Let him not see my face - He would not at once restore him to favor, though he had now remitted his crime; so that he should not die for it. It was highly proper to show this detestation of the crime, and respect for justice.
Let him not see my face - We are not told why David adopted this half-measure. Possibly Bath-sheba‘s influence may have been exerted to keep Absalom in disgrace for the sake of Solomon.