THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Let us refrain from imposing our judgments on him or demanding explanations for the circumstances we encounter. Instead, there is only one response we should have: when he guides us, we should receive that guidance with gratitude.
2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 15:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
But if he shall say to me: Thou pleasest me not: I am ready, let him do that which is good before him.
וְאִם֙ כֹּ֣ה יֹאמַ֔ר לֹ֥א חָפַ֖צְתִּי בָּ֑ךְ הִנְנִ֕י יַֽעֲשֶׂה־לִּ֕י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר ט֖וֹב בְּעֵינָֽיו׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Theodoret of Cyrus
Why did David instruct the priests and the assembly to remain behind (2 Sam. 15:25-29)? As a faithful servant and prophet, the king was aware of the fate that befell the assembly sent to aid those who acted lawlessly: they were defeated, and the assembly was captured by their adversaries. Understanding this fact, he addressed the priest Zadok, saying, "Return the Ark of God to the city, and let it rest in its rightful place; if I find favor in the sight of the Lord, He will bring me back, and I will behold the Ark and its glory; but if He declares, ‘I do not delight in you; behold, I am,’ then let Him show kindness to me” (2 Sam. 15:25-26).
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In essence, he felt he could not take along the One who bears witness against him, for within Him echoed the law that declares, "You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder," and he recognized his transgressions of these commandments. When the Lawgiver purifies the eye of my spirit, I will be able to perceive His magnificence. However, if He entirely withdraws His care, then He is the Sovereign, and I am the servant, submitting to His guidance. Thus spoke the righteous man, tears flowing as he appeared as one who mourned, having covered his head and walked barefoot, while his followers also wept alongside him.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- 1 Sam 3:18So Samuel told him all the words, and did not hide them from him. And he answered: It is the Lord: let him do what is good in his sight.
- 2 Sam 22:20And he brought me forth into a large place, he delivered me, because I pleased him.
- Isa 62:4Thou shalt no more be called Forsaken: and thy land shall no more be called Desolate: but thou shalt be called My pleasure in her, and thy land inhabited. Because the Lord hath been well pleased with thee: and thy land shall be inhabited.
- Num 14:8If the Lord be favourable, he will bring us into it, and give us a land flowing with milk and honey.
- 2 Chr 9:8Blessed be the Lord thy God, who hath been pleased to set thee on his throne, king of the Lord thy God. Because God loveth Israel, and will preserve them forever: therefore hath he made thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.
- Jer 32:41And I will rejoice over them, when I shall do them good: and I will plant them in this land in truth, with my whole heart, and with all my soul.
- Ps 39 (38):9
- Jer 22:28Is this man Jechonias an earthen and a broken vessel? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? why are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?