- DAVID
had to suffer many trials as punishment for his sins. His greatest trial
was the revolt of his son Absalom.
Now in all the country there was no one so handsome as the king's son
Absalom. But Absalom wished to have his father's kingdom. With promises of
rich reward he stole away the hearts of many people, and at last he raised
an army against the king.
- To avoid a battle with
his son in Jerusalem, David left the city, and went barefoot and weeping
up Mount Olivet. And all those who were with him wept as they went along.
David became a wanderer in his old age.
In the woods of Ephraim the soldiers of Absalom fought against the
soldiers of the king. David's last words to his men were, "Spare my boy
Absalom!"
Absalom fled on his mule through the forest. As he was riding, he went
under a great oak tree, and Absalom's thick hair caught in the branches;
and while the mule dashed away, the rider was left hanging between earth
and sky. There the king's soldiers found him and killed him.
A man came running with news of the battle. He called to the king, "All
is well."
And the king asked, "Is the young man Absalom safe?"
When he learned that his son was dead, the king covered his face and
cried aloud in bitter grief, "My son Absalom, would to God I had died for
you. 0 Absalom, my son!"
Then the men of Judah brought David back again to Jerusalem. And in
his faith he found comfort.
God rewarded David for his faithful service. During the closing years
of David's life, peace had come to the kingdom. David gave more time to
the services at the Tabernacle where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. In
this way he showed his gratitude and devotion to God. After forty years as
king of Israel, David died.
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