The Green Forest tribune., 1915-07-02

His connivance with Joab in the death or Uriah, was costly bargain TOT David, and the development of sin ln ms family with it's long train of fearful consequences teaches us that s1n respects not person nor position The dark story of chapter 13 involves Absalom's flight and Joab's strategy in getting him back to Jerusalem (ch. l4l All Is not as we'll, however, as it 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 ard 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 I. Absalom stays his brother. Act II. David fails to become fully reconciled. Act III. Alb salom's rebellion. Act ". Davids grief. The lesson for today has to do with Acts III. and ".
 Act III. Scene 1. David's Fliaht 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 17;27), where Jacob saw the two ''hosts' of angels (Gen. 32:1, p. 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 resulted in the sin for which he was even now suffering (ch. 11:1-D. Ab- 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. VI. David's use of Hushai was fully justified by the situation into which this reckless son was pre- cipitated, still it is probable that David listened to the advice Of his followers (v. 3 more willingly because of his reluctance to fight against his own son.
 Scene 8. AbsaIom's Defeat, w G. 10. The battle was so planned that the advantage of the forest was on Da- vid'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 5:20, 21) and in this we see type of that final victory which shall end our David's engage ment with his foes (Rev. 79:11-21; 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 4. Absalom's Death, w. 11-15. "Absalom chanced to meet (v. k. VI; there is no chance in the provi- dences of God, His desire to meet David's 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. 14:29). Most dearly did Absalom pay the penalty to this yengeful, tlIne- abiding soldier. Jeab was not content to slay this proud youth, but, to show his contempt, he cast the dead body into a pit and raised over it great heap" of stones (v. I'D. So Absalom's proud monument (v. 1S) failed of it's intended purpose. Davids victory was complete; even so will be the ul- innate victory of our greater David (Phil. 2:10, ID.
 Act w. DavId's Grief, V. 19-53. Scene i. The Messengers. Again our attention is centered upon the grief stricken father. His anxiety is sln- cere and heart t-breaking, but it IS tardy. The first messenger, Ahlmaaz, 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 Davids anxious inquiry. What cared David for his enemies, his army, nay for himself, if only the young man" were safe.
 ApnIication. "Is the young man safe7" 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 SAD is the young man safe. DaV1ds sin was not, however, sufficient cause for Absalom's downfall; he courted his own ruin (John 5:40).
 The great outstanding lesson of this entire drama, extending from the
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