It took me about 20 minutes to read this passage. Absalom was a conniving man; shrewd in his dealings with people. He did not refrain from using many schemes to persuade people to his favor. He plotted for 2 years to murder Amnon because of the rape of his sister. During his three years in exile he must have plotted his return. When he returned to Jerusalem he was not allowed to see the king for two years; this must have heightened his anger. He then spent 4 years putting on a display for the people of Israel through lies and deception. Finally he declared himself king in Hebron, and more people began flocking to him. Whether David understood this to be the pronounced judgment against him or not is unclear to me, but David turned the situation over to God. He knew to stand and fight would lead to the death of many who were innocent of rebellion, and make David appear desperate like Saul had been. So he left Jerusalem. He submitted to every abuse as if it were God’s punishment, but did not give up his faith in God’s justice and absolute control. God did provide David with protection, and provisions; he was still God’s anointed king.
Stuart
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