The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-11-04
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
November s.
Subject; Dayid's Grief Over Absalom--2 Sam.
XVIII, A'33-Goldeu Text, Prov. xvii,
25-Memory Verses, 3l.33-commen.
inry on the Days Lesson,


iary on the Days Lesson.
/. The battle array Tvs. l-S). /. Tie
time was about three months after Absa.
lom assumed the throne. 2. The place was
the forest Of Ephraim in Mount Glead,
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 ruinous
precipices. g. The army OF Absalom must
have been very much larger than David's.
Tor 2O,OW men were slain, besides the many
that escaped. But they had no such disc.
pline and organization as Dayids troops,
and no cod Guard" like David's band OF
600 heroes. 4. The army of David was di.
vided into three divisions under three able
generals. Gideon had divided his handful
into three, that he might make a simulta.
neous impression on three different parts
OF the Midiante 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 points
he might prevent a concentration of the
enemy that would have swallowed up his
whole force.
ii. The defeat and death of Absalom
Tvs. 91O. Absalom met the servants of
David in battle and was defeated. In his
flight Absalom rode upon a mule For him
to ride upon a mule-perhaps David's own
Emas q inark ol royalty u NiHgs l; So,
3S). His head caught in the forked boughs
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 Absalom was sus-
pended merely by his hair. Josephus says
that bis hair was 'entangled." Then Joab
took three darts and thrust them through
the heart of ,Absalom. He alone felt strong
enough to disobey the king. He did the
act for David's own sake. Doubtless he
thoroughly believed that Absaiom's death
was the only effcctual way of ending this
most guilty and pernicious insurrcction,
and so preserving the country from ruin
Absalom living whether banished or i'm
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 bacl; the people from further
slaughter. Absalom's body was cast into
pit and great heap of stones thrown
upon it.
III. Tidngs from the battle Tvs. 1882
Swift runners brought the news from thu
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 fiat roof of this
tower. but shaded from public view, David
waited to hear tidings 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 Eli
going out. and sitting by. the wayside,
watching for the coming of some runner
from the field of war Il Sam. A. l3).
',.Watchman." Every gate and outpost of
the tower would be guarded by vigilant
watchmen at such time. Roof" The
Hat roof of the gateway on the side OF the
outer wall. The picture of the anxious
watcher. at the. gate OF Mahanaim gives us
a faint insight into the heart of the Father
above. The world is full of Absaloms who
have risen up against their heavenly Father.
25-2s. ''If he be alone" David judged
that il the man was running alone he was
bringing news from the battle If the
army. had been routed many fugitives
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 well" This in the Hebrew
word of greeting. Fell down" An act of
homage to the king. delivered up" Lit
orally, shut up" restrained and confined
within bounds, instead OF leaving them at
large.
29 "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
battle. David was thinking of the ominous
thy house. The sword had devoured 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 parent and every friend of young
MAJ ehA T.. >
from intemperance, from bad companions,
from bad books, from dishonest conduct.
from bad habits? Is he safe in Jesus
Christ! Is he safe in good home and
among good influences? Is he safe for this
world? Is he safe for eternity? Ask your.
se sed asn' ss0' S what yog are doing to make him
3O,32. "Stand here" He has given his
message, and is thus dismissed to rest after
the toilsome running. He is, however. al.
lowed to- place himself near, that he may
bTn. bsnr wht further r. tifpfs fhsd the Cushte
Hath pronounced a 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
attempt against his father and king.
~; David mourns for Absalom ". 33).
trembling and grief "The chamber" An
apartment in the upper part of the tower
of, one OF the, gates; the nearest place
where he could be alone. "Wept." Loudly
lamented. 20 my son Absalom!" There Is
not in the whole OF the Old Testament a
passage of deeper pathos than this. The
simple beauty OF the narrative is exquisite,
and we are irresistible 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: 4D. "Died for thee" So Moses
(Ex. So: 32) and so st. Paul from. 0: 81
would have sacrificed themselves, had it
been possible to save others. His wish to
die in Absalom's stead was no mere extrav-
al anee OF grief. David knew his own peace
was made with God; he could. die at any
time. II Absalom we're spared in life he
might yet repent. The causes OF Davids
grief were, !. David's love for Absalom.
2. The bitterness that Absalom had come