The Sabbath-School by William N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 4, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 42.

The Sabbath-School.

By William N. Glenn

Notes on the International Lesson.

DAVID'S REBELLIOUS SON.

"AND it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him." By the expression "after this," is meant after Absalom's restoration to favor with his father. Some five years previously Absalom had put his half-brother Amnon to death, for causing the disgrace of his sister Tamar, and fled to the king of Geshur, who was his mother's father, for refuge. He remained in Geshur three years, when he was permitted to return to his own house, but was forbidden to see the face of the king. At the end of two years, however, through the good offices of Joab, a complete reconciliation was effected between David and his offending son. It was "after this" that occurred the incidents recorded in the lesson.

ABSALOM was a shrewd politician, and withal was ambitious to be king. He knew that there was no chance for his promotion to the throne excepting through intrigue. He realized the importance of gaining the good-will of the people, and his fine personal appearance was much in his favor. His conspicuous array of chariots, horses, and fifty footmen running before, made such a display as to give him considerable prominence.

IN addition to this ordinary attraction, Absalom affected a great interest in the welfare of the people. As a rule, the masses are apt to be captivated by the personal patronage of one who is popularly noted for wealth and influence. So Absalom would go out early in the morning and, taking his position at the entrance to the city, would familiarly greet people coming in, ask them where they were from, listen sympathetically to their complaints, and in every possible manner ingratiate himself into their favor.

"ABSALOM said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!" It was customary in the East for the king to personally hear complaints, or to appoint a judge to sit at the gate for that purpose. It appears that in David's old age he grew careless and neglected this duty, and Absalom took advantage of the situation by sympathizing with those who had causes to adjudicate. He did not express a desire to be king, but only to be a judge, and that for the people's sake. In this way he "stole the hearts of the men of Israel." And to this day the politician plotting the deepest schemes for selfish interest makes the greatest show of unselfish interest in the people's welfare.

"AND it came to pass after forty years," that Absalom desired to go to Hebron, the former capital when David reigned only over Judah, and pay a vow of gratitude which he had made when restored to the favor of the king. Forty years seems like a long time for a vow of the character here suggested to remain unsatisfied; but there is good reason for the opinion that it should read four, instead of forty. Boothroyd says: "The common text has forty, which is manifestly erroneous. David reigned only forty years; and if we follow the text, the rebellion of Absalom would occur long after David was dead. Some, to get over the difficulty, would date from the time David was anointed by the prophet Samuel. As the versions mentioned [the Syriac, and some copies of the Septuagint and Vulgate] contain the true reading,

there is no need of any subterfuge." In the Hebrew characters the difference between four and forty is very slight, which might easily lead to a clerical error in copying or translating.

ABSALOM's real character is fully developed after his departure to Hebron. His conscientiousness in regard to his vow (which he probably never had made) was merely a cloak to cover his wicked political aspirations. In all ages men have resorted to the same base hypocrisies to further their selfish ends; and false religions, as well as false assumptions of the religion of Jesus Christ, have received their strongest advocacy from religio-politicians who would don the garb of religion for the sake of secular power and honor. And we are forewarned in the Scriptures that "in the last days perilous times will come," because "men shall be lovers of their own selves." This will have been a profitable lesson to the Sunday-schools, if any shall learn to look with suspicion upon all movements for political power arising through the medium of religious pretense. These scriptures were "written for our learning," and all history proves that human nature is the same in all ages,—like causes producing like effects.

BUT another lesson is also impressed by the rebellion of Absalom. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap," was doubly illustrated in the life of this hypocritical man. In all his wickedness he was brought forward as an instrument for the punishment of sin. He has no prominence in Scripture till after David had committed his great crime in connection with Uriah's death; but he comes to the front in the fulfillment of God's word recorded in chapter 12:11: "Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor; and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly; but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun." The culminating fulfillment of all this is recorded in chapter 16:20-22. So David reaped bitterly the result of his sowing, as did also Absalom in a very short time afterward.

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment." Eccl. 11:9.

W. N. GLENN.