The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-10-30

Loessn u the Isternatoeaal sogsos
for November I. lO03-Davtd
and AbsaIOo.

G Sam. is:i-i2)
J. And II came 10 pass after this. tat
Absalom prepared him charlots and horses.
and ~ men 10 run before him.
And Absaiom rose up early. and stood
beside the way of the gate: and II Was
So that when any man that had con-
troversy came 10 the king for Judgment.
then Absalom called unto him. and said.
OF what city art thou? And he said. Thy
servant Is one OF the tribes Of Israel.
And Abs alom said unto him. See. ny
matters are good and right: but there 10
10 man deputed OF the king 10 hear thee
g. Absalom said moreover. Oh that ]
were made judge In the land that every
man which hath any suit or cause might
come unto me, and would do him justice.
8. And Il was SO. that when any man
.ame nigh 20 him to do him obe.sance. he
put forth his hand. and took him. and
kissed him
G. And on this manner did Absalom 10
al Israel that came 10 the king for judg-
ment; so Absaiom stole the hearts Of the
men Of Israel
:. And II came TO pass after % years.
that Absalom said unto the king. ! pray
tire. let me go and pay my vow. which
have vowed unto the Lord. In Hebron.
y For thy servant vowed a vow while
! abode al Geshur In Syria. saying. IL the
Lord shat. bring me again indeed 10 Jeru-
sa.em then l will serve the Lore.
>. And the king said unto him. Go In
peace. So he arose, and went 10 Hebron
10. But Absaom sent spies throughout
al the tribes Of Israel. saying. As soon
IS ye hear the sound OF the trumpet, then
e shall say. Absaiom reigneih in Hebron.
H. And with Absa,om went DO men out
OF Jerusalem. that were called. and they
went In their simplicity. and they knew
not anything
y. And Absaiom sent for Ahi,hophei the
L.
even from Glloh. while he offered sacri-
fees. And the conspiracy was strong: for
the people increased continually with Abb
salon
GOLDEN TExT.-Honour thy ia
Their and thy mothers that thy days
mn y be long upon the land w hich the
Lord thy God gfveth thee.-Ex. 2Osl2.
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION
Absaiom. David's Traitor Son. 3 Sam 1914
Absaiom's Conspiracy: The Prepare
uon .............-........... ~ sam ls:l-o
Sptb Rebellion. sam 4S.s-@~
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
e Sam. Is. l4.) Absalom, the third
ioc OF David. was tall and handsome.
winning In his manner. and as friendly
with the poorest OF the people as he was
with the members OF the aristocracy.
and accomplishments were concerned.
His first prominence In the story u In
connection with his murder OF the
crown prince Ammon. Ammon was the
son of one OF David's wives. and Absa-
lom OF another, ard there was constant
jealousy between the children Of the diff
ferent wives Of the harem. Ammon
A T.
most outrageous way. and as David.
who should have punished the offender.
weakly did nothing about IL. Absalom
vowed vengeance, and after waiting two
years for the opportunity. killed his half
brother. whom he had invited to be his
guest at feast in his country house.
Instead of being third in the order Of
succession he was now second Tor per-
haps first. for strangely enough. Dayid's
second son drops out OF the history en-
tirely. though his death is not recorded)
He probably has his eye on the throne
at this time. But however that may
have been. he had killed the heir to the
throne, and. fearing the Indignation Of
the people. fed to Syria. After three
years he was recalled by David. and In
two years more restored TO full favor at
court But his respect for his father had
weakened. and during the years OF exile
he lost what little love he may have had
for him
(Ch. 15:l-6) From the very day OF
his reinstatement. Absalom seems to
have been plotting to seize the throne.
His motives were probably four: % A
desire TO become king at once without
waiting for David to die; t2) contempt
for the way in which his father had
fallen under the influence Of Pathsheba.
he latest addition to his harem. and
suspicion that David would make her
child rather than himself the next king;
(3) a feeling that David had wronced
him in banishing him for avenging the
outrage TO his sister. which according &c
imme mortal custom was a kinsman's
duty to do: CA a feeling not wholly self
lsh that he could and would govern bet
ter than his father. whose sensual life
had greatly weakened his character and
made him lax in the performance OF
duty.
Absalom's methods were those OF the
Synagogue His chariots and footmen
correspond to the ward politicians silk
nat. etc STOOD beside \. the gate"
on the road by which those having
claims to present before the king would
20 to the palace Thy matters are
good" Flattery. But there Is no man
deputed:" An attempt to poison the
minds Of the people against the king.
(Ch 15:7-12): After forty years"
Some manuscripts read four years. II
forty is correct II would refer to the
years OF David's reign: II four. TO the
years OF Absalom's plotting. Thy
servant vowed VOW" Absalom's tone
Is dutiful to his father. and pious in the
extreme He has been called the Judas
Of the Old Testament Spies" Sc
ret emissaries. Two hundred men
that were invited" Probably prom
lnent men. They had not taken sides
with Absalom. but the general public
would suppose they had. and the effect
---..,a - ~ Tia v%Y1s