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. 2 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.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” 4 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.” 5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 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. !**