THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
After the enemy had been driven away and the people were celebrating with sacrifices of gratitude for the deliverance, Saul plotted to kill his benefactor, David, who had brought them such blessings while he played music. The very gifts that should have brought peace only incited the mad king's rage, as he hurled his spear at David not once, but twice, aiming to take his life. These were the rewards that Saul offered David in return for his bravery. This was not a one-time event, but something Saul did repeatedly.
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Who among those devoted to goodness would not be incensed by this, perhaps even compelled to retaliate against such an unjust oppressor, if only to secure their own safety? Taking Saul's life would not be regarded as murder in such a case; David would merely have been left with a single transgression for Saul's three unjust attempts on his life. Yet David chose not to pursue this course of action. Instead, he opted to flee, abandoning his father's home to live as a wanderer, enduring hardship rather than commit regicide. He was not preoccupied with vengeance; rather, he aimed to shield Saul from the consequences of his rage. David concealed himself from Saul to quell the king's anger, extinguish the flames of his wrath, and subdue his hostility. He declared it preferable to endure suffering and innumerable trials than to allow Saul to face divine judgment for an unjust murder.
Let us be mindful of this example and strive to emulate it; may we bear all things, endure hardships, and suffer for the sake of reconciling with our adversaries. We must not concern ourselves with whether their anger is justified; our only aim should be to end their hostility. A physician's priority is to heal the patient rather than dwell on the cause of their affliction. Thus, we should position ourselves as healers to those who have wronged us, focusing solely on alleviating their shortcomings. This was precisely how David behaved: he chose the hardships of poverty over the comforts of wealth, the solitude of the wilderness over his homeland, and danger over security, all to free Saul from his malice and ill will. Yet, despite his efforts, Saul remained unchanged.
Envy is indeed a profound evil; it can lead one to neglect their own salvation. In this way, Saul allowed an evil spirit to invade his soul and harbored resentment even toward the one who had saved him. Such is the nature of envy: despite knowing that David was his savior, Saul would rather see him destroyed than allow him to be honored.