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Introduction: Absalom was the third son of David, born to Maacah, daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur (II Sam. 3:3).

A. Give the background of Absalom’s life and the events that led to his death (II Sam. 13-17).

B. David waited too late to ask the question in our text.

C. You and I should ask it while we have opportunity. The thoughts presented will apply equally to a daughter.

A. David was busy in his work as the King of Israel. He left the rearing of the children to someone else. David loved his son as was evidenced by his concern about him and his forgiveness of this rebellious son.

1. Absalom showed no loved or respect for David his father.

B. Do we as fathers give the Christian leadership and training to our children that we should? (Eph. 6:1-4; Heb. 12:5-11).

A. Evidently, David did not give much thought to this when he married Maacah. Probably she was a beautiful woman, but she was a Gentile and a heathen in her worship.

B. She had failed to teach her son to respect his father or Absalom had rejected such training.

C. Notice the contrast in II Tim. 1:3-5.

A. Ahithophel counseled Absalom to go in to David’s concubines, whom David left to care for his house when he fled the city to get away from Absalom’s attacks on him (II Sam. 16:20-23).

1. His friends had a desire to overthrow David as king and were using this opportunity with Absalom (II Sam. 17:1-4).

B. The war with his father, David, led to Absalom’s death (II Sam. 18:9-15).

C. Our friends can have a good or bad influence on us!! (I Cor. 15:33; James 4:4; Acts 10:24ff).

A. Absalom was not!! He did not know or ignored the 5^th command of the Mosiac Law, "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gives you" (Ex. 20:12).

B. Prov. 22:6 "Train up a child…" READ Deut. 6:4-9.

C. The first and foremost place for the religious training of our children is in the home. We must not expect the church and the schools to do what we have neglected to do! (Eph. 6:1-4).

A. David’s grief over a rebellious son was magnified by the knowledge that this son was eternally lost!

B. It is difficult to give up any of our children, but especially so if we know they are unprepared to meet God in Judgment!!

Conclusion: The obligation rests upon the parents to train and upon the youth to accept this training. This way, the young man will be safe. If, as a parent or as a son or daughter, you are not what the Lord would have you to be, why not make the necessary changes today?

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