THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Thus, setting all else aside, his sole justification was based on the events of that particular day. He remained untouched by arrogance or self-importance, focusing exclusively on the will of God. When he said, “May the Lord judge between me and you,” he did not intend to seek Saul’s punishment or vindication, but rather to instill a sense of reverence regarding future judgment and to vindicate himself. He believed he had compelling evidence in his actions and urged that if they were not convincing, God alone could testify to the hidden intentions of the heart and scrutinize the conscience of every individual. His remarks indicated he would not dare call upon a just Judge or submit the issue for divine judgment unless he was entirely assured of his own innocence.
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His desire to justify himself and to enlighten Saul is clearly illustrated not only by past actions but also by what took place afterward. When he again had Saul at his mercy—Saul, who had continued to pursue him with hostility—even after being shown mercy, David had the chance to destroy him and his entire army but chose to release him without imposing any hardship. Recognizing that Saul was gravely ill and would never relent in his animosity, David chose to hide from Saul and lived among foreign peoples in subjugation, enduring hardships and toiling to secure his daily sustenance. It is not merely this circumstance that is astonishing, but also David’s reaction upon learning of Saul’s death in battle. He tore his garments, sprinkled himself with ashes, and mourned fiercely, resembling one who had lost a beloved son, repeatedly invoking both their names and crafting a song of lament. He expressed heartfelt sorrow, remained without food until evening, and cursed the very lands that had soaked up Saul's blood. “Mountains of Gilboa,” he exclaimed, “let neither dew nor rain fall upon you; for the shield of the mighty has been laid low there.” What fathers often do, turning away from their homes in sorrow as they watch the path where their son was taken, David also did, renouncing the mountains that bore witness to Saul's downfall. He expressed his loathing for that ground, lamenting, “Let it no longer be nourished by rainfall, for it was once regrettably drenched with the blood of my friends.” Constantly, he repeated their names, saying, “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and beautiful, were united in life, and in death, they were not parted.” Unable to embrace their absent forms, he clung to the remembrance of their names, seeking solace in this way to alleviate the burdens of his grief. While many saw the simultaneous loss of both as an unbearable tragedy, he transformed this very reality into a source of comfort. His profound words, “They were inseparable in their lives, and in their deaths they were not separated,” portray his viewpoint that neither the son mourned for his lost father nor the father wept for the lost son, for each experienced the finality of death on the same day, thus entwined in their fates. Are you troubled now, shedding tears and filled with emotional turmoil? Remember, while your heart is still aflame with sorrow, even for those who have wronged you, cherish them during their lives and mourn for them in their passing—not as a pretense, but sincerely and deeply. Endure any necessary hardship to avoid offending the offender, with the hope of great rewards from God. Behold, David inherited the kingdom, not by sullied hands but with purity, donning the crown and ascending the throne. That he spared his adversary and grieved for him in death brought greater glory than the regal crown and royal attire. For this, he is not only honored in life but also remembered in death. So, if you desire to receive lasting glory here and enjoy eternal blessings in the hereafter, imitate the virtues of this righteous man. Cultivate his spirit of generosity and emulate his steadfastness in practice, that you might share in the same struggles and gain the same rewards, attainable through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, power, and honor, along with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.