Absalom Reinstated
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Essentially, Absalom had upheld the law by seeking justice for his sister. He had returned home but was still banished from seeing his father.
“Absalom was selfish and unscrupulous, ambitious and impulsive. He was admired by the people and was gradually winning their sympathies. It was hardly the part of wisdom for David to allow such a situation to continue.” Joab had been successful in persuading David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem. Now Absalom sought to have him intercede once again on his behalf. Joab refused to answer Absalom’s summons.
Absalom sent for him a second time, and again Joab refused to answer.
Perhaps Joab realized he had pushed David to his limit, and no further movement on the topic was to be gained. Pushing further might anger David and result in penalties.
Absalom called his servants and said, “See, Joab’s field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom’s servants set the field on fire” (2 Samuel 14:30).
This was sure to bring Joab to Absalom’s house to inquire as to why such a deed had been done. When Joab came to complain, Absalom made no excuse for his arson.
Instead, he said, “Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king’s face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me” (v. 32). “Absalom treated Joab as his servant, giving to him his orders and expecting them to be carried out. His conduct reveals how far he had already gone in his course of rebellion and his determination to secure a redress of his supposed grievances and a restoration to privileges he believed to be rightfully his.” Joab gained the audience with David that Absalom sought. David rose and kissed his son, showing at least a superficial reunion.
“Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9).
