The National tribune., 1896-08-20
:be bride in effort to release himself from the


reckon shekel tsilvcrl at 62.5 cents--lO equal
about SO. and 1000 V. l2) $500
8. Girds. v IL Soldiers in early times
attached great value to n belt. rs heing useful
and ornamental. Jonathan gave to David
belt pledge OF lasting friendship. sam,
1874. Ajax presented grale TO Hector Hon.
H., VII. " 3O5 Begging the protection OF
Beduin. one seizcs on the Arabs belt. The
commander of Highland body OF soldiers
was said TO have them under his belt. i he
girdle was ar emblem among them or author
ity. Many hold that Joab meant to say to the
Eian, world have commissioned you as an
officer: raised sou from the ranks"
8. In mine hand. V. IL. Cash down.
10. Wrought falsehood. V. IL. He would
have been u party to falseness. 1t IS PLAIN,
Joab. Ahishai, and Ittai promised not to harm
(touch) Absalon. TO injnre him would be TO
violate the order Of David And it would have
brought harm to the man so inJuring nun.
Joab would have set himself against q snidier
who took OH him such responsibility. V. 10.
This might be in particular In this case wien
Joab was under special command not to inJure
Absalom. And certainly David would have
found out the fact ". 13]. and have been much
set against the man who slew his son. We
know this that David never feit rs cordial with
Joab after knowing how Joab treated Absa-
lon. / XII, 2:5.
II. Heart v. IA. Through the body. Que
could not be said to be slain after three darts
had been thrust through his heart IL is said
the body-guard no young mem of Joab slew
Absalom after Joab had thrice pierced him.
IL. While yet alive. V. H. We cannot tell
how long Absalom had been hanging when FIRST
discovered. Then, it would require time Tor
that man to report to Joab. Yet Absalom was
not dead when Joab reached the tree. Some
think he was so far gone that he would nave
died had Joab and his armor bearers not have
summarly dispatched him. The language
rather implies, Absalom was quite far gone
when Joab reached him. This would be speci-
ally the case if Absalom were wedged into
fork of tree bough by his neck. 1t would
seem Joab seized on the opportunity aud gladly
ended the life of the rebellious son and traitor
Gus citizen. In general. writer's believe Joab
was justified in ending the national trouble
OH the spot. Scott. however, declares the act
was outrageous OH Joab's part.
IL. Why three darts? Y. IA. We may sup
pose the darts were left in the body of Absa-
lom. Then, it is evident Joab meant to make
thorough work.
IA. Blew trumpet. v. 16. The death of
Absalom meant the end Of the rebellion.
There was no leader. The trumpet was
command for further fighting to cease. Let
all now be- loyal to David. Spill no blood I'M
necessarily. Joab did well. He acted in the
interest of peace He did no. take any prison.
ers. He wan ted the distur bance to end then
and there. 1t would seem the people (his SOL
diers) were not SO wise in this respect as their
leader. V. Is. They needed to be restrained.
Absalom's Guilt.
l. He murdered his halEbrother Amnon
Q3 :29), Il. G. 1890.
g He incited instruction. 1912. He was
a traitor to his Government.
3. He shamefully violated the Seventh Com
mandment in the matter Of his fathers concu-
a.. Tha chi in,
particular Of this sin was TO make certain the
impossitility of any further reconciliation be-
tween David and AbsaloD. On a former occa-
sion David had been persuaded to pardon Absa-
lom and allow him freedom at the palace. But
such wrong as that committed by Absslom
at AhithophePs nstigstion could never, it was
believed. be overlooked.
A. Absalom was bent on his fathers death,
and hence death was due him. His was the
dishonoring of father even to the point Of
murder. He deserved death for this crime
Deu., 81: Is Il; Prov, 30: II.
Suggestions.
l. Let not money he a factor in determining
duty. If an act be wrong, refuse to commit 1t,
no matter whether yGpr reward be $40 or
81 900. VS.. II, IL.
2. Be loyal. Respecs all civil rulers. v. H.
3. Obey commands of superiors III all right
matters. VS.. II, IL.
4. Do not obey human superior when he
commands you TO do any thiDg forbidden by
your Heavenly Superior, forbidden by the
moral law; contrary to the eternal principles
of justice. V. H.
5. Keep all pledges Joab Abisl,ai, and Ittai
had, at least, by i'm plicatiOn promised not to
harm Absalom. V. IL.
g. Soldiers, in special, must learn to obey.
V. 13.
z. Even those whom you offend by doing
right respect you at heart. V-13.
g.. Our Cooking knows all things. Heb, A.:
Is.
9~The punishment of Absalom should be a
warning to all children not to wrong their
parents in any way.
ABsALoM's BURIAL
2 Sam, 10: H. 1s.
References.
V. H. Laid heap of stones JOSH, 1926; g.:
90; 10: 81; Prov, 1877; Jer., %: Is, 19.
V. H. Reared for self pillar. Sam., Is: IL.
Kings Dale. Gen, AL
Have no son. 14:27; Job, 10. 16, II; Ps.,
109 10; Jer 90: 80.
Called the pillar after his name. Gen., II {:
4; SAM, 10: IL; Ps.. 40: II; DAN, 4:30.
Absilom's Place. Gen., IL: 20; Acts, /: 18,
Be. 1923.
Place.
The body was cast into pit nearby the tree.
VIZ. Stones were heaped on it. This seemed
an act of justice by law. Absalom's sin was
against his father. Deu., 81 81 In the case
OF Absalom's grave, Jews passing that way ever
since have cast stones on it, In Ireland, now,
it is customary for persons passing heap Of
stones, erected to keep in memory any event.
to add stones. In Eastern countries this is q
special method of expressing detestation Of a
criminal person or act when marked by pile
OF stones.
Monument.
Absalom. not having a son to survive him.
aud fearing he would lose the Kinsship, aud
anxious to be figure in history. provided be-
forehand for pillar monument to keep his
name in memory of future generations 1t was
not far from Jerusalem.
Strong nerves depend upon pure, rich, red blood.
Hoods SaTsapaTR is the only true blood purifier.