- sat in the gate:
- How prudently and mildly David took the reproof and counsel given him! He shook off his grief, anointed his head, and washed his face, that he might not appear unto men to mourn, and then made his appearance at the gate of the city, which was the public place of resort for the hearing of causes and giving judgment, as well as a place to ratify special bargains. Thither the people flocked to congratulate him on his and their safety, and that all was well. When we are convinced of a fault, we must amend, though we are told of it by our inferiors in a way which is peculiarly painful to our natural feelings. This ancient custom still obtains in the East; for when Dr. Pococke returned from viewing the town of ancient Byblus, he says, "The sheik and the elders were sitting in the gate of the city, after the ancient manner, and I sat awhile with them." "And the kingª saidª° unto¹ them, What¹ seemethª you bestª° I will do.ª° And the kingª stoodª° by¹ the gateª side,ª and all¹ the peopleª came outª° by hundredsª and by thousands.ª" {2Sm 18:4} + "And Davidª satª° between¹ the twoª gates:ª and the watchmanª° went up²°¹ to¹ the roofª over the gateª unto¹ the wall,ª and lifted upª°¹ his eyes,ª and looked,ª° and behold¹ a manª runningª° alone.¹" {2Sm 18:24}
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