Absalom was permitted to return to Jerusalem, but not to appear at court or to meet his father. As tenderly as he loved this beautiful and gifted son, David felt it necessary to show abhorrence for the crime he had committed. Absalom lived two years in his own house, banished from the court. His sister’s presence kept alive the memory of the irreversible wrong she had suffered. In the public’s eyes, the prince was a hero rather than an offender, and he put himself in a position to gain the hearts of the people.
His personal appearance was enough to win the admiration of all. “In all Israel there was no one who was praised as much as Absalom for his good looks. From the sole of his foot to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.” David’s decision permitting him to return to Jerusalem while refusing to admit him to his presence encouraged the people’s sympathies for him.
Before his sin David had been courageous and decided. Now he was weak and hesitating, and this worked in favor of his son’s plans.
Through Joab’s influence, Absalom was again admitted to his father’s presence. He continued his scheming, diligently courting popular favor and artfully turning every cause of dissatisfaction to his own advantage. Day by day this man of noble appearance could be seen at the city gate, where a disgruntled crowd waited to present their wrongs for remedy. Absalom listened, expressing sympathy with their sufferings and regret at the inefficiency of the government. “‘Oh, that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would come to me; then I would give him justice.’ And so it was, whenever anyone came near to bow down to him, that he would put out his hand and take him and kiss him.”
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