Bible Tuesday - David Part 26

Despite David's pleas for mercy, Absalom meets a bad end.

Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.
2 Samuel 18:9

I feel bad about laughing here.  I know it's sad but it's just a funny scenario...except for the murder that's about to go down.

“Enough of this nonsense,” Joab said. Then he took three daggers and plunged them into Absalom’s heart as he dangled, still alive, in the great tree. Ten of Joab’s young armor bearers then surrounded Absalom and killed him.
2 Samuel 18:14-15

Despite all that Absalom had done to him, David was distraught over his death.

The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”
2 Samuel 18:33

David's men were not too happy about all this boo hooing over Absalom.

Then Joab went to the king’s room and said to him, “We saved your life today and the lives of your sons, your daughters, and your wives and concubines. Yet you act like this, making us feel ashamed of ourselves.  You seem to love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that your commanders and troops mean nothing to you. It seems that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died, you would be pleased. Now go out there and congratulate your troops, for I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a single one of them will remain here tonight. Then you will be worse off than ever before.”
2 Samuel 19: 5-7

Ya'll, I am starting to think I should have done a series of Joab.  Can you imagine how hard giving that speech must have been?  Depending on the King and his mood, this is the kinda statement that could land you at the bottom of a well.  Watch how David responds.

So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him.
2 Samuel 19:8

So here we have yet another example of David receiving a pretty harsh rebuke and not only accepting it but demonstrating real repentance.  David is not just saying "I'm sorry.  You are right."  He is taking action to change his behavior.