ABSALOM'S REBELLION. As it is Recorded in the 2. SAM. Chap. 15, 16, 17, 18, & 19 WITH SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON THE several Passages thereof. Too fit a pattern for the present Times, whereinto we are FALLEN.  
OXFORD, Printed by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the university. 1645.   

ABSALOM'S REBELLION. As it is Recorded in the second of SAM. Chap. 15, 16, 17, 18, & 19  
IN the two precedent Chapters, 13, and 14. you shall find, that Absalon fully discovered his many Vices of revengefulness, Malice, Insolency, Dissimulation, Pride, Impatience, unthankfulness, justifying himself in his faults, even in the murder of his Brother Amon; and being thus seasoned, he turns traitor; For Treason never goes alone, it is always ushered in with other notorious vices.  
And when he is resolved to enter into the Rebellion, he first amuses the Common people with an opinion of his Gallantry. [Chap. 15. v. 1. He prepareth Horses and Chariots, and fifty men to run before him.] Such shows he knew would prevail much with the multitude.  
Then he possesseth them with an opinion of his industry, and wins upon their affections, with his Affability. [v. 2. He rose up early, and stood beside the way of the Gate, and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the King for judgement, than Absalon called unto him and communed with him.]  
But yet this was not enough, unless he slandered the present government, for he saith to him, [v. 3. See thy matter is good and right, but there is no man deputed of the King to hear thee.] The Common sort love to be flattered, and are naturally inclined to believe ill of their Rulers.  
Then he is liberal in his Protestations, what wonders he would do for a sudden Reformation if he were in Authority; and said moreover [v. 4. O that I were made Judge in the Land, that every man which hath any suit or Cause might come to me, and I would do them Justice.] He must raise an expectation of the new, who goes about to alter the frame of the old government.  
And to win upon them whom he intended to abuse, he aboundeth in courteous and civil behaviour toward those who make their application to him. [v. 5. When any came nigh to him, to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and took him and kissed him] And herein he dealt subtly to gain a general applause, he did not speak some fair, and neglect others, [but v. 6. In this manner did Absalon to all Israel that came to the King for judgement, and so Absalon stole the hearts of the men of Israel.]  
Yet all this while he is not come to the height of his wickedness, until he make Religion the Stale for his impiety. [v. 7. Absalon said to the King, I pray thee let me go and pay my Vow which I have vowed to the Lord in Hebron.] And the King gave him leave, and he went.  
But he having thus infatuated the hearts of the Men of Israel, inst●ad of performing an Act of Devotion, as he pretended. [v. 10. Absalon sent spies (as Committees) throughout all the Tribes of Israel, saying, as soon as ye shall hear the sound of the Trumpet, than ye shall say Absalon reigneth in Hebron.] A chief City in Israel ye see, was the place where the Covenant was made, and the vow to be performed, and thus the Scene of Rebellion being laid in the sanctified City, it spread quickly throughout the rest of the kingdom like wildfire.  
Some (no doubt) went with Absalon, who were of the Plot, but [v. 11. others went in their simplicity and knew not any thing.] Alas! its no hard matter to mislead many ignorant souls by example.  
But yet when they are gathered, they must be kept together, by the opinion that wisemen are in the Plot. Therefore, [v. 12. Absalon sent for Ahitophell the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his City, even from Gilok, while he offered Sacrifice.] There is never so much danger of seducing the Subjects, as when the King's counsellors, when his great council turn head against him, specially under the counterfeit mask of Religion.  
Now, and not till now, 
Vers. 13.  is the Treason discovered to David, and David acquaints his Servants therewith, who were with him at Jerusalem, and he said to them, [v. 14. Arise and let us fly, for we shall not else escape; make speed to depart lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us.] There is no dallying in time of eminent danger. And, [v. 15. The King's servants said to the King behold thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my Lord the King shall appoint.  
And, [v. 16. The King went forth and all his household after him, and, [v. 17. They tarried in a place that was far off.] I do not find that then, or at any time after, it was objected against David as a fault, that he then left the City, or His great council, who had first left him, and their Loyalty.  
Yet this is observable, That although the King's departure were sudden, it was not in disorder, [v. 18. All his servants passed on besides him, and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, even 600 men, which were come from Gath, went before the King.] These were his lifeguard, and his servants, and his Guard in those days forsook not their Master the King in his distress. And all this while, or after this, I do not find what the King's fault was, which might provoke Absalon and the people to this Rebellion. David was a good King, and a wise, and a valiant man, a man after God's own heart, and yet he was not free from this misfortune.  
Amongst others who attended the King, Ittai (who as is conceived was the son of the King of Gath) was one who went over to Jerusalem with David from Gath. It was not objected against David, or Ittai, as a fault, that he was a stranger, and yet did offer to assist the King against his Rebels; nor in truth is it a fault now, unless in this, that strangers should thus condemn the natural born Subjects.  
But the King would have dissuaded Ittai from going with him, and said, [v. 19 Wherefore goest thou with us? return to thy place, and abide with the King, for thou art a stranger, depart thou therefore to thy place.] Stranger's may not be compelled to serve in such a case; but they may be entertained, if they be willing.  
Yet Ittai would not be dissuaded, but answered the King thus, [v. 21. As the Lord liveth, and as my Lord the King liveth, in what place my Lord the King shall be, whether in life or death, even there surely will thy servant be.] True fidelity is then best tried, when the event is doubtful, and good Princes shall do well to observe such followers and such Servants.  

Vers. 24, 27, 28.  Amongst others, Zadook the high-Priest, and Abiathar and the Levites, would have gone with the King. They did well to offer their Services, for in such times no Subject is exempted. But David sent them back of purpose to gain intelligence by their means. Ahimaaz and Jonathan, their two sons, being trusty Persons fit for that employment. Good intelligence is an important piece of Service in time of war especially, and it is a principal point of wisdom to employ fit Instruments.  
Hushai, 
Vers. 32, 33, 34.  also a counsellor to the King would have gone with him. Indeed I wonder how any counsellor can absent himself at such a time; but by the Kings own directions, as Hushai did: But he was sent back of purpose, that he being a sad wise man and a faithful, might undermine the crafty council of Ahithophel. Both in times of war, and of Peace, such expedients must be used, and then are not only lawful but necessary, and amongst other policies, diversion is many times of great use.  
As good Men upon such Accidents follow the King in his lowest Fortune, out of Duty and Conscience, so do some wicked and false men, for by-respects.  
Ziba, the Servant of Mephibosheth, 
Chap. 16. v. 1.  comes to meet the King, and brings a Present with him, the outside was fair, to show his duty to the King, but the true Errand was, to insinuate with the King, and by a false lie to betray his Master. This kind of Court craft is practised too often; but a wise King, sooner or latter, will find those out who use it, and severely punish it.  
About this time also, 
Vers. 5.  the King met with another miscreant of another disposition. Shemei the son of Gera; he finding the King in these straits railed at him, and cursed him to his face. After-ages have also found many Shimei's, who stick not to rail at God's anointed; but doubtless such will meet with their reward, as Shimei did, in the end.  
Abishai being then present, 
Vers. 9  his fingers itched to take off the head of this foul-mouthed man; but David made other use of this Affliction, and would not give way thereto at that time. There are seasonable times for patience, as well as for Justice, and good Princes will discern the seasons thereof.  
We left Hushai a while since, 
Vers. 16.  when he left the King to follow Absalon. But you observe it was by the King's special direction, and for his better Service. Else it had been a Crime unpardonable in him, had he done it of his own head, and a good intent would not have excused it.  

Vers. 21, 22, 23.  This Plot of sending Hushai to Absalon prospered well, for Ahithophel gave shrew counsels indeed, for one was, That Absalon should go into his father's Concubines, and that publicly, that so the breach between him and his Father might be so wide, that it should be irreconcilable. A desperate counsel it was, that he and his coadjutors being put past hope of pardon, they should be put past fear of retracting; And thus when the wicked counsels of a counsellor prosper, he is cried up for an Oracle, as Ahithophel was.  

Chap. 17. v. 1.  The other was, that Absalon should send him with a present strength to surprise the King and his few followers, before they were provided. Maturity in resolutions, and celerity in execution of erterprises of war, are of excellent use.  

Vers. 7, 8.  Absalon put the first in practice presently, his own ungraciousness prompted him to that; but about the other Hushai was consulted with, and he by his wisdom did happily divert it. 
Vers. 14.  [But this was appointed by the Lord, that the counsel of Ahithophel might be defeated, that the Lord might bring evil upon Absalon] And when Ahithophel found that his counsel was not followed, 
Vers. 23.  impatient of the affront (as he esteemed it) and fearful of the success, he went home to his house, put his things in Order and hanged himself.] Such, and such let the end be of all those counsellors or others, who conspire against their sovereign.  

Vers. 5.  Hushai forthwith sent intelligence to the King of these Consultations and of the result thereof, whereby the danger was for the present diverted, but it was not held safe to rely thereon, for new counsel might alter the case again. No greater danger then to be over secure.  

Vers. 17.  whilst David and the People with him were pursued by Absalon in the wilderness, and the defection was very general, yet some there were who came in to assist the King with their Persons, others with their Purses, and some brought Provisions of all sorts to relieve the King's Army; amongst whom good old Barzillai was one. Thus should all loyal Subjects do, none must stand neutrals at such a time.  
By this time was the King's Army well increased, 
Chap. 18. v. 1, 2,  and now the King divides it into three Tertia's, under the Command of several colonels or chief captains. That was the course then, and that's the course still, where there are formed Armies, for Order must be kept in all great Actions, both in times of Peace and war.  
To encourage the soldiery, 
Vers. 3, 4,  the King would have gone into the battle in Person; But the People dissuaded him, saying [Thou art worth ten thousand of us] and the King harkened unto them. For the Person of the King ought not to be hazarded, but in Cases of inevitable necessity.  
At last the battle was set, 
Vers. 9,  wherein God from Heaven fought for the King, for [Absalon, the Arch-Traitor, in passing through the Wood was hanged by the head in a Tree.] A fearful Example, and fit for all traitors to look back upon.  
When this was related to Joab the captain of the King's Host, and he understood, that Absalon was not yet dead, 
Vers. 10, 14, &c.  he was not satisfied till he had taken three darts, and struck him through the heart. It is not safe to deal remissely with notorious and dangerous offenders.  
But when this stroke was given and the Rebels dispersed themselves, Joab sounded a Retreat, 
Vers. 16,  and the soldiers returned from pursuing of Israel. He had pity upon the seduced multitude, when they had pity on themselves, and repented them of what was amiss, and were willing to return to their obedience.  
When the battle was thus ended, 
Vers. 20,  Joab sent Messengers to the King with the Tidings. Observe this, that without the Mission of the general, it was not lawful in the time of war to run with news from the camp, although it be true which is told.  

Vers. 33.  as soon as the King was informed of the success, and withal of the death of Absalon, he was passionately moved therewith. Herein he discovered more the affection of an indulgent Father, thou the Judgement of a prudent King, the time and place rightly considered.  

Chap. 19 v. 1,  But when Joab (an old Commander) observed what impression this took with the soldiery, he told the King very home of this unseasonable Error. Some body must deal plainly and truly with the King in such Cases of importance, so it be done with discretion. He told plainly to the King, 
Vers. 6,  That it would hazard the loss of the hearts of his People, if they should apprehend, that he loved his Enemies, and hated or neglected his Friends.  

verse 8,  He therefore advised the King to rise up (for he was dejected) and to speak comfortably to the People, and the King followed Joab's counsel, and he did so. Good words, and a gentle Carriage cost little, and yet prevail much with the Common People.  

Vers. 9,  For upon this [the People strove who should be first] in showing their duty to the King.  

Vers. 13,  The King also thought it no ill piece of policy, to win over Amasa unto him by promises of preferment. Such Policies must sometimes be used, but it is not safe to trust overmuch to a reconciled Enemy.  

Vers. 16, 17,  Amongst others Shimei, and Ziba, of whom ye heard even now, the Tide being turned, came to congratulate with the King. But he (as a wise King should do upon time-servers) did set a mark upon them, and Shimei had his just reward.  

Vers. 24,  Mephibosheth also, as soon as he (being a lame man) could come to the King's Presence, attended him to express his joy for the King's Victory, and in the King's absence, had neither washed his Feet, nor dressed his Beard, nor washed his Clothes, till the King returned in Peace. They who cannot fight, must at such a time Pray, in one way or another, every one as he is able, aught to express his Duty and Affection.  
And old Barzillai, who before in the King's distress, 
Vers. 31,  did attend him, and help to relieve his Army, came down now to help to Conduct the King over Jordane. None is so old or so weak, but (if he be willing) will find some way or other to express his love and Loyalty.  
The King graciously accepted Barzillai's fidelity, 
Vers. 33,  and moved that he should go along and live in Court with him, (Barzillai was for his quality, a Person might have befitted it,) but he was very aged, unfit for a Court life, and he was also wise and understood his own imperfection, and unfitness to turn Courtier at that Age, and therefore modestly and thankfully he refused that gracious offer. It were to be wished, that none were employed in places for which they are not fit, and that men were so modest and so wise, as not to accept of such employments when they are offered.  
Yet Barzillai took the opportunity to move the King, 
Vers. 37,  to confer that favour upon Chimham his son, who was a young man, and fit to serve in Court. And the King granted his suit, and [he took Chimham with him. 
Vers. 40. ] A gracious requital of the King, to a faithful and well-deserving Servant.  
This is the true Story of this Rebellion, faithfully extracted out of the Holy Writ, where it is Recorded; scarce to be paralleled until these unhappy Times, whence it seems they have taken their precedent.  
It needs no other Application.  
FINIS.