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Patriarchs and Prophets
Absalom was permitted to return to Jerusalem, but not to appear at
court or to meet his father. David had begun to see the evil effects of his
indulgence toward his children; and tenderly as he loved this beautiful
and gifted son, he felt it necessary, as a lesson both to Absalom and
to the people, that abhorrence for such a crime should be manifested.
Absalom lived two years in his own house, but banished from the court.
His sister dwelt with him, and her presence kept alive the memory of
the irreparable wrong she had suffered. In the popular estimation the
prince was a hero rather than an offender. And having this advantage,
he set himself to gain the hearts of the people. His personal appearance
was such as to win the admiration of all beholders. “In all Israel there
was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the
sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish
in him.” It was not wise for the king to leave a man of Absalom’s
character—ambitious, impulsive, and passionate—to brood for two
years over supposed grievances. And David’s action in permitting him
to return to Jerusalem, and yet refusing to admit him to his presence,
enlisted in his behalf the sympathies of the people.
With the memory ever before him of his own transgression of
the law of God, David seemed morally paralyzed; he was weak and
irresolute, when before his sin he had been courageous and decided.
His influence with the people had been weakened. And all this favored
the designs of his unnatural son.
Through the influence of Joab, Absalom was again admitted to his
father’s presence; but though there was an outward reconciliation, he
continued his ambitious scheming. He now assumed an almost royal
state, having chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And
while the king was more and more inclined to desire retirement and
solitude, Absalom sedulously courted the popular favor.
The influence of David’s listlessness and irresolution extended to
his subordinates; negligence and delay characterized the administration
of justice. Absalom artfully turned every cause of dissatisfaction to
his own advantage. Day by day this man of noble mien might be seen
at the gate of the city, where a crowd of suppliants waited to present
their wrongs for redress. Absalom mingled with them and listened to
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their grievances, expressing sympathy with their sufferings and regret
at the inefficiency of the government. Having thus listened to the story
of a man of Israel, the prince would reply, “Thy matters are good and