The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-11-07

The Golden Text makes one want
to write another provcrb: A foolish
father is a stumbling-block to his son.
David was not bameless in his ex
ample to Absalom One cannot help
plying both father and son.
LESSON TEXT-VERSES 2l-33.
Be sure to tell the story between the
last lesson and this Absalom almost
succeeded Davids flight was in haste
and terror But Apsalom had not
reckoned on the power oi the kings
name. nor on the great military genius
OF Joab. Abner was good soldier.
but Joab was the master spirit lie
chose the battle ground with the pre-
science OF the far-sceing general. The
city Of Mahanam became the head
quarters OF the king. The Wood OF
Ephraim was the battle-ground. Here
Joab won a decisive victory and with
his own hand slew Absalom. That
was contrary to the command oi the
king. but the security OF the kingdom
rested on that. David's grief was
great. The lesson tells the story.
VS. -. And David sat between the
two gates This was in Mahanam
David had wished to lead the army in
person. but his friends dssuadcd him.
He remained in the city. That was a
day OF anxiety for the king lie sat
in the gates watching. waiting. Hour
after hour the Waterman scanned the
horizon toward the battlefield. News
came slowly in those days But after
long watching the lookout saw the
messenger running toward the city.
a.. 4
down to the king what he saw The
kings answer meant. II he is alone he
has tidngS. II there had been many
Struggling apart he would have known
they were iugitivcs from defeat.
VS. 20. The Waterman soon saw an
other man also running toward the
city Again he called to the king and
said. He, too. is alone Once more
the king said. "lIc hath tidings" He
was doubtless in great excitement now
to know the result, victory or defeat.
vs.. p. I lie Waterman now thinks
he can recognize the foremost man and
tells the king: II is the son OF the
Chief Priest. who had remained faith
FIJI 10 David Good said the king
"a good man. He brings good news.
This is the kings first spoken word OF
hope,
VS. IS This messenger. Ahimaaz.
comes up and calls his tidings aloud
"All is well" Then he Tell on his face
in oriental way and said, God hath
given victory
VS. - The old king had but one
thought. "Is Absalom SAFE lie gave
no sign OF JOY a great fear was in
his heart, for he loved AbSalom. Ahi
maaz did not answer directly "Joab
sent me III haste, was his reply
There was great tumult, but know
not the cause This only made the
king more anxious
vs. 80 The king asked no more
He evidently cared Tor nothing more
His heart was with one only AbSalom
vs.. g. And now the other runner
came Cushi Vas his name. lie gave
the news oi complete victory. and as
cribcd it all Ia the Lord
VS. r.. Here is the climax ui the
day OF waiting Once more came the
question OF the anxious father "Ab
SALONS he SAFE II was dramatic
answer. loyal answer, tactiul an
swer, but it told the truth Absalom
had met the tate which Cushi would
pray might nvcrtakc all the enemies OF
the king
VS.. 81 Up into the chamber on the
wall over the gate went the king. Joy
was all gone. Victory was nothing
The loyal devotion ui his friends was
nothing Ab,alom was dead His
own personal sorrow was greater than
any thought ut his kingdom. his loyal
supporters. the dead in both armies.
his rent and stricken country. All he
could think ~ was himself II was
probably natural hu, it was very pitt.
full
The title 1T our lesson is David
Grief ior NhSalom" About il some
things may be said
II was a natural grief.
II made unsccmly and untimely mani
fcstation a itself
II put David in a wrong light in the
eyes Of his friends
Ii was an utterly selfish exhibition
1t forgot those who hay dead on the
field, and whose wives were now
widows. aud whose children were
fathcrlcSs ior his sake
II apparently put love for an migrate
son above love for his loyal people
1t showed how very human David
was
The old king weeping in tine room
over the gate has been the spectacle Of
the ages.
1t exhibits David To- the world as an
over-fond father vino was too often |
ruled by impulse The very spirit |
which made him lament so Historically |
had caused Absalom's ruin For
Davids grief was only the climax OF |
his own folly IN iudugtd child has |
too often become source OF sorrow |
to father or mother.
Absalom was vain: David never re.
strained his vanity.
Absaom was proud and overbear
ing David never tried to bring these
elements into right relations in his |
life.
Absalom loved display. and his
father never checked and controlled
that tendency.
He had been wild from his boyhnod. |