Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-11-06
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments For
November g.
Subject; David's Grief Over Absalom-2 Sam.
xviii, A.33-Golden Text, Prov. xviii,
S-Memory Verses, 3l.33-Commen.''
tary on the Days Lesson.

time was about three months after ADSa'
lom assumed the throne. 2. 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 ruinous
precipices. 3. The army of Absalom must
have been very much larger than David's,
for 10000 men were slain. besides the many
that escaped. But they had no such disci-
pine and organization as David's troops,
and no "Old Guard" like David's band of
800 heroes. 4. The army of David was d.
y;ded into three divisions under three able
generals. Gideon had divided his handful
into three, that he might make a simulta.
aeous impression on three different parts
Of the Midanite 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
be might prevent concentration OF the
enemy that would have swallowed up his
whole force.
II. The defeat and death of Absalom
Tvs. GID. Absalom met the servants OF
David in battle and was defeated. In his
fight Absaom rode upon mule. tor him
to ride upon mule-perhaps David's own
was mark of royalty Il Kings /: 80,
3S). His head caught in the forked boughs
of tree, and he huug there, stunned and
helpless. Perhaps his long; thick hair got
the common idea that Absalom was sus-
pended merely by his hair. ,Josephus says
that his hair was ''entangled.%% Then JoaE
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 Davids own sake. Doubtless he
thoroughly believed that Absalom's death
was the only effectual way of ending this
most guilty and pernicious insurrection,
and so preserving the country from ruin.
Absalom living, whether banished or i'm,
prisoned, would be a constant and fearful
danger. Absaom 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. Absaloms body was cast into a
pit and great heap of stones thrown
upon it.
H. 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
OF battlemented tower, in which was a
Chamber" ". 33). 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 FIJI
going out and sitting by the wayside,
Watching for the coming OF some runner
from the field OF war Il Sam. 4: 49,.
''Watchman." Every gate and outpost OF
the tower would be guarded by viglant
watchmen at such II time. Roof" Tho
fiat roof of the gateway on the side of the
outer wall. The picture of the anxious
watcher at the gate of Mahanaim gives us
faint insight into the heart of the Father
above The world is full of Absaloms who
have risen up against their heavenly Father:
1928. IF he be alone. David Judged
that if the man was running a.one he was
bringing news from the, battle. Ii the
army had been routed many fugtives
would have been coming together. Unto
the porter" One stood al 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
for the thankless work of bearing bad
news "All is WE'LL This in the Hebrew
is one word. Peace 1t was the usual
word of greeting. "Fell down. An act Of
homage to the king. Delivered up" Lit,
orally, "shut UP, restrained and confined
MIlHln poulluS, Hietedu vi !CdNihS ,HeN' "'
large.
80. Ts-Absalom safe" There is a ten
derness in the words which reveals the
yearning of the fatherly heart lie seems
more anxious about the welfare of the
young man" than about the issue of the
battle. David was thinking of the Ominous
words, The sword shall never depart from
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 a question
every parent and every friend of young
men should ask. Is the young man safe
from intemperance, from bad companions,
from bal books, from dishonest conduct,
from bad habits? Is he safe in Jesus
Christ? l. he safe in a good home aud
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 to place himself near, that he may
hear what further tidings the Cushite
brings. "Cushi" An ETHIOPIAN slave in
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
AbsaiOm indirectly, yet SO as not only
clearly to make known his feath, but also
TO express condemnation upon his hostile
attempt against his father and king.
". David mourns for Absalom ". 33)
SO. Much 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 could be alone. "Wept." Loudly
lamented. 90 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 irresistibly reminded OF Him
who, while He beheld the rebellous city of
Jerusalem and thought of the destruction
it was bringing uDon itself, wept over it
luke 10: Az. Oiled for thee" So Moses
Eek. 49, 32) and so St. Paul rom. 8: 81
wop,d have sacrificed themselves, had it
been possible to save others. His wish to
die in Absalom's stead was no mere extrav-
az lnce of grief. David knew his own peace
was made with God; he could die at any
t;me. II Absalom were spared in life he
might yet repent. The causes Of David s
grief were, /. David's love for Absalom.
g The bitterness that Absalom had come
to such sad end. 8. The consciousness
that his own sin was partly the cause.