an expression of joy at the reconciliation。
The minds of the people being prepared for what was to follow； Absalom
secretly sent picked men throughout the tribes； to concert measures for a
revolt。 And now the cloak of religious devotion was assumed to conceal his
traitorous designs。 A vow made long before while he was in exile must be
paid in Hebron。 Absalom said to the king； 〃I pray thee； let me go and pay my
vow； which I have vowed unto the Lord； in Hebron。 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。〃 The fond father；
comforted with this evidence of piety in his son； dismissed him with his
blessing。 The conspiracy was now fully matured。 Absalom's crowning act of
hypocrisy was designed not only to blind the king but to establish the
confidence of the people； and thus to lead them on to rebellion against the
king whom God had chosen。
Absalom set forth for Hebron； and there went with him 〃two hundred men out
of Jerusalem； that were called； and they went in their simplicity； and they
knew not anything。〃 These men went with Absalom； little thinking that their
love for the son was leading them into rebellion against the father。 Upon
arriving at Hebron； Absalom immediately summoned Ahithophel； one of the
731
chief counselors of David； a man in high repute for wisdom； whose opinion
was thought to be as safe and wise as that of an oracle。 Ahithophel joined
the conspirators； and his support made the cause of Absalom appear certain
of success； attracting to his standard many influential men from all parts
of the land。
