Absalom hath slain all the king’s sons.
Chastisement
The fulfilment of the curse on David’s house now begun.
I. Observe the justice of God’s dealings in chastisement. A comparison of David’s sin and its punishment shows that free forgiveness does not remove consequences in this life.
1. David had wounded Uriah in his best affections. He himself was allowed to suffer the keenest sorrow through the son he best loved.
2. He had to see the evil heritage of lust develope in that favourite child.
3. He took the one ewe lamb. Absalom stole the hearts of all Israel.
4. David made Joab his tool to carry out his treachery. Henceforth he was Joab’s tool, obliged to bear with him, and leave his punishment to Solomon.
II. Sin had weakened his power. He no longer possessed the respect of the nation. The reins of government were dropping from his hands. Yet he recognised love in it all, and God meant it in love. (R. E. Faulkner.).