Today a woman went to see King David, and devised a plan to speak the words Joab told her to. She went to David and said that she was in mourning and explained how her two sons had fought each other and one was killed.
She wanted the one who was banished to come back without being harmed. Ultimately all of this was a ploy for David to see the connection between the woman’s story and what had happened with his sons. David figured it out and asked the woman if she was in cahoots with Joab.
She admitted and said that Joab put the words in her mouth to try to change the current situation. The King understood and said to bring Absalom back. However, he was to go to his own house and not see the king’s face when he returned.
Absalom was the most handsome in all of Israel. His hair was beautiful and heavy, forcing him to cut it to rid the weight. Three sons and a daughter were born to him. The daughter’s name was Tamar and she became a beautiful woman. Absalom lived two years in Jerusalem without ever seeing the king’s face.
Absalom wanted to see the king’s face and called to Joab to help him. After three attempts and lighting Joab’s field on fire, he went to Absalom’s house. Joab went to the king and told him that Absalom wanted to see him, and if he was guilty to put him to death.
The king summoned Absalom and he went to see him. He bowed down before the king, and the king kissed him.
At some point, Absalom started a conspiracy trying to gain followers. He was gaining strength and wanted to be king. Messengers told David of this and he fled from Jerusalem.
While they were travelling, David told them to return the ark of God back to the city. If he found favor in God’s eyes then He would bring him back into the city to be his dwelling place again.