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10. Quest. v. 21. Of these words, Dauid, when hee heard these things was verie wrath: whether Dauid sinned not in sparing his sonne.
1. Some doe thinke that Dauid did purpose to punish his sonne for this follie, or villanie rather: but like a wise man he deferred it, watching his best opportunitie, as he dealt with Ioab and Shemei. Osiander. But it seemeth otherwise, that Dauid had no such intendment, for it was two yeares after before Absalon was reuenged of Am∣non.
2. An other opinion is, that Amnon might repent him of his sinne, and therefore Dauid pardoned it: but though repentance doe make reconciliation betweene God, and the offender; yet they which publikely transgresse should not be freed from the punishment, which is afflicted for the good example of others: Mart.
3. Some thinke, that it was not death to force a maid not betroathed: for that law Deut. 22.25. is concerning such as are espoused. But it must further be considered, that she was his sister, and so he committed incest, which was worthie of death. And beside, it was death for a virgin to play the whoare in her fathers house, Deut. 22.21. the like penaltie also lay vpon the sonne.
4. Others excuse Dauid, because this matter was not proceeded iudicially before him. Thamar accused not her brother vpon Absaloms aduise, and therefore Dauid, the fact beeing not prooued iudicially before him, could doe nothing. Borrh. In this case Dauid should haue sifted out the matter himselfe: otherwise Heli might haue bin by the same reason excused for his lenitie toward his sonnes.
5. Pellican addeth further, that Dauid beeing guiltie of the like sinne himselfe, vsed conniuence toward his sonne.
6. But Dauid can not be herein excused: he was too remisse and indulgent toward his children. As he was vnwilling that Absalon should be slaine after he was entered into that vnnaturall and rebellious action: neither did he punish Adoniahs aspiring mind, that while his father yet liued, would haue taken vpon him to be King. And herein most of all Gods worke is to be considered, quod Dauid corrigere noluit Deus punivit, God punished that, which Dauid would not correct. God so in his secret wisedome disposed, that Dauid should let Amnon goe vnpunished, that the other iudgement of the sword threatned against Dauids house might take place. Mart.