Anefust 1924
T H E K I N G ’ S
B U S I N E S S
519
reaped an awful harvest. Nathan had prophesied it. (12:10 -12 ). The sword was doing its work. “ Be sure your sin will find you out” (Joh 4 :8 ). God forgives sin, hut the consequences of sin are not removed. God provided skins with which to clothe the nakedness of Adam and Eve, but He drove them out of Eden; God graciously provided for them, but He exercised government over them. David committed adultery— so did his son. David committed murder— so did Absalom. Jacob deceived— so did Joseph’s brethren. David’s own sin weakened his power over his sons. He condoned1his own sin, rather than condemned it. His sin weakened his power in government and paved a path for Absalom. His people were easy victims to Absalom’s schemes. Notice the game that Absalom played. When he was per mitted to return from exile he set up an establishment, with horses and chariots, which were forbidden to Israel (Deut. 17:16). “But he shall not multiply horses unto himself, nor cause the people to return to Efrypt, to the end that he should mul tiply horses; forasmuch as the Lord hath said onto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.” Fifty men ran before him. He displayed his '-beauty and love of finery. He sat at the gate and worked upon the sympathies of the people. He told them that if he but had the opportunity he would right all their wrongs. He is a remarkable illustration of many politicians of today when they seek an office. He insinuated that his father was not faithful to the interests of the people, and he gave the traitors a kiss. Poor, human nature— always susceptible— fell for his flatteries and he stole their hearts. (2) ABSALOM, the PERFIDIOUS, vs. 7-9. When the four years of testing were over, he asked for the privilege of going to Hebron to pray and pay a vow. “ I will do a service to the Lord and offer a sacrifice.” The hypocrite!. He needed to “ pray and pay” but he had no intention of doing either, and evinced the depth of sin in his heart. He seeks to cloak his sin with the livery of heaven, and that is the deepest dyed of all sin. David is too busy and too weak to notice the acts of Absalom and consents. How we should despise the religious scoundrels who seek to use the church for the furtherance of their unholy deeds! Judas is the type, with the unholy kiss upon the lips of Jesus. (3) ABSALOM PROCLAIMED KING, vs. 10-12. Absalom proclaims himself king and the rebellion is in full blast. He stole the hearts of the people with the livery of heaven and now he steals the kingdom. What a thief! He is a type of the Antichrist who will begin by undermin ing faith in the sovereign rule of God, and inspire falsi hopes and promises never to be fulfilled. King Saul was one type of the Antichrist in his pride, envy and hatred of David. Absalom is the other type—^ bold, lawless, self-willed, self-exalted, as described in 2 Thess. 2 :3, 4. Saul exemplifies Jewish apostasy and Absalom exemplifies the outcome of the failure of the pro fessing church. It was after the kiss of grace was given to Absalom that he began to unfold his plans. So the culmination of this age will come in the rebellion of the false church, whose place is so near to the person of Christ. (4) ABSALOM’S PROFESSED FRIENDS, Chs. 16, 17. In the 16th and 17th chapters we have two illustrations of false friends,— Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth, who played the game with David by presenting him with bread, raisins, fruit and wine, and won a promise of Mephibo- «heth’s portion, while Mephibosheth was remaining loyal
to David. The other was Shimei, who took advantage of Absalom’s advent to show his foul heart in cursing David. What a revelation of human nature we have in these les sons! Then, we have the story of Ahithophel and Hushai whose counsel was given to Absalom, but which God over ruled to save David. (5) ARMY OF DAVID IN ARRAY, 18:1, 2. Coming to the 18th chapter, we see David’s army in array. David is directed of God. He is more like the David of old who did valiantly, for God. He proceeds like a great general and divides his army into three companies, as did Abraham, and in accord with the civil divisions of Israel (Ex. 18:25). “And Moses chose able men ont of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.” and as Gideon did with his army of three hundred^a method followed successfully in many wars. The love of the people for David is evidenced in the third and fourth verses. David showed a courageous spirit. He proposed to go out with his army (Psa. 27:1-3^ but the people did not want him to run any risks. They wanted to protect him (2 Sam. 21 :17 ). They loved him and knew the fight would center about him, as the fight centers about our David— Jesus Christ (Gen. 3 :1 5 ; 2 Pet. 2 :1 ). How jealous we should be concerning our David and His glory! (7) . ADMONITION OF DAVID CONCERNING ABSALOM, vs. 5-8. Absalom was David’s third son (2 Sam. 3 :3 ). His sister had been disgraced by her half-brother, Ammon, and Absa lom had killed him. For this David had exiled Absalom for two years but the father heart was still manifest. Absalom was a fine specimen of physical manhood, beau tiful in appearance and of kingly descent upon both sides. He had violated God’s law in marrying a heathen woman. He was a rebellious son and thé law was definite. (Deut. 21:18-21). He should have been subject to the rod (Prov 3:11, 12). (8) ABSALOM’S DEATH, vs. 9-15. The Lord gave David’s army a great victory. Disloyalty always has its deserts. Absalom’s head caused his death, when it caught between the branches. His friend became his foe. An appropriate epitaph for him would be Prov 30:17: , . " y l" ai mocisetb « 1 ms tamer, aiui uespiseth to obey bis mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young: eagles shall eat it.” We cannot dwell upon the pitiful picture of David at the gate. His lament is the cry of a broken heart. Chapter 19 gives the account of David’s entry into Jeru salem. Listen to the reproof in v. 10. “Why speak ye not a word of bringing back the king?” What a suggestive question to put to the church. “ Behold, he cometh with clouds.” Then why not speak about it? Why not pray for it? Why not rejoice in the prospect and hasten the day by unstinted service? Topics for Study (1) If one seeks popularity, must he pay the price? (2) Does a place of prominence necessarily signify the preference of Providence? (3) Do religious politics often become a policy in church life? (4) Does it pay to play a professional game with God? (5) Must parents suffer the penalty of parental indulg ence? (6) What suggestion is there of our Christ in David’s pathetic plea, “Deal gently for my sake” ? (7) What picture in these four chapters presents the most solemn lesson to you?
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