The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-08-27
fHE SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON.
ITERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
AUGUST 80.
ksson Text: "Absalom's Defeat and
Death" II Samuel xviii, 9-17,
81, 33-Goidcn Text,
Psalm T.. 6-Com-
mentary.

6ebellion OF last lesson developed, David
FED from Jerusalem, and crossing the Jor-
Dan came to Mahanaim, where he was kind
ly cared for by Barzllai and others (chapter
1viL. 1920. David's army went forth TO
battle In three divisions under Joab and
Abshai. his relatives, ana Jttai the Glttite.
See Ittai's devotion TO David In chapter xv.,
a. aud now see his position as leader in
Dayds army. Those who are now faithful
10 Christ In the time OF his rejection will be
surprised at their appointments IN His king
dom by and by
10. dAnd a certain man saw II and told
Joab and said. Behold saw Absaom hanged
IN an oak" Evidently the man was no
friend OF Absaom's, or he would have re-
leasel him. Where were all his friends?
Every one failed him, and, as he was an
enemy to God "a we'll as to his father, he
was desperately alone. When God is for us.
we arc never alone and need never fear
though all be against US. Blessed are those
who trust in Him.
II. "Behold. thou savest him, and why
dds, thou not smite him there to the
Il groundS" Thus spake Joab to the man who
n brought the tidngs. There was no plty In
the heart OF Joab nor any regard for the en-
treaty OF David, though II may bc that he
really believed that the death OF Absaiom
was the only way to the peace Of the king
dom. After David's death Joab followed
Ad1uiiah rather than Solomon and was slain
while holding on to the horns OF the altar
q Kings H.. 2s.3i)
~, "In our hearing the king charged thee
and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Beware that
none touch the young man Absalom." II,
then, he would not lay n finger upon Absa-
iom, not even Tor a great reward, why did
he not for David's sake release Ahsalom
from his periP Was ho afraid OF Joab's
wrath rs we'll ne OF grieving the king. or did
he hope that Joab would take Absa,om n
prisoner and bring him unframed to the
king! The fear OF man brlngeth snare,
hat 20 a 81. =
God, requires more grace than many seem TO
havo.
IL. "There is no matter hid from the
king" Well, whatever David might or
might not know, we are sure that call things
are naked and open unto the eyes Of Him
with whom we have TO do" (Heb. w., l3).
II "The Lord searcheth all hearts and under.
standeth all the imaginations OF tho
Thoughts D Chron. xviii. 81. "There Is
4 not word In my tongue but so, o Lord,
y Jhou knowest II altogether" (Ps. cxxxix,
q. II is even written, ~ know the things
d tnt come into your mind, every ono OF
N hem" (Ezek. xi., 81.
IL, 10. "And ten young mon that bare
JPaDs urmor compassed about and smote
I Dsalom and slew him." Joab having thrus,
res darts into his heart white he was vet
two In the oak, his young men finish The
Irk AMI Absaom is dend Ths beautiful
cruel Absalom, who had II in his heart
t.1ll even his own father, is slain. There
nothing brave or noble in killing man
W could not defend himself, so Absalom
~ be said to have perished miserably.
Hly the way OF the ungodly shall not
psper.
!. And Joab blew tho trumpet, and the
ppie turned from pursuing after Israel
] iCoab held back the people," The leader
peg dead, the back OF the rebellion was
oxen and there was no reason for unneces.
D sa slaughter; therefore the people are re.
Met from pursuing. In the conflict In
Tich we are engaged we are for our David
| HEs beloved Son, and He gives armor
fnrent to protect us and a sword which
ilIconquer every enemy (Eph vi, 1919.
D srgreat eaemy will, however, not be slain
Lahy OF us; neither will he be conquered
uJesus comes.
=. "And they took Absalom and cast him
IA great pit in the wood and laid very
grt heap OF stones upon him, and all Israel
very one to his tent." Thus they dis.
Ry | OF his body. But where was heG
H Nh0 Paul was stoned 10 death ana left for
Osl, at Lystray, he himself was enjoying
us things in paradise Compare III
~ i., 2-i. with Acts xiv. 10, and observe
n' res See also Stephens experience rs
ne w being stoned to death In Acts vii
95 J6.i9 Blessed are the dead who die in
tul T. 10 die is gain. But concerning
ou' Ahsalom, our Lord Jesus has drawn
1,,p' ~ veil In Luke xvi, 23. See also Rev.
Nv, y. And although these things are
n contemplate they are written by a
YOU o.. bve, who is not willing that any
,lou, peish (John ill.,, 10; III Peter iii, 05.
"'S''Dh his lifetime had built n pillar
-NI y" cot by his own name, but there is
'n .'" hgbetter than name on earth
NV, t"'e Jr. xvii 49, and Luke ", 20. In
,H ","iS verses OF our chapter we have
''Y obne who ran with tidngs for the
hNs' ana also of one who insisted
p" I"hhir but who had no tidlngs. and
to' ."1reios, although he was the fieetest
gulel, lap stand aside. 1t Is folly 10 ruI
c,s. VT 1 1Dtlh8'ent and having no tidings tc
uIs' me u,ssage in the word OF God /,
Plalh' Ihat Il may run that readeth ~
t,iaD. ', y, ot as is often quoted, 'Tha,
re GAS. runs myrcad." The idea Is. fra,
A. messab aud then run and tell II,
'ts pr,yliSe OF every believer to be a
eyif'. Of tidinR not such as Cusm hore
y, ~ lSilpgs great Joy for all people,
~ ana the khg said unto Cushl L. the
lug man Aosalen safe? The kings one
thols was for hi erring SON more than 70,
iate OF tho bngdom. AS Joab said. "l
,nn M II Aoslom hud lived and all we
~ ~ lhls Gay, then it had pleased thee
NAPIER XIX, C). Does not Davd's
"A 'hls oad son shadow forth the love
1ol, VINO loved US even when wr were
&c u u, IN sins? (Eph. Il. 4, %. How great The
'nN would die for His enemies! "Behold
W. lhe love. OF God" P''S'Ne
9a. 'oh, my son Absabm; nv son. nv son
'' A' would God lad died for thee O
AIe'ln 10, my son. my solT Five tines h..
sai, my SON." Here Is bundance of grief
Io1 vac lumber i've In Scripture Is associated
Wa aDundanee David ,new that he was
,e1oy @ 10 meet God, but Abalom was not and
.nJ ibu0rgn. bear.r 4l seeing himno more forever
hp neaIifenling But II Ia 10 be feared thar
u, ne was like Ell, honoring his SON above G"d "i
" oapl, IL, 29). We must sand with God
. ~ Ihough we stand against those who nre
tSely gear 70 u.s. After the death OF Absalom
mo- Iis mn III did not at once return to trusalen,
NJ ~ u'I all judah rs one man invited him
pa lehapter XIX, ii-il). Is or Iord Won. n,n'
IarIs Thy we do not cry, Even so. come.
Helper ''' D(-Lesson
NDIA-nUBBER uEAars