Judah 21, it, who could not know but they engaged voluntarily in Absa- David over lom's party, and were not drawn in to espouse his interest by all Israel 14. subtlety and force. Nor must it be forgot here, that the providence of God permitted the conspiracy to go on without discovery, and to arise to that height as to drive David from his throne, and thus bring on him the punishments he had threatened him with by Nathan the prophet for his sin in the matter of Bath-sheba and Uriah. All these circumstances together considered, it is no wonder that Absalom should draw together a number of men sufficient to oppose and oppress his father, who suspected nothing of the conspiracy formed against him, and who appears to have had no part of his army with him, but some of his officers and ordinary guards, and which therefore made him take the resolution of retiring from Jerusalem, to prevent his being surprised by a superior force that he knew himself unable to resist. But then it should be considered, that this sudden insurrection was not the effect of a general or national disaffection to his person and government. This is evident from many hints in the sacred history. The best part of the inhabitants of Jerusalem were firmly attached to him, and followed him in his retreat from the capital; and all the country through which he went showed their affection to him by loud acclamations. The Cherethites and Pelethites, the Gittites, and the ablest of his officers continued steadfast in their attachment to him, and followed his fortune. The tribes on the other side Jordan gladly received him, and the richest persons of that country supplied him and his forces with all necessary provisions, and he soon collected amongst them an army sufficient to check the rebels, and at one blow to crush the rebellion. And this was no sooner known, than the tribes in general were all in motion to show their loyalty to the king, and restore him to his throne and government. The truth is, that David was surprised, unawares and unprovided, by a wicked and impious faction, who had by their emissaries drawn together a large body of men, wherever they could pick them up, amongst all the tribes; gaining over probably some well-minded persons by lies and slanderous reports of the king's government, and such others as in all nations are Judah 21, all Israel 14. David over always ready to enter into any measures of wickedness and violence, in hopes of making their advantage by the public confusion and calamity, by those methods which are constantly practised by profligate conspirators, in order to gratify their pride, ambition, and revenge, though at the expense of the religion, liberties, and prosperity of their country. And it is therefore no wonder that this rebellion, which was evidently contrary to the general sense and inclination of the people, was so suddenly suppressed, and David's restoration to his throne and government was immediately resolved on by the unanimous consent of all the tribes of Israel; whereby God was graciously pleased to put an end to his troubles, bringing him in safety to his capital and palace, and preserving his life till he happily settled the succession on Solomon his son, the wisest of princes and the most prosperous monarch in the world. BOOK IV. CHAP. I. David's restoration and return to Jerusalem. Judah 21, AMASA and the tribe of Judah being thus gained over, and David over all the other tribes being well disposed in his favour, the king all Israel14. resolved to set out immediately on his return to Jerusalem, and was accompanied by Barzillai, by a large number from the tribes in whose country he had resided during the rebellion, and by the deputies from Judah, who had waited on him at Mahanaim, in their name to invite him to return; and who had assured him that the whole tribe would in a body assemble at Gilgal, and from thence march to the river, provide every thing necessary for his passage over it, with his servants and attendants, and supply him with all accommodations for his journey to the city. CHAP. II. David's reception of Shimei. WITH the tribe of Judah came also Shimei, who had cursed and stoned David in his flight, attended with a thousand Benjamites; and to show his extraordinary zeal and joy at David's restoration, went down to Jordan before the king had passed over it, and before those of Judah could reach it; hoping a, undoubtedly, that by this appearance of his peculiar affection to him, he should atone for his past insolence and treason, and more readily obtain the king's forgiveness. With them a Pitiscus, in his notes on Q. Curtius, takes notice of the case of one Lyncestes Alexander, as parallel with this of Shimei. Lyncestes had conspired with Pausanias, a young Macedonian nobleman, to murder Philip king of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great. But that Alexander pardoned him, quia primus Alexandrum regem salutaverat; he had the first of any saluted him king, on his David over came Ziba also, with his fifteen sons and twenty servants Judah 21, attending him. all Israel 14. Shimei, as soon as the king had got on the other side of the river, presented himself before him, fell down prostrate at his feet, and, in a very suppliant manner, made an apology for his villainous behaviour, recanting all his accusations, acknowledging that he had grievously offended, and humbly imploring forgiveness: Let not, says he, my lord impute iniquity to me, neither do thou remember what thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to heart. For thy servant doth know that I have sinned: therefore, behold, I am come the first this day of all the house of Joseph to go down to meet my lord the king. Abishai, moved with a just indignation against a wretch who, first, in the malice of his heart falsely and virulently blasphemed his sovereign and attempted to murder him, and then meanly retracted his calumnies to save his life, gave himself the lie, and made a merit of an officiousness that could proceed from nothing but the fear of being punished like a traitor and regicide, as he well deserved, said to the king, Shall not Shimei be put to death, because he hath cursed the Lord's anointed? But David, though warm, could not be deliberately vindictive, and, displeased with Abishai's proposal, tells him that he intermeddled with an affair that did not belong to him, and that the prompting him to revenge himself on Shimei, though it might proceed from zeal in him for his service, yet was in reality the advice of an enemy, as it was exciting him to an unnecessary instance of severity, since his restoration was now happily accomplished, and needed not the death of Shimei or any other person to secure it; and that therefore he was resolved that no man should be put to death that day in Israel: What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah, that ye should THIS DAY be adversaries to me? shall there any man be put to death THIS DAY in Israel? for do I not know that I am THIS DAY king over Israel? He then immediately turned to Shimei, and, to relieve him from his fear of immediate death, said to him, Thou shalt not die, and confirmed it by an oath. Soon after Shimei, Mephibosheth also, Jonathan's son, came to congratulate David upon his repassing over Jordan. But as he had received some impressions unfavourable to him upon Ziba's representation, he was not admitted to an audience David over till the king was resettled in his palace and government in Jerusalem. CHAP. III. David's gratitude to Barzillai. Judah 21, all Israel 14. AFTER David had thus extended mercy to Shimei, he showed 2 Sam. xix. how grateful a remembrance he had of Barzillai the Gileadite's 31, &c. friendship to him during the time of the rebellion, who had brought him a very large supply of provision whilst he continued at Mahanaim. Before he left that city, Barzillai came down from his estate where he resided to take his leave of the king. The king gave him an invitation to accompany him to Jerusalem, and promised that he would there liberally provide for him. The good old man answered him, How long have I to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and evil? Have I any relish for the pleasures and enjoyments of a court? Can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I any more hear the voice of singing men and singing women? Wherefore then should thy servant be yet a burden to my lord the king? Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why should the king recompense it me with such a reward? Hereby politely acknowledging that the honour he did him by his kind invitation to his court was a much greater recompense than the small proofs he had given him of his affection and zeal for his person and government. He then desires the king's permission that he might turn back again, that he might die in his own city, and be buried by the grave of his father and mother. But that he might not seem to undervalue his favour, he adds, Behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to him what shall seem good unto thee. David assured him; Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to him that which shall seem good to thee, and do for him whatsoever thou shalt require of me. Barzillai accordingly attended the king over |