WHEN YOU’RE BETRAYED…

Series: Giant Slayer | Pastor Daniel Norris

Text: 2 Samuel 16:5-13 (ESV)

What do you do when someone betrays you, attacks your name, and rewrites your story?

When betrayal comes, you have to decide who will defend your name, you or God.

5 …there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 And Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of blood, you worthless man! 8 The Lord has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the Lord has given the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, your evil is on you, for you are a man of blood.” 2 Samuel 16:5–8 (ESV)

Shimei is the voice of accusation, condemnation, and judgment. He follows in the wake of betrayal. 

11 “Behold, my own son seeks my life; how much more now may this Benjaminite! Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.” 13 So David and his men went on the road, while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. 2 Samuel 16:9–14 (ESV)

Five things to remember when you’re facing your moment of betrayal.

When you’re betrayed remember…

1. PAIN DISTORTS THE STORIES WE TELL OURSELVES.

“The LORD has avenged on you all the blood of the house of Saul.” (vs 8).

David was not under judgment. He was actually under restoration.

Shimei could not tell the difference…

“An offended brother is more unyielding than a strong city.” (Proverbs 18:19, ESV)

We see things not as they are but as we are.

Do not let someone else’s betrayal become your identity. 

When you’re betrayed remember…

2. NOT EVERY ATTACK REQUIRES AN ANSWER.

“Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and take off his head.” (2 Samuel 16:9, ESV)

Abishai is the voice of the flesh.

But the king said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? If he is cursing because the Lord has said to him, ‘Curse David,’ who then shall say, ‘Why have you done so?’ ” 2 Samuel 16:10 (ESV)

David says… Don’t react in anger, just respond with trust.

“Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, ESV)

Silence is not weakness when God is your witness. 

When you’re betrayed remember…

3. GOD IS STILL WATCHING YOUR RESPONSE.

It may be that the Lord will look on the wrong done to me, and that the Lord will repay me with good for his cursing today.” 2 Samuel 16:12 (ESV)

David recognized that true repentance was not a one time act but a continual walk.

Your response in betrayal reveals what you believe about God.

When you’re betrayed remember…

4. VINDICATION MOVES AT A DIFFERENT PACE THAN VENGEANCE.

Vengeance is fast and satisfying. Vindication is slower but lasts longer.

For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Hebrews 10:36 (ESV)

18 …Shimei the son of Gera fell down before the king, as he was about to cross the Jordan, 19 and said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me guilty or remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. Do not let the king take it to heart. 20 For your servant knows that I have sinned.” (2 Samuel 19:18–20, ESV)

God has a way of correcting the record if you’ll be patient.

When you’re betrayed remember…

5. DON’T LET BETRAYAL BECOME YOUR IDENTITY.

Shimei looked at David’s lowest moment and made a judgment.

Don’t mistake a season for a sentence!

Betrayal is going to try its best to harden you. Don’t let it!!!

The person who betrayed you does not get to define you. Do not let betrayal harden your heart or rewrite your future.

13 …while Shimei went along on the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went and threw stones at him and flung dust. 14 And the king, and all the people who were with him, arrived weary at the Jordan. And there he refreshed himself. 2 Samuel 16:13–14 (ESV)

David show us you can find rest and refreshment even in the face of betrayal by…

– Letting God be your witness.

– Allowing God write the story you believe about yourself.

– Being patient with the process God chooses… trust him with the restoration, your reputation and results.