Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-11-05
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Su'@oY::'ScRaS'
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM
MENTs FOR NOVEMBER 8.

Subject, David Grieves For Absalom,
2 Samuel 18- Golden Text,
Prov. 17:25-Commit Verso 70
Commentary.
TTME.-1o22 D. Q. PLACE
Mahanaim.
EXPOsITION.-I. Tidings Of Vic.
tory, 24-81. 1t will not do in teach.
ing this lesson to conflne oneself to
the verses assigned. Absalom had
laid his plans with great shrewdness
and skill. But he had left God out IN
all his calculations (ch. 17:14, 4.
w.. That omission was fatal. IT
was In answer to David's prayer that
God "had ordained to defeat the good
counsel OF Ahithophel" (cf. 2 Sam.
15:31). Hushai had appealed sue
cessfully to the vanity Of Absalom IN
his attempt to overthrow Ahithophels
counsel (ch. 17:11. In this time OF
seeming general detection from David
there were really many who stood by
him still (ch. 15:19-21, 32-37; 17:17.
1920, 27:29; 1879. At last for
midable army had rallied to his sup
port (ch. 1871, 2). David's CHER
concern was about Absalom. and his
parting word to his generals was to
deal gently with him ". 81. The
overwhelming victory which was the
result OF the battle is type Of the
overwhelming final victory that shall
end our David's conflicts with His
foes (Rev. 19:11-21; 2 Thess. 2:8D.
More people Of David's enemies were
destroyed by the hand Of God In this
battle than by the hand of David s
soldiers (v. s; CT. Judges $50, 21).
Absalom had longed to meet the SER
wants Of David, but when he met them
1t was to his dlsmay and ruin ". 81.
Absalom was not now riding IN a
chariot with horse and fifty men to
run before him (cf ch. 15:D, but on
q mule with his men running away
| from him. 1t was an appropriate end
| for Absalom that he should be hanged
(De. 21:23; CT. De. 27:16, 2O. We
all deserve to be hanged, as for that
matter (Gal. 3:1O). The only thing
that saves us from It is that an
other was hanged in our place (Gal.
3:13). The destiny Of all who treat
their parents as Absalom treated his
/ father will be like to Absalom's
| prov. 1920, r.. w. Absalom was
| deserted by all at the last, even "the
mule that was under him went away
Absalom paid dearly for the injury
that he had done Joab at an earlier
day (ch. 1929, 30). Joab was a
vengeful man, and had been waiting
! all these years to get even. All our
, mean treatment of others Is likely to
come back some day upon our own
! heads with compound interest. How
the heart Of David trembled when he
was told that a man was coming run
ming. He knew that he had tidings,
but what kind of tidings? Then when
| another appeared IN the distance tho
heart Of David beat faster than ever.
Then when he was told that it was
Ahimaaz, and he was sure that 1t was
good tidings that he brought. fear
for Absalom filled his heart. Poor
David! Sin is awful costly! The first
word Of Ahimaaz to David was
peace" Or. V. Mars. v. 2S). That
Is the message that the gospel brings
to every contrite sinner (Ro. 10:15).
Ahimaaz bowling himself before tho
king with his face to the earth (v 2S,
r. w. 1t was not only in honor to
the king, but also in worship of God,
whom he Immediately proceeds to
bless. But before our David every
knee shall bow, and every tongue con.
fess (Phil. 2:10, l1). Ahimaaz as
cribed all the glory for the victory to
Him to whom 1t belonged (cf. Gen,
1920; Ps. 115;1; 144:1, 2; Rev.
1919. 1t was Jehovah, and Jeho.
yah alone, who had delivered up
,, David's enemies. And 1t is He, and
He alone, who delivers up ours. But
David had but one thought, "ls the
young man Absalom safe?" All.
David, you should have thought OF
that years ago, when you took that
awful step that plunged Absalom into
eternal ruin. Most fathers think OF
the safety of their sons too late.
Ahimaaz avoided the question, but his
answer was ominous. David felt that,
The Cush!te, too, ascribe ed all the vic.
tory to God. So did David himself
(ch. 22:4S, 40; Ps. 1912, 81. Ven.
geance belongeth to God, and He had
avenged David on all those that rose
up against him (cf. De. 32:35, SO;
Ps. 94:1: Ro. 12:19).
III. David's Overwhelming Grief
Over Absalom, 80, 33. This is one OF
the saddest scenes in all history, and
one Of the most instructive. Davids
first question of the Cushite, as OF
Ahimaaz, was, "Is the young man
Absalom safe?" The Cushite's an.
swer was not direct, but 1t was none
the less unmistnkeable. In an instant
David knows that Absalom is dead,
| T. lx~ h,t ha 70
sponsibility for the ruin Of the son OF
his love rests upon himself. Who can
measure the agony OF the father who
looks upon the temporal and eternal
ruin of his son, and knows that he Is
himself to blame for 1t all? That Is
an agony that every father who wan.
ders into sin may expect to face. The
enemies of our David will ultimately
all be as that young man was. David's
sin was no sufficient excuse for Absa-
lon. He had brought ruin upon his
own head. Our David too sorrows
over the ruin Of His bitterest foes
(Lu. 1874, 42). David said Of Absa.
lom, Would God l had died for
thee" Christ did die for His enemies
David seems to have never recovered
from this sorrow. All over these
chapters is written in large letters
"WHATSOEVER A MAN SC'NETH,
THAT SHALL HE ALSO REAP"
Sweet Revenge.
Mrs. Shopper (after inspecting
everything in the store)-"I don't SCI
anything here that suits me. l sup
pose l may as well go down to Sta
cy's and see what they have. The,
usually have a good assortment.
Salesman-"Heres card Of ont
. of their statesmen; won't you kindl!
ask for him?"
Mrs. Shopper-"Ah! A friend O
yours, presume?"
Salesman-"No, madam; he hal
owed me $40 for the past three