And he searched, [and] began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
Ver. 12. And he searched, and began at the eldest.] The better to avoid suspicion, for he knew well enough where to find the cup. So Jonadab, Amnon's carnal friend but spiritual enemy, could tell David that not all the king's sons, as the report ran, but Amnon only was slain by Absalom. The devil also when he hath conveyed his cups into our sacks, his goods into our houses, - as the Russians use to deal by their enemies, and then accuse them of theft, - his a injections into our hearts, if we fancy them never so little, will accuse us to God, and claim both them and us too for his own.
And the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.] Sacco soluto apparuit argentum, saith Ambrose. When God comes to turn the bottom of the bag upward, all will out. Sin not, therefore, in hope of secrecy; on the fair day, at the last day, all packs shall be opened.
a Heyl., Geog., p. 243.