Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
John Chrysostom
"And the prophets," he says, "who through faith subdued kingdoms." Thou seest that he does not here testify to their life as being illustrious; for this was not the point in question: but the enquiry thus far was about their faith. For tell me whether they did not accomplish all by faith?
"By faith," he says, "they subdued kingdoms;" those with Gideon. "Wrought righteousness;" who? The same. Plainly he means here, kindness.
I think it is of David that he says "they obtained promises." But of what sort were these? Those in which He said that his "seed should sit upon" his "throne."
Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.