Betrayal

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Betrayal

Absalom’s Rebellion Against David

Psalm 55: 1-5 “Give ear to my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and answer me; I am troubled in my complaint. I am distraught by the noise of the enemy, because of the clamor of the wicked. For they bring trouble upon me, and in anger they cherish enmity against me. My heart is in anguish within me, the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me.”

Psalm 55: 12-14 “It is not enemies who taunt me— I could bear that; it is not adversaries who deal insolently with me— I could hide from them. But it is you, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend, with whom I kept pleasant company; we walked in the house of God with the throng.”

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Ahithophel the Counselor

AHITHOPHEL THE COUNSELOR (אֲחִיתפֶל, achithphel). Trusted advisor to King David who eventually allied with Absalom in rebellion against David (2 Sam 15–17).

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Role in Absalom’s Rebellion

In 2 Samuel, Absalom conspires to rebel against his father (2 Sam 15:2–4). After four years of gaining the trust of the people, Absalom asks David for permission to travel to Hebron to fulfill a vow to Yahweh. While there, Absalom surreptitiously begins a movement to usurp his father’s power, and turns to Ahithophel for advice (2 Sam 15:12).

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Role in Absalom’s Rebellion

Upon hearing of Absalom’s rebellion, David flees Jerusalem. Ahithophel then counsels Absalom to have intercourse with his father’s concubines, whom David had left in Jerusalem (2 Sam 15:16–17; Longman, 1 Samuel, 512). There are three reasons why he would have recommended such an action:

1. It would have cemented Absalom’s claim on his father’s realm. In the ancient Near East, a new ruler would possess his predecessor’s concubines.

2. It would prevent Absalom from ever being reconciled to his father (thereby making his co-conspirators feel more secure).

3. It would show David’s subjects that the break was complete and that they needed to pick a side.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Role in Absalom’s Rebellion

Seeing that Absalom has ignored his advice and recognizing that reconciliation with David is impossible, Ahithophel returns to his home, sets his affairs in order, and hangs himself (2 Sam 17:23; Longman, 1 Samuel, 517–18).

My hope comes from God

Psalm 55:22-23 “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. But you, O God, will cast them down into the lowest pit; the bloodthirsty and treacherous shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.”

How are we to treat those who betrayed us?

Matthew 5:23-24 “So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.”

Matthew 5:43-45 ““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.”

Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.”

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