Big Idea: One’s failure to do what is just can have serious personal repercussions.

Understanding the Text

After the murder of Amnon, Absalom found asylum with his maternal grandfather, the king of Geshur (13:37–38; cf. 3:3). After three years, David calmed down and no longer desired to take hostile action against Absalom (13:39). Sensing an opening, Joab now works hard to persuade David to let Absalom come home. David agrees, but he does not reinstate Absalom to the royal court right away. Eventually, however, he accepts Absalom fully, again at the instigation of Joab. This sets the stage for Absalom’s rebellion, which forces David to flee the city and brings about the death of Absalom, the third installment of David’s self-imposed penalty. The close literary linking of Joab and Absalom…