This is the reason why God gave the kingdom to David, and allowed Saul to be killed on Mount Gilboa.
[XXIV. ABSALOM]
THE story of Absalom cannot be anything but a sad one.
He was the third son of David, and his mother's name was Maachah, who was the daughter of the King of Geshur.
He inherited great beauty from both his father and his mother, and was evidently the idol of David's heart. But with all his fascinating beauty, he was not a good man.
His mother was a heathen princess, and Absalom had not been taught in her home the justice, the purity, the forbearance, the love, and the fear of God, which ought to be the ruling-spring of our lives.
His one thought was how to please himself, no matter what impediments stood in his way.
By and by he had cause to be angry with his half-brother Amnon, who had acted very wickedly; but instead of bringing him to be judged by the law, Absalom secretly plotted to kill him.
For this purpose, he invited all the king's sons to be present at a great feast; and he gave his servants orders to set upon Amnon and kill him, when he gave a sign to do so after supper.