David continued to address the congregation of Israel, but presented the alternative to caring for the helpless with its consequences. He did this by relating a personal experience.
41:4 David had been in need of help at some time in the past. Apparently he had sinned and God had punished him with sickness. He cried out to God for help.
41:5-8 His enemies, rather than being merciful, took advantage of his weakness. They hoped for his death, spoke hypocritically to him when they visited him, and spread gossip that he would not survive.
41:9 Even a former genuine friend of David's had turned against him. Ahithophel, who betrayed David and then hanged himself (2 Sam. 16:20-17:3, 23), did this. Yet it is not certain that he was the person the psalmist had in mind. David had more than one friend who later turned against him.
Jesus quoted this verse about Judas (John 13:18).
