What does 2 Samuel 14:1 mean?

David is conflicted. His oldest son, Amnon, raped David's daughter Tamar. David did nothing—at least, nothing recorded in Scripture. After two years, Tamar's full brother Absalom murdered Amnon and fled to his maternal grandfather in Geshur. For three years, David mourned Amnon (2 Samuel 13). More recently, he's been distracted by thoughts of Absalom. Many commentators believe David is concerned for Absalom's well-being. Others read it to mean, simply, that what happened continues to weigh on David's mind. We don't know if David misses Absalom or is still angry; probably he's both.

Joab, the commander of Israel's army and the son of David's sister Zeruiah, believes it's time for Absalom to come home. Amnon, David's oldest, is dead. His second-born, a son of Abigail, isn't mentioned outside of genealogies. Tradition states Absalom is next in line for the throne. It's difficult to train a king who isn't allowed in his future country. It seems God's choice for Solomon to follow David isn't well known (1 Chronicles 29:1).

Absalom's exile is part of God's punishment for David's sin against Uriah and Bathsheba. Through Nathan, God told David, "…the sword shall never depart from your house" (2 Samuel 12:10). Amnon's violence against Tamar and subsequent murder is part of this prophecy: "…I will raise up evil against you out of your own house" (2 Samuel 12:11). When Absalom returns to Jerusalem, he will betray his father, drive him from Jerusalem, and become king (2 Samuel 15).