David's definition of deceit
This is an example of what David means by deceit: treachery. He had sent Abner off with a blessing and Joab tricks Abner into returning in order that he might be killed. David himself lied many times in the past (e.g. to Achish King of Gath about who he was raiding) while in his Psalms, he declares his lips free from deceit. It seems that he means that he did not commit this type of deceitful treachery where lies are used not to protect oneself, but rather to destroy others, slander others, have them killed or put at enmity with a former ally.
Thus, we can feel the moral ambiguities surrounding deceit and truthfulness: the Ziphites who revealed David's location to Saul were telling the truth, but their purposes were nefarious, stirring up Saul against David for their own benefit. Satan when tempting Jesus accurately quotes Scripture for the purpose of tempting him to sin. On the other hand, Rahab's lie to protect Israel's spies was wise because it protected her house from the destruction she believed the Lord was bringing upon Jericho. It would be worth it to enumerate all such instances in the Bible and clarify how it all fits with Biblical teaching on not bearing false witness, speaking the truth in love, etc.
Created about 1 year ago
