Psalm 3 — David Fled from Absalom
Introduction: This time I selected the KJ21 version (King James 21st Century) for the text of Psalm 3, and the study will include some of the scriptural history relative to the background for the psalm. David had defeated Goliath and the armies of the Philistines, but later became a fugitive from a jealous King Saul, for perhaps some ten years. David first became king of Judah at Hebron after Saul’s death, when David was about thirty years old, and he reigned there for seven years and six months. During his time there he was at war with the house of Saul, and scripture records the birth of six sons from six different wives. David became king over all Israel and reigned at Jerusalem for thirty-three more years.
But when David was perhaps between forty and fifty years of age, he took Bathsheba, another man’s wife, for himself, and arranged to have her husband die in battle. God spared David’s life, but spoke of David’s future through Nathan the prophet:
“Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house, because thou hast despised Me and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house.” (2 Samuel 12:10–11 KJ21)
Evil did surely develop among the sons of David, beginning with Amnon. Amnon raped Absalom’s sister Tamar, and Absalom killed Amnon about two years later. After exile and a gradual return to Jerusalem, Absalom built his own following and then launched a conspiracy to overthrow his father David. As David and his party fled eastward from Jerusalem, he left the final outcome with the Lord.
Psalm 3:1–2 (KJ21)
1 A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how they have increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me! 2 Many there be that say of my soul, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah.
Comments: As David leaves Jerusalem in flight for fear of death at the hand of his own son, it is likely that there was a flood of thoughts in review of calamitous events after his sin with Bathsheba. Surely this action by Absalom was a very grievous matter to him, if it was to become the final chapter of his life, at the end of many blessings mixed with hardship, since Samuel had anointed him to become King of Israel nearly fifty years earlier. Though David had been established as king for many years, this may have represented a time for him when it seemed his opponents within his own country were in their greatest number and strength.
Psalm 3:3–4 (KJ21)
3 But Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah.
Comments: The Lord was indeed a shield to David, as he had promised to be a shield for Abraham, because David was a son of Abraham, both in the flesh and in the spirit.
“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram. I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1 KJ21)
David needed to remember the faithfulness of the Lord in his past, and thereby be sustained in the present, through faith believing.
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth, and with my song will I praise Him.” (Psalm 28:7 KJ21)
The many troops that would go out in battle against the forces of Absalom were not the shield of protection for David, because the Lord was truly the only effective shield he could have. David made his cry for help to the holy hill, the representation of God’s dwelling, for a direct appeal to his Savior.
Psalm 3:5–6 (KJ21)
5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked, for the LORD sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about.
Comments: David’s party was received warmly with provisions on the east side of the Jordan.
“And it came to pass, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim, brought beds and basins and earthen vessels, and wheat and barley and flour and parched corn, and beans and lentils and parched pulse, and honey and butter, and sheep, and cheese from cows, for David and for the people who were with him to eat.” (2 Samuel 17:27–29 KJ21)
He was refreshed and was able to rest again. David was not in continual flight, but was rather lodging in a city from which he would send out his army, with concern not for himself, but for his son Absalom.
Psalm 3:7 (KJ21)
7 Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheekbone; Thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
Comments: The victory for David’s forces that day was deliverance by the Lord, as
It was very difficult for David when he learned of the death of Absalom in battle.
“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!’” (2 Samuel 18:33 KJ21)
After he was rebuked by Joab about excessive mourning, he took his public place in the gate of the city for the sake of the people, and to honor the Lord.
Psalm 3:8 (KJ21)
8 Salvation belongeth unto the LORD. Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.
Comments: David concludes his psalm by ascribing salvation to God alone, much as he had said after he had escaped from King Saul many years earlier.
“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2 KJ21)
And in another place David had said,
“He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belongeth the discharge from death.” (Psalm 68:20 KJ21).
The “discharge from death” can apply to situations while we are in our mortal body, but more importantly, it applies to our soul for the Lord’s eternal salvation from the second death.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, your enemies are also the enemies of the saints, for you have said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” And conversely, your word tells us that “friendship with the world is enmity with God.” Few saints could compare their situation with that of King David for the unique position you designed for him in your plan of salvation through his descendant. But all saints are in spiritual conflict that requires complete dependence upon your shield of protection because the powers of darkness are far superior to our frail abilities without the Spirit of the Lord. You are the glory of the saint, and the never failing shield. No matter where I might be in this world, if I cry unto you, you will hear from your holy hill. I can lie down in peace, knowing that you will sustain me regardless of the number of foes counted against me. Make me ever mindful Lord that my relationship with you must always be ahead of any other relationship, regardless of how dear another person might be to me. Arise O Lord, and fulfill the promise that salvation belongs to you alone, and that your blessing will rest upon your saints. Selah. Amen.
Published 28 March 2005