buds of which, preserved in vinegar, are used as a condiment with meat.

The locality is remarkable for an interesting animal, the Cony of Scripture, that "feeble folk," that "make their houses in the rocks." It is the Wabar of the Arabs, the Hyrax Syriacus of naturalists, which has been only recently discovered in Palestine; but has now been seen by Dr. Wilson and by Captain Lynch, and by both in this vicinity. The former

thus describes his discovery: "When we were exploring the rocks in the neighbourhood of the convent, I was delighted to point attention to a family or two of the Wabar, engaged in their gambols on the heights above us. Mr. Smith and I watched

them narrowly, and were much amused with the liveliness of their motions, and the quickness of their retreat within the clefts of the rock when they apprehended danger. We were, we believe, the first European travellers who actually noticed this animal, (now universally admitted to be the Shaphan, or cony, of Scripture,) within the proper bounds of the Holy Land; and we were not a little gratified by its discovery.. We climbed up to see its nest, which was a hole in the rock comfortably lined with moss and feathers, answering to the description given of the cony. The specimen thus obtained, when stuffed, I have had an opportunity of examining in England. The preparer of the skin mistook it for a rabbit, though it is of a stronger build and of a duskier colour, being of a dark brown. It is entirely destitute of a tail, and has some bristles at its mouth, over its head, and down its back, along the course of which there are traces of light and dark shade. In its short ears, small, black and naked feet, and pointed snout, it resembles the hedgehog."*

This little animal is one of great interest to the scientific naturalist; since, notwithstanding its external resemblance to the Rodentia, it belongs structurally to a very different order, the Pachydermata, most of the members of which are beasts of gigantic size; as the elephant, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus. Its dental system almost exactly agrees with that of these vast animals; and its skeleton might easily be mistaken for that of a rhinoceros in miniature. It is named Shaphan in Hebrew; and seems now to be known by other names besides that of Wabar. The * Lands of the Bible, p. 28. (Edinb. 1847.)

THE FALL OF DAVID.

285

term Daman has been used to distinguish it, and Captain Lynch applies to it the uncouth appellation of Bteddin.

2 SAMUEL XV.

SCARCELY any of the ancient saints of God have rendered so valuable services to his church, as David "the sweet psalmist of Israel." His numerous compositions, inspired by the Holy Ghost, full of fervent devotion, have in all ages been dear to the children of God; have stimulated and guided their spiritual affections, and afforded a vehicle for the expression of their prayers and praises. Yet, on the other hand, none have ever inflicted a sorer or more lasting wound on the cause of God than David did in the matter of Uriah the Hittite. The horrible sins into which he fell must have greatly shocked the minds of the godly, have been a serious stumbling-block to the well-disposed and inquiring among the unconverted, and have, even to this day, "given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme," as if He were not careful about holiness in his elect. Yet none but the enemies of the Lord can ever make such a use of this good man's fall; for his deep and bitter penitence, and the train of heavy chastisements that fell upon him thenceforward, stroke after stroke, sufficiently prove that Jehovah, though He "multiplies to pardon," is yet a jealous God, who cannot look upon iniquity. The death of Bathsheba's child, the defilement of Tamar, the assassination of Amnon, were severe strokes, wounding him in the tenderest

part, his paternal affection; but, at length, the unnatural revolt of Absalom, and the sad end of that beloved but unworthy son, were more terrible than all. The standard of rebellion unfurled at Hebron, was fast gathering around Absalom the thousands of Israel; so fickle and ungrateful were those over whom God's king had ruled in righteousness; at length Ahithophel, the counsellor and bosom friend of David, with whom " he had taken sweet counsel, and walked to the house of God in company," joined the insurrection. Then David felt it was time for him to leave Jerusalem; for so general was the defection of the people, that he saw no safety except in flight; despairing of being able to maintain his crown, and unwilling to expose the sacred city to the horrors of a siege or a civil war. Doubtless, also, the sense of sin was heavy upon his heart; and though he knew that the Lord had graciously pardoned the guilt of it, as regarded eternal consequences, yet, probably, the thought that all this and much more evil was deserved, made him willing to take the low place, and humbly yield to the chastisement, rather than strive for his right.

With a few faithful ones the king leaves the gate of the city where he had reigned for so many years, a disconsolate fugitive; slowly he winds round by the wall, and descends into the valley of Jehoshaphat, the mournful place of tombs. He comes to the Kidron, and how touching is the scene, described with inimitable simplicity and truth by the divine pen!" And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people

THE REBELLION OF ABSALOM.

287

passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. . . . And David went up by the ascent of Mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up."

O how grievous a thing is sin in a believer! and how much sorrow does it generally entail upon him; even though, for Christ's sake, it is not imputed to him for eternal condemnation. God frequently permits the ungodly to go on in their course of evil till their cup is full, and he removes them to await the righteous judgment of the great day; but if his own children will walk after the flesh, He must chastise them and make them smart for forsaking Him; even for their own sake, that they may learn how evil a thing and bitter it is to walk contrary to Him. David doubtless learned in the bitter scene at Kidron, to look with more abhorrence on his own vileness; and the people would read in his sad chastisement a solemn lesson, when they saw the anointed of the Lord thus brought low. Let us never so abuse the grace of God as to think that we can sin with impunity, or turn the freeness of salvation into a cloak for licentiousness!

1 KINGS XV. 2 KINGS XXIII.

THE course of the Hebrew nation, after it had passed its meridian of prosperity and glory under the reign of Solomon, rapidly declined from allegiance to Jehovah. The latter days of that great king were not marked with the brilliancy of his early reign;