THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
What occurred? He fell in combat and met his demise. Thus, two transgressions were committed: adultery and murder, with murder arising from the sin of adultery. I make this point for the sake of sinners and those who are aware of their numerous wrongs, so that when they hear this, they may not lose hope in their redemption, for it is written, ‘Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not commit adultery’ (Exodus 20:13-14). David violated both of these initial commandments. He engaged in adultery and subsequently took the life of the wronged man. The wound is grievous; the affliction is severe.
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Indeed, just as Cain not only committed murder but perpetrated the worst of murders—in that he did not kill a stranger, but a brother; and not a brother who had wronged him, but one who was innocent, and not after many had committed similar acts, but as the first to commit such a heinous act—similarly, here the offense transcends mere murder. It was not an ordinary man who committed this act, but a prophet who took the life not of the offender, but of the innocent one, who was already wronged when David took his wife, thereby compounding this offense with a new one. Do you see how I have not withheld critique from this righteous man? I have recounted his failings without any mitigation. Nevertheless, I hold out hope to defend him, so that I might silence both those who mock him greatly, such as the Manichaeans, and those who are tainted by the teachings of Marcion. They assert that David committed murder and adultery. I not only concur with their assessment but have demonstrated that his act of murder was twofold—both because he killed the wronged party, and due to the high station of the sinner. The gravity is different when a man, honored by the Spirit and greatly esteemed, commits such sins with boldness, compared to one who lacks such recognition engaging in the same wrongdoing.