David had refused to accept responsibility for the actions of his men. David's lack of responsibility allowed a spirit of sedition to come upon Absalom that would lead not only to Absalom's death but the destruction of David's ministry.
His refusal to hold Joab accountable for deceiving David and going around the king's authority and killing Abner in alleged retribution for the death of Joab's brother provoked unforeseen consequences.
While it seems that life went on and there were no extending consequences to David's lack of accountability, there were. On the sidelines, David's son, Absalom watched his father rule without authority and do nothing to right wrongs inside the kingdom as well as inside of David's own house and family.
David's decisions and the way he refused to be responsible and responsive as King, led Absalom to rebel. It would be this visual of injustices that would lead Absalom to challenge David's throne.
This is David the Ministry Years (Part 2): Follow Me and You can have our Own Ministry" episode.