August 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
518
wfcich was near by, and when the Captain came to see about the fire Absalom begged him to ask King David to see his son. “ Let me see the King’s face” said Absalom, “ even though he kill me for my terrible sin.” Captain Joab told the King that Absalom wanted to come and say he was sorry for his sin and ask forgiveness. Then King David’s heart was glad and he sent for his son to come. When Absalom came and knelt before his father, who saw he was sorry for his wickedness, the Bible says, “ the King kissed Absalom.” And I think Absalom must have felt just as you and I do when our own father for gives us and then gives us a kiss, don’t you? Prayer: Our dear Heavenly Father, we thank Thee that Thou dost forgive us because we are Thy children through our Lord Jesus Christ. Make us remember, dear Father, to always say, “ I am sorry; I won’t do wrong again, because the Lord Jesus loved me and died for me.” We ask it in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen. Golden Text: “ Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Gal. 6:7. Suggestive Outline: (3) Absalom, Proclaimed King, vs. 10-12. (4) Absalom’s Professed Friends, Ch. 16, 17. (5) Army of David in Array, 18:1, 2. (6) Ardent Love of the People for David, vs. 3, 4. (7) Admonition of David Concerning Absalom, vs. 5-8. These five chapters are full of incidents of real interest. They touch the soul life of two important Bible characters and carry lessons of supreme importance. The main dif ficulty will be the impossibility of doing justice to them in the brief period allotted for one lesson. LESSON Chapter 15 reveals the heart of a son EXPOSITION and of his father, and would afford ample T. C. Horton material for the lesson period. Chapters 16 and 17 reveal the hearts of men who seek to advance their own interests in playing the game of politics. Chapter 18 takes us to the battle-ground and gives us a view of the law which says, “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Chapter 19 reveals the heart of a king and father and the hearts of the men in their selfish, self-seeking attitude toward life. (1) ABSALOM, THE POLITICIAN, 15:1-9. Absalom was the son of Maachah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur, born soon after David became king over all Israel. He was renowned for his beauty of personal appearance (14:25, 26). He was attractive, jovial and reckless, a “hail fellow, well met.” He was ambitious, proud, a flatterer, a lying, deceitful hypocrite, a treacherous ingrate. Sin was deeply rooted in his heart and spread like a noxious vine through his whole being. Absalom was a product of his times. Hold that a moment. These days in which we live will eventuate in a type of character fearful to contemplate. David’s sin found its own outgrowth in his children. His family and the nation suffered the consequences. David (1) Absalom, the Politician, 15:1-9. (2) Absalom, the Perfidious, vs. 7-9. (8) Account of Absalom’s Death, vs. 9-15. (9) Advent of David into Jerusalem, Ch. 19. Introduction: , AUGUST 24, 1824 (Lesson 47) ABSALOM’S REBELLION 2 Samuel, Chapters 15-19
ELEMENTARY Mrs. 8. W. Barrett Memory verse»—-1 John' 1 :9 ; Leviticus 5:5.
When you do something wrong do Mother and Daddy want you to say you are sorry and that you won’t do it again— and when you do say you are sorry, what happens? They kiss you and tell you everything is all forgiven, don’t they. Why do they forgive you? Because you are their own child!
Let me tell you something; because the Lord Jesus died for us and gave us power to become the children of God, our Heavenly Father has promised “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” Isn’t that a wonderful promise? Where is it found? 1 John 1:9. Let us say it softly to gether— “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.” In the Bible God tells, us a beautiful story of how King David kissed his son when he forgave him.
The King’s Kiss King David’s heart was sad. His handsome, but way ward, son Absalom had been very wicked. In a quarrel he had killed his oldest brother, and thdn, fearing his father’s anger, he had run away to his grandfather’s country, Geshur, near the Sea of Galilee. King David mourned every day and he longed to go to Absalom, but he knew it was best to wait for Absalom to say he was sorry and to ask forgiveness. King David was always very kind to his people and when in trouble they came to him for help. One day as the lonely king sat in his castle a woman came and when she was admitted to his presence she fell at the King’s feet and cried out, “Help, O K ing!” “What aileth thee?” asked the King. Then the woman told a sad story. “ I am a widow,” she said, “ And thy handmaid had two sons. They fought together in the field one day; there was no one to part them and one struck the other and killed him. Now the whole family is saying ‘We will kill him for the life of his brother,’ and I shall be left alone with no one that loveth me.” Don’t you think King David knew just how this poor mother felt? Gently he told her to go to her home and he promised, “ There shall no harm come to thy son.” The woman, knowing the King was thinking of his own son, Absalom, said softly, “Why doth not the King fetch home again his son? God loveth all and hath provided a way that all his children who sin may come back to him. The Lord thy God will be with thee.” King David listened to her sweet pleading, and then calling to him Captain Joab, the head of his army, said, “Go, therefore, bring the young man Absalom to Jerusalem, but let him not see my face.” For King David wanted Absalom to say he was sorry before he let him know that he was entirely forgiven. Absalom was glad to get back to Jerusalem for the peo ple loved him and praised him for his great beauty, but his heart longed for his father’s love. He became so lonely that he sent for Captain Joah to ask him to plead with King David to see his son, but Captain Joab would not answer. Absalom’s summons. Again Absalom sent for him, and again the Captain paid no heed. Then Absalom ordered his servants to set fire to Captain Joab’s field of barley
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker