Bringing Adversity Home

After enduring three years in Geshur, Absalom spends two years in a state of “at-home banishment,” estranged from David and barred from the court. Matthew Henry notes that he receives better treatment than he deserves, for his murder of Amnon should have resulted in his execution. But far from being humbled by the grace of his father David, he sees himself as wronged because he does not have the same freedoms and privileges he enjoyed before killing his brother.

Finally he can stand it no longer, so he calls for Joab. It was Joab who convinced David to bring Absalom back to Israel, and Absalom wants Joab to get him back into David’s good graces. But for some unexplained reason, Joab now wants nothing to do with Absalom, and he twice refuses Absalom’s summonses. Finally, Absalom commands his servants to set fire to a field of barley owned by Joab. “Strange that Absalom should think, by doing Joab a mischief, to prevail with him to do him a kindness,” Henry writes. And yet, Joab now comes to Absalom—somehow he knows that Absalom was behind the fire and he wants an explanation. But Absalom simply transfers the blame back to Joab for refusing to come when he called. Then he explains that he wants Joab to deliver to David a complaint about his banishment from court. In his mind, it would be better if he were still in Geshur. So he is prepared to demand that the king either forgive and restore him to his good graces or, if there is iniquity in him, to put him to death. Absalom thus throws down the gauntlet, daring to suggest that he is without guilt. This is sheer impudence and disrespect.

Strangely, Joab does not demand reparation for his field. And he does not indignantly refuse Absalom’s request. Instead, he meekly goes to David. And David, with equal meekness, agrees to give Absalom his freedom. No one disputes that Absalom killed Amnon, but David flatly refuses to pass judgment on him.

Absalom is now free of any sanctions—and that is a dangerous thing, for Absalom is a charismatic figure, widely praised for his good looks (nothing is said of wisdom or piety). The people have found a new Saul to idolize (1 Sam. 9:1–2; 10:23–24), but he is hardly a man after God’s heart. Rather, he is an unrepentant prodigal. His father receives him back, but gets only more adversity for his grace.