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These words express the conception, birth, carriage, and miscarriage of a plot against David. In which consider —

I. WHAT HIS ENEMIES DID. This is likened to a bodily conception, for the mind hath such as well as the body. The seed of it was some wicked thought cast in by Satan, the understanding was the womb to conceive, the will to consent. From first to last, from the conception to the bringing forth, they intended the destruction of David, but brought forth their own ruin.

1. And how great was their sin? It was voluntary and with delight, and it was spiritual and artificial — there was much art and cunning in it: they were very diligent in it, for it was a curious web. Judas is awake when Peter is asleep. And, which is worst of all, they were so well pleased with the bent of their own brain that they travailed of it. The more the soul dwells on any sinful plot, the more estrangement there is from God. The more deliberate in sin, the more the soul is pleased with it. Many seek out the delight of sin before they act, as Esau pleased himself by thinking, "the day of mourning for his father would come, wherein he might be revenged of his brother."

2. But by whom and against whom was this plotting? By children of the Church, not uncircumcised Philistines; and that opposition is the bitterest of all.

3. And it was against David, a man after God's own heart. Envy hath an ill eye. It cannot look on goodness without grief. And this plot was cunningly carried. First, they kill his good name, that so slander may make way for violence. Satan is a liar first, and then a murderer. See what David did. Innocency was his best apology. He saw God in the wrongs he suffered. We need not be ashamed to learn some things of our very enemies. If they be so set on evil, why not we on good? I am sure we serve a better Master. True love is full of inventions; it will be devising of good things.

II. WHAT GOD DID. Now I come to their miscarriage. They brought forth a lie, God defeated them.

1. How this was done. By disappointing them. They fell into danger of their own contriving, and into the same danger that they plotted for another. Compare the history of Haman and Mordecai. Why does God do this? First, in regard to Himself. He will be known to be God only wise. Secondly, in regard of His tender care over His children, who are the apple of His eye. Another reason is, the virulence of the enemies whose fierceness turns to God's praise (Psalm 9:16). And God's children will give Him no rest. They prevail on Him by importunity.

3. But it will be objected that wicked men do prevail over the children of God. Tully could say, "The gods show how much they esteem the Jewish nation, by suffering so often to be conquered." Where, then, is the bringing forth of a lie? I answer, when they do prevail it is but one part only, not the whole. Over men's lives, but not their spirits. A true Christian conquers when he is conquered. Our enemies shall do no more nor less than God wills: their mischievous attempts fail in the end; for did ever any harden themselves against God and prosper long? The greatest torment of the damned spirit is that God turns all his plots for the good of those he hates most.

III. WHAT WE ALL SHOULD DO. We are bidden "behold."

1. The subtlety, malice, and restless endeavour of the enemies of goodness, and their bootless enterprise, they bring forth a lie.

2. But especially the mercy of God to His children, and how He confounds their enemies.

( Sibbes, Richard.)

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KJV: Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

WEB: Behold, he travails with iniquity. Yes, he has conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.