Skip to main content

Psalm 3:1-2: A Psalm of David, When He Fled From Absalom His Son


Psalm 3:1–2

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

[1] O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; [2] many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah (ESV)

Have you ever felt like the whole world was against you? You are not alone in that feeling. David writes this Psalm at the very time when he is fleeing for his life from his own son, who was trying to steal the kingdom away from him. King David was a man after God's own heart. He was the standard by which all kings of Israel were measured against. Yet, he had to deal with betrayal and heartache in his own family.

It's interesting to note that David's foe was primarily Absalom. Yet, he says that his foes are many. It does not take many people to be against you for it to feel like an overwhelming number. Just a few people who are willing to stir up trouble against you can feel like an army. Just a few words that are filled with poison can have amazing effect. Here is an example of just one man who said poisonous words to David during this terrible time:

2 Samuel 16:7–8
[7] And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! [8] The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.” (ESV)

These words were not true. The Lord never gave David's kingdom to his son Absalom. But, words do not have to be true to be hurtful. As David writes in this Psalm, "many are saying of my soul, “There is no salvation for him in God." False accusations. Hurtful words. The feeling that the whole world is against us and there is no hope. We go through this in our lives as well.

If you are struggling with betrayal and false accusation be encouraged. You are not alone. And if you are allowing yourself to treat someone with contempt and even false accusation, repent. Do not be a part of someone else's destruction.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co