Shallow celebrities

Now Absalom was praised as the most handsome man in all Israel. He was flawless from head to foot. He cut his hair only once a year, and then only because it was so heavy. When he weighed it out, it came to five pounds! (2 Samuel 14:24–26)

After this, Absalom bought a chariot and horses, and he hired fifty bodyguards to run ahead of him. He got up early every morning and went out to the gate of the city. When people brought a case to the king for judgment, Absalom would ask where in Israel they were from, and they would tell him their tribe. Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then everyone could bring their cases to me for judgment, and I would give them justice!” (2 Samuel 15:1–4)

Absalom was the third son of King David, whose mother was the daughter of the king of Aram. The above two glimpses of Absalom’s life give a clear enough look at his character: he is vain and manipulative. And let’s not forget he murdered his half-brother, Amnon. He also lusts for power, and ousts his own father, David, in a bid to become King of Israel. And the people of Israel loved Absalom— for a time. 

Every group needs leadership. Some groups are content to have a leader whose personality or appearance wins the day, a leader whose promises are a smoke screen for their character flaws and hidden agenda. 

What do we need from a good leader? What makes a leader truly good?