The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-11-13
a WICKED SON.
International Sunday School Lesson
for Nov. 8 Is "David's Grief Over
Absalom," II Sam. 19, 24-32.

StoS6tSstp oe''i - GT-SE
The conspiracy Of Prince Absalom
against his father, King David, the
fight of the latter from Jerusalem, the
death OF Absalom after defeat in bat
file. and finally David's lament over
his son, form II Of the saddest pictures
in the old testament. The careless and
.debonair prince, vain Of his beauty
and sacrificing all finer Instincts to his
selfish ambition, and the noble old
king, bowed in spirit, heart-broken
and yearning for his migrate som well
fare and love, form a striking study in
contrasts.
Absalom, so we learned n week ago,
had organized q revolt against David,
with a view to Wrestling the kingdom of
Israel from him. The foolish and url-
thinking masses, deceived by his
smooth ways, followed his leadership.
At first, Absalom apparently held the
winning side, and had battle been
Joined at once the story might have
had q different ending. David, how
ever, had adroitly sent a friend to sit
in Absalom's and to confound
the sagacious leadership Of Ahitophel.
Thus delay was secured and the kings
''old guard the tried soldiers who
had been by his side in a score OF bat
ties, together with the loyal and law
abiding people, and powerful recruits
from abroad rallied him to the royal
standard. g..
The exit from Jerusalem, in haste
and disgrace, with a f~oul-routhed .ad-
yersary hurting curses upon David, was
q pathetic spectacle. Yet in this hour
Of temporary defeat the king, though
weighed down by sorrow, manifested a
noble dignity and submission to his lot
possible only to a great and chastened
soul. The analogy between King "a
vid and King Lear, as Shakespeare por-
trays the latter, is suggestive. Both
could cry, Sharper than a serpent's
tooth it is to have a thankless child"
WAITING AT THE GATE.
After a delay which Absalom would
never have permitted had he been as
shrewd as he was INSCRIPTIONS, the
two armies met in battle. David had
desired to lead his forces in person, but
his people prevailed upon him to remain
behind in the city of Mahanaim. His
last word to the commanders in charge of
the army was Deal gently for my
sake with the young man. His fathers
love was stronger h n other SEN
timent.
Then David stationed himself at the
gate Of the city to await tidings. He
could not be content to rest in a house,
Or to go about his ordinary business.
He must get as near to the news Of
battle as possible less because of his
interest in the battle than of his inter-
y SsI IL III way WdIu sui. his attitude
was one Of eager waiting and yearn-
ing. His old heart was sore for his
sons love. Sorrow upon sorrow, all
due to his own sin, as he was perfectly
aware, had crowded upon him; now he
was praying that his beautiful Alb
SALON. might be spared and restored to
him. He cherished no hate against
the young man for his rebellion; 1t was
all a fathers yearning, compassionate
love.
In his Impotence. the king sent the
Waterman upstairs to the roof to watch
for he messengers. Perhaps as the
curious onlookers watched David's in
terest they thought that his anxiety
was due to concern for the safety Of
his throne, which hung upon the out
come Of the battle, news of which they
all awaited. Little understood they the
greatness and tenderness Of that
i brn>I/ heart. Absalom, his son, meant
unore to him han all the world besides.
As has been illustrated In hundreds of
4 instances, men a spent their all to
save the lives Of their children. For
i many days past a wealthy Philadel-
4 phlan has been devoting all his time
4 and skill and all the u hat his
b fortune can command to a search for
d his son., who has disappeared in the
fl0untains of Tennessee. Parent love
1, Is the strongest human passion and
4 nearest to the divine.
q FOP HUNG IN MlDAIR.
d In the meantime, as David sits by the
n gate and waits, how fares the battle?
h The expected was not happening. Alb
n $aiom's forces were made up Of men
u %lsh no one unifying purpose; the
n ablest of them did not respect the
h handsome plotter who led them. Da-
q Vid's, on he other hand, were largely
u experienced soldiers, led by the ablest
b generals. They were devoted to his
h personality, and they were fighting for
& their king. for the laws and for the
n nations peace. So a great slaughter
Il ensued, and the battle turned into a
rOut.
ID A few chapters back, we found Alb
81 SALON. riding in a chariot, with fifty
3 runners going before him. Here We
u see him alone, on a solitary mule, with
B the people all fleeing from him.. While
n trying thus to escape through the for
81 est, Absalom's head, th9 head with its
n beWitching face and wonderful hair.
81 was caught in the branches Of al oak
& tree. The beast he rode did not stop,
q ana SO the prince was left there sus-
n pended in mid-air, helpless and
n Thus hhilging, he was seen by one
@ol the kings forces, who reported to
VI Joab. The nan had heard David's
81 injunction concerning his sons safety,
# ana so he had Withhe his hand from
n hlm. Willy old Joab, whe had his own
iMgrudge AGAINST Absalom, was re-
81 strained by no such scruples. With his
#oWn hand he thrust three darts through
&1he heart Of the rebel prince. and his
81 iolloWers thereupon added their blows.
SNeo, in shame, dishonor and defeat, end
n ed the ambitious career of this self
IA ecker who had broken all bonds of
UNA and patriotic duty. Instead OF
s&eAe monument which he had designed
RtoE his own praise, he was given a heap
Eof stones, and his name has passed in
10 common speech as a synonym for the
$#aop, the fool and the migrate.
rs THE YOUNG MAP SAFE"
All this while David wal sitting at
NE gate in unrestrained anxiety,
e"aiting tidings. At last, IN one of
us trips to the roof, the Waterman
&BEescrled a messenger in the distance.
Us he drew near conjecture was rife
US to his tidings. Because he was
\ lone: reasoned the king, he must be
1rtN~