שמואל ב, פרק י״ג, פסוק כ״ה

King David receives an invitation from his son to attend a celebration, but he chooses to decline. While he appreciates the gesture, he offers practical reasons for his absence.

The primary approach among commentators is that David wishes to spare his son from excessive trouble and heavy expenses. If the king were to attend, he would not arrive alone. His presence would require the arrival of the entire royal entourage and his servants. This would instantly transform a private celebration into a massive financial and logistical burden for the host. Therefore, David frames his initial refusal around a desire to protect his son from this overwhelming responsibility.

Absalom, however, refuses to accept this answer. He continues to press his father, using intense persuasion and a multitude of words to try and change his mind [מצודת ציון]. Despite this heavy urging, the king stands firm. While his first answer was presented out of concern for the host's burden, the continued pressure prompts David to clarify his true stance. He makes it known that, ultimately, he simply does not want to make the journey for his own personal reasons [מלבי״ם].

In the end, as a substitute for his attendance, David offers a blessing. He praises his son for his generous heart and expresses gratitude for the invitation itself [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. Along with his appreciation, the king offers his wishes for the event's success [ביאור שטיינזלץ].