THEOSISTheodoret of Cyrus
The monarch attempted to convince him to stay and avoid returning to immoral ways, as he had recently begun living among them. He addressed Ephraim, saying: "Why do you want to join us? Instead, remain with the king, for you are an outsider to all and have left your home. If you arrived just yesterday, how can I expect you to accompany us today? It is essential for me to change my location, and it would be unfair to ask someone who has only just arrived to endure this burden alongside us. What stands out in David’s character is his humility. Even when pursued and threatened by a treacherous son, he refrains from labeling him as a killer of fathers or brothers, instead referring to him as king. In his moment of need, he demonstrates concern for the salvation of the outsider. He expresses this by saying, 'Return, and bring back your brethren with you, and the Lord will show you mercy and truth’ (2 Kings 15:20).