And he said: While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept for him: for I said: Who knoweth whether the Lord may not give him to me, and the child may live?
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר בְּעוֹד֙ הַיֶּ֣לֶד חַ֔י צַ֖מְתִּי וָֽאֶבְכֶּ֑ה כִּ֤י אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ מִ֣י יוֹדֵ֔עַ יחנני וְחַנַּ֥נִי יְהוָ֖ה וְחַ֥י הַיָּֽלֶד׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
This remarkable individual, known for his immense generosity, responded by stating that while the son was still living, it was important to demonstrate humility, engage in fasting, and mourn before the Lord, as there remained a hope for his resurrection.
St. David experienced the loss of two sons: one committed incest, while the other was guilty of fratricide. Though their existence brought shame, the pain of losing them was profound. He also mourned a third son, a child whom he cherished deeply. David expressed his sorrow while the boy lived, but the grief did not linger after his passing. It is noted that during the child's illness, David fervently prayed to the Lord, fasted, and lay on the ground in humble supplication. Despite the elders' attempts to lift him from his sorrowful position, he remained there, refusing food. Upon learning of the child's death, however, he rose from the ground, washed himself, anointed his body, changed his attire, worshipped the Lord, and began to eat.
His servants found this behavior perplexing, prompting him to clarify that while the child was alive, he fasted and wept in hopeful anticipation of divine mercy. He had faith that the One who resurrects the dead could grant life to his ailing son. With the child now deceased, he saw no purpose in fasting, for he could not restore life; he stated, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." This illustrates profound comfort for the grieving and the wise discernment of one who suffers with grace. No one could critique him as though he had been wronged or express discontent that his tribulations were disproportionate to his virtues. For who are we to assert our worthiness before the appointed time? Why attempt to anticipate our divine Judge? Why claim authority over the one who is the ultimate arbiter?
Furthermore, David cried for his son during his illness but ceased his lament when he passed, knowing the child was with Christ. This truth is further exemplified by his mourning for Amnon, who brought disgrace upon his sister before being slain, and for Absalom, the brother-killer. In his grief, he cried out, "My son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Oh, that I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!" (2 Sam. 18:33). David did not see the necessity to mourn an innocent son, distinguishing between those who have perished because of their transgressions and the one who would live, upheld by his purity. Thus, there is no justification for excessive sorrow over your brother, who, like all men, was susceptible to human frailty.
David, the king of Judah, upon receiving the prophet Nathan's admonition concerning his sin and the announcement of God’s decree regarding the death of his child born of sin, earnestly prayed and fasted, weeping and prostrating himself before God, imploring divine mercy to spare his son. However, upon learning of the child’s passing, he composed himself, changed out of his mourning attire into festive garments, and proceeded to the house of the Lord to offer his worship (2 Sam. 12:14-23).
In a similar manner, Christ, the God-Man, after praying for the third time in the Garden of Gethsemane regarding the rejection of the cup of suffering, fully surrendered to the will of His Father. He calmly addressed His disciples, who were weighed down by sleep, saying, “Arise, let us go: behold, He who betrays Me has come near” (Matthew 26:44-46). It is frequently observed that prayers that seem unanswered can lead to inner peace. This reveals that understanding God’s desire is not found in receiving what we request, but in wholly yielding ourselves to His divine purpose regarding what we seek, where His good pleasure unfolds.
Eli, a priest of Judah, when informed by Samuel of the judgment God had decided for his household, humbly responded, “He is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him” (1 Samuel 3:18). This response indicates acceptance of God’s will despite his personal feelings about Samuel’s pronouncement. He recognized that he and his sons deserved the punishment for their wrongdoings based on God’s righteous judgment, which cannot be disputed. He acknowledged their servanthood to the Lord, affirming that it is God’s prerogative to address their sins through just punishment.
Similarly, as the apostle Paul journeyed to Jerusalem via Caesarea, the Christians there, aware of prophetic warnings of the challenges awaiting him from the Jews, attempted to dissuade him from his course. Paul responded to their heartfelt pleas, saying, “Why do you do this? Why do you weep and break my heart? I am not only ready to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When they could not convince him otherwise, they found solace in saying, “The Lord's will be done” (Acts 21:13-14). This is the true resting place for the soul; when our prayers and requests go unanswered, we should simply pray for one thing: “Thy will be done, O Lord.”
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS