Rebellion against our parents will surely bring misfortune.

King David was old. His hand was feeble, his eye was dim, and his voice was weak as of one who had been ill. Absalom was his beloved son, but he was a very wayward and rebellious boy, whom his father could not control. He was a beautiful boy. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him, and David loved him.

Absalom did many things to distress the old king. He stayed away from his father’s presence for two years, and began to think of ways to take the kingdom into his own hands. He would go out and stand by the gate of the city, and when any one came to the king for judgment, he would say:

“Oh, that I were made judge of the land, for I would do you justice.” Thus Absalom stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

Finally David fled from Jerusalem for fear of Absalom and his followers, and Absalom came to Jerusalem and took charge of the kingdom. David gathered an army around him of those who were still faithful to him, and prepared to give battle to the men of Absalom if they should come out to slay him.

Absalom started out to capture and even kill his old father, so he might keep the kingdom for himself. David himself did not go, but sat by the gates of the little town where he was to wait for news. He told Joab, the captain of his men: “Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom.” And David’s men went into the field to fight with Absalom and his men and there was a great battle.

The battle was in the woods of Ephraim, and the people of Absalom were slain before the people of David, twenty thousand, and Absalom fled upon a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and Absalom was caught in the tree and hung there while the mule went away.

Some one told Joab that Absalom was hanging in the tree. Joab quickly went, and taking three darts he threw them at Absalom, and slew him while he was yet in the midst of the oak.

Now the old David sat by the gate and waited for news of the battle. He had a watchman in the tower who told him he saw a man running. “He bringeth tidings,” said David. Soon the runner reached David and fell at his feet, saying: “The Lord hath delivered thine enemies into thy hands.”

“Is the young man Absalom safe?” asked the king. Then the runner told David that Absalom was dead. The old king was overcome with grief, and cried out: “O, my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom. Would God I had died for thee, O, Absalom, my son, my son!”