The Death of Absalom

This passage deals with the tragic course by which David's son Absalom rebelled, attacked his father, and in the end lost his life. Absalom's name means peace, but he is portrayed as a man who, through anger and greed, broke his peace with God and with his father. Unable to control his emotions and ruled by an evil spirit, he gradually lost his judgment and finally crossed a river from which there was no return.

During the battle, Absalom's hair, which had been his pride, caught in a tree, and he was left hanging there defenseless. At that point, even though David had earnestly asked that his son's life be spared, Joab put his own interests and judgment first and killed Absalom. Joab's action was the result of confusing God's will with human greed; he cut himself off from the chance to make a good choice and committed a great sin.

Absalom set up a monument to leave his name behind, but in the end it became a disgrace that announced his failure and death. In the face of death all honor and wealth are meaningless, and every person will surely stand before God, the Lord of life. How should we come to realize how precious our present life is, and that wrong choices can lead to eternal loss?