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<p>Three years Absalom had been an exile from his father-in-law, and now two years a prisoner at large in his own house, and, in both, better dealt with than he deserved; yet his spirit was still unhumbled, his pride unmortified, and, instead of being thankful that his life is spared, he thinks himself sorely wronged that he is not restored to all his places at court. Had he truly repented of his sin, his distance from the gaieties of the court, and his solitude and retirement in his own house, especially being in Jerusalem the holy city, would have been very agreeable to him. If a murderer must live, yet let him be for ever a recluse. But Absalom could not bear this just and gentle mortification. He longed to see the king’s face, pretending it was because he loved him, but really because he wanted an opportunity to supplant him. He cannot do his father a mischief till he is reconciled to him; this therefore is the first branch of his plot; this snake cannot sting again till he be warmed in his father’s bosom. He gained this point, not by pretended submissions and promises of reformation, but (would you think it?) by insults and injuries. 1. By his insolent carriage towards Joab, he brought him to mediate for him. Once and again he sent to Joab to come and speak with him, for he durst not go to him; but Joab would not come (<a class="bibleref" title="2Sam.14.29" href="/passage/?search=2Sam.14.29">2 Sam. 14:29</a>), probably because Absalom had not owned the kindness he had done him in bringing him to Jerusalem so gratefully as he thought he should have done; proud men take every service done them for a debt. One would think that a person in Absalom’s circumstances should have sent to Joab a kindly message, and offered him a large gratuity: courtiers expect noble presents. But, instead of this, he bids his servants set Joab’s corn-fields on fire (<a class="bibleref" title="2Sam.14.30" href="/passage/?search=2Sam.14.30">2 Sam. 14:30</a>), as spiteful a thing as he could do. Samson could not think of a greater injury to do the Philistines than this. Strange that Absalom should think, by doing Joab a mischief, to prevail with him to do him a kindness, or to recommend himself to the favour of his prince or people by showing himself so very malicious and ill-natured, and such an enemy to the public good, for the fire might spread to the corn of others. Yet by this means he brings Joab to him, <a class="bibleref" title="2Sam.14.31" href="/passage/?search=2Sam.14.31">2 Sam. 14:31</a>. Thus God, by afflictions, brings those to him that kept at a distance from him. Absalom was obliged by the law to make restitution (<a class="bibleref" title="Exod.22.6" href="/passage/?search=Exod.22.6">Exod. 22:6</a>), yet we do not find either that he offered it or that Joab demanded it. Joab (it might be) thought he could not justify his refusal to go and speak with him; and therefore Absalom thought he could justify his taking this way to fetch him. And now Joab (perhaps frightened at the surprising boldness and fury of Absalom, and apprehensive that he had made an interest in the people strong enough to bear him out in doing the most daring things, else he would never have done this) not only puts up with this injury, but goes on his errand to the king. See what some men can do by threats, and carrying things with a high hand. 2. By his insolent message (for I can call it no better) to the king, he recovered his place at court, to see the king’s face, that is, to become a privy counsellor, <a class="bibleref" title="Esth.1.14" href="/passage/?search=Esth.1.14">Est. 1:14</a>. (1.) His message was haughty and imperious, and very unbecoming either a son or a subject, <a class="bibleref" title="2Sam.14.32" href="/passage/?search=2Sam.14.32">2 Sam. 14:32</a>. He undervalued the favour that had been shown him in recalling him from banishment, and restoring him to his own house, and that in Jerusalem: <i>Wherefore have I come from Geshur</i>? He denies his own crimes, though most notorious, and will not own that there was any iniquity in
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