David’s lack of control over his sons finally caught up with him. Absalom, the one who killed his brother yet was restored to Jerusalem and to David, wasn’t content with being a prince – he wanted to become king. Slowly he won the hearts of the people of Israel, mainly through deception. Even when he was ready to implement his plan of revolt he lied to his father to get permission to go to Hebron to anoint himself as king.
David was no fool, he saw what was coming, that his love for his son was not matched by his son’s love for him. He fled the city, taking his servants and all his faithful ones. He also sent one servant and two of the priests and their sons to be his spies, to keep him informed of all that was going on.
Even when caught in a situation caused by his own sins, David was doing what he knew needed to be done. He was trusting in God, praying for His guidance, and leaving trusted, God-fearing people to help him out. Trust in God always. Especially when your sins catch up with you, realizing that His forgiveness is always there for you.