NOTES for Sa2 18:9-19:4
The relationship between David and Absalom, father and son, is so understandable and familiar. It is no longer possible to determine who was to blame, who first hurt the other. Was the father unjust and inattentive, or was the son vain and ungrateful? It is practically impossible to sort out human relationships: if you are not one of those involved, you simply cannot know everything; if you are one of those at war, you usually consider yourself right or find excuses for your actions. However we may judge this conflict, the father’s conduct here is astonishing: however much grief Absalom brought him—rebellion, war, the division of the people—none of this should prevent the life of the wayward child from being spared. Everything has already been forgiven, even while the outcome of the struggle between father and son is still unclear. And for the king, victory turns into terrible grief for the father: his son is dead, and nothing can comfort David. He is a vivid example for us of the possibility of following at least two of the Beatitudes: he is merciful, and he mourns.