Ob and In:
1. "My son" x8 in v.33, 4, weeping, grieve, mourning x2 in v.1.-2
David not only have strong emotion, but he displayed that loudly and publicly. As a result, people heard about that v.4, 2.
(EBC) By no means is this the first time that David weeps over the death of someone—a compatriot (cf. 3:32), a close friend (cf. 1:11–12), even a son (cf. 13:33, 35–36)—but here his grief knows no bounds, and his language is therefore unique...The poet-king, who elsewhere responds to the report of death with eloquent elegies, here simply sobs, “Absalom, Absalom, my son, my son,” repeating “my son” eight times in two verses
2. The people v.2, 3 your servants who have saved your life v.5, your friends v.6, leader
Being a father was not the only role of David, he was also the king of his people. Absalom stole away his kingdom and he was David's enemy. v.6. David earlier assessment was that his troop would fight for him to regain the power, but preserve the life of Absalom. Obviously, it was hard to have both wishes to come true under Joab's leadership.
3. There may be no right or wrong way to deal with David's emotion, but Joab's warning to him was probably correct. That's why he followed his advice and got up at the city gate. v.7, 8
(EBC) However reluctantly, the king is prodded into action by Joab’s harsh words
Reflection: From his adultery to the sinful conduct in his family, and now the death of 3rd son, David reaped the result of his sins. He was sorrowful, but in sense, he should not have. There was no "perfect" solution in this war. He could not have win the war and keep his son alive. There is no such perfect solution for him. Am I like David? Even I have sinned and I still hope for the unrealistic perfect solution as a result?
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