CHAP. IX. OF THE INSURRECTION OF ABSALOM AGAINST DAVID, AND THE DEATH OF AHITHOPHEL. Now OW Absalom, upon this success with the king, procured to himself many horses and chariots, and that in a little time. * He had also fifty armor-bearers that were about him, and he came early every day to the king's palace, and spake what was agreeable to such as came for justice, and lost their causes; as if it had happened for want of good counsellors about the king, or, perhaps, because the judges mistook in that unjust sentence they gave; whereby he gained the good will of all the populace. He told them, that had he but such authority committed to him, he would distribute justice to them in a most equitable manner. When he had made himself so popular among the multitude, he thought he had already the good will of the people secured to him.† But when four years had passed since his father's reconciliation, he came to him, § and besought him to give him leave to go to Hebron, and pay a sacrifice to God, because he 'vowed it to him when he fled out of the country. So when David had granted his request, he went thither; and great multitudes came running together to him; for he had sent to a great number so to do. Among them came Ahithophel, the Gilonite, a counsellor of David's, and two hundred men ; of Jerusalem, who knew not his intentions; but were sent for as to a sacrifice. So he was appointed king by all of them, which he obtained by this stratagem. As soon as this news was brought to David, and he was informed of what he did not expect from his son, he was affrighted at this impious and bold undertaking, and wondered that he was so far from remembering how his offence had lately been forgiven him, that he undertook much worse and more wicked enterprises: first to deprive him of that kingdom which was given him of God; and, secondly, to take away his own father's life. He therefore resolved to fly to the parts beyond Jordan. So he called his most intimate friends together, and communicated to them all that he had heard of his son's madness: he then committed himself to God, to judge between them, about all their actions, and left the care of his royal palace to his ten concubines, and went away from Jerusalem; being willingly accompanied by the rest of the multitude, who went hastily away with him; and particularly by those six hundred armed men, who had been with him from his first flight, in the days of Saul. But he persuaded Abiathar and Zadok the high-priest, who had determined to go away with him, as also all the Levites, who were with the ark, to stay behind; as hoping God would deliver him without its removal; but he charged them to let him know from kings, both by father's and mother's side, and prodigal enough of large and magnificent promises, if ever he came to be king; a character not unlike that of Turnus Virgil: It is an observation of Plato, that when any one intends to make himself a tyrant in a popular state, he no sooner enters on the government, but fooysha Te και aonaţiTaι Taulas, w ar pirvyxas, he smiles upon, and kind-in ly salutes, all sorts of people, wherever he meets them avowing that he hates tyranny, promising great things both in private and public, και πασιν έλεος τε και πατρώος, είναι προσποιείται, and making as if he would be mild and gentle, and fatherly to all; even as Tacitus relates of Otho, that protendens manum adorare vulgum, jacere oscula, et omnia serviliter pro dominatione. That be used to kiss and shake hands with any one, court and adore the mob, and do every little servile thing, to get possession of the governinent. Plato de Repub. lib. 8. and Tacit. Hist. lib. 1. B. + It is an observation of Aristotle, in his Politics, (lib. 5. c. 4.) that all changes and revolutions in government are made by one of these two ways, οτε μεν δια βιας οτι δε οι απατης, either by force and violence, or else by deceit and craft. Nor was there ever a man better formed by nature to manage matters in this latter way than was Absalom, who was a person of courage and gallantry, of civility and courtesy, young, and wonderfully beautiful, descended Hunc decus egregium formæ movet, atque juventæ Eneid. lib. 7. B. This is one of the best corrections that Josephus's copy affords us of a text that, in our ordinary copies, is grossly corrupted. They say that this rebellion of Absalom was forty years after what went before (of his reconciliation to his father), whereas the series of the his tory shows it could not be more than four years after it; as here in Josephus, whose number is directly confirmed by that copy of the Septuagint version, whence the Armenian translation was made, which gives us the same small number of four years. Dr. Wall also notes that four of the MSS. of the Vulgate have the same sinall number; which indeed I think ought, without dispute, to be allowed the right reading. § About An. 1064. A When David was gone a little farther, there met him Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, (whom he had sent to take care of the possessions which had been given him, as the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul;) with a couple of asses laden with provisions; and desired him to take as much of them as he and his followBut as he was ascend-ers stood in need of. ers stood in need of. And when the king asked him where he had left Mephibosheth, he said he had left him in Jerusalem, expecting to be chosen king in the present confusions, in remembrance of the benefits Saut had conferred upon them. At this the king had great indignation, and gave to Ziba all that he had formerly bestowed on Mephi bosheth; for he determined that it was much fitter that he should have them than the other. At which Ziba greatly rejoiced. privately how all things went on. And he *This man might be of the ancient race of the Arch- 7 + The Jews are of opinion that Abithophel was incens. ed against David, and therefore ready to go over to the adverse party, because he had abused Bathsheba, whom they take to have been his grand daughter, because she was the daughter of Eliam, 2 Sam. xi. 3. and Ahithophel had a son of that name, 2 Sam. xxiii. 34. For this reason they, immagine that he advised Absalom to lie with bis father's concubines, that he might be repaid in kind: though the Scripture assigns another, viz. that he and his He When David was at a place called Ba hurim, there came out a kinsman of Saul's, whose name was Shimei, § and threw stones at him, and gave him reproachful words; and as his friends stood about the king, and protected him, he persevered still more in his reproaches, and called him "A bloody man, and the author of all sorts of mischief." bade him also to go out of the land, as an impure and accursed wretch; and he thanked God for depriving him of his kingdom, and causing him to be punished for what in juries he had done to his master Saul, and this by the means of his own son. Now when they were all provoked against him, and angry at him, and particularly Abishai, who had a mind to kill Shimei, David restrained his anger: "Let us not," said he, "bring upon our selves another fresh misfortune to those we have father might thereby become irreconcileable enemies. Pool's Annotations. B. 2 Sam. xv. 37. § Whether this man had been a personal sufferer in the fall of Saul's family, or what else had exasperated him against David, it no where appears; but it seems as if he had conceived some very heinous offence against him, when neither the presence of a king, nor the terror of his guards, could restrain him from throwing stones and bit Ler speeches at him. And it looks as if the king were fallen into the utmost contempt when one private man could think of venting his malice at him in so gross a man. ner with impunity. Howell's Hist. in the notes. The words of David upon this occasion are, So let him curse, because the Lord bath said unto him, Curse David: Let him alone, let him curse, for the Lord hath bidden him; not that God commanded it by his word, already; already; for truly I have not the least regard | And now he called Ahithophel, and consulted nor concern for this dog that raves at me: I with him what he ough to do. He persuaded submit myself to God, by whose permission him to go in unto his father's concubines : this man treats me in such a wild manner. for he said, "By this action the people will Nor is it any wonder that I am obliged to un- believe that thy difference with thy father is dergo these abuses from him; while I expe- irreconcileable, and will thence fight with rience the like from an impious son of my great alacrity against thy father: for hitherto own. But perhaps God will have some com- they are afraid of taking up open enmity miseration upon us; if it be his will we shall against him, out of an expectation that you overcome them." So he went on his way, with- will be reconciled again." Accordingly About troubling himself with Shimei, who ran salom was prevailed on by this advice, and along the other side of the mountain, and commanded his servants to pitch him a tent threw out his abusive language plentifully. upon the top of the royal palace, in the sight But when David was come to Jordan, he al- of the multitude, and he went in and lay with lowed those that were with him to refresh his father's concubines. Now this came to themselves, for they were weary. pass according to the prediction of † Nathan, when he prophesied, and signified to him, that his son would rise up in rebellion against him. And when Absalom had done what he was advised to by Ahithophel, he desired his advice, in the second place, about the war against his father. Now Ahithophel only asked him to let him have ten thousand chosen men ; and he promised he would slay his father, and bring the soldiers back again in safety and he said, that the kingdom would be then firm to him when David was dead; but not otherwise. Absalom was pleased at this advice, and called for Hushai, David's friend: (for so did he style him,) and informing him of the opinion of Ahithophel, he asked farther what was his opinion concerning that matter? Now he was sensible, that if Abithophel's counsel was followed, David would be in danger of being seized and slain. So he attempted to introduce a contrary opinion, and said, "Thou art not acquainted, O king! with the valor of thy father, and of those that are now with him: that he hath made many wars, and hath always come off victorious. When Absalom, and Ahithophel his counsellor, were come to Jerusalem, with all the people, David's friend, Hushai, came to them. And when he had worshipped Absalom, he withal wished that his kingdom might last a long time, and continue for all ages but when Absalom said to him, "How comes this, that he who was so intimate a friend of my father, and appeared faithful to him in all things, is not with him now, but hath left him, and is come over to me ?" Hushai's answer was very pertinent: for he said, "We ought to follow God, and the multitude of the people while these therefore, my lord and master, are with thee, it is fit that I should follow them. For thou hast received the kingdom from God. I will therefore, if thou believest me to be thy friend, shew the same fidelity and kindness to thee, which thou knowest I have shewn to thy father. Nor is there any reason to be in the least dissatisfied with the present state of affairs for the kingdom is not transferred into another, but remains still in the same family, by the son's receiving it after his father." This speech per-Though probably he now abides in the camp, suaded Absalom, who before suspected Hushai. for that severely forbids cursing, Exod. xxii. 28, nor for he is very skilful in stratagems, and in might seem a proper object of his scorn and contempt, |