2 Samuel 18

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. v.19


Read chapter 18

I picture this chapter like a scene in a movie where Absolom is riding his mule (can they even go fast?) and he turns to look behind him not seeing the large branch in front of him and the dumb mule goes right under it then BAM! Absalom gets sidelined with branches to the point hanging him. His head caught and his arms and legs kicking and swinging. At one time Absalom was a handsome and compassionate man who grieved and helped his sister Tamar after the rape of Ammon, yet his revenge could never be satisfied even after the death of Ammon, the return to Jerusalem by his father without punishment, after reining with his father and stealing the hearts of his father's people. His bitterness led to his sorrowful end and death of his self-absorbed life. The sad cry of his father David for him shows the love a father despite his son's sin and mess ups. David would rather had been the dead one over his son.

What are signs of self-absorption in your life? If we flirt with disaster we'll ultimately trap ourselves. Where have you pushed yourself too far in a matter of life circumstances?