The Brinkley argus., 1915-07-02
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAYSOlOOL
 LESSON fBy E. o. SELLERS Acting Director of Sunday School Course of Moody Bible Institute. ChicagoJ
LESSON FOR JULY 4
ABSALoM'S FAILURE.

LESSON TEXT-II Samuel 1S:1-15
 GOLDEN TEXT-Children obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right Ephesians 6:l
 His connivance with Joab, ln the death of Uriah. was costly bargain for David, and the development of sin in his family with its long train of fearful consequences teaches us that sin respects not person nor position. The dark story of chapter 13 involves Absalom's flight and Joabs strategy in getting him back to Jerusalem ten. IA. All IS not as well, however, as 1t outwardly appears, for Absalom the beautiful Q4:25) soon stole the heart of the ten tribes, Israel (ch. 15), from his indulgent and indifferent parent. Then follows the story of that fathers flight and of the sons entry into the capital city
 This entire story IS one of the most wonderful dramas recorded in secular or sacred history. It may be divided roughly as follows: Act l. Absalom slays his brother Act II. David fails to become fully reconciled. Act III Ab- salom's rebellion. Act ". Davlds grief. The lesson for today has to do with Acts III. and ".
 Act III. Scene 1. Davld's Flight and Finesse, chapters 15, Is and IT. "A foolish son is grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him" (Prov. 17:25). On the other hand an indulgent and an indifferent father brings grief to his son.
 Scene 2. The Battle of Mount Ephraim Chapter 19). David at the Gate, V. 1-5. The place where David numbered (v D his followers was Mahanaim 07:27, where Jacob saw the two hosts" of angels tGen. 32:1, | 9. What David saw was quite diff ferent AS he waited he had time to contemplate that. other time that he remained behind when he ought to | have gone forth to battle and which 1 resulted in the sin for which he was even now suffering (ch. 11:1-D AD- salon was shrewd as men count | shreWdness, but he made one fatal omission in planning his campaign, he left God out of his reckoning (ch. 17:14 R. V). David's use of Hushal was fully justified by the situation 1 into which this reckless son was pre- cipitated, still it is probable that David i listened to the advice of his followers l fv. 8 more willingly because of his reluctance to fight against his own son.
 Scene B. Absalom's Defeat, w G. | 10. The battle was so planned that l the advantage of the forest was on Da- | yid's side and more of the enemies Of David were smitten by the hand of | God (v. 8) than were slain by the | servants of David. These men brought judgment upon themselves through their disloyalty to Gods chosen king Judges 520, 21) and in this we see a type of that final victory which shall end our David's engage ment with his foes (Rev. 79:11-21; 1 II Thess. 2:8). Men who today are disloyal or disobedient to Gods chosen King can only expect "a cer- tain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the adversaries' (Heb 10:2O. At the end of the battle proud Absalom is not found in his chariot, but helplessly en- tangled in the crown of his pride.
 Scene {. Absalom's Death, w. 11-15. "Absalom chanced to meet" (v R.. V); there is no chance in the provi- dences of God. His desire to meet 1 Dayids servants is granted. yet that meeting brought Absalom dismay. de- | feat and ruin.
 Joab now takes matters into his own hands. He held David in his power and had a debt to pay Absalom (ch. 29). Most dearly did Absalom pay the penalty to this vengeful. time abiding soldier Joab was not content 1 to slay this proud youth, but, to show l his contempt he cast the dead body into pit and raised over it great heap" of stones (v. ID. So Absalom' s proud monument tv. 1S) failed of it's | intended purpose. David's victory was complete; even so will be the ul. timate victory of our greater David'' (Phil 2:l0, ID.
 Act W. David's Grief, V. 1883. Scene i. The Messengers. Again our attention is centered upon the grief stricken father. His anxiety is sin cere and heart-breaking, but it is | tardy. The first messenger, AhimaaZ, Is a good man, but brings not good news. Is our message one of life or of death? The second messenger gives a diplomatic but blunt answer to David's anxious inquiry. What cared David for his enemies. his army
 nay for himself, if only the young man" were safe.
 Application. "Is the young man safe?" Industrially, socially, physical ly morally, spiritually. his safety de
 dends upon the guidance of the home the father and the church. Only as
 parents hear and obey the Masters
 words, Bring thy son hither" (Luke 9:41) is the young man safe. David's
 sin was not, however, sufficient cause
 for Absalom's downfall; he courtet
 his own ruin John 5.40).
 The great outstanding lesson of this
 entire drama, extending from the
 eleventh to the nineteenth chapters
 is: Whatsoever man soweth, that
 shall he also reap"