ABSALOM, the much beloved son of King David, had many faults, among which were vanity and self-will, which last showed itself in his rebelling against his father, that he might become king in place of his father. In this matter he certainly-broke the fifth commandment, thereby shortening his days, which will be seen presently. Absalom, although so wicked, must have been very beautiful; for in the 2 Samuel 14:25,25But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. (2 Samuel 14:25) we find, “In all Israel there was none so much to be praised as Absalom for his beauty.” Absalom, however, did NOT attain the object of his ambition, for his father sent out his army to fight against him. While the army was preparing to depart, David showed his love for Absalom, when he said to the leaders of his army, “Deal gently for my sake, with the young man, even Absalom.” Accordingly, David’s army went to the battle in the wood of Ephraim, and slew 20,000 of the Israelites. Absalom, after meeting the servants of David, turned and fled upon a mule, hotly pursued by David’s men. And while passing under the bough of an oak tree, his beautiful long hair caught in the branches and lifted him from off his ass, which escaped. While hanging in this manner, a certain young man saw him, and told Joab, who, despite the injunctions of David not to hurt the young man, took his spear and thrust it through Absalom’s heart. Also the ten young men who carried Joab’s armor smote him; after which they threw him into a pit, and heaped stones upon him. David, we are told, wept and mourned for Absalom, who so sadly met his death, and said: “O my son, Absalom I my son! my son, Absalom! would God I had died for thee; O Absalom, my son I my son!” We should draw a lesson from Absalom’s character, that if we dishonor our father or mother our days will be shortened.
Yours respectfully,
HENRY WELCH PATERSON.
5, Sandford Street. Portobello,
Scotland.
I most heartily agree with Henry, and others who have made a similar remark, that a solemn lesson may be drawn from Absalom’s history. I have often said, Show me a girl or boy that loves and honors their parents, and I will show you one that have great hopes of in the future, both as to time and eternity. Nothing is so painful to me as to hear any one speak lightly of father or mother. It seems as if Satan has undermined the holiest and truest affection that God has implanted in our hearts, when such is the case. To honor father and mother, the great apostle says, is the first commandment with promise. Your papers have turned my thoughts to that Obedient Son, who could always say of His Father, “always do those things that please Him;” and it joyed His Father’s heart to say, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Accept my thanks for your many efforts to get a place in my little corner. I wish I could give you all a place there; but I cannot help saying that you all have a place in my heart (all over it — not in a corner). Well, as we have papers for June, I should like the subject for July to be “Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon,” and I can give you more time. So please let me have your papers by the 4th of June, as we shall all have a good look at the picture by that time. When I tell you that our Magazine is read by perhaps over eighty thousand readers, it is worth trying to do our very, very best.
Very affectionately yours,
DOT.
54, Paternoster Bow, London.