21 And the king said to Joab, See now, I will do this thing: go then and Come back with the young man Absalom. 22 Then Joab, falling down on his face on the earth, gave the king honour and blessing; and Joab said, Today it is clear to your servant that I have grace in your eyes, my lord king, because the king has given effect to the request of his servant. 23 So Joab got up and went to Geshur and came back again to Jerusalem with Absalom. 24 And the king said, Let him go to his house, but let him not see my face. So Absalom went back to his house and did not see the face of the king.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:21-24
Commentary on 2 Samuel 14:21-24
(Read 2 Samuel 14:21-24)
David was inclined to favour Absalom, yet, for the honour of his justice, he could not do it but upon application made for him, which may show the methods of Divine grace. It is true that God has thoughts of compassion toward poor sinners, not willing that any should perish; yet he is only reconciled to them through a Mediator, who pleads on their behalf. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and Christ came to this land of our banishment, to bring us to God.