The answer is: Absalom

2 Sam 14:26

Absalom’s hair was not just a matter of personal vanity; it weighed a whopping two hundred shekels when cut, which shows his attention to appearance. With ancient weights, that’s around 5 pounds—a considerable amount of hair! Now, this extravagant detail about his tresses might seem odd at first, but it paints a vivid picture of a man who was both charming and tragically flawed.

In 2 Samuel 14:26, the emphasis on Absalom’s hair can serve as an interesting metaphor. Hair in biblical texts often represents strength, glory, and pride. Think of it as a reflection of Absalom's charismatic personality. He was, after all, a dashing figure whose ambition led him to try and claim his father David’s throne.

What’s equally compelling about Absalom is his downfall—his mane ultimately became symbolic of his hubris. During the battle against his father's forces, he got tangled in branches, and his beautiful hair led to his infamous death (2 Samuel 18:9). This sets up a poignant lesson: sometimes our strengths or attributes, even the ones we are proudest of, can lead to our undoing.

And here's a fun side note: Did you know that in ancient cultures, people often made vows to cut their hair in honor of important events or to signify shifts in their lives? Hair cutting was more than hygiene; it had personal and communal significance. Absalom’s large mane wasn’t just stylish; it was a tangible aspect of his royal identity that intertwined beauty and peril.