Arizona republican., 1920-08-14
INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SCHOOL LESSON
BY REV. E. D. RALEY

this. Many fathers can understand this story and the heartache of David as he warned the leaders of his army to deal gently with his son in the battle. Within the last AS hours we read in the papers about a boy shoot ing his father and a father killing his son. But those are isolated cases. Most fathers care for their sons and most sons have a respect for their fathers though it is not always manifest on the surface.
 We have been learning about the good things in David's life. He was model boy He was beautiful in body and character. He grew up a model man. He promised much as he grew to manhood He was courageous, kind, generous, wise, strong, diplomatic. friendly, magnanamous to enemies and patient with all
 If he had died or been killed before he committed his great sin he would have left a wonderful record It may be that many children and young people who die leave a beautiful record and have a monument in the esteem of the people because they did not live long enough to face thefr acid test in temptation.
 David lost his young son. Ammon his oldest and heir to the throne com mited that vile sin that caused AbSa- l lom to murder him. Absalom is a rebel
 
 David was buffeted between his duty as king and his love as father. It is a 1 sad stormy life that David lives. One is reminded of King Lear, King Alfred and Lincoln.
 We should not waste any sympathy on Absalom even if David does. David had given him every opportunity and had not even punished him for murder. He is finally restored to the court but ingratitude and vile plottings are all the thanks David gets for his kindness. l As soon as Absalom is restored he be- l gins a systematic conspiracy to under mine his father and siege the throne i This was permitted to go on for almost | four years and it. finally grew to the rebellion described in the lesson. 1 Even after Absalom declares open | war on David, the father heart still refuses to give up the low-down, foul l criminal of son. He gives instruc- tions to his leaders to deal gently with lshim When the news finally reaches | David that the son is killed he breaks out in the wall that still chills our hearts and makes us ache for the poor father
 The golden text selected for this les. son in whatsoever man soweth. that shall he also reap The gravitation of sin to sorrow is as certain as that of the earth to the sun" Both of these quotations apply to David. The way | OI the IranSRreSSOr IS hard. | Absalom is successful during the first few months of the rebellion and really is acclaimed king or Jerusalem. David fled and finally finds a refuge l where he can set up headquarters. It 1 is from this point with David in Maha- nafm across the Jordan that the events of the lesson eminate and center.
 Some reading suggestions: Macbeth and King Lear Meyers David" Tompson's Life of David" Geil1ie's
 Hours with the Bible" Farrar's Tn the days of thy youth Longfellow's S l Tomb of Absalom," Hastings Diction- ary on all places and persons men, | toned in the lesson.
 Explanation of few words and clauses: Verse 12, Never depart. During the lifetime of David only. This was literally fulfilled. Verse l, Numbered mustered 2. "Joaband, Abishaf" Nephews of David and next the king in authority They had remained faithful and were able.
 3. Thou are worth" A common estimate in those days of king or Headers.
 4. Deal gently" This is the father rather than the king. It is the senti- ment deep in the couI of every true father. David would rather see his kingdom go down and be killed himself
 than to be the cause of harming his
 son.
 6. Forest of EphraimT West ot
 Jordan. It may have extended across
 the river where David had fled ane
 Absalom pursued him. There is noth-
 ing said about recrossing the river.
 '. 'The people of Israel" AbsaIom' army to distinguish from David's. S. The wood devoured." Killed a: [ they fled into the forest. Possibly the, killed each other in the confusion. g. Riding his mule" Mark O royalty.
 II. Why not smite.' Joab was crue and disobedient but under the circum l stances he dis~<ae only wise thing il
 killing Abses- sGirdle" Militar, belt Highly prize.. Used as gift iron ? one chieftain to another. If 12. Though I should receive :, thousand" One of the finest state
 ments in all literature. We commend it to politicians and others who ma, be tempted to graft.