2 Samuel 18
ABSALOM and his army had now come up to David’s men, and a battle was imminent. David divided his followers among three leaders; Joab and his brother Abishai, and Ittai, and proposed to go to the battle himself, but was restrained by the people. Absalom’s army was defeated and he himself was killed, —God’s requirement that the murderer be put to death, as to which David had utterly failed, being thus carried out. Once more the character of Joab comes out; his own hand it was by which Absalom was killed, though the king had charged that he should not be hurt.
Very touching is the account of David’s reception of the news of his son’s death which was brought to him by two messengers, the son of Zadok the priest, who had already served David (chapter 17, verses 17-21), and another. All the anguish of a father’s heart is contained in those words of his at the close of the chapter,
“O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
But David could not have died for his son, deeply as he loved him. As far as we may judge, Absalom died as he lived, without God. He had staked everything upon a great name, a great honor, which he wanted, and he lost.
What are your objects, reader? Life’s short story is soon told, and more or less of Absalom’s history has been repeated in the lives of many young men, no doubt, since he passed out of this scene. But what of eternity?
Young man, no anguished sobs of a dishonored father will avail you in the day of God’s judgment. One alone can change your destiny; it is Jesus, Whom you have despised. The Just One, He died for the unjust.
“The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). Which will you have, the wages, or the gift?
ML 02/27/1927