1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 26:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Jealousy pursued David, just as envy pursued the Son of David. David found himself confined in the depths of a cave, while the Son of David descended into the depths of the underworld. It appeared that David was condemned and cast aside, yet death was defeated and brought low. David lamented, “Look where the king's spear is,” and the Son of David proclaimed, “Death! Where is your sting? Hell! Where is your victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55). Saul hurled a spear at David; although it did not harm him, the wall bore witness to the assault (See 1 Sam. 18:10-11), and one of the soldiers thrust a spear into the Son of David (See Jn. 19:34). His divine strength remained unscathed, yet His body experienced the wound. David was not vanquished, nor was the Son of David.

Jesus has transitioned from this earthly realm to His Father and now reigns over His Father's kingdom, certainly beyond the grasp of human vision, as there is a vast distance between Him who is seated at God's right hand—having taken on flesh to triumph over eternal death—and the unfortunate mortals and ungodly individuals of this world who attempted to dominate Him. Through His apostles, He addressed the people of Israel and the adherents of the law, awakening them from their slumber and destructive inactivity, thereby prompting them to respond to His call through faith in Him. Abenir, meaning ‘father's lamp,’ symbolizes those designated to share the illuminating truth with the populace. His father Nir, which translates to ‘lamp,’ represents the virtuous teachers of light-bearers who upheld the fiery knowledge of the Law in their spirits and brought it to light.