And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!
The king was deeply shaken and went up to the room above the city gate, where he cried. As he walked, he kept saying, 'Oh my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! I wish God had let me die instead of you, Oh Absalom, my son, my son!'
King David is completely heartbroken over the death of his rebellious son Absalom, wishing he could have died in his place despite all the pain Absalom had caused him.
📚 Historical Context
This follows the death of Absalom, David's son who had led a rebellion against his father and tried to take over the kingdom. Despite Absalom's betrayal, David had commanded his soldiers to deal gently with his son, but Joab killed Absalom anyway. David's grief shows the unconditional love of a father, even toward a child who had deeply wounded him.
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