Praying in Times of Injustice or Betrayal
 (2 Sam 15.31)

O LORD, I pray you, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.”

Background

What do we pray when we find ourselves the subject of injustice or betrayal? Is this prayer of David’s a good model for such a time? Is it proper to pray for God to cause a person to act with foolishness?

Because of his son’s rebellion, David decides to leave Jerusalem and hide. He had received word that a lot of people, including the military, had fallen in behind Absalom, and were marching to Jerusalem. David could have stayed and tried to fight—after all, Jerusalem was a walled and fortified city. He probably wished to spare Jerusalem a battle. An escape would also give him time to think through what to do and prepare for any response. He took his personal troops—his bodyguard—and other household officials, though he left behind ten concubines to care for the house.

David also had, under his command, a group of mercenaries. It was not uncommon to use these foreign soldiers to supplement the domestic army—they were hired fighters. David tells this group that they should stay in Jerusalem because, first, they are not Israelites and this is not their fight; second, that David cannot guarantee he will still be able to pay them. They work for the country of Israel, not David (once again we see David’s loyalty and concern over the whole of Israel placed above his own well-being). But the foreigner soldiers refuse. They profess that they are loyal to David, even beyond any pay they might receive, and they insist on accompanying him. David acquiesces.

As David’s company is leaving the city, Abiathar and Zadok, two priests, appear with the ark, prepared to bring that holy instruments and the presence of God with David. Once again, David shows his concern for himself is less that his concern for all Israel. Who would not want the Ark with them in such a time? But David tells them to return, with the ark, to Jerusalem. First, David believes that while he might have to leave the city, it is God’s city, and so the ark remains. But it also sounds like David is not sure if he is still in God’s favor—perhaps Absalom’s actions are God’s doing. Unlike others before him, David knows that if God is not with him, having the Ark will not provide any magical protection. David was aware of his sins of the past; perhaps God had decided to move on with another king, just like he had moved on from Saul to David. Despite David’s lack of discipline at times, and his inability to discipline his family, he still tried to see the larger picture and is not afraid to question himself.

David then ascends the Mount of Olives, mourning, with his people following and doing likewise. The place where he stops is described as a place of worship and likely where an altar had been set up at some time in the past. David’s first act after his escape is to seek God.