Topical Bible: Slander: David's Enemies

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Slander, defined as the false and malicious spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation, is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative of King David. Throughout his life, David faced numerous adversaries who sought to undermine his character and authority through deceitful words and false accusations. These instances of slander are not only personal attacks on David but also serve as spiritual lessons on the nature of evil and the righteousness of God's anointed.

1. Saul's Jealousy and Slander:

King Saul, the first king of Israel, became increasingly envious of David after his victory over Goliath and subsequent rise in popularity. Saul's jealousy led him to slander David, attempting to turn others against him. In 1 Samuel 18:8-9, Saul's anger is evident: "Saul was very angry, and this song displeased him. 'They have ascribed to David tens of thousands,' he said, 'but to me they have ascribed thousands. What more can he have but the kingdom?' And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David."

Saul's slanderous behavior escalated as he falsely accused David of treason and sought to kill him. Despite Saul's attempts to malign his character, David remained steadfast in his loyalty to God and refused to retaliate against Saul, demonstrating his integrity and trust in divine justice.

2. Doeg the Edomite:

Doeg the Edomite, a servant of Saul, played a significant role in slandering David. In 1 Samuel 22:9-10, Doeg falsely accused Ahimelech the priest of conspiring with David against Saul: "Then Doeg the Edomite, who was standing with Saul’s officials, said, 'I saw the son of Jesse come to Ahimelech son of Ahitub at Nob. Ahimelech inquired of the LORD for him, gave him provisions, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.'"

Doeg's deceitful report led to the tragic massacre of the priests at Nob, highlighting the destructive power of slander. David lamented this treachery in Psalm 52, where he condemned the tongue that devises destruction and trusted in God's enduring love and justice.

3. Absalom's Rebellion:

David's own son, Absalom, engaged in slander to usurp his father's throne. Absalom cunningly won the hearts of the Israelites by spreading falsehoods about David's leadership. In 2 Samuel 15:3-4, Absalom would say, "'Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.' And he would add, 'If only someone would appoint me judge in the land, then every man with a grievance or dispute could come to me, and I would give him justice.'"

Absalom's slanderous campaign temporarily succeeded in turning the people against David, forcing him to flee Jerusalem. Despite the betrayal, David's faith in God's sovereignty remained unshaken, and he ultimately regained his throne.

4. Shimei's Curses:

During Absalom's rebellion, Shimei, a member of Saul's family, took the opportunity to slander David publicly. As David fled Jerusalem, Shimei cursed him and accused him of being a "man of blood" and responsible for Saul's downfall (2 Samuel 16:5-8). Despite the false accusations and humiliation, David chose to endure the slander, trusting that God would vindicate him in due time.

5. The Psalms of David:

David's experiences with slander are poignantly expressed in the Psalms, where he often cried out to God for deliverance from deceitful enemies. In Psalm 31:13, David laments, "For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life." Yet, he consistently affirms his trust in God, as seen in Psalm 31:14, "But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.'"

David's psalms serve as a testament to his reliance on God's protection and justice in the face of slander, offering believers a model of faith and perseverance amidst trials.

Conclusion:

The slander faced by David from his enemies underscores the spiritual battle between truth and falsehood. David's unwavering faith and integrity amidst these trials exemplify the righteous response to slander, trusting in God's ultimate vindication and justice.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 31:13
For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Beatific vision.
... those whom David met, how to handle the spears and arrows of slander, and the ... talk,
and make them offenders for a word; and who, like David's enemies, fall now ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xxvii the beatific vision.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... 1. The grossest kind of slander is that which in ... God and the king:" and as was David's
case, when ... instruments of injustice, the most desperate enemies of all ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Rash Decisions.
... Now when David heard the slander of Ziba, he was very angry with Mephibosheth ... was
a great battle, and Absalom was slain, and the enemies of David put to ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xli rash decisions.htm

Dilemma and Deliverance
... to the end of my life I was the subject of shame and slander. ... Nothing was too bad
for David. All mine enemies went round about the city like dogs, that bay all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/dilemma and deliverance.htm

Hatred Without Cause
... prophetically, "Let not them who are mine enemies rejoice over ... Dave was the type,
Jesus Christ, David's Lord. ... hatred showed itself in words of slander, such as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/hatred without cause.htm

Psalm LIII. (LIV. ).
... future sufferings of the Lord, opposed not his enemies either by ... everything in the
Psalm is uttered by David as His ... us, or hatred moves us to slander, or pain ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/psalm liii liv.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... What enemies are they to their own souls that oppugn ... Exodus 23:1). Eminency is commonly
blasted by slander. ... It was David's complaint, They laid to my charge ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

The Security of the Church
... And therefore, when David said in his day, "As the ... she must have fallen a prey to
her numerous enemies. ... He has always sought to slander any race of Christians ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the security of the church.htm

Omniscience
... could dispose of railway stock as they can of slander, those who ... "Ah!" thought David,
"I will ... desires to reply to the false assertions of his enemies, let him ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/omniscience.htm

Let Him Deliver Him Now
... David, in the twenty-second Psalm, represents the enemies as saying ... Lord in poverty,
in sickness, in bereavement, in persecution, in slander, in contempt? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/let him deliver him now.htm