The National tribune., 1889-10-31
SUNDAY MEDITATION.


Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
SUBJECT: THE DEATH OF ABsALoM MADE
KNOWN TO DAVID.
l. Data.
Tho only record we have is that of 2 SAM,
10: 1882. The account was probably written
practically on the spot by the prophet Nathan.
2. Time.
The paragraph we study bears date A. M. 2981,
or b. @. 1923, and hence carries us back 2,9l2
years. Hearing of Absalom's rebellion, and
learning the rebel army was about to approach
Jerusalem, David, probably for the safety of the
city, lest it be devastated, and possibly for the
protection of his own life, fed the Capital,
Us: A. stopping first Mt Baburm, (16: 81 and
then fleeing to Mahanaim, III: 24.) The events
of the lesson occurred, probably, about three
months after David left Jerusalem.
3. Places.
Escaping tho murderous Absalom, David
crossed the Jordan az: 81 and sped on to
Mahanaim. (17:24.) In chapter 80. verse 2, Of
Genesis. we learn Jacob gave name to the place.
He was returning to Canaan full of apprehen-
sions of the wrath of his brother Esau. Hosts
of angels visited Jacob there, guiding and
strengthening him. The word Mahanaim
means the hosts or camps, and the connection
shows we are to understand hosts or armies of
angelic visitants. 1t was designated one of
the cities of refuge. Josh, 81 So Thither
Abner took Ishbosheth, Saul's son, and at
tempted to naugurate him as Saul's successor
in the kingship. u Sam, 2 8, IL, 29.) And to
it David fled from the pursuing Absalom. ~
SAM, II 24.) 1t was recBoped in the tribe of
Cad. Jos, 13 26.) But verso 30 shows it was
on the very border between Cad and Manasseh.
Ii was about 15 miles east of the Jordan, on
stream running into tho Jabbok, which in turn
empties into the Jordan. 1t was in the land Of
Gilead. Its site is unknown, unless a place
pointed out as Maneh is indeed its ruins. Some
travellers make such Identification.
At Mahanaim David gathered his forces and
prepared to face his enemies. The battle was
waged in tho Wood of Ephraim. (18: 81 Dur
ing the fight David remained near the gate of
the walled city. As the forces on his side went
forth he charged them all to be mercful TO Alb
salon. u.s.: 81 And his great concern as to
the issue of the battle seemed to be rather
AbsaOus safety Chan his own restoration to
Jerusalem He placed himself where he could
catch the first report coming from the battle
field. Like Eli, waiting tremblingly for word
from tho ark, Il Sam, 4 49, so David sat in ter
ribe suspense. 1t is said he sat between the
two gates. Wbedon, in his commentary, says
" The city of Mahanaim seems TO have been
Enclosed by double wall and its main en-
trance guarded by two gates an outer and an
inner one, between which was a sort of court"
Stanley suggests that Mahansim, meaning two
camps was a double city, with a first and a
second gate Probably large portal led to the
city. There was a gate for entrance. then an
Enclosure and beyond gate Of entrance into
the city proper. The Enclosure was a place for
courts public business transactions and the
like.
We are not quite certain as TO the place indi-
Gated by tho Wood of Ephraim. The reading
would lead US to think the scene of the battle
at no great distance from Mahauaim; but many
believe We are to understand tho Wood OF
Ephraim on the west side of the Jordan.
L. The Messengers.
The battle was fought. The victory belonged
TO David's side. Absalom was slain. 1t was
known how anxiously David awaited news
from the conflict. It was no wonder that ono
specially interested in David would be eager to
tell the story. IL was natural that Ahimaaz
might suspect he would be the messenger. lie
was very fleet of foot. lie had been a messen-
ger sent to David in former trying cireum-
stances III: l5-22.) David had arranged for
Ahimaaz and Jonathan to bring him news.
l1j:27, 2S.) Kodak. father Of Ahimaaz, Us: IS !;
l5:27,l was q priest. O.: IL; 20:25.l Joab
was commander of one third of David's army
ti5:2) As such il WAS his duty TO send
an official report to tho King. Instead of
choosing Ahmaaz no selected Cush who WAS
probably n Moorish slave or au Ethiopian
black, descendant of Cusb, one OF the 10
who slew Absalom. us: 49, IL was more
natural to order off n slave, IS Cushi probably
WAS. than priest. as was Ahimaaz. Cushi was
most likely an army runner. 1t is clear that
both AhimaAz and Cushi were eager 10 go on
the erraud to David. We wonder at this when
we remember the fate Of the young man who
informed David of Saus death, (1:l5,l and
that of the young men who told of IshbOsheth's
murder. a: 12l Messengers were sometimes
alert 10 go in order To secure reward. q: 10 }
Joab foresaw that David would recognize in
Ahimaaz friend aud con hdent. and would at
once ask him about Absalom. Hence he sent
Cushi. But Ahimaaz was persistent in his
wish 70 bear tidings to David. At length Joab
consented. Josephus says, however, that
Ahimaaz told Joab he would relate nothing
10 the King but only concerning the victory,
bat say not word about tho death Of Absa-
lom." The superstition Ahimaaz had not learn
ed of the fats of Absalom is not 10 bo enter
tanned Ahimaas would have been glad if no
could have been able TO tell David Absalom
was safe. not necessarily because he sympR-
thized with David in his undue concern for
Absalom, but so as to please David. He had
no such news To carry. Cushi started. After
while, Joab consentng, Ahimaaz left for
Mahanaim. Cushi seemingly took the route
over tho mountains, which was nearer way
To Mahanaim. Ahimaaz selected the longer
route through the plain, making n circuit
round tho spurs of the hills. Josephus says
"Ahimaaz ran u more compendious way which
no alone knew" We do not know the distance
from the battle scene to Mahanaim.
5. The announcements.
David. that he might have the very first init
| nations of coming news, directed the watch
man, who, from tower over the gateway,
| could take in a far-of view, TO send him word
at once of the coming of any messenger. II
| there were defeat the soldiers would como in
crowds back To headquarters. In the case OF
| victory tho usual plaza was TO report by u pro-
| fesslonal runner. In a little while the watch.
man informed David q man was visible
running alone ut great speed. That meant
| victory. As that messenger was entering the
| gate the Waterman saw another runner.
| Ahimaaz had overtakeu Cushi. 1t seems
| Ahimaaz was q noted runner with n peculiar
| gait, enabling tho watchman To identify him
| at great distance. He was "good" in the
| sense both of valiancy and reliability. Before
| David could say word Ahimaaz cried out
| "All is we'll" He attributed the success OF
| David's army to the God of Israel. He was
| preparing for David's question as 10 Absalom,
| leaving tho impression that no was so eager TO
| reach David with tho good news as not TO have
| learned the particulars In rushed Cushi. II
may be that no had Ahimaaz retire one side so
| ms not to be noticed by Cushi, giving him an
opportunity, apparently. TO be first to break the
news 10 David. Victory was the cry of Cushi
| He, too attributed success To Gods blessing.
| But David could see no triumph if it involved
! hurm tn Absalom, aud hence no wanted to know