David was persecuted, as Jesus was persecuted. David was anointed by Samuel to be king instead of Saul who had sinned; and Jesus was anointed by John to be high priest instead of the priests, the ministers of the law. David was persecuted after his anointing; and Jesus was persecuted after his anointing. David reigned first over one tribe only and afterwards over all Israel; and Jesus reigned from the beginning over the few who believed on him, and in the end he will reign over all the world. Samuel anointed David when he was thirty years old; and Jesus when about thirty years old received the imposition of the hand from John. David wedded two daughters of the king; and Jesus wedded two daughters of kings, the congregation of the people and the congregation of the Gentiles. David repaid good to Saul his enemy; and Jesus taught, “Pray for your enemies.” David was the heart of God; and Jesus was the Son of God. David received the kingdom of Saul his persecutor; and Jesus received the kingdom of Israel his persecutor. David wept with dirges over Saul his enemy when he died; and Jesus wept over Jerusalem, his persecutor, which was to be laid waste. David handed over the kingdom to
Solomon and was gathered to his people; and Jesus handed over the keys to Simon and ascended and returned to him who sent him. For David’s sake, sins were forgiven to his posterity; and for Jesus’ sake sins are forgiven to the nations.
~Aphraahat the Syrian Sage: Demonstration 21:13, as quoted in “Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture,” Old Testament, Vol. 4, John R Franke (ed), InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL, 2005, p. 243.
hat tip: Daily Dynamis/Church Fathers Wisdom
Wonderful comparisons. Thanks for sharing them. Blessings!
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