But when David saw his servants whispering, he understood that the child was dead: and he said to his servants: Is the child dead? They answered him He is dead.
וַיַּ֣רְא דָּוִ֗ד כִּ֤י עֲבָדָיו֙ מִֽתְלַחֲשִׁ֔ים וַיָּ֥בֶן דָּוִ֖ד כִּ֣י מֵ֣ת הַיָּ֑לֶד וַיֹּ֨אמֶר דָּוִ֧ד אֶל־עֲבָדָ֛יו הֲמֵ֥ת הַיֶּ֖לֶד וַיֹּ֥אמְרוּ מֵֽת׃
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
As the servants engaged in their somber discussions, overwhelmed by despair and advising one another to remain silent, David perceived their unease and inquired about his son’s fate. When they could not conceal the truth, they sorrowfully conveyed the news. A profound sense of dread and anticipation filled the air, as they feared the gentle father might place himself in jeopardy.
Certainly, the ultimate good is found in virtue, which solely generates the abundant joys of a blessed and joyful existence. This blissful state is not shaped by material or bodily possessions, but is attained through virtue alone, leading to eternal life. The joyful life results from present blessings, while eternal life represents the promise of future blessings. However, some believe that it is impossible to experience true joy while dwelling in such a fragile and weak mortal body, where worry, pain, sorrow, and illness are inevitable. One might speculate that I suggest a blessed life is evidenced by a thriving body rather than manifested through the depths of wisdom, the comfort of a clear conscience, and sublime virtue.
To be truly blessed means not merely enduring suffering but triumphing over it, and not succumbing to the waves of temporary hardships.
Imagine an unbearable hardship that brings suffering, such as blindness, exile, hunger, the mistreatment of a child, or the loss of offspring. But who would dispute the blessedness of Isaac, who, despite his old age and blindness, bestowed blessings upon others? Was not Jacob blessed despite fleeing from his family, living as a stranger, working as a hired shepherd, grieving for his dishonored daughter, and facing hunger? Were not those blessed who bore witness through their faith that God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? Although slavery is regrettable, Joseph remained blessed in his servitude, as he resisted the advances of his mistress.
And what shall we say of King David, who grieved for the loss of his three sons and faced the even greater tragedy of his daughter’s violation? Is he not blessed, out of whose lineage the Creator of bliss emerged, bringing joy to many? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. They recognized their frailty but converted their weakness into strength. Who was more patient than Job, who endured the destruction of his home, the simultaneous deaths of his ten children, and immense physical hardship? Would he have been deemed less blessed had he not suffered those trials that brought him such glory?
THEOSIS