And bringing forth the people thereof he sawed them, and drove over them chariots armed with iron: and divided them with knives, and made them pass through brickkilns: so did he to all the cities of the children of Ammon: and David returned, with all the army to Jerusalem.
וְאֶת־הָעָ֨ם אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֜הּ הוֹצִ֗יא וַיָּ֣שֶׂם בַּ֠מְּגֵרָה וּבַחֲרִצֵ֨י הַבַּרְזֶ֜ל וּֽבְמַגְזְרֹ֣ת הַבַּרְזֶ֗ל וְהֶעֱבִ֤יר אוֹתָם֙ במלכן בַּמַּלְבֵּ֔ן וְכֵ֣ן יַעֲשֶׂ֔ה לְכֹ֖ל עָרֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־עַמּ֑וֹן וַיָּ֧שָׁב דָּוִ֛ד וְכָל־הָעָ֖ם יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Is David criticized by some for his harsh treatment and severe actions against the Ammonites? It is important to recall the manner in which the Ammonites treated the Israelites, particularly by removing their right eyes. The prophets recount their other brutalities. Thus, their punishment was commensurate with their evil deeds.
Indeed, let us offer praise and gratitude to God for all trials, completely yielding to His divine will, setting aside our own desires, interceding for those who oppose us, and acknowledging our adversaries as instruments of God’s providence. This encompasses various sacred actions, including acknowledging the tools of labor and the purification of our sinful thoughts and emotions.
Our intellect resembles the enigmatic figure of David, the sovereign and leader of the Israelite host, who symbolizes both the thoughts and the emotions of the Theotokos. He bravely confronts the foes, returning to the city of peace, Jerusalem, from which his warfare with them drew him. On his brow rests the crown of Malchom, representing the active intellect, obtained through his struggles against sin. Through his trials and victories, he gathers profound insights, the precious experiences that will fortify him and those who seek his counsel.
The burden of wisdom is significant in the golden crown that David earned; the jewel of an active mind is substantial, laden with experience. It remains discerning, not easily swayed by fleeting thoughts, but rather scrutinizes them with skepticism, assessing each one even if it appears virtuous. Thus, when Joshua, the leader of Israel, encountered an unfamiliar warrior—who was indeed an angel—he inquired, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" (Nav. 5:13).
The individuals who failed to uphold the covenant of the people were sentenced to banishment, harsh servitude, and, according to some interpretations, to the flames of Moloch's furnace (Leviticus 18:21).
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS