Psalm 55 is a plaintative prayer written by David when under mental distress - fear and anxiety - brought on by the betrayal of his son Absalom and his best friend and spiritual counsellor Ahithophel.
He starts with a supplication, recounting the treachery of Absalom and Ahithophel, and others who had also turned away from him in his darkest hour. His city was full of violence and strife, destruction, oppression and deceit. Spies would prowl the city day and night.
Throughout the psalm we do see a change, for David flees, wanting to be alone with his thoughts and with His God, but after crossing the Jordan, like his ancestor Joshua; and then praying at the Mount of Olives, he was able to take strength, knowing that if he `cast all his cares on the Lord, He would sustain him". (Psalm 55:22)
With new confidence and strength, David was able to submit to God's will. Just as he had done in the past, he left the retribution of his son and friend in God's hands, and finished the psalm with words of trust. His words were those worthy of a king ready to return to lead his people.
"BUT I AM TRUSTING YOU TO SAVE ME." Psalm 55:23b (NLT)
HISTORY - Read 2 Samuel 13-19
DAVID - BEFORE HIS CLIMB
If I gave my psychologist permission to let you read my file from our early years together, it would sound something like this: "Manic depression/anxiety, brought on by `Rejection Syndrome', and grief, guilt and bitterness, from experiences as a child,a wife and mother. To begin the healing process, we need to go back and look at her story."
As I read through this psalm, I see a David, feeling old, grieving the death of his son and feeling guilty for his failures as a father. I can understand his need to `flee', to get away and find a place where he could be alone with the Lord. But was the hill just too hard to climb? Or was it the `rock' in his heart that made the going so slow? All he wanted to do was cry. To look at David's healing process, we need to look at his story.
Amnon, David's firstborn, his `favourite son' and Crown Prince, first in line to the throne, was lusting after his half sister Tamor. He was a spoilt brat who always got what he wanted, for his father indulged his ever wish. Maybe he was modelling his father's adulterous behaviour. David was angry with him, but he never punished him. Could it be because he felt guilty? Amnon would later receive judgement for his sin, when his half brother, Tamor's brother Absalom would organize his murder.
Tamor was David's daughter to Macau, and sister to Absalom. After being raped by her half brother Amnon, she did not go to her father, for from past experience, she knew that he tended to excuse her son's bad behaviour. When she needed her father's protection, he wasn't there. Why? Again, could it be guilt or shame? You see David had been indulgent to his son, and 'sent Tamor into him with food'.
Tamor went to live with her brother Absalom, after being `discarded like a rag doll', by Amnon, who it turned out had no real feelings of love for her. (David Guzik, 2017, Chapter 13)
Where do we start with Absalom? He had a really bad case of `Rejection Syndrome' - the third son in line to the throne, he was probably jealous of his brother Amnon, and the bitterness may have developed after the rape. He could have seen this as justification for the murder of his brother, especially when his father had done nothing when it came to retribution. He possibly even blamed his father for his sister's rape.
Then came his father's half-hearted reconciliation. Absalom fled his father's kingdom after the murder of Amnon, for he could not seek refuge anywhere else. Whether he interpreted his father's silence as anger or`rejection', it made no difference, his grandfather the King of Geshur would give him comfort and reassurance. So that's where he ran too.
So, how was David feeling? More guilt at being a bad father? Somehow responsible for his sons' behaviour? And, now grieving for their loss? It is not for us to judge, but at the time, Joab, his chief general was able to perceive the king's heart and he knew something needed to be done about the situation. Joab was also very loyal to King David and his kingdom and he didn't trust Absalom. He could see, even then, that he was a threat, and it would be safer to have him close by in Jerusalem.
Joab devised a plan. He sent a widow from Tekoa to David to seek his judgement. She confronted him with a `parable' - a story about her life - and then faced David with his mistakes. This was similar to what the prophet Nathan had done at another time in David's life. Remember?
(2 Samuel 12) It seems David responds well to this kind of confrontation. Anyway, this widow from Tekoa was a wise woman and she spoke boldly to King David. Not only was he not initiating reconciliation with his son, but the more estranged his son became from him, the more bitter he would become, and the more of a threat to Israel; and David was allowing this. (D.Guzik, 2017, Chapter 14)
"Haven't you been hurting God's people? Your own son had to leave the country. When you judged in my favour, it was the same as admitting that you should let him come back."
2 Samuel 14:13 (CEV)
David got the message and he also realized that Joab was behind it; so he organized with him to go bring Absalom back to Jerusalem. But David refused to see him, and for three years Absalom was banished from his presence, leaving a great legacy of bitterness. When David finally offered `forgiveness', it was too late, for there was no 'repentance'. By overlooking his crimes David was showing the signs of a `weak leader' , which could only lead to a `further outbreak of sin'. (Alan Redpath, 1962)
Oh, he had the good looks, and the fine family - three sons and a beautiful daughter he had named after his sister. But his bitterness had been festering, and as prophesied he had become a threat to Israel, and had already begun his plans to take over his father's Kingdom.
ABSALOM - THE `TAKE OVER MERCHANT'.
How could the people of Israel have become so dissatisfied with their great King David and let a wicked, immoral man steal their hearts?
1. David was becoming older and unpopular with the people because of his `weak' decision making. He was failing them as a leader and a judge.
2. People like change!
3. Absalom `stole the hearts of the people'. Not only was he handsome, a great family man, but he was skilled at projecting himself as a `man of the people'. Absalom was `better connected and had better political instincts'. (D.Guzik, 2017, Chapter 15) Like today, the people of Israel were easily impressed by image.
4. Absalom also worked hard. He never attacked his father, the King, he just promised to do better.
But, underneath, Absalom was a cunning rebel. He had a plan to overflow his father's kingdom and conspired with one of his father's most faithful friends, Ahithophel the Gilsonite.
Ahithophel had been one of David's closest friends and his counselor; but more than that, they shared in worship together. He was renown for his wisdom and wise counsel. His defection to Absalom may have been prompted by the hurt and bitterness he felt in what David had done to his grandaughter
Bathsheba; but there was still not excuse for his behaviour.
But there were some of David's friends who had remained loyal and wanted to stay by his side. Ittai was a foreigner, who had only just recently joined his ranks and made the decision, voluntarily, to stay with David when he fled Jerusalem. The priests Zadok and Abiathar, and their sons wanted to stay with him; but David wanted the Ark of the Covenant to remain in Jerusalem, so he sent them back to watch over it, and also to act as `David's spys'.
David hadn't lost all his wisdom when he fled. He trusted in the Lord and as he prayed and wept on the Mount of Olives he looked back over Jerusalem and it's temple. He asked God to frustrate the plans of Athithophel , and this was followed by action, in sending his aide Hushai. These plans turned out to be `foolish and destructive' showing Absalom up to be the immoral man he was.
(D.Guzik, 2017, Chapter 16)
Bitterness, immorality and ultimately guilt are truly destructive and we see later as David prayed for the `early deaths' of his enemies; such was to happen. His friend Ahithophel, who had betrayed David, went home and hung himself. David's son Absalom decided to pursue his father, but in the chase his long hair was caught in the branches of a tree and he hung dying, until Joab put him out of his misery.
DAVID'S HEALING
Earlier on in the story when Absalom had saught his father's permission about going to Hebron, to begin his plans to take over his father's kingdom, David's final words to him were, `Go in peace'. You see, David still loved his son. But he also loved and trusted God, which was why he needed to get away himself and spend time with Him.
But he made sure that the Ark of the Covenant stayed in Jerusalem, a sign that God would remain in the centre of his Kingdom, and would watch over his people. As he went up to the Mount of Olives, he was barefoot, with his head covered, mourning, but also humbly submitting to God's will. At the top of the mountain he looked back over Jerusalem and the temple to gain strength for what lay ahead.
After the death of his son Absalom and his friend Ahithophel, he again mourned, but he also remembered the challenge that one of his forefathers had faced on this very hill. Joshua had a visitor, who many bible scholars believe was Jesus Christ himself.
When I had lost my second child, and I felt alone and afraid in hospital, I had a similar visitor at my bedside. There is such a thing as angels, but sometimes we need something more to remind us of God's presence. Joshua had needed this, I had needed this, and David needed this. We needed to know that God was near, and we would never be alone.
"Our Father is our Commander. We will never face our `Jericho' ALONE." Max Lucado, 2015
Just as Joshua fell on his face and worshipped, so did David. And that's when the HEALING BEGAN!
"Jericho may be strong, but Jesus is stronger." Max Lucado, 2015
Let Him be your strength and healer, just as David was able to; and was then able to return to Jerusalem a BRAVE, NOBLE CONQUEROR!
"Cast your cares on the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall."
Psalm 55:22 (NIV)
DAVID CALLS ON THE LORD - Read Psalm 55:1-8
This is not the first time David has called on the Lord, overwhelmed by fear and troubles. It is not the first time he has been surrounded by enemies. But it is the first time his enemy is a son and a close friend. He is not only afraid of what they may do to him; but it what they have said about him.
"The sly, mysterious whisperings of slander often cause a noble mind more fear than open antagonism." Charles Spurgeon, 1869.
We can be brave against an open foe, but it is often hard to cope up against "cowardly, plotting, conspiracies" (C.Spurgeon, 1869). This is the fear that had David trembling.
David is suffering from severe anxiety. His love for peace made him "sigh for an escape from the scene of strife"(C.Spurgeon, 1869). He wanted to "fly away like a dove". Yet even in his wanderings, his eyes were on Jerusalem. He couldn't get his thoughts off his past. No matter how hard we try to fly away from the storm, our past will always catch up with us. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord and His plans for our future.
SAVING JERUSALEM - Read Psalm 55:9-21
Before he left, the city of Jerusalem was falling apart, with threats of violence and strife. His own son and his best friend had conspired together to take over his kingdom and he knew things were getting worse. David had fought enemies before, but this was a son, whom he loved. He had mixed emotions. And his friend, a close companion - they had worshipped in the temple together - but now he had betrayed him. War plans had been made and swords were drawn. To save his city - God's people - David knows what must be done, but he doesn't really like it.
He was an exile in his own kingdom and the temple, but he had sent the Ark of the Covenant back, so He knew God was watching over his people. God sent His Son Jesus to His people - to us; but as he prayed on the Mount of Olives, as David did, He too had mixed emotions; but He knew only His death would bring His people salvation.
"And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, He will certainly save us from God's condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of His Son, we will certainly be saved by the death of his son." Romans 5:9&10 (NLT)
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 (ASV)
DAVID'S FINAL VICTORY - Read Psalm 55:22&23
As David "laid down and slept among the echoes of the hills", he had an experience that gave him new strength and confidence. His last thought was not of retribution and of fear, but her `rose to the heights of serene trust'. (Alexander McLaren). His thoughts were of a true leader. "SALVATION IS OF THE LORD."
Having laid "all his cares before God", knowing that He would again "sustain him", David went forth and returned to Jerusalem, a NEW BRAVE, NOBLE KING AND LEADER.
We all have worries, cares and burdens that have us running and hiding, or maybe even struggling to get up the hill. But we are reminded that we can turn them over to God, for He is stronger and more powerful than any fears that we might have. He promises, just like He did for David, "to take care of us and sustain us".
"Give all your worries and cares to the Lord, for He cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7 (ASV)
"What is man that You take thought of him, and the Son of Man that you care for him." Psalm 8:4 (ASV)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2007, Tyndale House Publishing
Contemporary English Version, 1995, American Bible Society
New International Version, 2011, Biblica
American Standard Version, 1995, The Lockman Foundation, Knowing Jesus.com.
Guzik, D, 2017, `Study Guide for 2 Samuel 14-19', Blue Letter Bible, com.
Lucado, M, 2015,`Glory Days, Living Your Promised Land Life Now', Thomas Nelson
McLaren, A, `The Life of David as Reflected in the Psalms', B&R Samisdat Express
Spurgeon,C,1869, `The Treasury of David', Bible Study Tools.com
