TRAITORS, TREASON AND TREACHERY
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son:
"LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which
TRAITORS, TREASON AND TREACHERY
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son:
"LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah" (Psalms 3).
The revolt against David
Not only was David's own son Absalom a traitor, but he was joined by Sheba and Shimei, men who wanted to further their own agenda's. Add to these deceptive characters, Ziba, a servant of Mephibosheth, whose goal was to have the kingdom of King Saul. These men owed their livelyhood to the king, and yet they thumbed their noses at him and his protection.
What is a traitor? Why throughout history were they punishable by death in any country in the world? Treason is a crime which undermines the offender's government. It is disloyalty by virtue of subversive behavior. It is a deliberate betrayal. It is treachery against the authorities set up by God.
Treason has usually been punishable by death even in modern times, although recently some traitors have been allowed to leave the country which they betray and never come back. The US Constitution (1791) states, "No person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open court." (Notice the allusion to Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28.)
Other common words for treason are: breach of promise, breach of trust, breach of faith, disloyalty, apostasy, faithlessness and betrayal. These are all words with which we are familiar. Have we not seen such actions in every walk of life?
When an unfaithful spouse betrays the other in the marriage vows and commits adultery against the mate, what should the punishment be? Under the Old Testament law, the adulterous mate would have been put to death at the mouth of two witnesses. Should we not take more seriously the crime of betrayal in any covenant? May God help us to see the seriousness of being treacherous and breaking our marriage contracts.
"Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously" (Malachi 2:14-16).
The name, Ahithophel, means "brother of foolishness." From studying the account in scripture, we know that Ahithophel was the real leader of the rebellion Absalom carried out against his father David. He is described as "the king's counselor," in a context connected with events some of which are dated in "the fortieth year of David" (1 Chronicles 27:33-34; also compare 26:31).
Ahithophel had a reputation for marvelous practical sagacity.
"And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counseled in those days, was as if a man had inquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom" (2 Samuel 16:23).
He did not show keen intuitive judgment in joining the conspiracy but it is quite evident in his management of the affair. Ahithophel apparently believed his own popularity would bring success to Absalom's revolt. Possibly sensing a chance to rise to power himself, Ahithophel advised Absalom to take David's concubines and defile them on the roof top of the palace itself -- an act equivalent to claiming the throne.
"Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and 