What was the first grave sin which he committed?

He took Bethsabee, the wife of Urias, one of his most faithful soldiers, and caused her husband to be put to death.

How did he cause Urias to be put to death?

He sent a letter to Joab, the commander of the king's army, by the hands of Urias himself, in which he said: "Set ye Urias in the front of the battle, where the fight is strongest, and leave ye him that he may be wounded aud die.” -2 Kings, xi. 15.

How does the Scripture say that God regarded what David had done?

This thing which David had done was displeasing to the Lord.

Did God make His displeasure known to David?

He sent the prophet Nathan to David, who rebuked him by means of a parable. What was the parable?

"There were two men in one city, the one rich, the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many sheep and oxen. But the poor

man had nothing at all but one little ewe-lamb, which he had bought and nourished up, and which had grown up in his house together with his children, eating of his bread, and drinking of his cup, and sleeping in his bosom, and it was unto him as a daughter. And when a certain stranger was come to the rich man, he spared to take of his own sheep and oxen, to make a feast for that stranger who was come to

him, but took the poor man's ewe, and dressed it for the man that was come to him."

Did David, at first, perceive that this parable was spoken against him?

No; he thought it was a true story of some rich man, and in great anger, he said: "As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this is a child of death. He shall restore the ewe four-fold, because he did this thing and had no pity."

What, then, did the prophet answer?

He said: "Thou art the man ;" and then he told him that he was the rich man who had taken the wife of Urias, and had caused Urias to be put to death, and had done this great wickedness.

How did David act when he heard all that the prophet said?

He was struck with the most perfect contrition for his sin, and confessed it, saying: "I have sinned against the Lord."

How do we know that David thus truly repented?

Because the prophet, in God's name, accepting his contrition, answered, "The Lord also hath taken away thy sin: thou shalt not die."

What Psalm did David compose on the occasion of his repentance?

He composed the celebrated Psalm, "Miserere," in which he was inspired to express the deepest feelings of true sorrow for sin.

Although God forgave David the guilt of his sin, did He not send him some punishment?

He gave him temporal punishment, because

David, by his sin, had caused the enemies of God to blaspheme.

What were these temporal punishments?

(1) The child of Bethsabee, his wife, was to die. (2) Trouble was to come upon him through the bad conduct of his sons.

ble

Which of David's sons brought the most trou-
upon him?

The one whom he loved most, Absalom.
How did he bring trouble upon his father?
1. He rebelled against him..

2. He seduced many of the people to join him in rebellion.

3. He treacherously slew his brother.
What was the ultimate fate of Absalom?
He was slain by Joab.

How did this happen?

Absalom's army was defeated by Joab, and as Absalom endeavoured to escape, riding upon a mule, the mule went under a thick and large oak, and his head stuck in the oak, and while he hung between the heaven and the earth, the mule on which he rode passed on. "After a

time, Joab came up with three lances in his hand, and thrust them into the heart of Absalom; and whilst he yet panted for life, sticking on the oak, ten young men, armour bearers of Joab, ran up, and striking, slew him."-2 Kings, xviii. 9-14.

Was not this a just punishment upon Absa

lom?

Yes. It was a most just punishment for his rebellion and ingratitude to his father.

David, nevertheless, mourned very much for Absalom?

"The king, therefore, being very much moved, went up to the high chamber over the gate, and wept. And he went and spoke in this manner: My son, Absalom, Absalom, my son, who would graut me that I might die for thee, Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!"2 Kings, xviii. 33.

CHAPTER LXIV.

HIS SECOND SIN.

What was David's other sin?

He resolved to take the number of the people, contrary to the law of God.

Whom did he send to number the people? Joab, the commander of his forces, who knew that it was wrong, and tried to dissuade the king from doing it.

Did he number all the people?

All except the tribes of Levi and Benjamin; "For Joab," says the Scriptures, "unwillingly executed the king's orders."-1 Chron., xxi. 6.

Was David sorry for having committed this sin ?

He had scarcely heard the number of the pcople, when his heart struck him with great remorse and contrition for his pride and vanity. In what words did he ask God's pardon?

"I have sinned very much in what I have done. But I pray thee, O Lord, to take away the iniquity of Thy servant, because I have done exceeding foolishly."-2 Kings, xxiv. 10.

God forgave his sins, and yet sent him some temporal judgments ?

Almighty God commanded the prophet Gad to go and speak to David, and tell him: "Thus saith the Lord: I give thee the choice of three things choose one which thou wilt, and I will do it to thee. Either three years' famine; or three months to flee from thy enemies, and not to be able to escape their sword; or three days to have the sword of the Lord, and pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying in all the coasts of Israel."-1 Chron., xxi. 10-12.

What was David's answer?

"I am in a great strait: but it is better that I should fall into the hands of the Lord, (for His mercies are great,) than into the hands of men."

What punishment then did God send?

He sent a pestilence for three days, and there died of the people seventy thousand men. What was David's prayer during the pestilence?

"It is I, I am he that have sinned, I have done wickedly: these that are sheep, what have they done? let Thy hand, I beseech Thee, be turned against me, and against my father's house."-2 Kings, xxiv. 17.

Where was the pestilence stayed?

When the angel of the Lord had stretched out