1, 2. (a) What perilous situation did David face? (b) We will discuss which psalms?

KING DAVID has ruled Israel for some time, but he now faces a perilous situation. His scheming son Absalom has had himself declared king, and David has been forced to leave Jerusalem. He has also been betrayed by a confidant, and now, accompanied by a few loyal ones, he walks weeping and barefoot over the Mount of Olives. Moreover, Shimei, who belongs to a family in King Saul’s house, is throwing stones and dust at David while cursing him.​—2 Sam. 15:30, 31; 16:5-14.

² Will this ordeal bring David down to Sheol in grief and disgrace? No, for he trusts in Jehovah. This is evident in the 3rd Psalm, composed by David regarding his flight.

When ‘Many Rise Up Against Us’

3. As shown at Psalm 3:1, 2, what was David’s situation?

³ “The heart of the men of Israel has come to be behind Absalom,” says a messenger. (2 Sam. 15:13) Wondering how Absalom has been able to marshal such support, David asks: “O Jehovah, why have my adversaries become many? Why are many rising up against me? Many are saying of my soul: ‘There is no salvation for him by God.’” (Ps. 3:1, 2) Many Israelites think that Jehovah will not deliver David from calamity at the hands of Absalom and his cohorts.

4, 5. (a) David was sure of what? (b) What is the significance of the words “the One lifting up my head”?

⁴ But David is confident because he has implicit trust in God. He sings: “Yet you, O Jehovah, are a shield about me, my glory and the One lifting up my head.” (Ps. 3:3) David is sure that Jehovah will protect him just as a shield protects a soldier. Yes, the aging king is fleeing, his head covered and bent down in humiliation. But the Most High will change David’s condition to one of glory. Jehovah will enable him to stand erect, to raise his head and hold it high once again. David calls out with confidence that God will answer him. Do you display such trust in Jehovah?

⁵ By the words “the One lifting up my head,” David ascribes to Jehovah the help he expects to receive. Today’s English Version reads: “But you, O LORD, are always my shield from danger; you give me victory and restore my courage.” With regard to the expression “the One lifting up my head,” one reference work says: “When God lifts up . . . one’s ‘head,’ He fills one with hope and confidence.” Forced from Israel’s throne, David has reason to be despondent. However, ‘the lifting up of his head’ will result in renewed courage, confidence, and complete trust in God.

‘Jehovah Will Answer!’

6. Why did David refer to having his prayer answered from Jehovah’s holy mountain?

⁶ Trusting in Jehovah and filled with confidence, David continues: “With my voice I shall call to Jehovah himself, and he will answer me from his holy mountain.” (Ps. 3:4) In keeping with David’s orders, the ark of the covenant, symbolizing God’s presence, has been taken to Mount Zion. (Read 2 Samuel 15:23-25.) Fittingly, then, David refers to having his prayer answered from Jehovah’s holy mountain.

7. Why did David experience no dread?

⁷ Certain that prayer to God will not be in vain, David experiences no dread. Instead, he sings: “As for me, I will lie down that I may sleep; I shall certainly awake, for Jehovah himself keeps supporting me.” (Ps. 3:5) Even at night, when the danger of surprise attack is the greatest, David is not afraid to go to sleep. He is sure that he will awake, for his past experiences have made him absolutely confident that he can trust in God’s unfailing support. So can we if we adhere to “the ways of Jehovah” and never depart from him.​—Read 2 Samuel 22:21, 22.

8. How does Psalm 27:1-4 show that David trusted in God?

⁸ David’s confidence and complete trust in God are evident in another of his psalms, one containing these inspired words: “Jehovah is my light and my salvation. Of whom shall I be in fear? Jehovah is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be in dread? . . . Though against me an encampment should pitch tent, my heart will not fear. . . . One thing I have asked from Jehovah​—it is what I shall look for, that I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, to behold the pleasantness of Jehovah and to look with appreciation upon his temple.” (Ps. 27:1-4) If you share those sentiments and your circumstances permit, you will regularly meet with fellow worshippers of Jehovah.​—Heb. 10:23-25.

9, 10. Despite the words of Psalm 3:6, 7, why would you say that David did not have a vindictive spirit?

⁹ Although David is faced with Absalom’s treachery and the disloyalty of so many others, he sings: “I shall not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves in array against me round about. Do arise, O Jehovah! Save me, O my God! For you will have to strike all my enemies on the jaw. The teeth of wicked ones you will have to break.”​—Ps. 3:6, 7.

¹⁰ David does not have a vindictive spirit. If his enemies were to be ‘struck on the jaw,’ God would do it. King David has written a personal copy of the Law and knows that in it Jehovah declares: “Vengeance is mine, and retribution.” (Deut. 17:14, 15, 18; 32:35) It is also up to God to ‘break the teeth of the wicked ones.’ Breaking their teeth means rendering them powerless to do harm. Jehovah knows who the wicked are because “he sees what the heart is.” (1 Sam. 16:7) How grateful we are that God gives us faith and strength to stand firm against the chief wicked one, Satan, who will soon be abyssed like a roaring but toothless lion fit only for destruction!​—1 Pet. 5:8, 9; Rev. 20:1, 2, 7-10.

“Salvation Belongs to Jehovah”

11. Why should we pray for fellow believers?

¹¹ David realizes that Jehovah alone can bring about the deliverance that he so desperately needs. But the psalmist is not thinking only of himself. What about Jehovah’s favored people as a whole? Appropriately, David concludes his inspired composition with the words: “Salvation belongs to Jehovah. Your blessing is upon your people.” (Ps. 3:8) True, David has monumental problems, but he bears in mind Jehovah’s people in general and is confident that God will bless them. Should we not also keep our fellow believers in mind? Let us remember them in our prayers, asking Jehovah to give them his holy spirit so that they can muster up courage and can act with confidence in declaring the good news.​—Eph. 6:17-20.

12, 13. What happened to Absalom, and how did David react?

¹² Absalom’s life ends ingloriously​—a warning to all who would abuse others, especially God’s anointed ones, such as David. (Read Proverbs 3:31-35.) A battle takes place, and Absalom’s forces are defeated. Absalom himself is riding away on a mule when his luxuriant hair becomes enmeshed in the fork of a low branch of a large tree. There he hangs​—alive but helpless—​until Joab kills him by driving three shafts into his heart.​—2 Sam. 18:6-17.

¹³ Does David rejoice when he learns what has befallen his son? No. Instead, he paces the floor, weeps, and cries out: “My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! O that I might have died, I myself, instead of you, Absalom my son, my son!” (2 Sam. 18:24-33) Only Joab’s words bring David out of his nearly overwhelming grief. What a tragic end for Absalom, whose blind ambition prompted him to fight against his own father​—Jehovah’s anointed—​and bring disaster upon himself!​—2 Sam. 19:1-8; Prov. 12:21; 24:21, 22.