תהלים, פרק ע״א, פסוק י״א

When the enemies of the psalmist observe his severe hardships and physical decline, they view his suffering as absolute proof that divine providence has left him. They speak among themselves [אבן עזרא, רד״ק], sharing the firm conclusion [ביאור שטיינזלץ] that God has completely removed His lifelong protection.

Commentators offer different perspectives on how these enemies reach this conclusion. Looking at the situation historically, David was once victorious in all his battles, but his fortunes have drastically reversed. With even his own son hunting him down to kill him [רד״ק], it appears he has been entirely abandoned to chance [מצודת דוד]. From a spiritual standpoint, the enemies assume that God has turned away from him as a direct result of his sins [מלבי״ם].

According to rabbinic tradition, these pursuers were Doeg and Ahithophel. They used their understanding of Torah law to argue that David's past sins caused the Divine Presence to depart from him. However, they made a critical error, failing to realize that the merit of his deep Torah study continued to protect him and could not be erased by his mistakes [תורה תמימה].

On a deeper level, the claim that God has abandoned the aging leader because of his sins is not only spoken by human enemies. It is also echoed by destructive spiritual forces brought into existence by those very sins. These forces of the evil inclination are actually the ones whispering to the physical enemies, advising and tempting them to strike [אלשיך].

Filled with a sense of certainty that their target is exposed, the enemies encourage one another to hunt him down and capture him. They are fully convinced that he is completely defenseless, believing that God will no longer step in to help, and that the aging man's own physical strength is far too weak to save him [מצודת דוד].