Joab engineers a reconciliation between David and Absalom. This widow comes to David with a story that is designed to arouse his feelings over against his conscience. We can be moved by feelings and put them above conscience. We must be wary of being moved by our feelings. There is no indication of repentance on the part of Absalom. The gospel message does not come at the expense of justice. Forgiveness comes at the great price of the blood of the Son of God. We come as we are, but we don’t stay as we are; it’s a life of repentance and turning from sin.