שמואל ב, פרק י״ד, פסוק כ״ח

After a long exile and the complex efforts made to bring a banished son home, a tense and unresolved reality settles over the capital city. The physical distance between father and son is closed, but the emotional and political divide remains as wide as ever. Absalom lives in Jerusalem for two full years without ever seeing his father's face. Even though David arranged for his return, he strictly refuses to speak with him [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Despite all the previous events that led to his homecoming, this complete disconnect stretches on for two entire years [אברבנאל].

This alienation runs incredibly deep. The king's distance is so severe that he does not even visit to comfort Absalom following the death of his sons. This harsh treatment makes it clear to Absalom that the king harbors deep resentment toward him, and he realizes there is absolutely no chance David will ever appoint him as his successor. Recognizing this bitter reality is exactly what reawakens Absalom's desire to launch a rebellion [מלבי״ם].

Against the backdrop of his isolated time in Jerusalem, Absalom becomes widely known for his exceptional physical beauty, particularly his hair. According to the sages, Absalom is a lifelong Nazirite. Because his growing hair becomes too heavy to bear, he cuts it once a year and weighs it. There are two different understandings of why he weighs his hair. He might do this out of pride, eager to boast and show off his striking appearance to foreign nations and royal ministers. Alternatively, his intention might be noble, weighing the hair in order to donate its exact equivalent in gold and silver to the House of God or to give it as charity to the poor [אברבנאל].