2 Samuel 18:5

Commanded Joab. Joab as the commander in chief came first, leading his men. As he passed by, David gave his last parting instructions. This was a battle against his own son, who must be defeated, or David would lose both his throne and his life. But as the battle began, David’s tender heart went out in love and pity to his son. His last words to Joab were to deal gently with Absalom — the leader of the rebellion. At the time it seemed to David that he would rather lose his own life and his kingdom than to see harm come to his wicked son. David’s fatherly concern for the man who had brought to the nation so much of pain and suffering only intensified the bitterness of Joab and his men against Absalom (see PP 743).