Absalom is pardoned in 2 Samuel?

[Deacon_Joseph]

In 2 Samuel 14:28 it says, ‘Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without appearing before the king. Then he summoned Joab.’ Did Absalom choose to wait 2 years, or was he not permitted to see the king for those years?

 

[Fidelis]

In 2 Samuel 14:28 it says, ‘Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without appearing before the king. Then he summoned Joab.’

Did Absalom choose to wait 2 years, or was he not permitted to see the king for those years?

You have to read a little before and after this passage to get the context:

23
Joab then went off to Geshur and brought Absalom to Jerusalem.
24
**But the king said, “Let him go to his own house; he shall not appear before me.” **So Absalom went off to his house and did not appear before the king.

28
Absalom lived in Jerusalem for two years without appearing before the king.
29
**Then he summoned Joab to send him to the king, but Joab would not come to him. Although he summoned him a second time, Joab refused to come. **
30
He therefore instructed his servants: “You see Joab’s field that borders mine, on which he has barley. Go, set it on fire.” And so Absalom’s servants set the field on fire. Joab’s farmhands came to him with torn garments and reported to him what had been done.
31
At this, Joab went to Absalom in his house and asked him, “Why have your servants set my field on fire?”
32
Absalom answered Joab: “I was summoning you to come here, that I may send you to the king to say: ‘Why did I come back from Geshur? I would be better off if I were still there!’ Now, let me appear before the king. If I am guilty, let him put me to death.”
33
Joab went to the king and reported this. The king then called Absalom, who came to him and in homage fell on his face to the ground before the king…

So apparently Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem, but he could not appear before the King before he was summoned through Joab. Absalom got tired of languishing in Jerusalem and was anxious to have his case resolved. Joab didn’t seem like he was in a hurry to do this so Absalom petitioned him twice, which Joab ignored. In desperation, Absalom set Joab’s field on fire which finally got his attention.

Context, context, context.

 

[Deacon_Joseph]

Thanks. I thought that was the case. I get strange questions when I’m teaching a class and forget the answers are right there in the context. Thanks again.