And David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went, and his head was covered and he walked barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his head and went up weeping as they went. (2 Samuel 15:30 NASB)
In contrast to a chariot and fifty men running before him, this king walks barefoot, head covered, and weeping. Absalom sought to steal the hearts of people at the gate, but these people who knew the king best wept as he left the city of his name. There is a very evident contrast between the two ‘royal’ figures. And yet, there are similarities as well.
Knothole Theology 