The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-06-30
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
: Lesson for Teachers and Pupils
Edited by Charles x. Meyers.

AS Judas ever stands as the grea
example Of one who betrayed his hes
friend and protector, and Bencdic
Arnold's name will ever bring to tn
cheek of every loyal American tn
blush, that such as he ever had hon
ored place among the patriots of thu
revolutionary struggle, so stands thu
name of -Absalom as an example o
an uAgratcful rebelious son. A brie
outline Of his career may be in order
Absalom was the son Of David tht
king of Israel. He was a handsome
father Because David knew what
fellow, petted and beloved by lis
sin and wrong doing was, by person
aleXperiencc, he without doubt over
looked the waywardness of the boy
In truth David was getting old at the
time of our lesson, and the burdens
of his high Office took much OF his at
tentiou and energies. AbSalOm, not
possessed OF that respect Tor God an
nointcd and appointed king Which his
father had, set out with dellseratlon
to gain for himself the affections ht
the people so that he might push his
fati1er Off the throne and govern hlln-
self. He made himself prominent at
the places where the people came to-
sether, and when one found fault with
the management of his father David
the son said words to make the one
finding fault the more dissatisfied. He
dropped the word that if he were the
king the common people would have
more attention. This went on Tor
long time until at last the son asked
permission to take with him COM
paDy and so to Hebron to fulfill re-
lgious vow. This was granted. The
son then ordered special friends to
spread the news "Absalom rei2ns at
Hebron" and then work for a rebel
lion against David, his father.
The plans OF the son worked out
successfully, David knowing full well
that government was not what II
should be, acted like other men with
consciences not clear, and made nasty
retreat from his palace at Jerusalem
going for safety over the Jordan river |
On the way he was bitterly revilcd
by person who denounced INN for his
record as king and a man. David |
refused to rebukc the speaker, saying
that what he said was justly coming
to him. When q place OF temporary
safety was found, the sober thought
of the people came to the front.
troops arrived in great numbers to-
the help Of David and he was ready to
gain back his capital In the mean
time Absalom had taken possession
of Jerusalem and took pains TO show
himself as the king of the palace.
David wanted to lead the forces
himself to regain his throne, but toll
this the people would not listen. so
his men went out TO battle under the
leadership OF Joab and two others,
but there We're special instructions Civ
Ell by David that his son should be
dealt with gently. The battle ragged
and against the soldiers Of the way
ward SON At one place David S men
came on Absalom. He was riding .
mule in the woods and the low branch
es Of tree caught his head fast, the
animal rushing off leaving the rider
hanging helpless. The men about, re-
the instruction OF David,
would not harm the son, but the war
riar Joab meant to see that rebellion
was crushed then and there, and so
coming up, killed the young man. The
caused David great sorrow and bel
sobbcd cut: 20 my son, Absalom, my
son AbsalOm, would God had died
for thee; Q Absalom my son, my SON"
The JOY of the people was turned into
mourning. They had fought for vic
tory and now the king was sad. Joab
went to him, asked whether he loved
best his enemies or his friends who
had fought to save his kingdom, and
warned him that his course il per
sisted in would cause his soldiers to
desert, and leave him yet to his fate.
Thus reasoned with, David laid aside
public mourning, and went out bclorcl
The people and they held to his sup
port.
The great Shakespeare has declared
to the effect that sharper than a ser
pent's tooth is thankless child, and
the book Of Proverbs has many force
full sayings as to the sorrow to father
and mother of the hayward son. But
we do not have to look to the great
writer of the book OF Proverbs to have
realization Of the sorrow to parents
and brothers and sisters when the hoy
or girl in the family goes wrong. Day
III Is uOC Tic only ldlllci WIZ Has CllCu
out in agony aud rcmorsc that hej
would have been glad to have died for
his child. The world is full OF en-
anlples OF hcadstrong sons and dauSh
ters who nave brought disgrace on
their parents and friends. Their end
has ever been like that of Absaloin,
their career going down in night. or
bitter repentance and regrets to the
end Of liN.
ny No better use can be made of the
time in the Sabbath school hour than
to impress on the children the awful
ness of breaking the hearts Of their
parents by waywarflness. In truth no
parents are perfect and faults can be
found with them, but the child should
be on the side of loyalty to father and
mother and not among their fault
finders Often the very cares OF life to
gain funds to educate the child ana
keep for him home, occupy the tlnel
which could otherwise have been del
voted to loving tending keep ana in
struction. Children Oft complain that
father or mother care nothing for them
when in truth they are making great
sacrifices for their welfare
I Ingratitude to parents, WaywardnessI
never pays. Those who do this lose
tho respect of all whose opinion is