Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1915-07-01

his c~onnlVance Win JOaD, N Tue
death Of Uriah. was a 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 o position.
The dark story OF chapter 13 involves
Absalom's fight and Joab's strategy in
getting him back to Jerusalem (ch.
~. All Is not as well, however, as 1t
outwardly appears, for Absalom the
beautiful (14:25) soon stole the heart
Of the ten tribes, Israel (ch. 15), from
his indulgent and indifferent parent.
Then follows the story Of that fathers
light and Of the sons entry into the
capital city.
This entire story is n Of the most
wonderful dramas recorded in secular
or sacred history. 1t may be divided
roughly as follows: Act l. Absalom
Stays his brother. Act II. David fails
to become fully reconciled. Act III. Alb.
salom's rebellion. Act ". David's
grief. The lesson for today has to do
with Acts III. and w.
Act ~. Scene I. Davld's Flight
and FInesse, chapters Is. 16 and II,
"a foolish son is a grief to his father,
and bitterness to her that bare him"
prov. 1928. On the other hand an
indulgent and an Indifferent father
brings grief to his son.
Scene 2. Tho Battle Of Mount
Ephraim (chapter 19). David at the
Gate, v. 1-5. The place where David
numbered ". u his followers was
Mahanaim Q7:27), 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 zone forth to battle and which
resulted in the sin for which he was
even now suffering (ch. Held. Alb
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. W. David's s 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
+ ". 81 more willingly because Of his
reluctance to fight against his own
SOB.
Scene 8. Absalom's Defeat, w. 6
10. The battle was so planned thai
the advantage of the forest was on Da
vid's side and more of the enemies o
David were smitten by the hand o.
God ". 81 than were slain by the
servants Of David. These mel
brought judgment upon themselves
through their ~disloyalty to Gods
chosen king Judges 500. 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;
II Thess. 2:S). Men who today ART
disloyal or disobedient to Gods
chosen King can only expect "a Ger
tain fearful looking for Of judgment ant
fiery indignation which shall devoul
the a~dversaries" (Heb. 10:27). At thu
end Of the battle proud Absalom is mo-
found in his chariot, but helplessly en-
tangled in the crown Of his pride.
Scene 4. AbsaIom's Death, Wv. 11.l5
"Absalom CHANGED to meet" ". 8 r
W; there Is no chance in the provi
dences of God. His desire to NEE
David's servants is granted, yet tina
meeting brought Absalom dismay, de
feat and ruin.
Joab now takes matters into hi
own hands. He held David In hi
power and had a debt to pay Absalon
(ch. IA: 29). Most dearly did Absalon
pay the penalty to this vengeful, time
abiding soldier. Joab was not conten
to slay this proud youth, but, to shov
his contempt, he cast the dead bod,
into a pit and raised over 1t a "grea
heap" Of stones ". ~. So Absalom'
proud monument ". 1S) failed Of 1t
intended purpose. David's victor,
was complete; even so will be the u
innate victory of our greater David
(Phil. 2:10, III.
Act ~. Davld's Grief, v. 1873:
Scene I. Tho Messengers. Again GU
attention is centered upon the grie'
stricken father. His anxiety is sir
cere and heart-breaking, but 1t !
tardy. The first messenger, Altman
is a good man. but brings not goo
news. Is our message n of life Q
|. of death? The second messenge
gives q diplomatic but a blunt answe
to David's anxious inquiry. VIII
cared David for his enemies. his arm,
nay for himself, If only the "youn
man" were safe.
Application. rs the young ma
safer" Industrially, socially physica
ly, morally, spiritually, his safety d
dends upon the guidance Of the HON
the father and the church. Only
parents hear and obey the Master
words, Bring thy son hither" LuR
SAD is the young man safe. David
, sin was not, however. sufficient caus
for Absalom's downfall; he courte
;. his OWL ruin John 5:40).
, The great outstanding lesson Of tn
entire drama. extending from II
eleventh to the nineteenth chapter
: is: whatsoever q man soweth. TIL
I shall he also reap"