“Now in all Israel was no one as handsome as Absalom, so highly praised; from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no defect in him. When he cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every year that he cut it, for it was heavy on him so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king’s weight. To Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar; she was a woman of beautiful appearance.” 2 Samuel 14:25-27
As we noted in the previous chapter, an unchecked sense of privilege in King David’s sons resulted in disaster for the family. No boundaries naturally leads to self-indulgence. Self-indulgence is, by definition, dismissive of others.
Now, in the middle of chapter 14 we are told just how beautiful Absalom was. Privilege is one thing...beauty is another. Each is intoxicating but, together they can be incendiary.
Beautiful people learn, early in life, that there are always people who will do their bidding. We ugly folk like to hang around the beautiful. I suppose we hope some of it will rub off. Of course, we have nothing to offer except our obeisance so we ingratiate ourselves so we can remain part of the beautiful orbit of influence. And, beautiful people are not stupid. They know this. Combined with unchecked privilege, their expectations can grow beyond what is humanly healthy.
They become the center of their own universe...
So, after being summoned by his father from Geshur, Absalom supposed thing might return to normal. They didn’t. For two years Absalom was not allowed to see his father.
His repatriation was engineered by Joab, Absalom’s cousin and, commander of the king’s army. Absalom knew of Joab’s influence with the king so he attempted to contact Joab in order to set up a meeting with his father. Joab refused the meeting. Absalom attempted to set a meeting the second time and Joab again refused. Absalom became angry at the slight and had Joab’s field set on fire.
Petulant. Absalom got Joab’s attention and got to see his father but, his alienation of the king’s commander would cost him his life.
You and I are lavishly privileged, as I mentioned in the last chapter. We are recipients of a grace so abounding only God, Himself, could offer it. It should produce a humility and gratitude in us and...generally does when we finally recognize the gift. Yet, some of us are so overtaken by our own sense of presence (beauty) that humility and gratitude just don’t seem appropriate for us.
Jim was a classmate in my Chaplain’s Orientation Course 40 years ago. He was gifted. He was uncommonly handsome. He was Absalom. As self-introduction, on our first day of class, Jim announced he planned to someday become the chief of our Chaplain Corps.
Within three years Jim was no longer a Chaplain...
He was a friend. I visited him on his way out. His perception of what led to his circumstance was so removed from reality that I doubt he even knows, today, what happened to him...and why.
Both privilege and beauty are divine gifts. The former offered lavishly and the latter more discriminately. In combination, they constitute a perilous burden. Primarily, a lack of perspective that prevents introspection. When we are the center of our universe it seems only natural that everything should revolve around us.
Absalom was not at fault for the gifts given. However, he was at fault for the gifts abused. We may not be Absalom but, we may be Absalom’s (or, Tamar’s) parents or friends. Are we willing to earnestly pray...and if necessary...speak the truth in hopes of preventing tragedy? Or, do we just want to be part of the beautiful circus?
Absaloms don’t need sycophants...they need godly counselor’s, as Nathan was for King David.
Live boldly out there today...
