Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-11-05
Sunday School Lesson and
Young Peoples Meetings
What the Church Folks Are Thinking About
and Doing Religious News From Every
where.

the rebel son and the royal father was
adjourned. Absalonls antecedents
fought against him, whereas David S
were like a reinforced army. A heart
broken old man like David, but still he
was great general. The training Of
years could not be shaken off. 1t was
impossible for him not to do the wise
and soldierly thing. Moreover, he had
with him the veterans Of many wars,
accustomed to conquest under his
banner.
There was a solidarity about the
army Of David; they were on the
kings service, and not seeking their
individual ambitions. They insisted
that during the battle he should re-
main in the city. saying, Thou are
worth ten thousand Of US" In his
hour Of bitterness that must have been
a sweet assurance to David. Just to
feel the nearness of true and loyal
hearts Is profound source of com
fort. The knowledge that these men
loved and trusted him SO was a sue
cess greater than the possession of a
Kingdom. SO, with new docility. Dav-
Id, who throughout this experience
shows as one OF the most pathetic fig
ures in history, yielded himself to the
counsels of his friends. Only one con-
dition did he impose upon them: Deal
gently for my sake with the young
man.
Hanged by his Hair.
TIC such battle there could be only
one issue. The forces Of selflshness
and greed and disunion were arrayed
against trained army, animated by
one purpose. Twenty thousand OF
Absaloms host fell before David's
men and in flight through the woods.
AS for Absalom himself, that hair
which had been pride and delight be-
came his undoing. AS he rode furious
" through the woods on a mule to
save his own precious life--taking no
thought of rallying or rescuing those
who had staked their all upon his
precious pretences-his mad flight was
strangely arrested. He was caught by
the hair. or bv the head In the law
hanging branches of an oak. The mule
sped on from beneath him. and there
he hung between heaven and earth
a rare instance of poetic justice. The
scource Of his pride was the cause Of
his perishing. There was nobody now
to assist him. Courtiers and sycoph-
ants were in selfish flight. The lips that
had spoken honeyed words of adula-
ton were screaming In terror or still
In death. His was an army of self
seekers, each ready to abandon his
leader.
In this plight one OF David's pursu-
ing soldiers found the pretender. He
respected the kings injunction and
spared the princes life. reporting to
Joab what he had found Then follow
ed an illuminating colloduy:
Joab: And, behold, thou sawest
him, and why didst thou not smite him
there to the ground? and I would have
given thee ten pieces of silver and
gird1e."
The Soldier: Though l should re-
ceive thousand pieces of silver in
my hand, yet would not put forth
my hand to the kings son: for in our
hearing the king commanded three and
Abishai and Ittai. saying. Beware that
none touch the young man Absalo11l y
Jsoh could not answer the loyal sol
der, but he took three darts in his
hand and thrust them through the
heart of Absalon, while he was vet
alive in the midst Of the oak. Joab $,
motives We're doubtless mixed. He had
his own ambitions to serve, and. as he
was n1asterful sort of king maker
he also thought he knew what was
best for David: and he avoided the
possibility of later complications by
Staying Absalom out of hand.
The King at the Gate.
Meanwhile David was sitting in inn
patience at the gate of the city FREE