THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
David lived as an exile and a fugitive, enduring significant hardships throughout his life. As he approached the end of his days, where were those who lamented his misfortunes? What suffering could be greater than his, what ailment or sorrow could weigh more heavily? Yet this just man did not dwell on his plight, nor did he fall into despair or complain, saying, "I receive this reward for my faithful adherence to His law, day and night, yet I have been brought low, delivered into the hands of an unrelenting son!" He neither expressed nor entertained such thoughts but faced his trials with wisdom, finding solace in the belief that they occurred under God’s sovereign will.
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Just as the three young men declared in the furnace, "But if it be not so, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor will we worship the golden image which you have set up" (Dan. 3:18), they would have responded to inquiries about their hopes for life after death with the conviction that dying for God is the highest reward. For them, as for David, it was a profound comfort that God, knowing their plight, permitted it to occur. If a lover would endure countless trials for the sake of their beloved without expectation of reward, how much more should we persevere—not for the promise of a kingdom or other favors, but for God Himself, to whom all glory is due eternally. Amen.
Absalom returned David to the life of wandering and evasion from which he had once been liberated under Saul, making his situation even harsher than it had been before. David had previously borne his afflictions like a commander; however, he now found himself in flight after having reigned for many years and seemingly vanquished all his adversaries. This ordeal was not brought upon him by an enemy, but rather by "he who came from his own loins," as he lamented. While you consider David in the vigor of youth, able to withstand trials, now, at an age where he sought comfort from this unworthy son, he encountered a rebel instead. Hearing and enduring this situation, David was indeed crushed, as his poignant lament reveals; yet he refrained from any retaliatory action and allowed Shimei to live, saying, "Let him curse me, for the Lord has commanded him. If the Lord sees my humiliation and repays me with good instead of his cursing today," and thus he awaited, filled with trepidation, to observe the outcome of Hushai's counsel.
Upon achieving such extraordinary feats, witnessing his rightful kingdom in the hands of a tormentor, a murderer of kin, and a cruel tyrant, David was not swayed; rather, he proclaimed, "If it pleases God for me to be persecuted and to wander while my adversary is exalted, I accept this with love and give thanks for the multitude of trials." Unlike many brazen individuals who, having accomplished little, bemoan their fate and curse at the prosperity of others, David remained humble in all circumstances. Hence, God declared, "I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after My own heart" (Psalm 88:21).
When we endure wrongs from others, we significantly alleviate our debts by bearing them with grace. Thus, no harm truly befalls us. God attributes our patience in the face of evil as repayment of our debts, not through our own righteousness, but through His mercy. Even in ancient times, He refrained from exacting revenge on those who suffered injustices. When Shimei defamed David, he endured it, saying, "Let him be; the Lord may see my humility and repay me for this day." When the Lord does not seek retribution on our behalf, we gain, for He counts it as merit to us when we accept such trials with gratitude.