2 Samuel 15:5
And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
Absalom deliberately refused the obeisance offered to him, instead putting forth his hand, taking hold of those who came near to bow, and kissing them in order to court popular favor. Day by day he stationed himself at the gate of the city where crowds waited for redress of wrongs, mingling with them, listening to their grievances, expressing sympathy for their sufferings and regret at the inefficiency of the government. He turned every cause of dissatisfaction to his own advantage amid negligence and delay in administering justice arising from David's listlessness, irresolution, and love of retirement.
By this artful familiarity he fomented spreading discontent, stole the hearts of the men of Israel, put his own praise on all lips, caused himself to be regarded as a worthy heir of the kingdom, and kindled a desire for him to occupy the throne, while David, blinded by affection, suspected nothing. His sympathy was undue and inappropriate, extended to those who did not deserve it. It was not true, firm, open, decided, unselfish friendship but conniving at evil that reverses good and evil, calling good evil and evil good.
His wrong course of winning people to himself in 2 Samuel 15:1-6 stands as a warning against stirring up discontent and dissatisfaction in others. Ministers who live by drawing sympathy from others and by being petted follow Absalom to their own injury and make the church weak and inefficient. Unless they change their spirit and are converted the Lord will not support their continuance in ministry.