A Psalm About Ahithophel (Psalm #55)

Text: Psalm 55

Friendship gone bad

Ahithophel was a wise, well respected counselor in 2 Samuel 15:12 and 16:23. Ahithophel was David’s friend and confidante. Ahithophel had a son named Eliam who was among David’s mighty men (2 Samuel 23:34). These families were very close. Turns out that Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam (2 Samuel 11:3).
Absalom is David’s son and Absalom has decided to take David’s throne.
2 Samuel 15:10-13, 31-34
Ahithophel became close to Absalom in order to get to David. Ahithophel didn’t care whether Absalom was king or not.
2 Samuel 16:20-22
Now, you know why this piece of disgusting advice is given? To publicly humiliate David just like Ahithophel felt when David committed adultery with his granddaughter Bathsheba.
Bitterness becomes all consuming.
2 Samuel 17:1-4
You would never admit a grudge, but you would tear that person down every chance you get. And you would rejoice in their downfall.
2 Samuel 15:31-34 then 2 Samuel 17:5
First of all God isn’t going to honor your grudge.
2 Samuel 17:23
It will eat you up from the inside out. Even while you seem to have it all together you’ll be stewing in the devil’s pot.
James 3:14-15 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
James said, Lie not against the truth. That means bring that thing to light. Admit the problem! You keep saying to yourself and to God that’s not the issue when it is.

David’s prayer against Ahithophel

Psalm 55 is the other side Ahithophel’s bitterness. David prays against him. David’s prayer is answered.
Vss 6-7 – David is on the Mt. of Olives in 2 Samuel 15:30-31.
Vss 8-11 – Jerusalem is the city.
Vss 12-15 is about Ahithophel
Vss 16-23 is significant because David is going to take vengeance on them, he is going to let God deal with the situation while he occupies himself in prayer, not planning.

But this is also applied to the Lord Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot

Also applied to faithful Israelites who are betrayed during Tribulation time

Mark 13:12-13 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. 13 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.