The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-29
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL TOPIC. AUG. 30.
Ond Samuel xviii, 24-33-Instruc-
tion on Four In, Important Points.
BY the Rev. JAMES E. GILBERT.
Secretary of American Society Of Religious Edu-
cation.

cation.
CONTENTION receiving intelligence OF Alb
salom's rebellion, David fed TO Jerusalem.
Leaving his palace in the care Of his concubines
he was escorted by his chosen heroes and the
faithful Cherethites and PeIethites. och.
xy, Isl. Passing out of the east gate. over the
Kedron. up the mount Of Olives. onward into
Benjamin. across the Jordan. he pushed forward
to the northern boundaries of the tribe of Cad.
In the way the great body of people exhibited
their affection for their sovereign. Food and
various articles were brought for his comfort.
His interview with Zadok. the priest, and with
the servant of Mephibosheth. was extremely ten
der. The enmity of Shimei. and the kings for
bearance. show that David was broken and hum
bled in spirit. AS his father left Jerusalem. Alb
SALON. entered. Having been formally proclaimed
king he proceeded to appropriate all preroga-
tives and treasures, even TO his shame. Short
ly after. having consulted those about him, he
set out with a powerful army against the ex-
lied father.
REFUGE.-Davld established his headquarters
at Mahanaim, one OF the principal strongholds
east OF the Jordan. The city was built on the
spot where. centuries before. Jacob met two COM
panies Of angels (Gen. xxi, i, p, from which
circumstance its name was derived. Ishbosheth.
the son OF Saul, who was made king of the ten
tribes on the death of the father, set I'D his
capital here Oh Sam H., 5. 80 The town was well
situated and might be easily held against a very
large force. Ii compelled to evacuate David
might retreat toward Damascus and there gain
the support of his Syrian allies, and through
them regain the throne which his son had
usurped. Mahanaim was to David more than a
place of security. Like the Wartburg to Luther
1t became a sanctuary. There during his three
months OF retirement he had rare opportunity
for study and communion with God. and il is
generally believed that during the time he wrote
Psalms xiii. xii. Xxx and Xxi. There can be
no uouot tnat the season was one OF great spir-
length news came that Absalom
ai.d ms army were approaching. David di-
Joab, Abishai ard Ittai. Yielding 10 the en-
treaties OF the people, who feared Tor his safety,
he remained In the city. C0nnding in his tried
veterans and in the help OF COD, he gave but
enc command as they went out to battle. and
that pertained 10 Absalom. Verse Sd Seated
between the outer ana the inner gate, probably
IN the place where justice was administered, he
~telligence a Waterman was sent to the tower over
the gate where, gazing southwark and westward.
feat. lisa. xxi, o. That Waterman was the
Oriental spygiass OF shorter range than our mod
xiii, 2-6) How YEARLY the hours passed. What
emotions of nope and of fear came TO the hearts
o. all! The mode of warfare. a hand-to-hand
encounter, permitted little TO be known until all
beheld a man in the distance, Fastening toward
the king. Shortly after a second man was seen
W ~ Aaitd paw. DdNlu JuQktu lldl
tue man Drought good news. for. had the army
been defeated. a greater number would escape in
disoroer. In these days victorious generals were
accustomed to sen! messengers by this method
TO their masters. In this case the foremost left
Joab last. he had been detained awhile, but aft
erward, by earnest pleading, obtained permits
sion. Oversees 1929 His name was Ahimaaz,
who was David's particular friend. The other
runner, CuShi, was a servant OF Joab. Nothing
eI i anow and 0i he ni must eNf fselef faat have ns na besn Is : biaak
man. Inc hrst came out Of love, the second as
a duty. Love is always feetest OF foot. lisa.
Of the risen Lord, so Ahimaaz outstripped Cushi.
and came first TO David.
TIDINGS.-Ahimaaz was recognized while an
preaching. and David said: HE is a good man
and bringeth good tidings." A beautiful tribute,
Qtom. x 10? Almost breathless the young man
cried: A is WELL Failing upon his face be-
cree CNeh. viii. g.. he said: Blessed be the Lord
when hath delivered up the men that lifted up
gained through Gods help. The priest knew that
David would rejoice not more in the victory than
In the recognition Of the Almighty's hand. This
was message enough. all the message Ahimaaz
had, as a minister OF religion preparing for sad
servant. sterner .and more direct, declaring offi-
cialiy: Il have tidings;' merely announcing his
errand. 1.-THE Lord hath avenged thee of all of
them that rose up against thee" He began with
a recognition of God, but he ended with less
agreeable words. Enemies with uplifted hands.
Avenged! The expressions were calculated to
awaken suspicious OF the evil that had befallen.
David must have anticipated the worst by This
time.
INQUIR1NG.-It is evident that Ahimaaz and
tuSnl DCtn supposed they were rendering a X8lu-
able service TO the king. With gladness they
had swept along the way TO make him know
commendation. But the first had scarcely fn-
ished when David said: rs Absalom safe?
Receiving an evasive answer he made the run
ner stand aside and put the same question TO
Cushi, after his speech. II would seem that
David was more father than king. lie was not
lie would not have sent out his forces to fight.
neither would he have planned this campaign
on the confines OF his dominions. But his heart
yearned for Absalom. Whatever of natural af-
lection he may have had for the wayward young
man, II Is probable he hoped that by some means
his life might be spared while the rebellion was
suppressed. Remembrance of his own domes-
nc SINS may nave Increased his anxiety.
answer of Ahimaaz may
rave been. according to his best knowledge. or he
unwilling TO bear the message. But Cushi,
scnooied to do a%nothers bidding. withheld not
the real condition. True, he dd not enter into
details. and say that twenty thousand men lay
dead on the heiG. that Absalom HAD been thrust
through with a dart, welded by JoaD, that he
had been cast into a pit, that stones had been
piled upon him, as an expression OF contempt.
Verse ID he did not even say in plain words
l Tar Absalom was dead. but he did say what
any one might interpret as much as the same.
There was no piety or pity in his words. They
loyalty to the king. Cushi felt that the young
man lad received his deserts, a fate due TO ali
rebels. he was thinking OF the kingdom, but
he spoke with admirable gentleness and wisdom.
because CT his regard for the king.
WEEPING.-Cushis words went like arrows TO
the heart of David. Abruptly leaving the COM
pany, he FASTENED 10 the chamber over the gate.
Win uncomfortable grief he cried. as he went:
20, my son, A5salonl, would God / had died for
thee The scene is one Of the most pathetic "a
all history, and ii appeals even at this distance
of time TO ali the deeper feelings OF human ma
ture. His conduct was quite different from that
Of Aaron at the death Of Nadab and Ahihu uley.
X, %. and of Eli. who lost his sons in battle. but
Was most concerned for the ark OF God. U Sam.
iii. 49, David himself on another occasion was
resigned 10 the will of God. psalm xxx, 81
His grief now was doubtless excessive, imprudent
and even criminal. because il obscured the Di-
vine judgment. He ought TO have been thank
ful for deliverance and submitted humbly to
Providence; but he was a man OF tears and sor-
rows, and these revealed his character and ex-
planned his career.
CONCLUSION.-Our lesson affords instruction
on four points: ]. We see how bad IL is possible
for q child TO be. and what is the fate OF a way
ward son. prov. xxx, 80 2. Pious parents are
most anxious for disobedient children, and one
might think their love is greatest for those who
deserve II least. lMatt. xviii. II, 12) 3. Life
las its dark and bright sides. blessings are ac-
nation was purchased by the death Of a son. We
often pay dear for our great gains. Job ii. 10.l
A.. We must learn to watch and pray against in
ordinate attachments, and the unadvised Ian
guase of passionate grief. Bowling down TO the
righteous appointments OF God we must prefer
the public welfare TO any personal or private
affections. When q man reaches the point that
he is lord of his pain. that sorrow no longer
rules him. but he rules his sorrow. then he is
prepared for large usefulness. psalm XVI, l0)
Great sales prove the great merit of
Hoods Sarsaparilia, and great merit ena-
BILE il to accomplish wonderful cures.