2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 15:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The son, harboring resentment for past grievances and fueled by a desire for authority, chose to rise in rebellion against his father.

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Who could embody greater wickedness than Absalom, a brazen and uncontrolled scorner, who pursued his father, and such a father at that, one who was gentle and humble? So, what does it come to? Did David return harm to those who harmed him? Did he hold onto past wrongs? Not at all... With no charges to bring against his father, he succumbed to reckless ambition, especially considering that his father was already advanced in years and his hopes were near realization; he could not even permit a brief moment to pass. How could he fail to perceive that, even if he triumphed, he would lead a wretched existence, becoming defiled and deserving of condemnation for what he treated as his prize?

Absalom traveled to Hebron under the guise of offering a sacrifice and there declared himself king instead of his father, even conspiring to commit patricide.

Absalom, motivated either by a desire for autonomy or driven by bitterness towards his father, stood in rebellion. His anger stemmed from the fact that his father not only failed to penalize Ammon for the violation of his sister but also showed disdain for the one seeking vengeance. Despite pleading, he was not welcomed in his father’s presence, a situation that later unfolded due to the astuteness of the commander.