The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-19
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FUR
AUGUST 23.
Lesson Text: "Absalom's REBEL
ion," III Samuel xv., liz
Golden Text: Exodus XXX,
documentary. ~

I. "And It came to pass after this that
Absalom prepared him chariots and horses
aud fifty men to run before him." Absalom
was the third son OF David, born in Hebron
and his mother was Maacah, daughter o1
the king Of Geshur (II Sam. ill.,, 2, 81.
Absalom signifies ''father OF peace" but his
life would rather suggest one who was Of
his father the devil (John viii. AZ. Because
of the murder of his brother Amnon, David 8
f1rstborn, he fed to the king of Geshur and
was there three years, but through the
pleading Of the wise woman Of Tekoa, en-
ployed by Joab, he came back to Jerusalem
and dwelt two years without reconciliation
to his father, after which, through Joab's
intercession, the king became reconciled to
him. saw him and kissed him (chapter xiv,
28, 3S).
2. "And Absalom rose up early and stood
beside the way of the gate" The express
sion rose up early" signifies great earnest
ness and is used many times in jeremiah
concerning Gods unwearied earnestness in
urging HIS people to repent and turn to
Him. In Isa. ", IL, it Is used, as here, con-
corning the earnestness of the wicked. fol-
here we see Absalom in the place OF public
gatherings, kindly greeting the people who
came to the king to have their wrongs right
ed and seeking to turn their hearts from
his father to himself. The self-seeking of
the natural heart is often seen in those who
seek to advance themselves no matter VINO
is overthrown, but when this is seen in a son
against his own father then the devil is
surely doing special work.
8, 4. "Absalom said, moreover, Oh. that
were made judge In the land" He speaks
OF the justice that he would show if he were
made Judge in the land, but it should not
require much penetration to see that man
who would treat his own father as unjustly
as he was now doing would not be likely to
do Justly by any one unless it might happen
to serve his own ends. heard only this
week of a Senator who SAID that no poll
tician would take hold of matter without
considering how It might affect his own po-
litical prospects. 1t Is the worlds way to
live unto oneself; it Is only by the Spirit Of
God that we can deny self and live unto God.
5, 6. $50 Absalom stole the hearts of the
men of Israel" There was not finer look
ing man in all Israel (chapter xiv. 25). but
perhaps not one with a blacker heart. "Fa-
vor Is deceitful and beauty is vain," but "a
meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of God
of great price" aud It Is the heart, not the
outward appearance, that God looks upon
prov XXI, 80; Pet. ill.,, 4; Sam. xvi,
y. When the king kissed Absalom (xlv..
33>, 1t was the loving kiss of heartbroken
kisses of Absalom were more like the kiss Of
Judas when he betrayed his Master for
every one was stab at his fathers heart.
There are those, even In this Gay. both in
the church and out of it, who 'by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts
Of the simple"
Z. "Let me go and pay my VOW. which
have vowed unto the Lord In Hebron. !"
The margin of the R. V. says probably after
four years, not forty years. But what liar
he was and how desperately wicked; there
was murder in his heart, and that against
his own father, yet he seeks to hide 1t under
a pretense Of paying a VOW unto the Lord,
while all his VOWS must have been to the
devil rather than to the Lord. Hebron was
his birthplace, but it was also the place
where the bodies of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob lay buried. and that his wicked heart
could speak o. Hebron which signifies fell
lowship and carries us back to faithful
Caleb, who followed the Lord fully, shows
how hardened in sin he had become.
8. "If the Lord shall bring me again in
deed to Jerusalem. then I will serve the
Lord" This, he said, was the VOW which he
had made to the Lord while in his banish-
ment at Geshur. If David believed his son,
as he seems to have done, how comforted he
must have been by this evidence OF his sons
repentance. How little he though that with
such words from his sons lips the father Of
lies was in his heart.
9. "And the king said unto him, Go in
peace" Believing him to. be sincere he
gives him fathers blessing. but there was
no peace in that foul heart covered by 80
fair an exterior, for "There is no peace, saith
the Lord to the wicked" Elsa. lvii., 2l).
Peace was within his reach, as it is within
the reach Of every one who has ever heard of
the Prince Of Peace, but it can only become
the possession of those who are truly
penitent and and sincerely submit to Him as
their Saviour and Lord. "1he work of
righteousness shall be pesce. and the effect
of righteousness quietness aud assurance
forever" Elsa. xx3ii., 17). $50 he arose and
went to Hebron"
10. "Absalom reigneth in Hebron" With
profession of devotion to God on his lips and
his fathers blessing sounding in his ears he
goes forth to carry out his devi'ish designs
against his father The proclamation which
he caused to be sounded forth was equal to
his saying, ~ hereby rebel against my
father and drive him from his throne"
David so understood it, for he said unto all his
servants, arise and let us fee, for we shall
not else escape from Absalom," and the
servants said, "BehoN thy servants are
ready to do whatsoever my lord the king
shall appoint" Oversees IA. 15). Contrast tie
cOuuucC Vi tue hluS ) SOU VIII tQdI Ol us
servants and of Ittai the Gittite in verses
19 to 81.
IL. They went in their simplicity, and
they knew not anything" This is written
Of the 200 men out of Jerusalem who went
with Absalom. II we would follow Jesus in
this spirit, simply trusting, not knowing nor
desiring anything but His will, what blessed
people we wouldb and what glory He would
get through us, but no follow leader like
Absalom thus blindly is the way to ruin.
There are many nowadays who rebel against
; the word of God and yet have many follow
ers who know nothing OF God, but what they
hear from others. They are too simple.
- II. "The people increased continually
with Absalom." How thought.essly the
crowd will follow popular leader. How
multitudes turn away from the God Of Truth
and His dear Son to listen to an Ingersoll.
In all directions and On all sides au increas-
ing multitude is following the one whom
Absalom followed and who would love to de-
stroy Jesus Christ, the King Of kings, and
His followers. But the Lamb shall over
come and they who are with Him are called
and chosen and faithful. David returned in
due time. and SO will the Lord Jesus. Let
US be patient and faithful. HELPER
Hc6ru