The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-26
SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERN LESSON FOR
AUGUST 80.
Lesson Text: "Absalom's Defeat and
Death" ii Samuel xviii, 9-17,
80, 33-Golden Text:
Psalm l., 6-Com-
mentary.

g. "And Absalom rode upon mule" The
rebellion OF last lesson developed. DAVID
fed from Jerusalem, and crossing the Jor-
dan came to Mahanaim, where he was KIND
ly cared for by Barzilai and O. lers lchepter
xviii, 24-29). David's army went forth to
battle in three divisions under Joab and
Abishai, his relatives, and Ittai the Glttlte.
See Ittais devotion to David in chapter Xv..
81, and now see his position as leader ID
David's army. Those who are now faithful
to Christ in the time of his rejection will Do
surprised at their appointments in His king
dom by and by. -
10. "And a certain man saw it and told
Joab and said. Behold 1 saw Absalon hanged
In an oak" Evidently the man was no
friend of Absaom's, or he would have re.
leased him. Where were all his friends!
Every one failed him, and, as he was an
enemy to God as we'll as to his father. ne
was desperately alone. When God is for US,
We are 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
didst thou not smite him there to the
groundp" Thus 'spake Joab to the man who
brought the tidings. There was no pity in
the heart of Joab nor any regard for the en-
treaty of David, though 1t may be that he
really believed that the death Of Absalom
was the only way to the peace OF the King,
dom. After David's death Joab followed
Adonijah rather than Solomon and was slain
while holding on to the horns OF the altar
q Kings H.. 2S-34.)
12. ''In our hearing the king charged thee
and Abisbai and Ittai. saying, Beware that
none touch the young man Absalom.' II,
then, he would not lay a finger upon Absa-
lom, not even for a great reward, why did
he not for David's sake release Aosalom
from his peril? Was he afraid OF Joab's
wrath rs well as of grieving the king. or did
he hope that Joab would take Absalom
prisoner and bring him unharmed to the
king? The fear Of man bringeth snare.
but to do the right thing, as In the sight OF
God, requires more grace than many seem to
have
IS. "There Is no matter hid from the
king" Well, whatever David might or
might not know, we are sure that "all things
are naked and open unto the eyes OF Him
with whom we have to do" (Heb. iv.. 13),
1.-THE Lord searcheth all hearts and under
standeth all the imaginations OF the
Thoughts" Il Chron. xviii. 81. "There Is
Thou knowest it altogether" (Ps. cxxxIx.,
4). 1t is even written, II know the things
that come into your mind, every one Of
them" (Ezek d., s..
IA, Is. "And ten young men that bare
Joab's armor compassed about and smote
Absa!om and slew him." Joab having thrust
thre, darts into his heart while he was yet
alive in the oak, his young men finish the
work and Absalom is dead. Th. beautiful
but cruel Absalom, who had it In his heart
to kill even his own father, is slain. There
was nothing brave or noble in killing a man
who could not defend himself, 80 Absalom
may be slid to have perished miserably.
Truly the way of the ungodly shall not
prosper.
16. "And Joab blew the trumpet. and the
people turned from pursuing after Israel,
for Joab held back the people" The leader
being dead, the back of the rebellion was
broken and there was no reason for unneces-
sary slaughter; therefore the people are re-
called from pursuing. In the conflict In
which we are engaged We are for our David,
Coils beloved Son, and He gives armor
sufficient to protect US and sword which
will conquer every enemy (Eph. vi, 10-1S).
Our great enemy will, however, not be slain
by any of US; neither will he be conquered
till Jesus comes.
II. Sand they took Absalom and cast him
into great pit in the wood and laid very
|, great heap Of stones upon him. and all Israel
fled every one to his tent" Thus they dis
posed of his body. But where was he?
When Paul was stoned to death ana left for
dead at ,Lystray, he himself was enjoying
glorious things in paradise. Compare II
Cor. xii, "a. with Acts xiv, 10, and observe
the dates. See also Stephens experience as
he was being stoned to death in Acts vii,
IS, IS, SO. Blessed are the dead who die in
the Lord. To die Is gain. But concerning
such as Absalom. our Lord Jesus has drawn
aside the vel! in Luke xvi, %. See also Rev.
xiv, Gil. And although these things are
L.,
God of Love. who is not willing that any
should perish John iii, 16; II Peter ill.,. 9).
Absalom in his lifetime had built a pillar
and called it by his own name, but there is
something better than a name on earth.
Compare Jer. xvii Is, and Luke X, 20. In
the following verses Of our chapter we have
the story o. one who ran with tidings for the
king, and also of one who insisted
upon running but who had no tidings, and
who, therefore, although he was the feetest
runner, had to stand aside. 1t is folly to run
carry, The message in the word of God Is
plain, "That he may run that readeth it"
(Hab, H., q, not as is often quoted, "That
BE- tnat runs mayread." The idea is. first
get your message aud then run and tell it.
1t is the privilege OF every believer to be a
bearer of tidings, not such as Cushi bore,
but glad tidings OF great joy for all people.
32. And the King Sol0 unto CuSnl, Is the
young man Absalom safe2' The kings one
thought was for his erring son more than for
the welfare OF the kingdom. As Joab said, II
perceive that If Absalom had lived and all we
had died this day, then 1t had pleased thes
WELL (chapter xix, g.. Does not Davids
love for this bad son shadow. forth the love
OF God, who loved US even when We were
dead in sins? (Eph. H., 4. s.. H ow great the
love that would die for His enemies! Behold
what manner Of love-" Hereby perceive
we the love of God"
33. "Oh, my son Absalom; my SON, my son
Absalom! Would God had died for thee, @
Absalom, my son. my son" Five times he
says .'my son." Here is abundance OF grief.
for the number five in Scripture is associated
with abundance. David knew that he was
ready to meet God, but Absalom was not and
the thought of seeing him no more forever
was heartrending. But it is to be- feared that
he was like Eli. honoring his son above God
q Sam. H., 29). We must stand with God
even though we stand against those who are
very dear to US. After the death Of Absalom
the king did not at once return to Jerusalem,
not till all judah as one man invited him
back (chapter XIX, 11-l4). Is our Lord won-
dering why we d. not cry, Even so, come,
Lord Jesus2" (Rev. xii, 2O).-Lesson
Helper.