Ten Abaslom-ic “Bewares”

2 Samuel 15 

In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.

  • Beware the evidently successful
  • Beware the first to the scene of trouble
  • Beware the keenly interested
  • Beware the sympathetic ear
  • Beware the eager to help
  • Beware the affirming
  • Beware the shade caster, who then suggests his way as improvement
  • Beware the one with seemingly unlimited interest in, and capacity to help 
  • Beware the one who foregoes reserve
  • Beware the inexplicably affectionate

**“Beware” strictly defined, that is, simply be on your guard.  Each presentation above could be sincerely intended; then again could be Absalom-ic. !**

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