2 Sam. CHAP. XV.
THIS Chapter Relateth the Project of Absalom's Rebellion, wherein Three Parts are Remarkable.
First, The Antecedents. Secondly, The Concomitants. And Thirdly, The Con∣sequents.
First, The Antecedents, or preparatives of the Plot. Remarks upon it are,
First, The ti••••••••••hen, Josephus tells us it it was two years after, but Dr. Lightfoot placeth it in the ••••th year of David's Reign, being the very next year after David had taken his graceless Son into his grace and favour, his Ambitious mind was restless, to hatch and hammer out his too fond Father's ruine; and tho' he had now a fair pro∣spect of being his Father's Successor after his death, yet his pride prick'd him so, as not suffering him to stay so long 'till David dyed (which now was not far off) he proudly presseth after present possession, though he make his Father's Carcass a Step whereby to ascend into the Throne.
The Second Remark is, The manner how he aspired to the Crown, he will appear pub∣lickly to the People in a Prince-like Port, a Noble Train, a Gallant Retinue attend∣ing him in all his Progress, suitable to him, as next Successor to the Kingdom, v. 1.
N. B. No doubt but Absolom was jealous that Solomon was designed to be David's Successor because he was a true Israelite both by Father and Mother, whereas himself was born of a Pagan Mother, therefore he being the Eldest Brother, resolves to put the matter out of doubt, and to be before hand with Soloman: and possiby some subtile Sophister (such as Achitophel was) might suggest into Absolom's ear, that the Law of God allows not the Son of the loved Wife to dispossess the Son of the hated who is the Elder, Deut. 21.15, 16, 17. but not withal reminding him that [the stubborn and rebellious Son must be stoned] as is said there, v. 18, 19, 20. However Absolom prepared Chariots and Horses, &c. not usual in Israel, because forbidden by God's Law, Deut. 17.16. But he knew the Vulgar sort would be much taken with this glittering glory, as the Mobile were at Herod's Grandeur, when Cloathed with a Cloak of Silver, Act. 12.21, 22. 'Tis a wonder good David could be silent, when he saw how his Son's Pride thus Budded, Ezek. 7.10. He should have endeavoured to Cross it and to Crush it in the Bud; but alas, He was too much blinded with the fondness of his Fatherly Af∣fections, and God's Holy hand was in it, to bring upon David those Evils out of his own House, which he had threatned, chap. 12.11. for his Sins.
The Third Remark is, The means whereby Absalom stole away the Hearts of the People from their Right Owner, his own Father, v. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. All the means he used, were all farther Additions to his most Princely Pomp, &c.
Herein Mark (1.) That he might be the more popular, he Riseth early, he Seats himself in the place of Judicature, to hear the Peoples Causes, to put a slur upon all the King's Judges; as if sluggards and careless, and none like him, for self-denyal and diligence.
Mark (2.) He smoothed the Plaintiffs up with plausible words, telling them that their Causes were good (right or wrong,) and Condemned those Judges that had for∣merly heard the Case, and given Verdict against them: This pleased the Plaintiffs.