Pride and Judgement
It seems that proud people are prone to flatter and prone to judge. Absalom was stealing the hearts and loyalty of the people that had previously been directed towards King David and re-directing it towards himself.
2 Samuel 15:2New American Bible: Revised Edition
Moreover, Absalom used to rise early and stand alongside the road leading to the gate. If someone had a lawsuit to be decided by the king, Absalom would call to him and say, “From what city are you?” And when he replied, “Your servant is of such and such a tribe of Israel,”
- Full context includes 2 Samuel 15:1-12.