Tuesday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time 2nd book of Samuel 18:9-10.14b.24-25a.30-32.19:1-3. Absalom unexpectedly came up against Davids servants. He was mounted on a mule, and, as the mule passed under the branches of a large terebinth, his hair caught fast in the tree. He hung between heaven and earth while the mule he had been riding ran off. Someone saw this and reported to Joab that he had seen Absalom hanging from a terebinth. Joab replied, I will not waste time with you in this way. And taking three pikes in hand, he thrust for the heart of Absalom, still hanging from the tree alive. Now David was sitting between the two gates, and a lookout mounted to the roof of the gate above the city wall, where he looked about and saw a man running all alone. The lookout shouted to inform the king, who said, If he is alone, he has good news to report. As he kept coming nearer, The king said, Step aside and remain in attendance here. So he stepped aside and remained there. When the Cushite came in, he said, Let my lord the king receive the good news that this day the LORD has taken your part, freeing you from the grasp of all who rebelled against you. But the king asked the Cushite, Is young Absalom safe? The Cushite replied, May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rebel against you with evil intent be as that young man! The king was shaken, and went up to the room over the city gate to weep. He said as he wept, My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son! Joab was told that the king was weeping and mourning for Absalom; and that days victory was turned into mourning for the whole army when they heard that the king was grieving for his son.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:44:34 +0000