THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
This was also the situation in the aftermath (1 Sam. 18: 10-11). Following the enemy's defeat, the atmosphere was jubilant, with many offering sacrifices to give thanks for the victory. Yet Saul, in a fit of rage, plotted to take the life of his benefactor, the very one responsible for such blessings, while David played music before him. The very gifts David received did not calm the rage of the deranged king; he hurled his spear at David not just once, but twice, attempting to end his life. This was the response Saul offered to David's bravery. Time and again Saul sought to do this, not just on a single occasion. Who among the most virtuous could remain indifferent to this atrocity, and not feel compelled to act against the unjust persecutor, if only for their own protection?
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For it would not be classified as murder in this case; indeed, David would be regarded as standing above human law. The law prescribes eye for eye; yet, had David slain Saul, it would merely have constituted one act of violence for three inflicted by Saul, which had no legitimate justification. Nevertheless, David refrained from such actions; he chose instead to flee, leaving his father’s home, becoming a wanderer, and enduring hardship to sustain himself, rather than be guilty of taking the king’s life. He prioritized freeing Saul from his uncontrollable rage over seeking vengeance. Thus, he concealed himself from Saul to calm his fury, to extinguish the flame of hatred. It is better for me, he declared, to face hardships and countless misfortunes than to invite upon Saul the judgment of God through unjust bloodshed. Let us not only observe this but also emulate it; let us bear all things, striving to reconcile with our adversaries. Our concern should not be whether their anger is justified, but rather the cessation of their enmity towards us. Just as a physician aims to heal a sick person, he does not dwell on how the illness came to be. You are to serve as a healer to those who have wronged you; your sole endeavor should be to eliminate their affliction. This was precisely the choice made by the blessed one: he valued hardship over wealth, the wilderness over his homeland, and danger over comfort, leading a life of constant flight to rid Saul of his animosity. Alas, even this would not sway Saul.
A profound and destructive evil is envy; it leads individuals to overlook their own salvation. Thus, Saul invited a malicious spirit into his heart; and after succumbing to it, he turned his envy against his rescuer. Such is the nature of envy: he recognized that David was his salvation, yet preferred to see his deliverer perish rather than witness him receiving honor.