2 Samuel 18:14 Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
Absalom and his army was soundly defeated in battle. Before the battle, David had charged his three generals, “Deal gently with my son Absalom.” And everyone heard it. But in the battle Absalom got caught in an oak tree, and remained there defenseless. The man who found him told Joab. Joab asked why he didn’t kill him. The man replied that he heard King David command them not to touch Absalom, so he refused.
Then Joab himself went to kill him with three spears. He was bent on evil. Those about to do evil usually do not consider the morality of what they are about to do. They don’t care if it is right or wrong. He probably thought David would reward him instead of punish him.
Usually, our sins are not deliberate and intentional; but sometimes we just go ahead and commit a sin even though we know it is wrong, if we think we will gain something from it. The human heart is so sinful and bent on evil that it will not even consider the morality of right and wrong.
Jesus died to forgive evil intent as well as unintentional sins. “Father, forgive them, for the know not what they do.” The believer responds to the gospel by stopping to consider whether what he about to do is right or wrong.