Mexico Missouri message., 1908-10-29
ABSALOM REBELS
AGAINST DAVID
SunAsy Sehesl Lessen fss New. I, 1893
Specially Arranged for This Paper
Specially Arranged for This Paper


TlME.-The exact time n uncertain.
The following dates are as exact as can
well be obtained: David begins to reign
At age OF 90 d. c. iO65-IOi2 David's ain
and repentance. n. e. iOi2-soi. Amnon's
crime, one year later. b. e. iOtl-ea0. Alb
salon kills his brother two years later.
b. c. i05e-9Ss. Absalom's exile. three
years. u. G. l035-9S5. Absalom two years
In Jerusalem, II. c. i0e4-sS3 Absalom's
plotting, three or four years, h. c. 1000
sIs. Death OF David. Il. c. i033-sI2.
PBACE.-(D Jerusalem. the capital and
home OF David. 90 Hebron. tho oldest
town OF Palestine. 20 miles south OF
Jerusalem. where Absalom began his open
rebellion.
DAvID.-About G. or 6 years old, in
the thirty-sccond year OF his reign.
LOMON.-Probabiy eight or nine
years old
DAvID's CoUNsELoRs. - % The
prophet Nathan, who was also one OF
David's biographsrs q Chron. $3.50. (2)
Ahithophel, the grandfather OF Bath
sheba, and a man of marvellous sagacity.
whose advice was like the oracles of
God" GO Sam. 1920. 90 Hushai. a wise
friend OF David.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
The Young Man Absalom.--Absalom
was the son of Maacah, a princess, the
daughter Of Talmai. king OF Geshur,
region northeast OF the Sea OF Gall
lee in the foothills OF the Lebanon
mountains. He was born soon after
David became king Of Israel, and
hence was between 25 and 30 years
old at the time OF his rebellion.
His Inheritance. Being the descend.
ant OF kings in both lines Of descent,
Of distinguished appearance and
princely manners, Absalom inherited
all the handsomeness, manly bear
Ing. and beauty OF his fathers hand.
some and manly house. The sacred
writer expatiates with evident relish
upon Absalom's extraordinary beauty.
In all Israel there was none TO be so
much praised as Absalom for his
beauty. From the sole OF his foot
even to the crown OF his head there
was no blemish in him. And the hair
Of his head Is a proverb TO this day"
Alexander Whyte.
But this was not all he inherited.
From his mother he inherited all that
a corrupt court and heather tenden.
cies and environment had impressed
upon her nature. From his father he
Inherited a great mind, a strong will,
large nature, strong passions, but al
80 q power Of self-control, an enlIght-
ened conscience. a religious nature.
and all that the training Of his Beth.
lehem home could impress upon his
character.
Conditions Favorable to a Change OF
Government. l. It was a time Of gen.
eral peace throughout the wide en-
pire. For all restless, warlike spirits
an opportunity was given for internal
1issensIon, fault.fnding, and opposi.
uon.
2. There was a growing dissatls.
faction with the king. The business
of the law courts. over which the king
himself presided. had become too vast
10 be attended to by one man. APP
peals from inferior judges and cases
brought directly before the king could
not all receive a fair hearing.
3. David was very busy preparing
materials and gathering money for
future temple. Nothing was vislbly
accomplished. yet the taxes were high.
1. David would naturally at his age
be less active, less In the peoples
we, doing less for the outward glory
VI the kingdom.
8. II is possible that the events de-
Jcribed in the last chapter OF Sam.
Iel took place before this time. The
enrolment would be unpopular. The
plague that followed would intensity
he discomfort.
Q. In this case David was near the
and OF life, and Absalom would try
lot so much 10 take his fathers king
Iom from him, as TO insure that he
himself should be the successor.
V. !. Prepared him chariots and
horses and SO men to run before him"
rhe orIentals are very fond Of suqh
display. DR.. Trumbull says when his
little party started from Cairo for the
pyramids a handsome young "Sais"
Sedecked with scarlet and blue and
green and gold ran before them at the
top Of his speed, calling out for clear
path among the camels and donkeys
md foot passengers.-Oriehtal Social
Life, p. 215.
v. 2. "Absalom rose up early" to be
IN hand when the people came 10 pre-
sent their cases to the king. Business
IN the east is held early. in order to
escape the heat Of the day. They re-
bred early. for modern lights were not
n their houses for evening work.
Kings therefore held courts in the
sarly morning. Beside the way OF the
gate" There was usually an open
market place near the gates for bust
ness and public meetings.
We should inquire Of our own
hearts whether We are grateful to
7od for all his benefits 70 US. and
Ehether We are showing our gratitude
sy our lives.
The story OF King Lear IL com
nentary on ingratitude.
v. z. "And 1t came to pass after a
Tears." Some think this number ID
. counted from the beginning OF David's
'eign. but most regard II as a tran