August 18, 2018 Saturday

“5  Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains orders concerning Absalom. 6  So the people went out into the field of battle against Israel. And the battle was in the woods of Ephraim. 7  The people of Israel were overthrown there before the servants of David, and a great slaughter of twenty thousand took place there that day. 8  For the battle there was scattered over the face of the whole countryside, and the woods devoured more people that day than the sword devoured. 9 ¶  Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on.” (2Samuel 18:5-9 NKJV)

            There are so many parts to this passage. First there is King David’s enabling of Absalom which almost destroyed Israel. Second there is Absalom’s arrogance seen in this passage by going to war riding a mule. Third the vanity of Absalom’s hair catches him “hanging between heaven and earth.”

            First – Like many parents King David enabled Absalom by allowing him to usurp some of the king’s duties and responsibilities. Out of “love” David ignored the growing menace Absalom was becoming not only to David but the entire nation. Enabling not only harms those enabled but the family, the community and in the case of Absalom the nation.

            Absalom’s arrogance was strengthened by his father’s enabling. David did not call his son to account for so many ludicrous actions. Looking at the passages before this it almost seems as Absalom wanted someone to stop him. Absalom seems to be seeking his father’s attention and when he doesn’t get it Absalom just does something even more outrageous in an attempt to get it.

            Second – When going into battle a king would ride a warhorse both as a statement of position and safety in case the battle goes bad. Jesus would enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey to show his kingdom was to be of love and peace. Absalom seems to be somewhere in between and thus indecisive.

            Third – The arrogance of Absalom could also be seen in his lack of preparation for war by being more interested in his looks than being dressed for battle and Absalom leaves his hair long. Like all those who have been enabled Absalom gets trapped and tangled in his arrogance and his ludicrous preparations fall from “under him”.

            Are you like King David enabling someone and leading them to destruction? Are you like Absalom not seeing or dealing with the arrogance and destructive behaviors in your life? Do you blame others for your problems or accept responsibility and seek help to overcome them?

Today is Jonathan’s birthday and we ate together and spent time together. It was a good day and I hope he enjoyed it. Today we recognize what a blessing Jonathan and all our children are to us.