2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 16:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

I often hear people remarking, "If God cared for the poor, He would not permit their poverty," and I hear others, upon witnessing someone suffering from a prolonged illness, questioning, "Where are his charitable deeds, where are his good works?" Therefore, to prevent you from falling into such a sin, let’s reflect on this topic. If a wise person cannot love the wicked and despise the good, why do you claim that God resents the virtuous poor yet favors the immoral wealthy, without acknowledging the gravity of this blasphemy? To avoid transgressing in this way, understand what delights God and what He detests. Whom does He cherish? It is the one who obeys His commandments. “I will love him,” He states, “and We will come to him” (John 16:21, 23)—not the affluent or the healthy, but the one who follows His directives. Conversely, whom does He despise? The individual who disregards His commandments. Thus, when you see someone ignoring His laws, regardless of their health or wealth, remember they are among those whom God detests; yet, the righteous who may be ill or impoverished are indeed among those He loves. His love is directed towards them, not towards the others.

In worldly matters, we also observe that those who are favored by kings often face greater dangers in warfare, suffering wounds and being sent on missions. Have you not heard that “the Lord chastises whom He loves; but He beats every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6)? You may argue that many find this troubling (Heb. 12:6). Indeed, they do, but their temptation arises not from the righteous, but from their own ignorance. Our true rewards lie beyond this life; here, we encounter struggles, while the ultimate rewards and crowns await in eternity. Do not seek tranquility during times of trials and battles; do not conflate different seasons. You may contend that many are weak, but God takes heed of them as well; He has granted prosperity to many of the righteous—not for their sakes, but for the benefit of the vulnerable. Therefore, if you are troubled by the plight of the righteous, find encouragement from those living in peace; and if the prosperity of the wicked disturbs you, let the correction come from the suffering and tormented. Have you not heard Christ say, “in the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33)? Why, then, do you seek peace if He has proclaimed this? Have you not heard Him say, “the world shall rejoice; ye shall have sorrow” (John 16:20)? It would be understandable for unreasonable individuals to falter if things contradicted His words. Yet, if events unfold as they should, why do you stumble? You might question why God established things this way. You should not probe or question, “Shall the product say to him that made it, ‘Why hast thou made me thus?’” (Romans 9:20). This is why the prophet rebuked the Jews for scrutinizing God's ways while being filled with numerous faults: “They seek me every day, and desire to know my ways, as a people that do righteousness, and forsake not the laws of their God; they inquire of me concerning the judgments of righteousness; they desire to draw near to God” (Isaiah 58:2). They behaved like a servant who, having angered his master through countless offenses, demands justification instead of seeking reconciliation. Do not question this; instead, weep, repent, and strive to wash away your sins. I mention this not because I cannot comprehend the reasons, but to divert your attention from curiosity towards the salvation of your own soul. Why has He instituted things this way? It is for the grace of humanity. He has ordained trials in this brief life but has reserved eternal crowns in the next, where life is everlasting. These earthly struggles will soon fade, but what is eternal will never cease. Moreover, through these trials, He trains souls in the love of virtue. When a soul chooses goodness, despite the obstacles and without immediate rewards, it develops a fervent commitment to virtue; conversely, when it shuns vice, despite its allure and without immediate consequences, it learns to detest it. Thus, it cultivates the ability to abandon vice and embrace virtue. There is yet another reason: sorrow particularly positions us to develop virtue and fortitude. Additionally, God desires to instruct us to regard the transient world lightly, not to cling to it or become ensnared by it. For this reason, He has placed tribulations and toils in our path, making all that is pleasurable and joyful temporary.

Consider the courage displayed by John the Baptist when he addressed Herod, declaring, “Thou shalt not have thy brother's wife” (Mark 6:18). What tremendous boldness and valor! In contrast, the words of Semei, “Go away, murderer,” while spoken with boldness, reflect insolence and a lack of true courage.