First Lesson: 2 Samuel 18:1, 5, 9-15

Theme: Poetic justice for a prodigal son

Exegetical Note
The death of Absalom ended the conspiracy that he had launched in Chapter 15 to arrogate his father David’s growing power. Ironically, he dies, not because of the rebellion, for his father had ordered him spared for that, but because of a personal grudge on the part of David’s commander Joab, whose field Absalom once had had burned. The whole incident suggests that sins eventually come back to haunt the sinner, even when parental mercy has been extended.

Call to Worship
Leader: There is no end to the evil that the human heart can conceive and the human hand can commit!
People: EVEN ONE’S CHILDREN CAN TURN UPON THE PARENT IN REBELLION.
Leader: The story of David’s rebellious son Absalom’s conspi…