2 Samuel 14: Prelude to Treason

After the premeditated murder of his brother Amnon, Absalom knew that he would have to face justice and so he fled to his grandfather. King David mourns the death of one son and the absence of another. Joab, David’s commander, hatches a plan to get Absalom back. An old woman approaches David to deal with her civil case. In doing so, she challenges him about the tension between justice and mercy. David reluctantly has Absalom return but does not grant him an audience for another 2 years. All these incidents become the ingredients of a revolt by Absalom against his father. This lesson shows us that false, heartless repentance is no repentance at all.