Reading through 2 Samuel I'm struck by the similarity between David's feelings for Absalom and God's for His people.

2 Samuel 18:33 KJV

[33] And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!

Absalom had no redeeming qualities, and died justly (hanged and pierced Christlike from a tree no less) in the midst of rebellion against his good and loving king and father. Yet in spite of it, David wished he could have died in his place.