The Kingly Thing

Abath Shiba: I actually have a lot of sympathy for Absalom. He did the kingly thing in trying to hold accountable those who did wrong. But David does not come out of this smelling like a rose, he says. So after a few scenes where Absalom gets conflicting advice about what to do about David, he avails himself of his father's concubines - which is a blatant grasping for David's throne and for David's power. And so he flees Jerusalem. We're in chapter 15 now and he doesn't return until chapter 19,. during which time Absalom is killed in a battle between David's army and Absalom's followers.