Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Samuel 14:25-26 (New Living Translation)

25 Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot. 26 He cut his hair only once a year, and then only because it was so heavy. When he weighed it out, it came to five pounds!

In the Old Testament is the (hi)story of David’s son Absalom. It seems that Absalom lived and died by his hair. The verses above describe the thickness and weight of his hair. Everyone wanted hair like that, or so it seems.

Then, the thickness and strength of his hair brought death.

2 Samuel 18:9 (New Living Translation)

9 During the battle, Absalom happened to come upon some of David’s men. He tried to escape on his mule, but as he rode beneath the thick branches of a great tree, his hair got caught in the tree. His mule kept going and left him dangling in the air.

The enemies of Absalom found him hung up in the tree and killed him. Note that his hair was so thick and strong that it held the full weight of his body and military armor that he wore. That is strength. That is strength that he did not want at that time. Come on hair, break loose so I can get away!

The hair didn’t break away. Absalom was killed. His glorious hair led to his death.

I guess I could write about pride and arrogance and reliance on things that make us beautiful in life yet bring death. Absalom is an example that warriors still use to force “GI haircuts” and such. This brings calls of “utility over beauty” and things like that.

Absalom was a handsome young man with great hair. Nevertheless, he was not chosen by God to be king. He fought God. The outcome was predictable. Please God, help me to accept what wonderful things you have deemed for me.