Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-08-27
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE
LESSON.
Reflections of an Elevating Charscter
-whoIesome Food for Thought
Studying the scriptural Lesson In
telIigent1y and Proftab1y.

Studying the scriptural Lesson In
telIigently and ProAtably.
Lesson for August so.
Golden Text.-'"The Lord knoweth tho
way Of the righteous; but the way of tho
Sngodly shall perish. ."-Ps- 1: 6.
This lesson tells of Absalom's defeat
and death, and is found in 2 Sam. 1S: O.
II, 80, 33.
While Absalom's plans for a rally at
Hebron were being perfected, David was
secretly informed of the conspiracy, and
Immediately determined to flee from Jeru-
salem. His old time valor was all gone;
no pride remained to prevent him from
ignominiously abandoning his capital to
usurper. His departure was indeed
prudent, but there is little doubt that he
could have defended Jerusalem against
any attacking forces unless there wero
many traitors within the walls. The story
of David's fight is told in much detail
q Sam. 10: 16-17: 23). The intrigues
and deceptions of Ahithophel and Hushai
need not be related here; they are just
such as always have been found in orien-
tai courts. 1t is entirely unnecessary to
defend David's action in suggesting to
Hushai the cunning plan by which Absa-
lom's schemes were to be defeated. The
question as to the right or wrong Of tho
falsehoods and deceptions which form the
chief part of the work of spy or a de-
,ective is not settled even now; and Da-
vid certainly was no worse in this respect
than the men of his day; neither was he
better. Hushai's advice to Absalom pre-
vailed over Ahithophel's, and according
Iy Absalom decided upon a thorough pre-
paration for war, by gathering troops
from the whole land instead of the i'm
mediate attack which Ahithophel urged
OF course this gave David time to prepare
for defense, as Hushai intended it should.
David made his headquarters at Maha-
naim, where he was gladly received by
loyal subjects. After an interval of some
weeks, during which the rival armies
were preparing for battle, they met in q
forest in Gilead, not far from Mahanaim,
called "the wood of Ephraim." David
himself, by the advice of his people, re-
rnained at Mahanaim, and his army was
commanded by Joab, Abishai and Ittai-
The king distinctly commanded these gen.
erals to IDEAL gently with the young man,
even with Absalom." The battle went
against the rebel army, their losses being
stated at 10000. The nature of the
ground, thickly wooded, was the cause Of
great slaughter. While David's men were
in pursuit of the enemy through the for
est, they overlook Absalom himself.
Suggestions for Study.
Read 2 Sam. 17:24E19: 33.
Look up Mahanaim on the map-east Of
Jordan, about midway between the Jar
muk and Jabbok rivers. The tablelands
Of Gilead are heavily wooded in this
neighborhood. The site of Mahanaim
itself has not been discovered.
In their anxiety not to have the lesson
exceed the usual length, the members of
the lesson committee have omitted one
of the most striking passages in all the
historical books-the first part of the ac-
count of the bringing of the news to Da-
vid, in verses 1881. The narrative dis
plays some of the best qualities of bibli-
cal style-simplicity, vigor, rapidity of
movement. BY all means include these
verses in the study and teaching of the
lesson.
Explanatory.
"Absalom rode upon a mule:" the mule
was a mark of royalty. See / Kings, 1:
80. This may have been David's mule.
"A great oak" rather, th.c great oak,
or terebinth. Apparently the tree was
well known in later times, and hence has
the definite article-"His head caught
hold of the oak:" the common idea that
he hung by his long hair has no founda-
ton in the story, though doubtless his
hair was entangled in the branches of the
tree.
Joab's thought is plain; IL the soldier
had killed Absalom, the object would have
been accomplished without bringing Joab
under the kings displeasure.
We must respect the man for his fear
less refusal to fan in with Joab's evil
desire. He risked a good deal in 80 doing.
Joab had a private grudge against Absa-
lom "a: 3d., and was not sorry to hide
his revenge under a pretense of Staying
public enemy. At the same time, one
must admit that by the most lenient laws,
even those that prevail to-day, Absalom
was guilty of treason and deserved the
punishment he received. There is much
to be said in defense of Joab's summary
execution of the rebel, though contrary to
the orders of the soft-hearted father. If
Absalom had been spared, his existence
would have been a continual menace to
| the State
"A very great heap of stones:" a mark
of dishonored grave. In the east to-day,
travellers utter pious calculations as they
pass the graves of holy men, but cast
stones at the tombs of infdels and GRIM
inals.
The enemies of my lord the king" ETC.,
Cushi shows a fine tact in making his
sorrowful announcement. Indeed, he may
have chosen his words to escape the
| wrath, as well rs to soften the grief of
the king; for in the east the bearer of evil
ddings is often held personally response
bic for the misfortune. Only a few weeks
| ago an eastern monarch, according to re-
port, crucifed the messengers who
| brought to him the news of his army's
defeat. But David was not to be feared;
~ven Joab, who had directly disobeyed
| orders, escaped blame.
Probably no one can fully understand
| David's grief who has not been in a simi
| lar position. Sorrow was made more bit
| ter by remorse; ELI, on a similar occasion,
was mercifully stricken with death. Da-
vid must live and mourn.
Next Lcsson-David's Love for Gods
House, Chron. %: GIG.
Our Lower Levels.
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