Absalom in comparison to the LORD JESUS

• Now in all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head--at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him--when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king's standard.  2 Samuel 14:25-26

For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground.

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. - Isaiah 53:2

• After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.

JESUS chose twelve men to follow Him!

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted.

And they came to Him.

Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him

and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses

and to cast out demons: - Mark 3:13-15

• And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him. In this manner Absalom acted toward all Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 15:1,5-6

And Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, but did not see the king's face. 2 Samuel 14:28

As the people of Israel praised Absalom for his good looks, he became self-centred, puffed up and self-seeking. He conspired against his own father, King David, to turn the hearts of the people to himself. As he was so consumed with his own motive, not only did he lose his relationship with his father, but worked and fought against him! His life contradicted his name, which meant ‘His father’s Peace’.

Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man,

then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself;

but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

- John 8:28-29

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

- Matthew 3:17

As opposed to Absalom, the LORD JESUS always pleased His Father and lived in His Presence. JESUS truly was Absalom - His Father’s Peace!

• To Absalom were born three sons, and one daughter whose name was Tamar. She was a woman of beautiful appearance.  2 Samuel 14:27

The remembrance of Absalom is his outward beauty which was passed on to his daughter. Although 3 sons were born to him, he said  "I have no son to keep my name in remembrance." He probably lost his 3 sons.

The LORD JESUS has many spiritual descendants who faithfully carry His name as Christians.

• 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.  2 Samuel 18:9

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us

(for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),  Galatians 3:13

Here we see the handsome body of Absalom, carefully maintained without blemish, while battling against his father, hanging on a tree. Centuries later, not far from here, we see another body hanging on a tree - the body of JESUS CHRIST, whipped, bruised, torn and pricked beyond recognition. He had no form or comeliness and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. The former instance is the consequence of sin and selfishness leading to the curse. The latter is when all the curse on earth is taken on by the Perfect, Selfless Saviour, releasing the Blessing of salvation to all of mankind.

• Then Joab said, "I cannot linger with you." And he took three spears in his hand and thrust them through Absalom's heart, while he was still alive in the midst of the terebinth tree. And ten young men who bore Joab's armor surrounded Absalom, and struck and killed him. So Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom and cast him into a large pit in the woods, and laid a very large heap of stones over him. Then all Israel fled, everyone to his tent.  2 Samuel 18:14-17  

And they made His grave with the wicked-- But with the rich at His death,

Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.  Isaiah 53:9  

The resting place of the body of the handsome prince was a pit in the woods! Although the Prince Of Peace did not even own a tomb, His body was laid by Joseph, in his own tomb in a garden!