25 Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. 26 And when he cut the hair of his head—at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him—when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard. 27 To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.
Was David threatened by Absalom? It’s hard to know for sure, but their relationship took some very puzzling twists and turns. This paragraph tells us how much Absalom was loved by the people. He had it all—good looks, popularity, even good hair!
During the time that Absalom was banished from the king’s presence, David could have been allowing competitive feelings toward his son to keep him from reaching out to him. We can’t be sure of that, but we do know how easy it is for us silently rejoice when those who seem sharper and more popular run into hard times.
But David’s failure to get past whatever reasons he had for resisting his son, ultimately caused him to lose that son. In a few paragraphs, we will read of Absalom’s death, a tragedy that will bring deep sorrow to David, partly because he lost his son, and partly because he likely could have prevented it.
Don’t let such pettiness keep you from doing right and loving those around you. Yes, some are blessed with more than we’ve been given, but that doesn’t mean these need us less. In fact, history has shown that often the most beautiful people feel the most alone. Lay aside the excuses, and reach out to those whose abilities may exceed your own.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
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