That the king's heart was toward Absalom That he longed to see him, and have him restored to his country; but was ashamed to show kindness to one whom God's law and his own conscience obliged him to punish. He wanted, therefore, a fair pretence for it, with which Joab now furnished him.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 14:1
2 Samuel 14:1
1 Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom.