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THE KING’S BUSINESS
Joab’s 'armor-bearer put Absalom to death, v. 15. Questions: By what means was Absalom brought to judgment? Prov. 22:5; 28:17, 18. Why did not the soldier slay him? 18:5. Should the word of the king be honored? Ps. 119:4-11. How should men honor the Word of God? Ps. 119:72. Who became a curse for us? Gal. 3:10. Was Absalom’s death similar to that which he executed upon his brother? 13:28, 29. Was Joab’s motive righteous, and what was the result? 19:13; 1 Kings 2:5, 32. What was the end of Absalom’s ambi tion ? Deut. 21:22, 23. What would be an appropriate epitaph for Absalom’s grave? Prov. 30:17; 3:35. PRACTICAL POINTS. (1) It is the crisis which reveals character. (2) David was wise as a ruler, but weak'as a father. (3) Absalom illustrates the Saying that “a man may smile, and smile, and be a villain still.” (4) It was the people’s purpose to prolong the life of the king. (5) Battles are not always won by big bat talions. (6) Absalom stuffed his father’s pillow with thorns, and in his death broke his father’s heart. (7) Absalom lost his head over his hair (14:26) and by reason of his hair lost his head (18:9). (8) Judas sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver; here’s a soldier to whom a thousand shekels of silver is no temp tation to violate the king’s command.
All the people were apprised of the charge, v. 5. David’s army goes out to battle with Is rael, v. 6. David’s army prevails over Israel, vs. 7, 8. Questions: What great sin had Absalom committed? ch. 13:28. Where did he flee to? 13:38. Did David love and long for Absalom? 13:39. Did Absalom steal the hearts of the peo ple from his father? 15:1-6. Is David forced to forsake his throne ? 15:30. What great sin did Absalom next com mit? 16:20-22. Was Absalom ready to have his father slain? 17:1-3, 12; Was David reaping what he had sown? 11:2-4; 11:15. Did he do wrong in marrying a heathen woman? What admonition did David fail to en force with Absalom? Prov. 22:6. How could David then desire to spare him? Ps. 103:13. What was the law concerning a rebellious son ? Deut. ,21:18-21. What should he have done? Prov. 3-.ll, 12; Prov. 4. (4) The Account of Absalom’s Death, vs. 9-15. Absalpm was fleeing upon a mule, v. 9. He was caught by the hair and hung, v. 9. Joab was told of the incident and re buked the teller for not smiting Absalom, v. 11. The man vindicated his action by refer ring to the king’s command, vs. 12, 13. Joab pierced Absalom’s heart with a dart, v. 14.
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