THE KING’S BUSINESS
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tree. Absalom had sought to perpetuate his memory with a monument, but he got only a heap of stones piled upon him in contempt by his bitterest enemies (vs. 17:18). David’s victory was complete and overwhelming. Every knee would how bow to him, and every tongue confess that he was ruler. And so shall every knee bow, and every tongue confess that our David, Jesus, is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11). But as complete and decisive as David’s victory was, it was a bitter, victory. One cannot stop at yerse IS, where the lesson stops, but must go on to verse 33; there we see one of the saddest scenes in all history, and also, one of the most in-* structive. David’s sorrow for Absalom was not merely the sorrow of a father for a son; but' far beyond that he knew that the" (1) The Army in Array, vs. 1, 2. King David numbers his people, v. 1. He appoints captains, v. 1. He divided his army into three divisions* v. 2. He proposes to go to battle with them, v. 2. Questions: Where was King David? ch. 17:2-4, 8. Why had David fled from Jerusalem? ch. 15:13-18. What had Absalom done ? 15:1-6. Was he desirous of slaying his father? 17:1-4. Who did the Lord use to save David?. 17:14-16. Where were the armies pitched? 17:26. Was David’s organization in accord with the civil divisions of the people? Ex. 18:25. Did David evince real skill in the organ ization of his forces? Judges 7:16-19; 9:43. Did he manifest a courageous spirit? Psa. 3:6. What spirit should characterize the leader? Psa. 27:1-3; 118:68. (2) The Ardent Love of the People, vs. 3,4. LESSON
ultimate responsibility for the ruin of his son rested upon himself. Who can meas ure the agony of the father, who looks upon the temporal and eternal ruin of his son and knows that he himself is to blame for it all ? That is' the agony that every father who wanders into sin, must expect to face. But David’s sin was not sufficient excuse for Absalom, he had brought ruin upon his own head. Our David, too, sorrows over the ruin of his bitterest, foes (Luke 19:41- 42). David said to Absalom, “Would God I had died for thee” : Christ did die for his enemies. David seems never to have re covered from this sorrow. The one great lesson that is written in large letters in Chapters 11-19 is “Whatsoever a man sow- eth; that .shall he also reap.” OUTLINE. The people refused to allow David to go, v. 3. They gave good reasons for their objec tion, v. 3. David acquiesced in the judgment of the people, v. 4. He witnessed the departure of the army, v. 4. Questions: What was David’s attitude? Psa. 27:l-3. Did the people desire to protect David? ch. 21:17. Was there real danger to David? ch. 17:1. Would the figljt center about the king? 1 Kings 22 :31. Why did the people so highly regard David? 2 Samuel 3:18. Was their safety in a wise ruler? Lam. 4:20. How should we regard our David? S. of S. 5:10. Does the fight now center about Him? Gen. 3:15; 2 Peter 2:1; John 7:11. (3) The Admonition Concerning Absa lom, vs. 5-8. David commanded the captain to be care ful concerning Absalom, v. 5. They were to deal gently with him, v. 5.
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