Friday, June 16, 2017

Absalom's Monument

The Death of Absalom
During his lifetime, Absalom had built a monument to himself in the King’s Valley, for he said, “I have no son to carry on my name.” He named the monument after himself, and it is known as Absalom’s Monument to this day.
 (2 Samuel 18:18 NLT)

Absalom, the son of a king, was a handsome and gifted young man, but if you live your life just for yourself, you end up building an empty idol.

Absalom rebelled against his Father, David, and stole the hearts of the people (2 Samuel 15: 1-6 NLT).  This episode tells us that it was all about Absalom.  He was not about his Father’s business.  Absalom was not heir to the kingdom, Solomon was.  His selfish ambition had motivated him to take something that was not rightly his. A usurped title does not make you a king. Those who want a level of leadership God does not have for them are not prepared to assume it.  Absalom did take the kingdom, but only temporarily.  You can have short-term success with these methods, but it always leads to long-term disaster.

 Absalom was concerned about his legacy.  We don't know why he had no son to carry on his name because at one time he had three sons (2 Samuel 14:27 NLT).  Self-centered people, like Absalom, never invest themselves in others.  If we are not willing to devote ourselves in those who God has placed over us or under us in leadership, we will never leave a lasting legacy.  It was Absalom's intention to be buried at his monument, but instead was interred in a shallow grave, far away.  Let others decide whether you deserve a memorial.  Those who build a monument for themselves, construct an empty idol.


 Image from Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absalom#/media/File:Weltchronik_Fulda_Aa88_286r_detail.jpg

Ken Barnes the author of “The Chicken Farm and Other Sacred Places”  YWAM Publishing
Email: 
kenbarnes737@gmail.com
website:
https://sites.google.com/site/kenbarnesbooksite/
            http://gleanings757.blogspot.com
                http://gleaningspodcast.blogspot.com

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