Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 13:39

"And [the soul of] king David longed to go forth unto Absalom: for he was comforted concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead." — 2 Samuel 13:39 (ASV)

Longed to go forth: This phrase should be read as “longed after Absalom.” The literal meaning is to be “consumed in going forth,” which carries a sense of disappointed hope.