Absalom’s Uprising

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

Psalm 3:1-4 ESV

David’s son Absalom had won over the hearts of the Israelites and essentially pronounced himself king.

With an army at his back and the people on his side, Absalom enters Jerusalem to boot David off of the throne. (2 Samuel 15)

Weeping, David flees and goes up to the Mount of Olives to pray, asking that God turns Absalom’s counsel into foolishness. In 2 Samuel 16, we see that David has officially gone out of the city.

In light of this, Psalm 3 is even more amazing, as it was written during this event!

Thousands of people are against David, seeking his very life. “Many are saying of my soul, ‘there is no salvation for him in God.’ ”

Yet David remains confident in the Lord. Not wavering, David seeks God and declares his trust in the Lord, proclaiming that God is a shield around him.

Arise, O Lord!
    Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you break the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the Lord;
    your blessing be on your people! Selah

Psalm 3:7-8 ESV

David doesn’t start off by calling for his army. He calls for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

He knew that salvation was found only in one place, and he looked for help there first.

David knew that only in God would he find security. Where do you find yours?