THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
As the moment approached for his true character to be unveiled, he heeded his father's instruction to go to his brothers and willingly complied with the call.
1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 17:20Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
David, therefore, arose in the morning, and gave the charge of the flock to the keeper: and went away loaded, as Isai had commanded him. And he came to the place of Magala, and to the army, which was going out to fight, and shouted for the battle.
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם דָּוִ֜ד בַּבֹּ֗קֶר וַיִּטֹּ֤שׁ אֶת־הַצֹּאן֙ עַל־שֹׁמֵ֔ר וַיִּשָּׂ֣א וַיֵּ֔לֶךְ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖הוּ יִשָׁ֑י וַיָּבֹא֙ הַמַּעְגָּ֔לָה וְהַחַ֗יִל הַיֹּצֵא֙ אֶל־הַמַּ֣עֲרָכָ֔ה וְהֵרֵ֖עוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Caesarius of Arles
David approached and discovered the Israelites in the valley of the oak, preparing to battle the Philistines. In this way, the true David, Christ, was destined to guide humanity from the depths of sin and sorrow. They arranged themselves in battle formations, but the burden of their sins weighed heavily upon them, preventing them from confronting their foes. Why was this? It was because David, who symbolizes Christ, had not yet arrived. Indeed, dear brethren, who could confront the devil prior to Christ our Lord liberating humanity from his dominion? Observe that the name David is understood as "strong in hand"; and who is stronger than He who triumphed over the world using the means of the cross rather than a sword? Furthermore, the Israelites faced their enemies for forty days.
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This period signifies the essence of life, where Christians continually strive against Goliath and his hosts, representing the devil and his minions, much like the four seasons and the four corners of the earth. It would have been impossible to achieve victory without the arrival of Christ, the true David, wielding His staff, which is the sacrament of the cross. Yes, before Christ’s advent, the devil roamed free, dear brethren; but through His coming, Christ fulfilled what is stated in the Gospel: "How can any man enter into the house of a strong man, and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house" (Matthew 12:29). Thus, Christ came and bound the devil.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- 1 Sam 26:5And David arose secretly, and came to the place where Saul was: and when he had beheld the place, wherein Saul slept, and Abner, the son of Ner, the captain of his army, and Saul sleeping in a tent, and the rest of the multitude round about him,
- Luke 19:43For the days shall come upon thee: and thy enemies shall cast a trench about thee and compass thee round and straiten thee on every side,
- 1 Sam 17:28Now when Eliab his eldest brother heard this, when he was speaking with others, he was angry with David, and said: Why camest thou hither? and why didst thou leave those few sheep in the desert? I know thy pride, and the wickedness of thy heart: that thou art come down to see the battle.
- 1 Sam 26:7So David and Abisai came to the people by night, and found Saul lying and sleeping in the tent, and his spear fixed in the ground at his head: and Abner and the people sleeping round about him.
- Eph 6:1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is just.
- Eph 6:2Honour thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with a promise: