Befriended, Then Betrayed

Devotions for Growing Christians

Befriended, Then Betrayed

Have you ever experienced the pain of being betrayed by a close friend --  someone you trusted, and with whom you shared many great memories?  How could they have done that to you?  It's hard enough when anyone turns against you, but when it’s someone you thought was a loyal friend, it’s heartbreaking.

King David wrote Psalm 55 at a time when a close confidant had betrayed him. This psalm is relevant to every believer who goes through a similar sad scenario. 

Background Notes 

Unlike some other psalms, the occasion of Psalm 55 is not given in the title.  The possible occasions can be narrowed down because of the subject matter.  It’s very likely David was speaking of the treason of Ahithophel, his trusted counselor.  Ahithophel abandoned the king and joined forces with David's selfish son, Absalom.  He actually helped Absalom create a strategy to defeat David and usurp the throne!  

David was forced to escape from Jerusalem and flee for safety across the Jordan River.  This entire story is recorded in 2 Samuel 15-19.  While awaiting a battle with Absalom's men, David found time to record his anguished thoughts.  This was mostly like when he penned Psalm 55.

Doctrinal Points

1. David's betrayal by a close friend has practical implications. 

It’s obvious from verses 12-14 that David's betrayer was once very close to him: "It is not an enemy who taunts me—I could bear that.  It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—I could have hidden from them.  Instead, it is you—my equal, my companion and close friend.  What good fellowship we once enjoyed as we walked together to the house of God." 

But David had come to realize that his "friend" was an untrustworthy person – the kind of person who breaks his promises and attacks his own companions (vs 20-21).  This traitor’s speech was "as smooth as butter," and "as soothing as lotion" – all while his heart was filled with self-interest.

We’ve probably all experienced being let down by a trusted friend or someone we thought was on our side.  Perhaps this person (even a believer) talked about you negatively behind your back, or revealed confidential information about you to others.  Perhaps this person is actually a family member - a sibling, a parent, a spouse or a child.  Pain and grief is only magnified when a close family member proves to be untrustworthy and unfaithful. 

Psalm 55 has practical implications because most of us can relate with the grief that David experienced.  How many of us can identify with David's cry, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove; then I would fly away and rest!  I would fly far away to the quiet of the wilderness.  How quickly I would escape—far from this wild storm of hatred" (vs 6-8). 

Have you ever longed to just get away from everything -- [DR1]to the mountains or a deserted island, where no one could cause you further distress?

We read in verses 9-11 that Ahithophel’s betrayal wasn’t just a small, personal incident.  The rebellion against the king resulted in a disruption and breakdown of law and order in Jerusalem.   Violence, strife, malice, threats, destruction and lies were rampant in the city, even before David fled.  Smooth-talking Absalom "stole away the hearts of the men of Israel," and the people gave up their allegiance to King David.  

It reminds us of an event in [DR2]New Testament times when a Christian named Diotrephes made “evil accusations” against fellow believers for personal gain (3 John 1:9-10).  Various forms of betrayal among Christians today - lies, gossip, power plays, etc - disrupt and destroy families and churches.  Betrayal severs friendships and creates strife in the church.  It stumbles young believers and causes unbelievers to disrespect Jesus Christ. 

So what was David’s strategy when facing all this betrayal and upheaval?  

He prayed.  Throughout the psalm David did the right thing.  He brought the problem to the Lord in prayer:
"Listen to my prayer, O God.  Do not ignore my cry for help!" (v 1-2).  
“But I will call on God, and the Lord will rescue me.  Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress, and the Lord hears my voice." (vs 16-17).  
"I am trusting you to save me." (v23).  

David expected Absalom's army to appear at any moment as they followed the Ahithophel’s plan, but David’s confidence was in the Lord.  He was sure that God would answer and deliver him.  "He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me" (v18). 

He trusted.  David's prayer of confidence in the Lord concluded with a challenge to all believers to trust in the Lord for strength and justice: "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you." (v22).  

1 Peter 5:7 gives us the same message: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."  And in Philippians 4:6-7 we read, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.  Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”  

2. David's betrayal by a close friend has prophetic implications.

It’s easy to see a parallel between a friend’s betrayal of David, and the betrayal of Jesus by Judas.  Judas was part of the close-knit fellowship of disciples for three years.  Judas didn’t start out as a traitor.  He probably thought Jesus was going to publicly declare Himself as King and overthrow the Roman occupation of Israel.  Judas likely assumed he would be in a prominent position when Jesus set up His kingdom!  But when he saw the way things were turning out, Judas decided to betray an innocent man.  And just as Ahithophel's treachery ended in suicide (2 Samuel 17:23), Judas' betrayal also ended when he took his own life (Matthew 27:5).  

Further prophetic implications in this psalm will be fulfilled in the future Tribulation period.  During that time, a small band of godly Jewish believers will be betrayed by a false messiah and his followers.  These believers will flee from Jerusalem and find refuge in the wilderness, where the Lord will protect them.  Their prayers to God for justice will be answered with the return of the Lord and His subsequent judgment of all wicked and evil people.  The false messiah will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20). 

Practical Application

We can find a quiet place of peace.

In Psalm 55:6-8 we saw that David longed to escape from his troubles, like a bird who could fly away from a storm to find refuge and rest in a quiet place.  By faith, we can have that peaceful place! 

A line from a familiar hymn says, "There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God."  We can find that place of quiet rest when we turn to the Lord in the midst of our troubles and the storms of life, and pour out our hearts to Him.  This is what Asaph had in mind when he penned, "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge" (Psalm 73:28).  So let's keep this in mind when we feel overwhelmed and feel like we just want to run away from our troubles.  We can find a quiet place of peace. 

- Dave Reid

(Updated 2021, Ron Reid)