The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
Get the app

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 19:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And he put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the Lord wrought great salvation for all Israel. Thou sawest it and didst rejoice. Why therefore wilt thou sin against innocent blood, by killing David, who is without fault?

Douay-Rheims

וַיָּשֶׂם֩ אֶת־נַפְשׁ֨וֹ בְכַפּ֜וֹ וַיַּ֣ךְ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗י וַיַּ֨עַשׂ יְהוָ֜ה תְּשׁוּעָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙ לְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רָאִ֖יתָ וַתִּשְׂמָ֑ח וְלָ֤מָּה תֶֽחֱטָא֙ בְּדָ֣ם נָקִ֔י לְהָמִ֥ית אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד חִנָּֽם׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Ambrose of Milan

4th centuryChurch Father

Even though he was a ruler, he would have sinned had he taken the life of an innocent person. David, after having secured his reign and learning of the unjust death of the innocent Abner at the hands of Joab, his military leader, declared, "Innocent am I, and my kingdom is forever stained with the blood of Abner the son of Ner" (2 Sam. 3:28) and mourned in fasting.

Read more (93 words)

The intention in sharing this is not to chastise, but rather to inspire you through the lessons of these kings to rid your realm of such wrongdoing. This can only be achieved through heartfelt humility before God. You are human, and temptations will arise; strive to conquer them. Sin is cleansed solely through genuine tears and sincere repentance. Neither angel nor archangel can absolve us; only the Lord Himself can proclaim, "I am with you" (Matthew 28:20), yet this does not lessen our culpability when we have erred, unless we genuinely seek forgiveness.

Beda Venerabilis

7th centuryChurch Father

Upon hearing the teachings of the apostles, the people of Judah experienced a shift from their previous anger and turmoil. They proclaimed, with a sincere commitment of faith, that the church of Jesus Christ would endure forever among them. They affirmed that the remembrance of Him, Who existed before all ages and is eternal, would never fade away.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.