The Throne of David, Treatise · Section 32
II SAM: Chap: 12. from the 1. verſe to the 13.
FOllowes the ſecond part of the Chapter, which is Abſoloms reconciliation to his father David: wherein is ſet down the time, towit, after two yeares dwelling in Jeruſalem. 2. The inſtrument which he uſes to procure his reconciliation. Who is Joab, the ſame man that had procured his former reduction from Geſhur. 3. The manner how he uſes Joab. 1. By ſending for him twiſe. And 2. When he would not come, by cauſing his ſervants to ſet his barly field on fire: that what intreaty could not do, coaction might enforce. 4. Is ſet down Joabs coming unto him and asking the cauſe, why he ſhould have cauſed his ſervants to ſet his field on fire. Whereunto Abſolom anſwers, that it was only by way of Stratagem, becauſe when he ſent for him, he would not come: therefore he thought upon this occaſion, that he would not faile to come. And then he laies out the cauſe, why he ſent for him, which was to make known his condition to the King, which he affirmed to be more tolerable in exile in Geſhur; than in that domeſtick exile from his fathers preſence, which he either deſires, or elſe that he would put him to a legall triall and kill him, if he were found culpable. In this offer confiding partly in his innocency, who had done nothing, but that whereunto he was provoked by a notable injury, and partly confiding in his Fathers indulgence and clemency, whoſe heart and affection he underſtood was towards him, though he reſtrained his countenance for a time from him, as Ioſeph did from his brethren. And 5. followes Ioabs delivery of his commiſſion to David, and thereupon as the event. Abſoloms reconciliation to his Fath…r, who in token thereof, as the cuſtome was, kiſſed him. Having externally given all due reverence to his Father, againſt whom notwithſtanding inwardly he had hatch't a monſtrous rebellion, againſt both his life and honour, as we ſhall ſhew (God willing) in the next Chapter.
OBSERVATIONS.
1. V. 26. ABſoloms ambitious heart is mightily grieved (as we ſee V. 32.) That he is reſtrained from the court, & the Kings preſence. Which ſhewes us the torture and diſquiet of proud Spirits, that cannot attain to their ambitious deſires: ſo that it may be ſaid of pride, as is of envy Intactis vorat oſſibus medullas, and that it is a puniſhment to it ſelf, whereas the wiſe man ſayes, Bene vixit, qui bene latuit. As alſo what torture ſhall it be to be deprived of his preſence for ever, who is the King of Kings, and of that fulneſſe of joy that is therein, Pſal. 16. 11.
2. Verſ. 30. Abſolom extorts by force and violence what he could not obtain otherwiſe. Wherein we ſee the nature of Tyrants, that where they cannot allure men to meddle with them in ill courſes they menace, or oppreſſe them, as experience teaches. And ſo does enforce them.
3. Abſoloms ſervants do as their Tyrannous Maſter commands them, and burne Ioabs barly field. Where we ſee a new example of a wicked Maſter, and of wicked ſervants, as we ſaw before in the murther of Amnon.
4. We ſee here likewiſe that Ioab receives a juſt recompence at the hands of Abſolom, proceeding from Gods juſt judgement, puniſhing men, who with diſpenſing with a good conſcience, and in ill courſes, or cauſes ſeek to pleaſure the wicked.
5. Verſ. 32. Where Abſolom ſayes, If there be any iniquity in me, let the King kill me. We ſee the blind and impenitent heart that was in Abſolom, that having committed ſuch a vile murther on his own Brother, in ſuch a treacherous and baſe way, yet would plead innocency, & that there was no iniquity in him. Thus does Satan blind & obdure wicked men after the commiſſion of groſſe and ſcandalous crimes. Which excecation and induration is not the leaſt puniſhment of ſuch offenders. Being (as Solomon calles it) the plague of the heart, 1 King. 8. 38.
6. Verſ. 33. In Davids pardoning of bloody fratricide againſt the Lawes both of God and man, and reconciling with him and kiſſing him. We ſee his too great indulgence and ſinnefull Lenity, which as Eli's, was puniſhed hereafter moſt ſharply, Abſolon intending next paricide by his rebellion, and bringing himſelf at laſt to utter deſtruction.