Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-11-07
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
November 8.
Subject; David's Grief Over Absaiom-2 Sam
xviii. 24-33-Goiden Text, Prov. xviii.
2S-Memory Verses, 3l.33-Commen.,,
tary on the Days Lesson.

tary on the Days Lesson.
T.. The battle array Tvs. Isl. l. The
time was about three months after Absa-
| lom assumed the throne. .. The place was
The forest of Ephraim in, Mount Gilead,
| not far from Mahanaim, where David was.
| This region is still covered with thick oaks
! and tangled bushes. and thorny creepers.
| growing over rugged rocks and ruirous
2recipices. 8. The army of Absalom mus,
| have been very much larger than David's,
| for 10000 men were sam, BESIDES the many
that escaped. Rut they had no such dise-
and no cod Guard" like David's band of
500 heroes. 4. The army OF David was di-
v;ded into three divisions under three able
generals. Gideon had divided his handful
into three, that he might make simulta
1eous impression on three different parts
IF the Midianite host, and thus contribute
the better to the defeat of the whole. So
David divided his army into three. that
meeting Absalom's at three different Joints
In might prevent concentration of tho
enemy that would have swallowed up his
whole force.
II. The defeat and death of Absaiom
Tvs. 9l7). Absalom met the servants Of
David in battle and was defeated. In his
flight Absalom rode upon mule. For him
to ride upon mule-perhaps David's own
was a mark Of royalty Il Kings l.: 49,
OF a tree, and he hung. there. stunned and
helpless. Perhaps his long: thick hair got
entangled, but there is nothing to support
the common idea that Absa,om was sus.
pended merely by his hair. .Josenhus says
that his hair was 'entangled.' Then Joal:
tool! three darts and thrust them through
enough to disobey the king. He did this
act for David's own sake. Doubtless hs
thoroughly believed that Absalom's death
was the only effectual way Of ending this
most guilty and pernicious insurrect;on,
and so preserving the country from ruin.
prisoned, would be a constant and fearful
danger. Absalom dead, great though the
kings distress for the time might be.
would be the very salvation of the country.
Joab held back the. people from further
slaughter. Absalon's body was cast into
upon it.
III. Tidings from the battle Tvs. 1882.
Swift runners brought the news from the
battlefield to the king. a. "The two
gates" The heavy Notifications had prob
ably an outer and an inner gate at the base
chamber" ". 33l. On the fat roof Of this
tower. but shaded from public view. David
waited to hear titlings of the battle. The
outer gate was level with the city wall, and
the gateway would leave some space be-
tween that and the inner. Compare FIJI
watching for the coming of some runner
"Watchman." Every gate and outpost OF
the tower would be guarded by viglant
watchmcn at sucn Il time. Roof" Tho
fiat roof Of the gateway on the side of the
watcher at the gate Of Mahanaim gives us
a faint insight into the heart of the Father
above. The world is full Of Absa.ous who
have risen up against their heavenly Father.
1928 eff he be alone David Judged
that if the man was running alone he was
army, had been routed many fugitives
would have been coming together. Unto
the porter" One stood at the top of the
| tower, and the other was below to attend
to opening and closing the gate. "a good
man." David had had proof of his fidelity
during the progress Of the war. and was
sure that such as he would not be chosen
news. "All is veil" This in the Hebrew
| is one word. "Peace." It was the usual
word of greeting. "Fell down." An act Of
homage to the king. delivered up" Lit:
orally, ".shut up" restrained and confined
large.
90. "Is-Absalom safe" There is ten
derness in the words which reveals the
yearning of the fatherly heart. He seems
more anxious about the welfare of the
young man" than about the issue Of the
words. The sword shall never depart from
thy house. The sword had deyoured one
| son; was it now to claim another? And
where would it stop? Ahimaaz saw the
| kings distress and gave an evasive answer.
Is the young man safe? This Is question
every narent and every friend of young
men scould ask. Is the young man safe
! from intemperance, from had companions,
| from bad books. from dishonest conduct,
| from bad habits? Is ne safe in Jesus
Christ! Is he safe in a good home and
among good! influences? Is he safe for this
world; Is he safe for eternity? Ask your
self, also. what You are doing to make him
| and keep him safe?
1892. "Stand here" He has given his
message, and is thus dismissed to rest after
| the toilsome running He is, however. al.
lowed tt, place. himself near, that he may
brings. .'Cushi." An Ethiopian slave in
the service of Joab "Hath avenged"
| Hath pronounced favorable verdict in his
! cause and delivered him out Of the hand Of
his enemies. Enemies of my Lord" The
Lord hath done thee Justice on thy enc
mics, He answered the question about
Absalom indirectly. yet so as not only
clearly to make known his death. but also
to express condemnation upon his hostile
attempt against his father and king.
| w. David mourI,s for Absalom w. 33).
80. 'ATuch moved" Seized with violent
trembling and grief. "The chamber" An
APARTMENT in the upper part of the tower
Of one of the. gates; the nearest place
where he conld be alone. "Wept." Loudly
lamented. 20 my son Absalom" There is
! not in the whole of the Old Testament
passage of deeper pathos than this. The
simple beauty Of the narrative is exquisite,
and we are irresistibly reminded Of Him
who, while He beheld the rebellious city of
Jerusalem and thought Of the destruction
it was bringing upon itself, wept over it
luke 10: AZ. ::Died for thee" So Moses
lex. 80: 32) and so st. Paul from. 9: 81
wo,.!d have sacrificed themselves, had it
been possible to save others. His wish to
die in Absalom's stead was no mere extrav-
az once Of grief David knew his own peace
was made with God; he could die at any
t;me. If Absalom were spared in life he
might yet repent. The causes of David's
grief were, l. Davids love for Absalom
2. The bitterness that Absalom had come
to such sad end. 8. The consciousness
| that hiS own Gin vrao M rt1xy tho oo,,co