Absalom was permitted to return to Jerusalem, but not to appear at court or to meet his father. David had begun to see the evil effects of his indulgence toward his children; and tenderly as he loved this beautiful and gifted son, he felt it necessary, as a lesson both to Absalom and to the people, that abhorrence for such a crime should be manifested. Absalom lived two years in his own house, but banished from the court. His sister dwelt with him, and her presence kept alive the memory of the irreparable wrong she had suffered. In the popular estimation the prince was a hero rather than an offender. And having this advantage, he set himself to gain the hearts of the people. His personal appearance was such as to win the admiration of all beholders. "In all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him." It was not wise for the king to leave a man of Absalom's character--ambitious, impulsive, and passionate--to brood for two years over supposed grievances. And David's action in permitting him to return to Jerusalem, and yet refusing to admit him to his presence, enlisted in his behalf the sympathies of the people.

Absalom fik lov at komme tilbage til Jerusalem, men han måtte ikke vise sig ved hoffet og blev heller ikke stedt for sin faders åsyn. David var begyndt at indse de onde følger af sin eftergivenhed over for sønnerne, og selv om han elskede sin smukke og begavede søn højt, anså han det for nødvendigt at vise sin afsky for den forbrydelse, der var begået, både af hensyn til Absalom og folket. Absalom boede i sit eget hus i to år, men fik ikke lov at komme op til hoffet. Hans søster boede hos ham, og derved blev han til stadighed mindet om den ubodelige uret, som hun havde lidt. I offentlighedens øjne var prinsen snarere en helt end en forbryder, og dette drog han fordel af og besluttede at vinde folkets hjerte. Han var så smuk, at han blev beundret af alle, der så ham. "Men ingen mand i hele Israel blev beundret så højt for sin skønhed som Absalom; fra fodsål til isse var der ikke en lyde ved ham." Det var ikke klogt al kongen at lade en mand med Absaloms karakter - han var ærgerrig, impulsiv og heftig - gå og ruge over, hvad han betragtede som en personlig forurettelse, i to år. Da David lod ham vende tilbage til Jerusalem, men nægtede at lade ham blive stedt for sit åsyn, fik folket blot endnu mere sympati for Absalom.