Betrayal at the Hands of Ahithophel
In Psalm 55:11–14 (NIV), David describes feeling betrayed by someone. He writes:
11 Destructive forces are at work in the city; threats and lies never leave its streets. 12 If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me I could hide. 13 But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
My hunch is that he’s talking specifically about Ahithophel’s betrayal. Ahithopel was originally one of David’s most trusted advisers. His advice is described as “like that of one who inquires of God” (2 Samuel 16:23). However, he joins the rebellion of Absalom, David’s son, who is trying to steal the kingship away from. Here are three clues that Psalm 55 might be pointing to Ahithophel.
“Destructive forces” on the “roads” and in the “city”
Firstly, Psalm 55 describes “destructive forces” at work in the “roads” and “city”. In 2 Samuel 15, we read of Absalom’s destructive forces at work in Jerusalem:
1 In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him. 2 He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 3 Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” 4 And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.” 5 Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. 6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the people of Israel.
Absalom actively sought to undermine his father’s leadership at the city gates of Jerusalem.
Then, in verse 12, we read:
While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, to come from Giloh, his home town. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.
Absalom recruits Ahithophel to help with his movement.
It got so bad that, in 2 Samuel 15:14, David says, “Come! We must flee, or none of us will escape from Absalom. We must leave immediately, or he will move quickly to overtake us and bring ruin on us and put the city to the sword.“
2. Betrayal by a “close friend”
In Psalm 55, David is devastated by the betrayal of a close friend. Ahithophel fits the bill here. In verse 12 (above), we read that Ahithophel was David’s “counsellor”. In 16:23 we’re told that David regarded Ahithophel’s “like that of one who inquires of God”. Ahithophel was someone David really trusted.
3. Enjoying “sweet fellowship”
In Psalm 55, David speaks of betrayal at the hands of someone with whom he had once enjoyed “sweet fellowship” in the house of God. This makes sense of Ahithophel. If he was David’s counsellor and adviser, and if David was someone who spent a lot of time worshipping in the house of God, one expects that Ahithophel probably would have spent some time with David there.
Greater Betrayal
Psalm 55 doesn’t explicitly identify Ahithophel as David’s betrayer, so we can’t be 100% sure about this.
But in the New Testament, we read of Judas betraying the New David.
Judas teamed up with the destructive forces at work in Jerusalem, assisting in the effort to see Jesus executed (e.g., Matthew 26:14-16, 47-50).
Judas was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and therefore one of his closest friends (cf. Matthew 26:50).
As one of the twelve disciples, Judas would also have enjoyed several moments of “sweet fellowship” with the New David.
Ahithophel’s betrayal led to attempts to take on David’s life. Judas’ betrayal led to the actual execution of the New David.
But both David and the New David cried out in distress (Psalm 55:17, Matthew 27:46). In both cases, God hears their voice, and he saves and rescues them (cf. Psalm 55:16-18).
The Application
So what do we do in response to all of this? Psalm 55:22-23:
22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken. 23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of decay; the bloodthirsty and deceitful will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you.
Cast your cares on the LORD. Know that you will not be shaken. Know that he will take down those who seek to undermine God’s purposes. Trust the LORD.
