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From Eternity Past
still deal with him in mercy.
David had confessed his sin and had sought to do his duty as a
faithful servant of God. He had labored for the upbuilding of his
kingdom. He had gathered stores of material for the building of the
house of God. And now must the results of years of consecrated toil
pass into the hands of his reckless, traitorous son?
He saw in his own sin the cause of his trouble. And the Lord did
not forsake David. Under cruel wrong and insult he showed himself
humble, unselfish, generous, and submissive. Never was the ruler of
Israel more truly great in the sight of heaven than at this hour of his
deepest humiliation.
In the experience through which He caused David to pass, the Lord
shows that He cannot tolerate or excuse sin. David’s history enables
us to trace, even through darkest jugdments, the working out of His
purpose of mercy. He caused David to pass under the rod, but He did
not destroy him. The furnace is to purify, not to consume.
God Does Not Give Absalom Wisdom
Soon after David left Jerusalem, Absalom and his army took pos-
session of the stronghold of Israel. Hushai was among the first to greet
the new-crowned monarch, and the prince was gratified at the acces-
sion of his father’s old friend and counselor. Absalom was confident
of success. Eager to secure the confidence of the nation, he welcomed
Hushai to his court.
Absalom was surrounded by a large force, but it was mostly com-
posed of men untrained for war. Ahithophel well knew that a large
part of the nation were still true to David; he was surrounded by tried
warriors commanded by able and experienced generals. Ahithophel
knew that after the first burst of enthusiasm in favor of the new king, a
reaction would come. Should the rebellion fail, Absalom might secure
a reconciliation with his father. Then Ahithophel, as his chief coun-
selor, would be held most guilty; upon him the heaviest punishment
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would fall.
To prevent Absalom from retracing his steps, Ahithophel coun-
seled an act that would make reconciliation impossible. With hellish
cunning, this unprincipled statesman urged Absalom to add the crime
of incest to that of rebellion. In the sight of all Israel he was to take to