How do You Treat Your Enemies?

Psalm of the Day
Psalm 3

How do You Treat Your Enemies?

Psalm 3 is composed by David on the occasion of his fleeing from his son Absalom who was leading a revolt against his father trying to overtake the kingdom. It is a Psalm that contains examples of praise, peace, and prayer in the midst of great adversity. Psalm 3 is a confident prayer of the king who was forced to flee his palace in the dead of the night surrounded by a multitude of enemies. Although many of David’s enemies were convinced he had no hope, David found safety and protection through the night giving him confidence in God’s ultimate deliverance of him. Because of David’s fleeing during the night and God’s protection of him, Psalm 3 is considered to be a morning Psalm.

* Read Psalm 3 through three times. Record your thoughts and questions in your journal. If a verse stands out to you, record it on an index card and begin committing it to memory.

Today I would like for you to read 2 Samuel 15-18. This is the account of Absalom’s revolt against his father. Reading through this, I believe, will give us more insight into the true meaning of Psalm 3.

*In 2 Samuel 15:1-12, what is Absalom telling the people? What is the motive behind his new found interest in them?

*Upon hearing what Absalom was doing, what action did King David take? Read 2 Samuel 15:14.

*2 Samuel 15:19-21 tells us that Ittai followed King David when he fled. King David urged him to return, but Ittai would not. Why do you think Ittai chose to follow King David? This reminds me of when Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah were returning to Bethlehem after the deaths of their spouses and sons. Naomi urged her two daughters-in-law to return to their homeland and be with their own people. Orpah quickly returned, but Ruth said to Naomi, (I’m paraphrasing here) “where you go, I go, your people are my people, your God is my God” (see Ruth 1:16 & 17). Ruth was a Moabite. She had came from a place and a people who worshipped pagan gods. Ruth had seen in Naomi, an Israelite (remember the Israelites are God’s chosen people) something different and she wanted it. Could it be that Ittai saw in King David a heart that followed after God and he desired to have that for himself? King David and Naomi had great influence on the people around them. What kind of influence on you having on those around you? Are you drawing them to God by the way you live your life or are you pushing them farther away?

*King David went to the top of the Mount of Olives weeping with every step he took. He was in a state of mourning, both outwardly, apparent by the head covering and bare feet, and inwardly apparent by the tears he shed (2 Samuel 15:30). Why do you think King David was in a state of mourning? I believe he was weeping over the rebelliousness and lostness of his son, Absalom, not only toward him, but more importantly toward God. Psalm 119:135 says, “Rivers of water run down from my eyes, because men do not keep Your Law.” Do you weep over the sins and lostness of your loved ones? Do you lift them up to the Lord?

*In 2 Samuel 16:5-14, what happened to King David when he came to Bahurim? What was his reaction to Shimei? How do you react in the midst of persecution? Do you look at it as an opportunity for you to grow to be more like Christ or do you kick and scream and fight back?

*We see in 2 Samuel 18, King David and his men preparing to go to battle against Absalom. After all the pain and hurt Absalom has caused his father, King David, what command concerning Absalom does King David give the commanders of his army in 2 Samuel 18:5? How do you treat your enemies? Do you love them even though they’ve hurt you greatly or do you wish harm on them? Read Matthew 5:43-48. How are we to treat our enemies?

*What happened to Absalom? Read 2 Samuel 18:14. Were King David’s orders obeyed?

*Ahimaaz and the Cushite came to report to the king what had happened in the battle. What was King David most concerned about, winning the battle or the safety of his son? Read 2 Samuel 18:29, 32.

*What was King David’s reaction to the news of his son? (2 Samuel 18:33- 19:4)

Thus is the account for David penning Psalm 3. I hope this gives you new insight into the heart of David and to your own heart as well. How do you treat your enemies and those who’ve hurt you? Precious one, love them as unto the Lord.