2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 13:38Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Upon discovering the full extent of the situation, he confronted his son with threats of death. Despite Absalom's flight to a distant land where he remained for three years, the king's anger persisted. Even after that period, he would not have summoned him back had it not been for the persuasive efforts of a wise commander who urged him to take that step. According to Stagirius the ascetic on despair, the soul is truly cleansed when it endures trials for God's sake. Such trials prompt the soul to seek greater divine assistance and become deserving of increased grace. In acquiring wisdom, the soul reaps substantial rewards, including those that God has set aside for her.

This represents the initial instance of divine retribution; it is merely the beginning of a series of trials. A wave of significant calamities ensued, bringing nearly unrelenting hardship upon his household. Tamar was dishonored through Amnon's reckless actions; consequently, Absalom took Amnon's life. A grave sin was committed by one sibling, yet the retribution of another proved even more severe. Thus, David, their father, experienced the consequences of both transgressions. While both sons erred, three individuals bore the repercussions of their sins: Tamar suffered the loss of her purity, and the tragedy of Absalom was mourned through Amnon. Indeed, it remains uncertain for which son the father grieved more deeply: the one who was slain by his brother in this life, or the one who faced judgment in the life to come.