The Mule Walked on

Hung out to Dry

The story of Absalom

2 Samuel 18:9–15 CSB

9 Absalom was riding on his mule when he happened to meet David’s soldiers. When the mule went under the tangled branches of a large oak tree, Absalom’s head was caught fast in the tree. The mule under him kept going, so he was suspended in midair. 10 One of the men saw him and informed Joab. He said, “I just saw Absalom hanging in an oak tree!” 11 “You just saw him!” Joab exclaimed. “Why didn’t you strike him to the ground right there? I would have given you ten silver pieces and a belt!” 12 The man replied to Joab, “Even if I had the weight of a thousand pieces of silver in my hand, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For we heard the king command you, Abishai, and Ittai, ‘Protect the young man Absalom for me.’ 13 If I had jeopardized my own life—and nothing is hidden from the king—you would have abandoned me.” 14 Joab said, “I’m not going to waste time with you!” He then took three spears in his hand and thrust them into Absalom’s chest. While Absalom was still alive in the oak tree, 15 ten young men who were Joab’s armor-bearers surrounded Absalom, struck him, and killed him.

2 Samuel 14:25–26 CSB

25 No man in all Israel was as handsome and highly praised as Absalom. From the sole of his foot to the top of his head, he did not have a single flaw. 26 When he shaved his head—he shaved it at the end of every year because his hair got so heavy for him that he had to shave it off—he would weigh the hair from his head and it would be five pounds according to the royal standard.

Absalom was the third son of King David of Israel, known for his striking handsomeness and ambitious nature. His story, primarily recounted in 2 Samuel 13-20, is marked by rebellion against his father. Absalom's actions were triggered by David's inaction when Amnon, Absalom's half-brother, raped his sister Tamar. In retaliation, Absalom killed Amnon and fled into exile for three years. Upon his return, orchestrated by Joab, Absalom spent two more years estranged from his father before being fully readmitted to court. He then began to undermine David's authority, capitalizing on social discontent to gain support. Absalom's rebellion culminated in his self-proclamation as king in Hebron, forcing David to flee Jerusalem. Despite David's orders to spare Absalom, the rebellion ended with Absalom's death at the hands of Joab, when he was found caught by his hair in an oak tree during battle. This event deeply grieved David and nearly cost him his subjects' loyalty.

Had it all. Good looking, good hair, good mule

Deceptive and pride motivated...

Rebelled against his father and his kingdom and appointed himself king of Hebron

Riding along on HIs mule...a hybrid freak of nature.

Hung between heaven and earth hung out to die...

He was killed by Joab’s armor bearers...

Built a monument to himself

We can’t keep doing our own thing and expect God’s best in our lives. We will get hung out to dry.

Got it all together. Really?

Riding along doing the wrong thing, our thing will aways get us hung out to dry.

Straddling a mule or a fence will get us hung out every time. And the mule will walk on...we can’t live a lie and expect to get rewarded. Can’t keep our foot in the world and the church and expect the best outcome in the long run

Are we building a monument to ourselves or to honor God

We must choose to to Walk with God, not ride the mule of sin.

The wages of sin is death, God’s gift is eternal life. Choose life and don’t get hung out to dry.

Jesus hung between heaven and earth for us, so we could free from the wages of sin