What a Hang-Up!

2 Sam. 18: 9 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

He was a prince, I mean a real-to-life son of a king. Possibly he would be king one day. He was handsome, had a bright mind, strong self confidence and great people-management skills. In fact, he seemed to have the qualities needed to be a successful king. But Prince Absalom had a royal hang-up. He was hooked on himself. Yesseree! His favourite person was Absalom. No apologies.

When his sister got raped by her brother Amnon, Prince Ab told her he would deal with it. “Be careful. Amnon is the king’s son” “So what? I’m Absalom!”. “Himself” would take care of business. And so he did. Amnon paid with his life. When Absalom was expelled from Israel by his father the king, he got the most powerful man in the land, Joab, Chief of Staff of the Israelite army to arrange for him to return. He returned to Israel but the king would not allow him to come back to the palace. “Unacceptable! I am Prince Ab, Himself!” He called Joab to send him to the King, but Joab wouldn’t come. Unacceptable! , Prince Ab set fire to Joab’s plantation, forcing Joab to come.

Using his popularity to undermine his own father, he was soon a favourite with everyone (except maybe the barber). Not just proud of his six-pack abs and bi-ceps, he cherished his hair. Those ladies must have had a great time just playing in the royal locks. But pride, conceit and egocentricity led to destruction. He was so much into himself that he lost all regard for fair play, family loyalty, national welfare or the laws of God. He rebelled against King David and tried to take over the kingdom.

Totally caught up in self, God allowed the thing he was most proud about – his hair - to bring him down. Riding on the royal mule during the civil war, his long hair caught in the branches of a tree and he got hung up by his hang-up. Self-centredness is not of God. It is contrary to His law of love and only leads to destruction.

Lord, give me a mind like Jesus had so that I can live humbly and selflessly, in Jesus’ name, amen.