2 Samuel 14:1

Toward Absalom. The Hebrew preposition here translated “toward” may also mean “against.” Some believe that the rendering “against” is the intent of the passage, thus making David feel hostile toward his son because of the murder of Amnon.

However, see on 2 Samuel 13:39. The attitude on the part of David gave rise to Absalom’s alienation from his father (see Patriarchs and Prophets 728). Anxious to return, and bitter over the fact that he was for so long shut away from the affairs of the kingdom he expected would be his at his father’s death, Absalom gave himself over to traitorous plots. It was an unhealthy situation, and Joab set out to correct it.