Jerusalem was under threat from a conspiracy, possibly that led by Absalom. Attacks from within are usually a lot harder to deal with than attacks from the enemy.
The conspirators hailed down insults and accusations upon David. Most leaders will have experienced this at some time in their life, probably on numerous occasions. When this happens our own thoughts trouble us and you can feel horrible inside.
Note that David is open about the fact that he feels beset by fear. Sometimes we can try and pretend that we are coping fine when we know full well we are not. Look, God knows exactly what we are feeling and thinking anyway, so we might as well be completely honest with God.
David longs to flee away, to be far away from the conflict and have nothing more to do with it. He then calls on God to confuse the enemy.
Next he tells God how difficult it is that it is one of his companions who is leading the assault. This is one of the reasons why we should endeavour as much as we can to maintain unity within the church, for attacks from within are the most destructive. Persecution of the church, though very costly, often results in the church growing in the long term. It is internal cancers that destroy the church.
Yet in the midst of all this David still calls on the Lord, and still believes that the Lord will save him. We need to recognise that we can still have faith in them midst of the turmoil. We may experience all sorts of conflicting thoughts and feelings, we must choose the ones that are in line with God's word. God looks for the ounce of faith within our turmoil, not the mountain of doubt.
In fact David's conclusion from all this is "cast your cares on the Lord" (see 1 Peter 5:7). God never changes and is totally dependable, and He will rescue us unharmed from the conflict.
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