David had neglected the duty of punishing the crime of Amnon, and because of the unfaithfulness of the king and father and the impenitence of the son, the Lord permitted events to take their natural course, and did not restrain Absalom. When parents or rulers neglect the duty of punishing iniquity, God Himself will take the case in hand. His restraining power will be in a measure removed from the agencies of evil, so that a train of circumstances will arise which will punish sin with sin.

David svigtede sin pligt ved at lade Amnons forbrydelse forblive ustraffet, og da landets konge og prinsens fader lagde en sådan ligegyldighed for dagen, ville Herren ikke hindre Absalom i at øve sin dåd, men lod begivenhederne gå deres gang. Når forældre og myndigheder undlader at gøre deres pligt og straffe synden, tager Gud sagen i sin egen hånd. Han giver ondskabens kræfter friere tøjler, så at der udløses en kæde af begivenheder med det resultat, at synd straffes med synd: