Biographies of the Israel Bible Scholars

Edited by Rabbi Tuly Weisz The Israel Bible: Samuel First Edition, 2018

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The Israel Bible is a holy book that contains the name of God and should be treated with respect. Table of Contents

iv Credits v Acknowledgements viii Aleph Bet Chart ix Introduction xv Foreward xviii Blessing Before and After Reading theTorah

19 The Book of Samuel 165 Biographies of The Israel Bible Scholars 167 Bibliography 178 List of Transliterated Words in The Israel Bible 193 Photo Credits 194 Chart of the Hebrew Months and their Holidays 197 Map of Modern-Day Israel and its Neighbors 198 List of Prime Ministers of the State of Israel 199 Prayer for the State of Israel 202 Prayer for the Welfare of Israel’s Soldiers 204 Hatikvah

iii Credits

Commentary and introductions for The Israel Bible were written by the following scholars:

Bereishit (Genesis): Rabbi Tuly Weisz Shemot (Exodus): Rabbi Tuly Weisz Vayikra (Leviticus): Shira Schechter Bamidbar (Numbers): Shira Schechter Devarim (Deuteronomy): Shira Schechter Yehoshua (Joshua): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Shoftim (Judges): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Shmuel (Samuel): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Melachim (Kings): Rabbi Shmuel Jablon Yeshayahu (Isaiah): Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah): Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Yechezkel (Ezekiel): Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Trei Asar (The Twelve Prophets) Rabbi Yaakov Beasley Tehillim (Psalms): Rabbi Avi Baumol Mishlei (Proverbs): Ahuva Balofsky Iyov (Job): Alexander Jacob Tsykin Shir Hashirim (Song of Songs): Batya Markowitz Rut (Ruth): Rabbi Tuly Weisz Eicha (Lamentations): Rabbi Noam Shapiro Kohelet (Ecclesiastes): Batya Markowitz Esther (Esther): Batya Markowitz Daniel (Daniel): Batya Markowitz Ezra v’Nechemya (Ezra and Nehemiah): Josh Even-Chen Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles): Alexander Jacob Tsykin Maps Editor: Lorien Balofsky Associate Editor: Shira Schechter Editor: Rabbi Tuly Weisz Production Management: Avishai Magence Commentary Editor: Rabbi Alan Haber Copy Editing: Efrat Gross Typesetting: Estie Dishon Cover Design: Tani Bayer Icon Design: Eliyahu Misgav

iv Acknowledgements

Producing a Tanakh is a massive undertaking that requires a tremendous team of “wise students,” as the Hebrew expression goes. The Israel Bible would never have seen the light of day without the herculean efforts of numerous contributors. First and foremost, SHIRA SCHECHTER dedicated several years as associate editor of The Israel Bible and saw the project through from beginning till end. With a perfect balance of meticulousness and fear of Heaven, she carefully supervised all aspects of research, development, editing and production. Shira’s innate appreciation for Hebrew grammar along with her sharp eye and love for the subject matter, can be felt on every page. Thank you to the esteemed scholars who contributed their immense Tanakh knowledge to this groundbreaking initiative: RABBIS AVI BAUMOL, YAAKOV BEASLEY, SHMUEL JABLON AND ALEXANDER JACOB TSYKIN, AHUVA BALOFSKY, JOSH EVEN-CHEN, and BATYA MARKOWITZ. The breadth of yourTorah scholarship, along with your love for Israel, served as a constant inspiration. I would like to thank the devoted staff of Israel365 for their vast and varied contributions to The Israel Bible in the five years since we naively asked each other, “How hard could it be to create a brand new Tanakh?” First, to LORIEN BALOFSKY who was there in the beginning and designed the first versions of The Israel Bible along with many features of this volume, including the maps. And to all the other creative geniuses: MAAYAN HOFFMAN, TSIVYA FOX, ORLY GIBSON and SHLOMO VILE. To the brilliant strategic team SHIFRA GOLDMEIER, AYAL KELLMAN, STEVEN GOLDSTEIN, SIMONE SOMERS, GILA HALPERN, MAZZ WHITE and CLARINDA YUVIENCO. To the truth- seeking reporters and editors of Breaking Israel News, ABRA FORMAN, ELIYAHU ADAM BERKOWITZ, JONATHAN BENEDEK, RIVKAH LAMBERT ADLER and ELIANA RUDEE. And a special yasher koach to SHLOMO SCHREIBMAN whose acumen enabled this important effort to continue.

v I would also like to acknowledge our “alumni” whose skills and personali- ties shaped The Israel Bible over the years: JILLIAN EZEKIEL, RACHAEL PLATT and ALIZA ABRAHAMOVITZ. A major debt of gratitude is owed to my trusted friends and advisors ROBERT FROHLINGER, RAFI COHEN and ARIEL GOLDBERG, whose wise counsel continues to guide Israel365. Thank you to the faculty of the Yeshiva for the Nations RABBIS SHIMON APISDORF, ELAN ADLER, YISHAI FLEISHER and MOSHE LICHTMAN who taught me a deep appreciation for Eretz Yisrael when I was his student, and SHARON NIV. Teach for Israel made possible the research and writing of The Israel Bible and I would like to thank the board of directors for their years of friendship and encouragement: NOAM LIPSHITZ, SCOTT OSBORNE, MARC SINGER and DAVID SWAGGERTY. I am indebted to the spiritual mentorship of RABBI SHLOMO RISKIN and DAVID NEKRUTMAN of the Center for Jewish Christian Understanding and Cooperation for their pioneering work and for contributing the foreward to The Israel Bible. Every page of this volume testifies to the impressive skill of the profes- sionals at Koren Publishers Jerusalem including MATTHEW MILLER, YEHOSHUA MILLER, RABBI AVISHAI MAGENCE, RABBI ALAN HABER, YEHUDIT SINGER, ESTIE DISHON, TANI BAYER and ASHIRAH YOSEFAH of their Menorah imprint. As Israel’s foremost Bible publishers, Koren represents a heritage of excellence and it was an honor to collaborate on this important undertaking with their prodigious staff. Thanks to RABBI BARRY SCHWARTZ and LEIF MILLIKEN for their assistance in providing the well respected New Jewish Publication Society English translation for inclusion in this volume. In addition to its many unique features, The Israel Bible is the firstTanakh to be financed through crowdfunding. I can’t thank enough the close to 1,000 contributors of our online campaign who enthusiastically supported our idea and waited patiently for its publication. While many Jews and non-Jews from all over the world eagerly participated with great generosity, a sincere thank you is to a special and humble friend of Israel from Nigeria. I am greatly appreciative of the gift in honor of EKPE NDIYO EKPE by his loving son. Over the years, I have had many mentors, teachers and rabbis who deeply impacted me and taught me a love for Torah. I have been fortunate to benefit from many, yet would like to thank RABBI ZEVULUN CHARLOP, dean of

vi the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary for our private study sessions and his enthusiasm for my work in general and this initiative in particular. I would like to acknowledge the influence of my two grandfathers, RABBI DAVID STAVSKY AND GEORGE WEISZ, both of blessed memory. In very different ways, my grandfathers equally taught invaluable lessons of hard work and self-sacrifice on behalf ofTorah . My grandmothers, PEPPI WEISZ and RUTH STAVSKY and ROSALIND DOMBROFF have assumed the role of beloved matriarchs to our family, and should be blessed with longevity. My in-laws, RHONDA and DR. TOM WEISS, are like parents to me and have provided loving encouragement and much appreciated support. They should see much “nachas” from all their children and grandchildren. I would like to thank my own precious children who were my real inspiration for The Israel Bible. Feeding off their wide-eyed enthusiasm in learning the holy words of the Torah in school — and in Hebrew no less — I felt invigorated to immerse myself in our ancient heritage. With eternal gratitude to Hashem, I am fortunate for the opportunity each day “to teach these words to my children,” SHAINDEE, BELLA, DOVID, TZOFIA and AMITAI. My ultimate thanks are reserved for my beloved wife, ABBY, for her steadfast support. Anything I have achieved is to her credit. Certainly, that is true for The Israel Bible, which only came about through her guiding our family to fulfilling our dream of making Aliyah. May all the blessings that emerge from the study of The Israel Bible reward her with her innermost prayer: that our children always embrace the eternal values of the Torah of Israel. Finally, all my colleagues in producing this volume join me in offering our profound thanksgiving to the Almighty for permitting us to help spread love for the Land and the People of Israel. May the God of Israel continue His blessings so that The Israel Bible shapes the minds and hearts of all His children for generations to come.

Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel Shevat 5778 / February 2018

vii Aleph Bet Chart

viii Introduction

The Hebrew Bible is commonly known as the Tanakh which stands for Torah (the Five Books of Moses), Neviim (the Prophets) and Ketuvim (the Writings). The Tanakh consists of 24 books that are considered by Jews to be the word of God. While these books have been referred to as the “Old Testament,” many Jews reject this label since it implies the replacement of the Hebrew Bible with something newer and prefer the more authentic Jewish name. The Tanakh is not only the most important book known to man, it is God’s word that is perfect and absolute. It is therefore a daunting undertaking to publish an edition of the Tanakh, and the responsibilities are awesome. There is no room for error or carelessness in dealing with the eternal word of God. Further, upon embarking on such a serious initiative, we ask ourselves if our efforts are gratuitous. Considering the many editions of the Bible in print, is there truly a need for yet another one? While there are numerous Bibles in circulation today, its most central aspect — the Land of Israel – has often been overlooked. References to Israel appear on nearly every page, and the city of Jerusalem is specifically referred to hundreds of times throughout the Bible. The essential link between Israel and Torah is emphasized repeatedly in verses such as, “For instruction (Torah) shall come forth from Tzion, the word of Hashem from Yerushalayim” (Micah 4:2). The miraculous return of the People of Israel to the Land of Israel in our own generation, and the celebration of the State of Israel’s 70th anniversary this year provides the perfect moment for a new volume to fill this void in biblical literature. The Israel Bible includes many special features elucidating God’s focus on Israel throughout Tanakh and there are many additional, multimedia features available on our website WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE. COM.

ix Ordering and Presentation — In presenting The Israel Bible, our goal is to spread awareness of the biblical significance of the Land of Israel as well as the Jewish people’s eternal connection to the land, based on the text of the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible. We aim to honor “the God, the People and the Land of Israel” from an Orthodox Jewish perspective. To that end, The Israel Bible follows the traditional Jewish ordering of the books and the customary Hebrew division of chapters. Therefore, for example, we count 24 books of Tanakh with Sefer Divrei Hayamim (Chronicles) appearing last. It is our hope that our rich content will speak to all Jews and non-Jews who appreciate Israel as the God given land of the Jewish people.

English Translation — Throughout history, Jews have studied the Bible in Hebrew, as any form of translation would miss much of the nuance of the original holy tongue in which Torah has been transmitted since the days of Moses. However, as many Jews settled in America in the 19th Century, the need for an English translation became necessary. To be sure, there were already English translations prepared over the centuries by Christians, but in the words of the original editors of the Jewish Publication Society (JPS), “The Jew cannot afford to have his Bible translation prepared for him by others. He cannot have it as a gift, even as he cannot borrow his soul from others.” JPS set out in the late 1800’s to publish an authoritative English translation “in the spirit of Jewish tradition.” It was compiled over decades by some of the leading Jewish scholars of the time. They formed committees and sub- committees to compare existing English versions, considering medieval and modern Jewish commentators. The monumental JPS translation, originally published in 1917, has been updated in recent years and The Israel Bible is proud to utilize the 1984 New Jewish Publication Society (NJPS) version with its modern, clear language, as well as its wide-ranging acceptance as an accurate and high-quality translation. We applied the NJPS translation verba- tim, except for a select list of nouns, which we replaced with their traditional Hebrew names. This is true even when we found the NJPS translation to be different than the popular translation of a word or phrase and when the NJPS switched the order of the text for the sake of clarity (see, for example, Ezekiel 24:22-24).

Hebrew Transliteration — To give our readers an authentic Tanakh experience, every verse that has commentary is transliterated from Hebrew into English. The Hebrew alphabet chart includes our standards for transliteration

x and pronunciation of Hebrew verses, enabling readers of The Israel Bible to decipher key biblical passages in the holy language. Readers can hear the entire Bible read in Hebrew on our website WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE.COM. There are various standards when it comes to transliterating Hebrew words into English letters. While we have relied primarily on the classical Hebrew transliteration, we have occasionally deviated for the sake of simplicity, clarity and to reflect common usage. In addition to whole verses, we have also transliterated many proper nouns in the English translation so that our readers can learn the names of key biblical figures and locations in their Hebrew form. As a rule, we chose to transliterate names of people that were central in the establishment and functioning of the nation of Israel, as well as significant places in the Holy Land. Therefore, regarding Adam’s sons, for example, only Shet (Seth) is transliterated since it was from him that Noach (Noah) and ultimately Avraham (Abraham) descended. For this reason, there might be verses or sections of The Israel Bible that contains multiple names and only some of them are transliterated. For the same reason, we have transliterated the names of the books of Tanakh when referring to them in our introductions and commentary. When referencing a specific chapter or verse, however, we use the English names of the books in our citations for clarity. We also transliterated ideas and concepts that are central to Judaism such as Shabbat (Sabbath), the names of the Jewish holidays and the Beit Hamikdash (Temple), as well as biblical measurements. Finally, the name of God is transliterated. Out of respect, Orthodox Jews generally refer to the Lord as Hashem, which literally means ‘the Name.’ Referring to God as Hashem reminds us that we feel close to Him but also recognize our distance at the same time. To stress this moniker, we transliterated both the Tetragrammaton as well as the name Elohim as Hashem.

Study Notes — Our unique commentary was compiled by Orthodox Jewish scholars who live in Israel. It is an anthology in the sense that most of the commentary is not original, but draws from traditional teachings of early Jewish Sages and modern rabbinic commentators. We also include quotations from individuals who have played a significant part in the past century of modern Israeli history including Israeli prime ministers, poets and military leaders.

xi Our commentary can be broken into four categories, three of which are identified by an icon at the beginning of the study note: Israel lessons are indicated with an icon bearing the map of Israel and focus on the Land of Israel and the modern State of Israel. Jewish lessons are indicated with a Torah scroll and teach a concept in Judaism or a classic idea from rabbinic thought. Hebrew lessons are represented by an icon bearing the letteraleph and focus on the meaning of a Hebrew word or phrase. All other comments are considered general comments and are not assigned an icon.

Supplemental Material — In addition to our unique translation and original commentary, The Israel Bible offers supplementary material to enrich the learning experience of our readers. Before every book of Tanakh, we provide an introduction, as well as information, generally in the form of a map, a chart or a list, which is central to the specific book.

Maps — As the purpose of The Israel Bible is to highlight the biblical significance of the Land of Israel, significant time was spent researching and preparing maps to bring the physical contours of the holy land to life with great accuracy. However, since there is a lack of information regarding the precise locations of certain ancient cities, some of the places on our maps are approximate or subject to debate. In these cases, we followed the opinion that we are most comfortable with, but acknowledge that there is room for disagreement. We continue to produce new maps, which are available on our website WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE.COM/MAPS.

Torah Readings — TheTorah is not just a work that is studied privately, it is also read out loud in synagogue. Every Shabbat and holiday a portion of the Torah is read, as well as a related section from Neviim, the prophets, called the haftarah. For this reason, we included the blessings recited before and after the reading of the Torah. Readers can always find the current week’s Torah portion by visiting WWW.THEISRAELBIBLE.COM/WEEKLY-TORAH- PORTION. In this volume, we indicate where a new Torah portion begins by highlighting the Hebrew verse number with a gray box so readers can follow along with the communal Torah readings. Furthermore, we have included prayers for the State of Israel and the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces

xii (IDF) that are generally recited following the Torah reading in synagogue. It is our constant prayer that God watch over the State of Israel and the members of the IDF, who defend Israel every hour of every day.

In 1948, the State of Israel was created providing a modern answer to Isaiah’s ancient question, “Is a nation born all at once?” (Isaiah 66:8). We are now in the 70th year of God’s miraculous restoration of the People of Israel to the Land of Israel. Jewish wisdom teaches that 70 is a significant number:Moshe (Moses) translated the Torah into 70 languages for all 70 nations of the world. From our very origins, the Jewish people were meant to be a light unto the 70 nations, spreading God’s truth to the masses. In the seven decades since the modern rebirth of the the State of Israel, God’s plan has been unfolding with unprecedented speed, dramatic highs and heart-breaking lows. Never has Israel been at the forefront of the world’s attention as it is in our generation. Efforts to vilify the Jewish State seem to spread every day across the globe. At the same time, so does the growing movement of millions of non-Jewish biblical Zionists who stand with the nation of Israel as an expression of their commitment to God’s word. As we seek to understand the clash of these two conflicting worldviews, the need for The Israel Bible has never been so important. Standing on the great shoulders of those who came before us and emanating from the land that has always served as the birthplace for the Bible, we conclude with a heartfelt prayer: May the Almighty bless our efforts in offering thisTanakh to influence the hearts, minds and actions of its readers. In this way, it is our hope to spread God’s name so that the publication of The Israel Bible brings us one step closer to the final redemption of Israel and the entire world. Rabbi Tuly Weisz Editor, The Israel Bible

xiii

Foreward

The mandate to study God’s word daily is interestingly not found in the Five Books of Moses (Pentateuch), but rather in the first book of our prophetic writings: “Let not this Book of the Teaching cease from your lips, but recite it day and night, so that you may observe faithfully all that is written in it. Only then will you prosper in your undertakings and only then will you be successful” (Joshua 1:8). Charged with bringing the Israelites into the land covenantally promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, God ensures Joshua of His protection if the nation observes His ways as dictated in the Divine constitution known as the Torah. In Jewish tradition, Joshua (1:8) is directly linked with Deuteronomy (11:14), “You shall gather in your new grain and wine, and oil.”1 Our Sages deduced from this scriptural combination the importance of merging Torah study with a profession. Completely dedicating oneself to the study of Torah without having the financial means to sustain this lifestyle can lead one to eventually straying from observance of God’s will. Poverty and crime can have an intimate relationship. We must also be careful that our work does not affect our daily study of Scripture. The addiction of becoming a workaholic and not making Torah study a priority can also lead one into temptations that can violate our personal relationship with Him as well as our fellow human beings. The goal is to achieve a healthy balance between our study of God’s word and our daily work. The Deuteronomic verse quoted above is part of the second section of the Shema2 that discusses the concept of reward and punishment. Sanctifying God by fulfilling His commandments results in the Land of Israel practically benefitting from rains that occur in the right season and reaping the abundance from the fields. However, if the nation follows pagan gods and practices, the consequences are devastating – famine and death. The Land of Israel is intrinsically linked with the keeping of the Torah. Covenant Land comes with covenant responsibility. xv Born into slavery, Joshua is now leading His people into the Promised Land. More than 500 years separates him from his ancestral forefather Abraham. The historical narratives that took place between Abraham leaving everything behind to follow God in Genesis 12 and the death of Moses in the last chapter of Deuteronomy are filled with intrigue, suspense, joy, sorrow and hope. What began as a family is now a nation actualizing its mission to be a kingdom of priests to the world. However, for the Israelites to succeed in the Land of Israel, they must see the Torah as the only compass to direct their lives. The biblical episodes after our first entry into the land are well known. Our ancestors’ triumphs and sins are all on public record. We learned the harsh reality of Leviticus (18:28) “So let not the land spew you out for defiling it as it spewed out the nation that came before you.” Twice, we lost the privilege to be stewards of the Land of Israel and to fulfill our nation state mandate to be a light to the world. However, when the annals of history were ready to archive the Jewish people after the Holocaust, God kept His covenantal promise and gathered us from the four corners of the globe to come home. The year 1948 was a game changer. Biblical prophecies were and are being realized. We are now living in the birth pangs of the messianic era. In our morning prayers, we recite a series of blessings over the Torah that include petitioning God to have a sweet tooth for His word, to study it without any ulterior motive and to have Him to teach it to us. They are some congregations that invoke the following liturgical prayer after the completion of these blessings: May the Torah be my faith and El Shaddai my help. Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom forever and all time. According to Jewish tradition, the neglect of not blessing the Torah before engaging in its study was one of the reasons for the destruction of the Temple.3 This is deduced from the redundancy of words in Jeremiah (9:12) that talks about Israel not following God: “…Because they forsook the teaching I had set before them. They did not obey Me and they did not follow it [did not make a blessing before studying it].” Our inability to properly cherish God’s greatest gift to the world, the Torah, led to our eventual exile from our land. The State of Israel will celebrate its 70th birthday this year. On Israel’s Independence Day, Jews around the world recite Psalms 113-118 to express our gratitude to God for His Divine hand in helping establish the State of

3. Babylonian Talmud Nedarim 81a

xvi Israel. We have learned from our past and realize the privilege to see firsthand the land, people and Torah operating all together in our generation. When Rabbi Tuly Weisz approached me about his intent to publish The Israel Bible that would highlight commentary about the special relationship between the land and people, I saw this project as another way to publicly demonstrate our appreciation to God for having the State of Israel. In addition, it is another educational tool to ensure biblical literacy. If we are to truly enjoy the Land of Israel, it is incumbent upon us to continually study the Torah. Isaiah once prophesied that the Jewish people would return to Zion with songs, “crowned with everlasting joy” (35:10). The Israel Bible provides us the lyrical content to express our joy in living in the land that God calls holy. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin Chief Rabbi of Efrat Founder of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation (CJCUC)

xvii Blessing Before Reading the Torah: The one who has been called up to the Torah says: ָּבְר ּכו ֶאת ְיָי ַה ְמ ָבֹר ְך -Bless Hashem, the one who is ba-r’-KHU et a-do-NAI ham blessed vo-RAKH

The Congregation responds: ָּב ּרו ְך ְיָי ַה ְמ ָבֹר ְך -Blessed is Hashem, the one ba-RUKH a-do-NAI ham-vo ְל ָעולם ָו ֶעד who is blessed, for all eternity RAKH l’-o-LAM va-ED

The one who has been called up to the Torah continues: ָּב ּרו ְך ְיָי ַה ְמ ָבֹר ְך -Blessed is Hashem, the one ba-RUKH a-do-NAI ham-vo ְל ָעוֹלם ָו ֶעד who is blessed, for all eternity RAKH l’-o-LAM va-ED ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ֶמ ֶל ְך ָה ָעוֹלם -Our God, King of the e-lo-HAY-nu ME-lekh ha-o universe LAM ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּב ַחר ָּב ּנו Who has chosen us a-SHER BA-khar BA-nu ִמ ָּכל ָה ַע ִּמים From among all the nations mi-KOL ha-a-MEEM ְו ָנ ַתן ָל ּנו And has given us v’-NA-tan LA-nu ֶאת ּתוֹ ָרתוֹ His Torah et to-ra-TO ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI נוֹ ֵתן ַה ּתוֹ ָרה Giver of the Torah no-TAYN ha-to-RAH

Blessing After Reading the Torah:

ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ֶמ ֶל ְך ָה ָעוֹלם -Our God, King of the e-lo-HAY-nu ME-lekh ha-o universe LAM ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנ ַתן ָל ּנו Who has given us a-SHER NA-tan LA-nu ּתוֹ ַרת ֱא ֶמת TheTorah of truth to-RAT e-MET ְו ַחֵּיי ָעוֹלם ָנ ַטע -’And planted eternal life v’-kha-YAY o-LAM na-TA b ְּב ֵתוֹכ ּנו within us to-KHAY-nu ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְיָי Blessed are you, Hashem ba-RUKH a-TAH a-do-NAI נוֹ ֵתן ַה ּתוֹ ָרה Giver of the Torah no-TAYN ha-to-RAH xviii Sefer Shmuel The Book of Samuel

Introduction and commentary by Rabbi Shmuel Jablon

Before the prophet Shmuel (Samuel) became the judge of Israel, the nation was in dire straits. The previous book ofShoftim (Judges) describes many instances of the Children of Israel violating God’s will by engaging in idolatry and immorality, and then being punished with subjugation to other nations. Though there were great heroes and times of triumph during the period of the judges, much of it was bleak. The Nation of Israel often failed to live up to the challenge of living as a holy and free people in its land. As the Bible transitions into Sefer Shmuel, we learn that even the Mishkan at Shilo is not free of transgressions. The sons ofEli the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) are sinning, thereby discouraging the people from making pilgrimages to this holy place. It is against this backdrop that Shmuel is born to Elkana and Chana. While still barren, Chana prays for a child at Shilo and vows that if her request is granted, her son will be totally sanctified to Hashem. The miraculous child fulfills her vow.Shmuel grows up under Eli’s tutelage in Shilo, and later replaces him as Israel’s primary leader. As a prophet and a leader, Shmuel faces a daunting task. As Rabbi Shlomo Aviner notes in his book “Heroes of the Tanakh”, “The prophetShmuel purified the People of Israel… But he also dealt with the nation’s national and military sides; not only the spiritual.” Thus, in this book we learn of his struggles against the Philistines, the primary enemy of the Children of Israel at this time, and of his strengthening the Israelites’ service of God. We also learn of his anointing Shaul as the first king of Israel. WhenShaul fails to fulfill the command to completely eradicate Amalek, it isShmuel who tells him that he has lost the kingdom, and who anoints his successor David. Unlike Shaul, David will not rule in accordance with the people’s initial request for a king “like all the other nations” (I Samuel 8:5), who leads the nation by simply maintaining order and commanding the military. Rather, he will be a king who will combine his extraordinary spiritual and physical

19 gifts to lead the nation to new heights in its service ofHashem , and its strengthening of the Land of Israel. Young David’s miraculous defeat of the giant Philistine Goliath foreshadows his later achievements as king. While his victory is undoubtedly a military achievement, it is also spiritual. David faces an enemy who fights not only against the People of Israel, but also against God Himself. David recognizes this, and acts to save his people, returning honor to them and to Hashem. King David is the epitome of the bright and shining monarch of Israel. He represents both physical and spiritual strength. He is a great military figure who vanquishes the enemies of Israel. As king, he rules first inChevron , unites the entire Nation of Israel and then succeeds in conquering the holy city of Yerushalayim. He is responsible for bringing the Holy Ark to Yerushalayim and acquiring the future site of the Holy Temple. He is ,(II Samuel 23:1) (נעים זמירות ישראל) also known as n’eem z’mirot yisrael often translated as ‘the sweet singer of Israel,’ who writes songs of praise to Hashem, including most of the Book of Tehillim, and is proud to dance before God’s Holy Ark. He is an example of a true “master of repentance,” one who takes responsibility for his sins and atones for them with a broken heart. By the time King David passes the reign over the Kingdom of Israel to his son Shlomo, as described in the beginning of Sefer Melachim, he has established and stabilized the kingdom, and its people live as a vibrant, free and holy nation in the entire Land of Israel. They are united both physically and spiritually, and are on the cusp of achieving their greatest triumph – the building of the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim. In addition, they are finally at peace with their enemies. It is not surprising that the dynasty of David is eternal. Nor is it surprising that Jewish tradition teaches that the future King Mashiach, who will once again unite the Children of Israel in Eretz Yisrael in peace, will be one of David’s descendants. May our study of Sefer Shmuel hasten the Mashiach’s arrival, speedily and in our days.

20 Map of the Journey of the Aron (Ark) This map traces the journey of the Aron (Ark of the Covenant) from the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in Shilo (Shiloh) to Ir David (the City of David) in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem), as described in Sefer Shmuel I (4:1-7:2) and Sefer Shmuel II (6:2-17).

J A (A) Jordan River Jordan

Mediterranean Sea Shilo

Kiryat Ashdod Bet Ye’arim Ekron Shemesh Yerushalayim Even HaEzer Gat

City Dead River Sea

1. Shilo was the home of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) for 369 years. It was from here that the Aron was taken and brought to the battlefield (I Samuel 4:3-4). 2. Even Ha-Ezer was where the Israelites set up camp for their battle against the Philistines. It was from here that the Aron was captured (I Samuel 4:1, 11). 3. The Philistines brought the Aron to the Philistine city of Ashdod, where they placed it in the temple of their god, Dagon (I Samuel 5:1-2). 4. The Aron is moved from Ashdod to the Philistine city of Gat (I Samuel 5:8). 5. From Gat, the Ark was brought to the Philistine city of Ekron (I Samuel 5:10). 6. Fearing death, the Philistines sent the Aron back to Israelite city of Bet Shemesh (I Samuel 6:11-12). 7. The Aron is then brought to the house of Avinadav in Kiryat Ye’arim where it remains for 20 years (I Samuel 6:21-7:2). 8. After capturing Yerushalayim from the Jebusites, King David sent for the Aron. After a brief stay at the home of Oved Edom the Gittite, it finally reaches its ultimate destination (II Samuel 6:2-17). 21

שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק א Chapter 1

א ַוְי ִהי ִאישׁ ֶא ָחד ִמ ָן־הָר ָמ ַתִים ִצוֹפים ,There was a man from Ramathaim of the Zuphites 1 1 א ֵמ ַהר ֶא ְפָרִים ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ֶא ְל ָק ָנה ֶּב ְן־י ָרֹחם ֶּבן־ Samuel in the hill country of Efraim, whose name was ֱא ִל ּיהוא ֶּב ּן־ת ֹּחו ֶב ּן־צוף ֶא ְפָר ִתי׃ Elkana son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. ב ְולוֹ שׁ ְ ֵּתי ָנשׁ ִ ים שׁ ֵ ם ַא ַחת ַח ָנּה ְושׁ ֵ ם He had two wives, one named Chana and the 2 ַהשֵּׁ ִנית ְּפ ִנ ָנּה ַוְי ִהי ִל ְפ ִנ ָנּה ְי ָל ִדים ּו ְל ַח ָנּה other Penina; Penina had children, but Chana was ֵאין ְי ָל ִדים׃ .childless ג ְו ָע ָלה ָה ִאישׁ ַה ּהוא ֵמ ִעירוֹ ִמָּי ִמים This man used to go up from his town every year to 3 ָי ִמ ָימה ְל ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחוׂת ְו ִלְז ּב ַֹח ַל ָיהֹוה Samuel worship and to offer sacrifice to thelord of Hosts ְצ ָבאוֹת ְּבשׁ ִ לֹה ְושׁ ָ ם שׁ ְ ֵני ְב ֵנ ֵי־ע ִלי ָח ְפ ִני ,at Shilo.—Chofni and Pinchas, the two sons of Eli ּו ִפ ְנ ָחס ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ַל ָיהֹוה׃ .were Kohanim of Hashem there ד ַוְי ִהי ַה ּיוֹם ַוִּיְז ַּבח ֶא ְל ָק ָנה ְו ָנ ַתן ִל ְפ ִנ ָנּה One such day, Elkana offered a sacrifice. He used to 4 ִאשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ּו ְל ָכ ָּל־ב ֶנ ָיה ּו ְב ֶנוֹת ָיה ָמנוֹת׃ give portions to his wife Penina and to all her sons and daughters; ה ּו ְל ַח ָנּה ִי ֵּתן ָמ ָנה ַא ַחת ַא ָּפִים ִּכי ֶא ַת־ח ָנּה —but to Chana he would give one portion only 5 ָא ֵהב ַו ָיהֹוה ָס ַגר ַר ְח ָמ ּה׃ though Chana was his favorite—for Hashem had closed her womb. ו ְו ִכ ֲע ַס ָּתה ָצָר ָת ּה ַּג ַּם־כ ַעס ַּב ֲע ּבור Moreover, her rival, to make her miserable, would 6 ַה ְּר ִע ָמ ּה ִּכ ָי־ס ַגר ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ַעד ַר ְח ָמ ּה׃ .taunt her that Hashem had closed her womb ז ְו ֵכן ַי ֲע ֶשׂה שׁ ָ ָנה ְבשׁ ָ ָנה ִמ ֵ ּדי ֲע ָלֹת ּה ְּב ֵבית This happened year after year: Every time she went 7 ְי ָהֹוה ֵּכן ַּת ְכ ִע ֶס ָנּה ַו ִּת ְב ֶּכה ְולֹא ַתֹאכל׃ up to the House of Hashem, the other would taunt her, so that she wept and would not eat. ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ּה ֶא ְל ָק ָנה ִאישׁ ָ ּה ַח ָנּה ָל ֶמה Her husband Elkana said to her, “Chana, why are 8 ִת ְב ִּכי ְו ָל ֶמה לֹא ְתֹאכ ִלי ְו ָל ֶמה ֵיַרע you crying and why aren’t you eating? Why are you ְל ָב ֵב ְך ֲהלוֹא ָא ִנֹכי טוֹב ָל ְך ֵמ ֲע ָשׂ ָרה so sad? Am I not more devoted to you than ten ָּב ִנים׃ ”?sons ט ַו ָּת ָקם ַח ָנּה ַא ֲחֵרי ָא ְכ ָלה ְבשׁ ִ לֹה ְו ַא ֲחֵרי After they had eaten and drunk atShilo , Chana 9 שׁ ָ תֹה ְו ֵע ִלי ַה ּכ ֵֹהן יֹשׁ ֵ ב ַע ַל־ה ִּכ ֵּסא ַעל־ rose.—TheKohen Eli was sitting on the seat near ְמ ּזוַזת ֵה ַיכל ְי ָהֹוה׃ —.the doorpost of the temple of Hashem י ְו ִהיא ָמַרת ָנ ֶפשׁ ַו ִּת ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ַע ְל־י ָהֹוה ,In her wretchedness, she prayed to Hashem 10 ּו ָבכֹה ִת ְב ֶּכה׃ .weeping all the while v’-HEE ma-RAT NA-fesh va-tit-pa-LAYL al a-do-NAI u-va-KHOH tiv-KEH

1:10 In her wretchedness, she prayed to travel along different routes each time, in order to Hashem Chana is heartbroken because she has encourage others to join them and to serve Hashem no children, and goes to pray at the Mishkan in Shilo. properly. Established in 1978, contemporary Shilo is a The Mishkan stands in Shilo for three hundred sixty-nine thriving Jewish community built adjacent to the ancient years before the building of the Beit Hamikdash in site where the Mishkan stood and Chana prayed for a Yerushalayim. During that time, it serves as the central child. In addition to the fascinating archaeological site Archaeological site focal point of the national service of Hashem. excavated by the Israel Antiquities Authority, modern of biblical Shilo Unfortunately, many of the Israelites ignore the Mishkan, Shilo contains several synagogues, one of which is built and refrain from visiting it for the pilgrimage festivals. as a replica of the Mishkan. God continues to hear the Therefore, according to the Sages when Elkana and prayers of His children in Shilo, the very same location Chana, who were prophets, make their pilgrimages, they where Chana taught her people how to pray.

23 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק א Chapter 1

יא ַו ִּת ּדֹר ֶנ ֶדר ַו ּת ַֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ִאם־ ,And she made this vow: “LORD of Hosts 11 ָראֹה ִתְר ֶאה ָּב ֳע ִני ֲא ָמ ֶת ָך ּוְז ַכְר ַּת ִני if You will look upon the suffering of Your ְו ִלֹא־תשׁ ְ ַּכח ֶא ֲת־א ָמ ֶת ָך ְו ָנ ַת ָּתה ַל ֲא ָמ ְת ָך maidservant and will remember me and not forget ֶזַרע ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ּו ְנ ַת ִּתיו ַל ָיהֹוה ָּכ ְל־י ֵמי ַחָּייו Your maidservant, and if You will grant Your ּו ָמוֹרה ַלֹא־י ֲע ֶלה ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ׃ maidservant a male child, I will dedicate him to Hashem for all the days of his life; and no razor shall ever touch his head.” יב ְו ָהָיה ִּכי ִהְר ְּב ָתה ְל ִה ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה As she kept on praying before Hashem, Eli watched 12

Samuel ְו ֵע ִלי שׁ ֵֹמר ֶא ִּת־פ ָיה׃ .her mouth יג ְו ַח ָנּה ִהיא ְמ ַד ֶּבֶרת ַע ִל־ל ָּב ּה ַרק ְשׂ ָפ ֶת ָיה Now Chana was praying in her heart; only her lips 13 ָנּעוֹת ְו ָקוֹל ּה לֹא ִישָּׁ ֵמ ַע ַוַּי ְחשׁ ְ ֶב ָה ֵע ִלי moved, but her voice could not be heard. So Eli ְלשׁ ִ ּכָֹרה׃ .thought she was drunk יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ֶל ָיה ֵע ִלי ַע ָד־מ ַתי ִּתשׁ ְ ַּת ָּכִרין Eli said to her, “How long will you make a drunken 14 ָה ִס ִירי ֶא ֵת־י ֵינ ְך ֵמ ָע ָלִי ְך׃ ”!spectacle of yourself? Sober up טו ַו ַּת ַען ַח ָנּה ַו ּת ֶֹאמר לֹא ֲא ִדֹני ִאשָּׁ ה And Chana replied, “Oh no, my lord! I am a very 15 ְקשׁ ַ ּת־רו ַח ָא ִנֹכי ְוַיִין ְושׁ ֵ ָכר לֹא שׁ ָ ִת ִיתי unhappy woman. I have drunk no wine or other ָו ֶאשׁ ְ ּפ ְֹך ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ִ י ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ strong drink, but I have been pouring out my heart to Hashem. טז ַא ִּל־ת ֵּתן ֶא ֲת־א ָמ ְת ָך ִל ְפ ֵני ַּב ְּת־ב ִלָּי ַעל Do not take your maidservant for a worthless 16 ִּכ ֵי־מרֹב ִשׂ ִיחי ְו ַכ ְע ִסי ִ ּד ַּבְר ִּתי ַע ֵד־ה ָנּה׃ woman; I have only been speaking all this time out of my great anguish and distress.” יז ַוַּי ַען ֵע ִלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְל ִכי ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם ֵו ֵאלֹהי Then go in peace,” saidEli , “and may the God of“ 17 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִי ֵּתן ֶאת־שׁ ֵ ָל ֵת ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ַא ְל ְּת ”.Yisrael grant you what you have asked of Him ֵמ ִע ּמוֹ ׃ יח ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ִּת ְמ ָצא שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך ֵחן ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך She answered, “You are most kind to your 18 ַו ֵּת ֶל ְך ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ְל ַדְר ָּכ ּה ַו ּת ַֹאכל ּו ָפ ֶנ ָיה לֹא־ handmaid.” So the woman left, and she ate, and was ָה ּיו ָ־ל ּה עוֹד׃ .no longer downcast יט ַוַּישׁ ְ ִּכ ּמו ַב ּב ֶֹקר ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ֲח ּוו ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה Early next morning they bowed low before 19 ַוָּישׁ ֻ ּבו ַוָּי ּבֹאו ֶא ֵּל־ב ָיתם ָהָר ָמ ָתה ַוֵּי ַדע .Hashem, and they went back home to Rama ֶא ְל ָק ָנה ֶא ַת־ח ָנּה ִאשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ַוִּיְז ְּכֶר ָה ְי ָהֹוה׃ Elkana knew his wife Chana and Hashem remembered her. כ ַוְי ִהי ִל ְת ֻקפוֹת ַהָּי ִמים ַו ַּת ַהר ַח ָנּה ַו ֵּת ֶלד Channah conceived, and at the turn of the year 20 ֵּבן ַו ִּת ְקָרא ֶאת־שׁ ְ מוֹ שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִּכי ֵמְי ָהֹוה bore a son. She named him Shmuel, meaning, “I שׁ ְ ִא ְל ִּתיו׃ ”.asked Hashem for him כא ַוַּי ַעל ָה ִאישׁ ֶא ְל ָק ָנה ְו ָכ ֵּל־ביתוֹ ִלְז ּב ַֹח And when the man Elkana and all his household 21 ַל ָיהֹוה ֶא ֶת־ז ַבח ַהָּי ִמים ְו ֶא ִת־נ ְדרוֹ׃ were going up to offer toHashem the annual sacrifice and his votive sacrifice, כב ְו ַח ָנּה לֹא ָע ָל ָתה ִּכ ָי־א ְמָרה ְל ִאישׁ ָ ּה ַעד ,Channah did not go up. She said to her husband 22 ִי ָּג ֵמל ַה ַנּ ַער ַו ֲה ִב ִאֹתיו ְו ִנְר ָאה ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני When the child is weaned, I will bring him. For“ ְי ָהֹוה ְוָישׁ ַ ב שׁ ָ ם ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ when he has appeared before Hashem, he must remain there for good.”

24 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ב Chapter 2

כג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ּה ֶא ְל ָק ָנה ִאישׁ ָ ּה ֲע ִשׂי ַה ּטוֹב Her husband Elkana said to her, “Do as you think 23 ְּב ֵע ַינִי ְך שׁ ְ ִבי ַע ָּד־ג ְמ ֵל ְך אֹתוֹ ַא ְך ָי ֵקם best. Stay home until you have weaned him. May ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ְ ּת־ד ָברוֹ ַו ֵּתשׁ ֶ ב ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַו ֵּת ֶינק Hashem fulfill His word.” So the woman stayed ֶא ְּת־ב ָנ ּה ַע ָּד־ג ְמ ָל ּה אֹתוֹ׃ .home and nursed her son until she weaned him כד ַו ַּת ֲע ֵל ּהו ִע ָּמ ּה ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּג ָמ ַל ּת ּו ְּב ָפִרים When she had weaned him, she took him up with 24 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ְו ֵא ָיפה ַא ַחת ֶק ַמח ְו ֵנ ֶבל ַיִין her, along with three bulls, one efah of flour, and ַו ְּת ִב ֵא ּהו ֵב ְית־י ָהֹוה שׁ ִ לוֹ ְו ַה ַנּ ַער ָנ ַער׃ a jar of wine. And though the boy was still very young, she brought him to the House of Hashem Samuel at Shilo. כה ַוִּישׁ ְ ֲח ּטו ֶא ַת־ה ָּפר ַוָּי ִב ּיאו ֶא ַת־ה ַנּ ַער After slaughtering the bull, they brought the boy 25 ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי׃ .to Eli כו ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ִּבי ֲא ִדֹני ֵחי ַנ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ֲא ִדֹני ֲא ִני ,She said, “Please, my lord! As you live, my lord 26 ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַה ִנּ ֶּצ ֶבת ִע ְּמ ָכה ָּבֶזה ְל ִה ְת ַּפ ֵּלל I am the woman who stood here beside you and ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה׃ .prayed to Hashem כז ֶא ַל־ה ַנּ ַער ַהֶ ּזה ִה ְת ַּפ ָּל ְל ִּתי ַוִּי ֵּתן ְי ָהֹוה ִלי It was this boy I prayed for; and Hashem has 27 ֶאת־שׁ ְ ֵא ָל ִתי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ַא ְל ִּתי ֵמ ִע ּמוֹ׃ .granted me what I asked of Him כח ְו ַגם ָא ִנֹכי ִהשׁ ְ ִא ְל ִּת ּהו ַל ָיהֹוה ָּכ ַל־הָּי ִמים I, in turn, hereby lend him to Hashem. For as long 28 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ּהוא שׁ ָ ּאול ַל ָיהֹוה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו as he lives he is lent to Hashem.” And they bowed שׁ ָ ם ַל ָיהֹוה׃ .low there before Hashem א ַו ִּת ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ַח ָנּה ַו ּת ַֹאמר ָע ַלץ ִל ִּבי ַּב ָיהֹוה And Chana prayed: My heart exults in Hashem; I 1 2 ב ָר ָמה ַקְר ִני ַּב ָיהֹוה ָר ַחב ִּפי ַע ְל־אוֹי ַבי ִּכי have triumphed through Hashem. I gloat over my ָשׂ ַמ ְח ִּתי ִּבישׁ ּו ָע ֶת ָך׃ .enemies; I rejoice in Your deliverance va-tit-pa-LAYL kha-NAH va-to-MAR a-LATZ li-BEE ba-do-NAI RA-mah kar-NEE ba-do-NAI RA-khav pee al o-y’-VAI kee sa-MAKH-tee bee-shu-a-TE-kha ב ֵא ָין־קדוֹשׁ ַּכ ָיהֹוה ִּכי ֵאין ִּב ְל ֶּת ָך ְו ֵאין There is no holy one likeHashem , Truly, there is 2 ּצור ֵּכ ֵאלֹה ּינו׃ .none beside You; There is no rock like our God ג ַא ַּל־תְר ּב ּו ְת ַד ְּב ּרו ְּג ָבֹהה ְג ָבֹהה ֵי ֵצא Talk no more with lofty pride, Let no arrogance 3 ָע ָתק ִמ ִּפ ֶיכם ִּכי ֵאל ֵ ּדעוֹת ְי ָהֹוה ולא cross your lips! For Hashem is an all-knowing ְ]ולוֹ[ ִנ ְת ְּכ ּנו ֲע ִללוֹת׃ .Hashem; By Him actions are measured

2:1 And Chana prayed Chana’s prayer of volunteered to parachute into Nazi-occupied Europe thanksgiving, recorded in this chapter, is to assist the British army and the Hungarian Jewish considered a model prayer. In her time, there was still community. Tragically, she was caught, tortured and no established liturgy, and there was not yet any executed. Throughout her life, Senesh composed concept of organized prayer among the Israelites. beautiful poetry; the most prominent one for which My God’, which she‘ — (אלי) Chana’s prayer was a spontaneous expression of her she is remembered is Eli Chana Senesh deep spirit, after finally being blessed with the child wrote on the shores of Caesarea. Like her biblical (1921-1944) for whom she had desperately longed. Over 3,000 years namesake Chana, the deepest expression of Senesh’s later, another Jewish heroine with the same first name soul is her prayer: “My God, My God, may these things would be born — Chana Senesh. Born in Hungary in never end, the sand and the sea, the rustle of the 1921, she fulfilled her Zionist dream and immigrated waters, the lightning of the heavens, the prayer of to the Land of Israel. During World War II, she daringly Man.”

25 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ב Chapter 2

ד ֶקשׁ ֶ ת ִּג ּבִֹרים ַח ִּתים ְו ִנ ְכשׁ ָ ִלים ָאְז ּרו ָחִיל׃ The bows of the mighty are broken, And the 4 faltering are girded with strength. ה ְשׂ ֵב ִעים ַּב ֶּל ֶחם ִנ ְשׂ ָּכ ּרו ּוְר ֵע ִבים ָח ֵד ּל ּו Men once sated must hire out for bread; Men once 5 ַע ֲד־ע ָקָרה ָי ְל ָדה שׁ ִ ְב ָעה ְוַר ַּבת ָּב ִנים hungry hunger no more. While the barren woman ֻא ְמ ָל ָלה׃ .bears seven, The mother of many is forlorn ו ְי ָהֹוה ֵמ ִמית ּו ְמ ַחֶּיה ִמוֹריד שׁ ְ אוֹל ַוָּי ַעל׃ Hashem deals death and gives life, Casts down into 6 Sheol and raises up. ז 7 Samuel ְי ָהֹוה ִמוֹרישׁ ּו ַמ ֲעשׁ ִ יר ַמשׁ ְ ִּפיל ַאף־ Hashem makes poor and makes rich; He casts ְמ ֵרוֹמם׃ .down, He also lifts high ח ֵמ ִקים ֵמ ָע ָפר ָ ּדל ֵמ ַאשׁ ְ ּפֹת ָיִרים ֶא ְביוֹן He raises the poor from the dust, Lifts up the 8 ְלהוֹשׁ ִ יב ִע ְם־נ ִד ִיבים ְו ִכ ֵּסא ָכבוֹד ַי ְנ ִח ֵלם ,needy from the dunghill, Setting them with nobles ִּכי ַל ָיהֹוה ְמ ֻצ ֵקי ֶאֶרץ ַוָּישׁ ֶ ת ֲע ֵל ֶיהם Granting them seats of honor. For the pillars of ֵּת ֵבל׃ the earth are Hashem’s; He has set the world upon them. ט ַר ְג ֵלי חסידו ֲ]ח ִס ָידיו[ ִישׁ ְ מֹר ּוְרשׁ ָ ִעים He guards the steps of His faithful, But the wicked 9 ַּבחֹשׁ ֶ ְך ִי ָ ּד ּמ ּו ִּכי־לֹא ְב ַכֹח ִי ְג ַּב ִר־אישׁ ׃ perish in darkness—For not by strength shall man prevail. י ְי ָהֹוה ֵי ַח ּת ּו מריבו ְ]מִר ָיביו[ עלו The foes ofHashem shall be shattered; He will 10 ָ]ע ָליו[ ַּבשָּׁ ַמִים ַיְר ֵעם ְי ָהֹוה ָי ִדין ַא ְפ ֵסי־ thunder against them in the heavens. Hashem will ָאֶרץ ְוִי ֶּתן־עֹז ְל ַמ ְל ּכוֹ ְוָיֵרם ֶקֶרן ְמשׁ ִ יחוֹ׃ judge the ends of the earth. He will give power to His king, And triumph to His anointed one. a-do-NAI yay-KHA-tu m’-ree-VAV a-LAV ba-sha-MA-yim yar-AYM a-do-NAI ya- DEEN af-say A-retz v’-yi-ten OZ l’-mal-KO v’-ya-RAYM KE-ren m’-shee-KHO יא ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ְל ָק ָנה ָהָר ָמ ָתה ַע ֵּל־ביתוֹ ְו ַה ַנּ ַער ;ThenElkana [and Chana] went home to Rama 11 ָהָיה ְמשׁ ָ ֵרת ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ֵע ִלי and the boy entered the service of Hashem under ַה ּכ ֵֹהן׃ .the Kohen Eli יב ּו ְב ֵני ֵע ִלי ְּב ֵני ְב ִלָּי ַעל לֹא ָי ְד ּעו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה׃ Now Eli’s sons were scoundrels; they paid no heed 12 to Hashem. יג ּו ִמשׁ ְ ַּפט ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ָּכ ִל־אישׁ This is how theKohanim used to deal with the 13 ֵזֹב ַח ֶז ַבח ּו ָבא ַנ ַער ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ְּכ ַבשֵּׁ ל ַה ָּב ָשׂר people: When anyone brought a sacrifice, the ְו ַה ַּמְז ֵלג שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ַ־השִּׁ ַנּ ִים ְּבָידוֹ׃ -Kohen’s boy would come along with a three pronged fork while the meat was boiling,

2:10 He will give power to His king, and triumph to of Israel. Thus, “His king” refers to Shaul, who would be the His anointed one Chana is a prophetess, and so only king from his tribe of Binyamin, and “His anointed she prays not only for herself, but for the entire Nation of one” refers to David, from the tribe of Yehuda, who would Israel. While thanking Hashem for her own child, she also establish the eternal monarchy that would span the prays for two separate leaders who will shape the nation: generations. Chana is thus a role model, teaching us to “His king” and “His anointed one.” The famed commentator look beyond our individual needs when we pray, and also Radak notes that Chana knew that her son would be to long for the reestablishment of the kingdom of David responsible for establishing the monarchy over the People at the hands of his descendant, the Mashiach.

26 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ב Chapter 2

יד ְו ִה ָּכה ַב ִּכ ּיוֹר אוֹ ַב ּד ּוד אוֹ ַב ַּק ַּל ַחת אוֹ and he would thrust it into the cauldron, or the 14 ַב ָּפ ּרור ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ֲע ֶלה ַה ַּמְז ֵלג ִי ַּקח ;kettle, or the great pot, or the small cooking-pot ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ּבוֹ ָּכ ָכה ַי ֲע ּשׂו ְל ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל and whatever the fork brought up, the Kohen would ַה ָּב ִאים שׁ ָ ם ְּבשׁ ִ לֹה׃ take away on it. This was the practice atShilo with all the Israelites who came there. טו ַּגם ְּב ֶטֶרם ַי ְק ִט ּרון ֶא ַת־ה ֵח ֶלב ּו ָבא ַנ ַער But now] even before the suet was turned into] 15 ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ְו ָא ַמר ָל ִאישׁ ַה ּז ֵֹב ַח ְּת ָנה ָב ָשׂר smoke, the Kohen’s boy would come and say to the ִל ְצלוֹת ַל ּכ ֵֹהן ְו ִלֹא־י ַּקח ִמ ְּמ ָך ָּב ָשׂר man who was sacrificing, “Hand over some meat to

ְמ ֻבשָּׁ ל ִּכי ִא ָם־חי׃ Samuel roast for the Kohen; for he won’t accept boiled meat from you, only raw.” טז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ָה ִאישׁ ַק ֵּטר ַי ְק ִט ּירון ַּכ ּיוֹם And if the man said to him, “Let them first turn 16 ַה ֵח ֶלב ְו ַק ְח־ל ָך ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּת ַאֶּוה ַנ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך the suet into smoke, and then take as much as you ְו ָא ַמר לו ]לֹא[ ִּכי ַע ָּתה ִת ֵּתן ְו ִאם־לֹא want,” he would reply, “No, hand it over at once or ָל ַק ְח ִּתי ְב ָחְז ָקה׃ ”.I’ll take it by force יז ַו ְּת ִהי ַח ַּטאת ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ְּג ָדוֹלה ְמאֹד ֶאת־ The sin of the young men againstHashem was 17 ְּפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ִּכי ִנ ֲא ּצו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֵאת ִמ ְנ ַחת very great, for the men treated Hashem’s offerings ְי ָהֹוה׃ .impiously יח ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְמשׁ ָ ֵרת ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַנ ַער Shmuel was engaged in the service of Hashem as an 18 ָח ּגור ֵאפוֹד ָּבד׃ .attendant, girded with a linen ephod יט ּו ְמ ִעיל ָקטֹן ַּת ֲע ֶשׂ ּה־לוֹ ִא ּמוֹ ְו ַה ַע ְל ָתה His mother would also make a little robe for him 19 לוֹ ִמָּי ִמים ָי ִמ ָימה ַּב ֲע ָלוֹת ּה ֶא ִת־אישׁ ָ ּה and bring it up to him every year, when she made ִלְז ּב ַֹח ֶא ֶת־ז ַבח ַהָּי ִמים׃ the pilgrimage with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. כ ּו ֵבַר ְך ֵע ִלי ֶא ֶת־א ְל ָק ָנה ְו ֶא ִת־אשׁ ְ ּתוֹ Eli would bless Elkana and his wife, and say, “May 20 ְו ָא ַמר ָי ֵשׂם ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָך ֶזַרע ִמ ָן־ה ִאשָּׁ ה Hashem grant you offspring by this woman in place ַה ּזֹאת ַּת ַחת ַהשְּׁ ֵא ָלה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ַאל ַל ָיהֹוה of the loan she made to Hashem.” Then they would ְו ָה ְל ּכו ִל ְמקֹמוֹ׃ .return home כא ִּכ ָי־פ ַקד ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַת־ח ָנּה ַו ַּת ַהר ַו ֵּת ֶלד For Hashem took note of Chana; she conceived and 21 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ָה־ב ִנים ּושׁ ְ ֵּתי ָבנוֹת ַוִּי ְג ַ ּדל ַה ַנּ ַער bore three sons and two daughters. Young Shmuel שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִע ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .meanwhile grew up in the service of Hashem כב ְו ֵע ִלי ָז ֵקן ְמאֹד ְושׁ ָ ַמע ֵאת ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר Now Eli was very old. When he heard all that his 22 ַי ֲע ּשׂון ָּב ָניו ְל ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ sons were doing to all Yisrael, and how they lay with ִישׁ ְ ְּכ ּבון ֶא ַת־ה ָנּשׁ ִ ים ַה ּצ ְֹבאוֹת ֶּפ ַתח the women who performed tasks at the entrance of ֶאֹהל ֵמוֹעד׃ ,the Tent of Meeting כג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ֶהם ָל ָּמה ַת ֲע ּשׂון ַּכ ְ ּד ָבִרים he said to them, “Why do you do such things? I 23 ָה ֵא ֶּלה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹמ ַע ֶא ִ ּת־ד ְבֵר ֶיכם get evil reports about you from the people on all ָר ִעים ֵמ ֵאת ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ֵא ֶּלה׃ .hands כד ַאל ָּב ָני ִּכי ָלוֹא־טוֹבה ַהשְּׁ ֻמ ָעה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Don’t, my sons! It is no favorable report I hear the 24 ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹמ ַע ַמ ֲע ִבִרים ַע ְם־י ָהֹוה׃ .people of Hashem spreading about כה ִא ֶם־י ֱח ָטא ִאישׁ ְל ִאישׁ ּו ִפ ְללוֹ ֱא ִלֹהים ;If a man sins against a man, Hashem may pardon him 25 ְו ִאם ַל ָיהֹוה ֶי ֱח ָט ִא־אישׁ ִמי ִי ְת ַּפ ֶּלל־לוֹ but if a man offends againstHashem , who can obtain ְולֹא ִישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְלקוֹל ֲא ִב ֶיהם ִּכ ָי־ח ֵפץ ְי ָהֹוה ;pardon for him?” But they ignored their father’s plea ַל ֲה ִמ ָיתם׃ .for Hashem was resolved that they should die

27 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ב Chapter 2

כו ְו ַה ַנּ ַער שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵהֹל ְך ְו ָג ֵדל ָוטוֹב ַּגם ִעם־ Young Shmuel, meanwhile, grew in esteem and 26 ְי ָהֹוה ְו ַגם ִע ֲם־א ָנשׁ ִ ים׃ .favor both with Hashem and with men כז ַוָּיבֹא ִאישׁ ֱ־א ִלֹהים ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ,A man of Hashem came to Eli and said to him 27 ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ֲה ִנ ְגלֹה ִנ ְג ֵל ִיתי ֶא ֵּל־בית Thus saidHashem : Lo, I revealed Myself to your“ ָא ִב ָיך ִּב ְה ָיוֹתם ְּב ִמ ְצַרִים ְל ֵבית ַּפְרעֹה׃ father’s house in Egypt when they were subject to the House of Pharaoh, כח ּו ָבחֹר אֹתוֹ ִמ ָּכל־שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִלי ְל ֵכֹהן and I chose them from among all the tribes 28 ַל ֲעלוֹת ַע ִל־מְז ְּב ִחי ְל ַה ְק ִטיר ְק ֶטֹרת of Yisrael to be My Kohanim—to ascend My Samuel ָל ֵשׂאת ֵאפוֹד ְל ָפ ָני ָו ֶא ְּת ָנה ְל ֵבית ָא ִב ָיך mizbayach, to burn incense, [and] to carry an ֶא ָּת־כ ִל־אשֵּׁ י ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ephod before Me—and I assigned to your father’s house all offerings by fire of the Israelites. כט ָל ָּמה ִת ְב ֲע ּטו ְּבִז ְב ִחי ּו ְב ִמ ְנ ָח ִתי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Why, then, do you maliciously trample upon the 29 ִצִּו ִיתי ָמעוֹן ַו ְּת ַכ ֵּבד ֶא ָּת־ב ֶנ ָיך ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ?sacrifices and offerings that I have commanded ְל ַה ְבִר ֲיא ֶכם ֵמֵראשׁ ִ ית ָּכ ִל־מ ְנ ַחת ,You have honored your sons more than Me ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְל ַע ִּמי׃ feeding on the first portions of every offering of My people Yisrael. ל ָל ֵכן ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָאמוֹר Assuredly—declares Hashem, the God of 30 ָא ַמְר ִּתי ֵּב ְית ָך ּו ֵבית ָא ִב ָיך ִי ְת ַה ְּל ּכו ְל ָפ ַני Yisrael—I intended for you and your father’s house ַע ָד־עוֹלם ְו ַע ָּתה ְנ ֻא ְם־י ָהֹוה ָח ִל ָילה ִּלי to remain in My service forever. But now—declares ִּכ ְי־מ ַכ ְּב ַדי ֲא ַכ ֵּבד ּו ַבֹזי ֵי ָק ּל ּו׃ Hashem—far be it from Me! For I honor those who honor Me, but those who spurn Me shall be dishonored. לא ִה ֵנּה ָי ִמים ָּב ִאים ְו ָג ַד ְע ִּתי ֶא ְת־ז ֲרֹע ָך A time is coming when I will break your power and 31 ְו ֶא ְת־ז ַרֹע ֵּבית ָא ִב ָיך ִמ ְהיוֹת ָז ֵקן ְּב ֵב ֶית ָך׃ that of your father’s house, and there shall be no elder in your house. לב ְו ִה ַּב ְט ָּת ַצר ָמעוֹן ְּבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ֵר־י ִיטיב You will gaze grudgingly at all the bounty that will 32 ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ִלֹא־י ְהֶיה ָז ֵקן ְּב ֵב ְית ָך ָּכל־ be bestowed on Yisrael, but there shall never be an ַהָּי ִמים׃ .elder in your house לג ְו ִאישׁ ַלֹא־א ְכִרית ְל ָך ֵמ ִעם ִמְז ְּב ִחי I shall not cut off all your offspring from My 33 ְל ַכ ּלוֹת ֶא ֵת־ע ֶינ ָיך ְו ַל ֲא ִדיב ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך mizbayach; [but,] to make your eyes pine and your ְו ָכ ַל־מְר ִּבית ֵּב ְית ָך ָי ּמו ּתו ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים׃ spirit languish, all the increase in your house shall die as [ordinary] men. לד ְוֶז ְּה־ל ָך ָהאוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָיבֹא ֶאל־שׁ ְ ֵני ָב ֶנ ָיך And this shall be a sign for you: The fate of your 34 ֶא ָל־ח ְפ ִני ּו ִפ ְינ ָחס ְּביוֹם ֶא ָחד ָי ּמו ּתו two sons Chofni and Pinchas—they shall both die שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם׃ .on the same day לה ַו ֲה ִק ִימֹתי ִלי ּכ ֵֹהן ֶנ ֱא ָמן ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּב ְל ָב ִבי And I will raise up for Myself a faithful Kohen, who 35 ּו ְב ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ּו ָב ִנ ִיתי לוֹ ַּבִית ֶנ ֱא ָמן will act in accordance with My wishes and My ְו ִה ְת ַה ֵּל ְך ִל ְפ ֵנ ְי־משׁ ִ ִיחי ָּכ ַל־הָּי ִמים׃ ,purposes. I will build for him an enduring house and he shall walk before My anointed evermore. לו ְו ָהָיה ָּכ ַל־ה ָנּוֹתר ְּב ֵב ְית ָך ָיבוֹא And all the survivors of your house shall come and 36 ְל ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחוׂת לוֹ ַל ֲא ַגוֹרת ֶּכ ֶסף ְו ִכ ַּכ ָר־ל ֶחם bow low to him for the sake of a money fee and a ְו ָא ַמר ְס ָפ ֵח ִני ָנא ֶא ַל־א ַחת ַה ְּכ ֻהנּוֹת loaf of bread, and shall say, ‘Please, assign me to ֶל ֱאכֹל ַּפ ָת־ל ֶחם׃ one of the priestly duties, that I may have a morsel of bread to eat.’”

28 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ג Chapter 3

א ְו ַה ַנּ ַער שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְמשׁ ָ ֵרת ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ִל ְפ ֵני Young Shmuel was in the service of Hashem under 1 3 ג ֵע ִלי ּו ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ָהָיה ָי ָקר ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵהם ;Eli. In those days the word of Hashem was rare ֵאין ָחזוֹן ִנ ְפָרץ׃ .prophecy was not widespread

ב ַוְי ִהי ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְו ֵע ִלי שׁ ֵֹכב ִּב ְמקֹמוֹ One day, Eli was asleep in his usual place; his eyes 2 ועינו ְ]ו ֵע ָיניו[ ֵה ֵח ּל ּו ֵכהוֹת לֹא ּיו ַכל .had begun to fail and he could barely see ִלְראוֹת׃

ג ְו ֵנר ֱא ִלֹהים ֶטֶרם ִי ְכ ֶּבה ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל שׁ ֵֹכב The lamp ofHashem had not yet gone out, and 3 ְּב ֵה ַיכל ְי ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־שׁ ָ ם ֲארוֹן ֱא ִלֹהים׃ Samuel Shmuel was sleeping in the temple of Hashem where the Aron of Hashem was. ד ַוִּי ְקָרא ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּ ִני׃ ,Hashem called out to Shmuel, and he answered 4 “I’m coming.” ה ַוָּיָרץ ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ְנ ִני ִּכ ָי־קָר ָאת ”.He ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me 5 ִּלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָלֹא־קָר ִאתי שׁ ּוב שׁ ְ ָכב ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ”.But he replied, “I didn’t call you; go back to sleep ַ ו ִ ּ י שׁ ְ ָ ּ כ ב ׃ .So he went back and lay down

ו ַו ּי ֶֹסף ְי ָהֹוה ְקרֹא עוֹד שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוָּי ָקם Again Hashem called, “Shmuel!” Shmuel rose and 6 שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ְנ ִני ִּכי ”.went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me ָקָר ָאת ִלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָלֹא־קָר ִאתי ְב ִני שׁ ּוב But he replied, “I didn’t call, my son; go back to שׁ ְ ָ כ ב ׃ —”.sleep

ז ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶטֶרם ָי ַדע ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְו ֶטֶרם ;Now Shmuel had not yet experienced Hashem 7 ִי ָּג ֶלה ֵא ָליו ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה׃ the word of Hashem had not yet been revealed to him.— ח ַו ּי ֶֹסף ְי ָהֹוה ְקרֹא־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַּבשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ית Hashem called Shmuel again, a third time, and he 8 ַוָּי ָקם ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ְנ ִני ִּכי rose and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you ָקָר ָאת ִלי ַוָּי ֶבן ֵע ִלי ִּכי ְי ָהֹוה ֵקֹרא ַל ָנּ ַער׃ called me.” ThenEli understood that Hashem was calling the boy. ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵע ִלי ִלשׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵל ְך שׁ ְ ָכב ְו ָהָיה And Eli said to Shmuel, “Go lie down. If you are 9 ִא ִם־י ְקָרא ֵא ֶל ָיך ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ַ ּד ֵּבר ְי ָהֹוה called again, say, ‘Speak, Hashem, for Your servant ִּכי שׁ ֵֹמ ַע ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ַוֵּי ֶל ְך שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב is listening.’” And Shmuel went to his place and lay ִ ּב ְמקוֹ מוֹ ׃ .down

י ַוָּיבֹא ְי ָהֹוה ַוִּי ְתַי ַּצב ַוִּי ְקָרא ְכ ַפ ַע ְּם־ב ַפ ַעם Hashem came, and stood there, and He called as 10 שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַ ּד ֵּבר ִּכי ,before: “Shmuel! Shmuel!” And Shmuel answered שׁ ֵֹמ ַע ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ ”.Speak, for Your servant is listening“

יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי Hashem said to Shmuel: “I am going to do in Yisrael 11 ֶעֹשׂה ָד ָבר ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּכל־שׁ ְֹמעוֹ such a thing that both ears of anyone who hears ְּת ִצ ֶּל ָינה שׁ ְ ֵּתי ָאְז ָניו׃ .about it will tingle

יב ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָא ִקים ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי ֵאת ָּכל־ In that day I will fulfill againstEli all that I spoke 12 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ַּבְר ִּתי ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ָה ֵחל ְו ַכ ֵּלה׃ .concerning his house, from beginning to end

29 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ד Chapter 4

יג ְו ִה ַּג ְד ִּתי לוֹ ִּכי־שׁ ֵֹפט ֲא ִני ֶא ֵּת־ביתוֹ And I declare to him that I sentence his house 13 ַע ָד־עוֹלם ַּב ֲעוׂן ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־י ַדע ִּכ ְי־מ ַק ְל ִלים to endless punishment for the iniquity he knew ָל ֶהם ָּב ָניו ְולֹא ִכ ָהה ָּבם׃ about—how his sons committed sacrilege at will—and he did not rebuke them. v’-hi-GAD-tee LO kee sho-FAYT a-NEE et bay-TO ad o-LAM ba-a-VON a-sher ya-DA kee m’-ka-l’-LEEM la-HEM ba-NAV v’-LO khi-HAH BAM יד ְו ָל ֵכן ִנשׁ ְ ַּב ְע ִּתי ְל ֵבית ֵע ִלי ִא ִם־י ְת ַּכ ֵּפר Assuredly, I swear concerning the house of Eli 14 ֲעוׂן ֵּב ֵית־ע ִלי ְּבֶז ַבח ּו ְב ִמ ְנ ָחה ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ that the iniquity of the house of Eli will never be expiated by sacrifice or offering.” Samuel טו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַע ַד־ה ּב ֶֹקר ַוִּי ְפ ַּתח ֶאת־ Shmuel lay there until morning; and then he 15 ַ ּד ְלתוֹת ֵּב ְית־י ָהֹוה ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָיֵרא ֵמ ַה ִּגיד opened the doors of the House of Hashem. Shmuel ֶא ַת־ה ַּמְר ָאה ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי׃ ,was afraid to report the vision to Eli

טז ַוִּי ְקָרא ֵע ִלי ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל but Eli summoned Shmuel and said, “Shmuel, my 16 ְּב ִני ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּ ִני׃ ”.son”; and he answered, “Here יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָמה ַה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ֶּבר ֵא ֶל ָיך ַאל־ And [Eli] asked, “What did He say to you? Keep 17 ָנא ְת ַכ ֵחד ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ּכֹה ַי ֲע ֶשׂ ְּה־ל ָך ֱא ִלֹהים nothing from me. Thus and more mayHashem do ְוכֹה ִיוֹסיף ִא ְּם־ת ַכ ֵחד ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ָ ּד ָבר ִמ ָּכל־ to you if you keep from me a single word of all that ַה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ִ ּר־ד ֶּבר ֵא ֶל ָיך׃ ”!He said to you יח ַוַּי ֶּגד־לוֹ שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ְולֹא Shmuel then told him everything, withholding 18 ִכ ֵחד ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ַו ּי ַֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ּהוא ַה ּטוֹב ;nothing from him. And [Eli] said, “He is Hashem ְּב ֵע ָינו ַי ֲע ֶשׂה׃ ”.He will do what He deems right יט ַוִּי ְג ַ ּדל שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַו ָיהֹוה ָהָיה ִע ּמוֹ ְולֹא־ Shmuel grew up and Hashem was with him: He did 19 ִה ִּפיל ִמ ָּכ ְ ּל־ד ָבָריו ָאְר ָצה׃ .not leave any of Shmuel’s predictions unfulfilled כ ַוֵּי ַדע ָּכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמ ָ ּדן ְו ַע ְּד־ב ֵאר שׁ ָ ַבע ִּכי All Yisrael, from Dan to Be’er Sheva, knew that 20 ֶנ ֱא ָמן שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְל ָנ ִביא ַל ָיהֹוה׃ .Shmuel was trustworthy as a Navi of Hashem כא ַו ּי ֶֹסף ְי ָהֹוה ְל ֵהָראֹה ְבשׁ ִ לֹה ִּכ ִי־נ ְג ָלה And Hashem continued to appear at Shilo: Hashem 21 ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְּבשׁ ִ לוֹ ִּב ְד ַבר ְי ָהֹוה׃ revealed Himself to Shmuel at Shilo with the word of Hashem; א ַוְי ִהי ְד ַבר־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְל ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוֵּי ֵצא and Shmuel’s word went forth to all Yisrael.Yisrael 1 4 ד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִל ְקַראת ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ;marched out to engage the Philistines in battle ַוַּי ֲח ּנו ַע ָל־ה ֶא ֶבן ָה ֵעֶזר ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָח ּנו they encamped near Even Ha-Ezer, while the ַב ֲא ֵפק׃ .Philistines encamped at Aphek

3:13 I sentence his house to endless punishment God Consequently, Eli’s sons will be killed and there will be tells Shmuel that He will punish Eli for failing to rebuke no one left to continue his family’s mantle of leadership. his sons, Chofni and Pinchas, for their immoral behavior Instead, Shmuel will become the new prophet and while serving in their leadership roles at the Mishkan in leader of the people. He will act the way a true leader Shilo. Through their actions, they profane the Mishkan should, travelling among the people as an inspiring role and discourage people from making pilgrimages there. model, bringing them closer to Hashem.

30 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ד Chapter 4

ב ַוַּי ַעְר ּכו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִל ְקַראת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ; The Philistines arrayed themselves againstYisrael 2 ַו ִּת ּטֹשׁ ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ַוִּי ָנּ ֶגף ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִל ְפ ֵני and when the battle was fought,Yisrael was routed ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוַּי ּכ ּו ַב ַּמ ֲעָר ָכה ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה by the Philistines, who slew about four thousand ְּכ ַאְר ַּב ַעת ֲא ָל ִפים ִאישׁ ׃ .men on the field of battle

ג ַוָּיבֹא ָה ָעם ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ִז ְק ֵני ,When the [Israelite] troops returned to the camp 3 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָל ָּמה ְנ ָג ָפ ּנו ְי ָהֹוה ַה ּיוֹם ִל ְפ ֵני the elders of Yisrael asked, “Why did Hashem put ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִנ ְק ָחה ֵא ֵל ּינו ִמשִּׁ לֹה ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן us to rout today before the Philistines? Let us fetch ְּבִרית ְי ָהֹוה ְוָיבֹא ְב ִקְר ֵּב ּנו ְויֹשׁ ִ ֵע ּנו ִמ ַּכף the Aron Brit Hashem from Shilo; thus He will ְאֹי ֵב ּינו׃ Samuel be present among us and will deliver us from the hands of our enemies.” ד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָה ָעם שׁ ִ לֹה ַוִּי ְשׂ ּאו ִמשָּׁ ם ֵאת So the troops sent men to Shilo; there Eli’s two 4 ֲארוֹן ְּבִר ְית־י ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת יֹשׁ ֵ ב ַה ְּכֻר ִבים sons, Chofni and Pinchas, were in charge of the Aron ְושׁ ָ ם שׁ ְ ֵני ְב ֵנ ֵי־ע ִלי ִע ֲם־ארוֹן ְּבִרית Brit Hashem, and they brought down from there ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ָח ְפ ִני ּו ִפ ְינ ָחס׃ the Aron Habrit of the lord of Hosts Enthroned on the Keruvim. ה ַוְי ִהי ְּכבוֹא ֲארוֹן ְּבִר ְית־י ָהֹוה ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה When the Aron Brit Hashem entered the camp, all 5 ַוָּיִר ּעו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּת ּרו ָעה ְג ָדוֹלה ַו ֵּתהֹם Yisrael burst into a great shout, so that the earth ָה ָאֶרץ׃ .resounded ו ַוִּישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶאת־קוֹל ַה ְּת ּרו ָעה The Philistines heard the noise of the shouting and 6 ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֶמה קוֹל ַה ְּת ּרו ָעה ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה they wondered, “Why is there such a loud shouting ַה ּזֹאת ְּב ַמ ֲח ֵנה ָה ִע ְבִרים ַוֵּי ְד ּעו ִּכי ֲארוֹן in the camp of the Hebrews?” And when they ְי ָהֹוה ָּבא ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה׃ learned that the Aron of Hashem had come to the camp, ז ַוִּיְר ּאו ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִּכי ָא ְמ ּרו ָּבא ֱא ִלֹהים ,the Philistines were frightened; for they said 7 ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו אוֹי ָל ּנו ִּכי לֹא ,Hashem has come to the camp.” And they cried“ ָהְי ָתה ָּכזֹאת ֶא ְתמוֹל שׁ ִ ְלשׁ ֹם׃ Woe to us! Nothing like this has ever happened“ before. ח אוֹי ָל ּנו ִמי ַי ִּצ ֵיל ּנו ִמַּיד ָה ֱא ִלֹהים Woe to us! Who will save us from the power of 8 ָה ַא ִ ּד ִירים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ֵא ֶּלה ֵהם ָה ֱא ִלֹהים this mighty Hashem? He is the same Hashem who ַה ַּמ ִּכים ֶא ִת־מ ְצַרִים ְּב ָכ ַל־מ ָּכה ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר׃ struck the Egyptians with every kind of plague in the wilderness! ט ִה ְת ַחְ ּז ּקו ִו ְה ּיו ַל ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶּפן Brace yourselves and be men, O Philistines! Or 9 ַּת ַע ְב ּדו ָל ִע ְבִרים ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ְב ּדו ָל ֶכם you will become slaves to the Hebrews as they were ִו ְהִי ֶיתם ַל ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ְו ִנ ְל ַח ְמ ֶּתם׃ ”!slaves to you. Be men and fight י ַוִּי ָּל ֲח ּמו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוִּי ָנּ ֶגף ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו The Philistines fought;Yisrael was routed, and they 10 ִאישׁ ְל ָאֹה ָליו ַו ְּת ִהי ַה ַּמ ָּכה ְּג ָדוֹלה ְמאֹד ,all fled to their homes. The defeat was very great ַוִּי ּפֹל ִמִּי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ֶא ֶלף ַר ְג ִלי׃ .thirty thousand foot soldiers of Yisrael fell there יא ַו ֲארוֹן ֱא ִלֹהים ִנ ְל ָקח ּושׁ ְ ֵני ְב ֵנ ֵי־ע ִלי ֵמ ּתו TheAron of Hashem was captured, and Eli’s two 11 ָח ְפ ִני ּו ִפ ְינ ָחס׃ .sons, Chofni and Pinchas, were slain יב ַוָּיָרץ ִאישׁ ִּ־ב ְנָי ִמן ֵמ ַה ַּמ ֲעָר ָכה ַוָּיבֹא שׁ ִ לֹה A Binyaminite ran from the battlefield and reached 12 ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ּו ַמ ָ ּדיו ְקֻר ִעים ַו ֲא ָד ָמה ַעל־ Shilo the same day; his clothes were rent and there רֹאשׁ וֹ׃ .was earth on his head

31 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ד Chapter 4

יג ַוָּיבוֹא ְו ִה ֵנּה ֵע ִלי יֹשׁ ֵ ב ַע ַל־ה ִּכ ֵּסא יך ,When he arrived, he found Eli sitting on a seat 13 ַ]יד[ ֶ ּדֶר ְך ְמ ַצ ֶּפה ִּכ ָי־הָיה ִל ּבוֹ ָחֵרד ַעל waiting beside the road—his heart trembling for ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ְו ָה ִאישׁ ָּבא ְל ַה ִּגיד ָּב ִעיר the Aron of Hashem. The man entered the city to ַו ִּתְז ַעק ָּכ ָל־ה ִעיר׃ spread the news, and the whole city broke out in a cry. va-ya-VO v’-hi-NAY ay-LEE yo-SHAYV al ha-ki-SAY YAD DE-rekh m’-tza-PEH kee ha-YAH li-BO kha-RAYD AL a-RON ha-e-lo-HEEM v’-ha-EESH BA l’-ha-GEED ba- EER va-tiz-AK kol ha-EER

Samuel יד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ֵע ִלי ֶאת־קוֹל ַה ְּצ ָע ָקה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר And when Eli heard the sound of the outcry and 14 ֶמה קוֹל ֶה ָהמוֹן ַהֶ ּזה ְו ָה ִאישׁ ִמ ַהר ַוָּיבֹא asked, “What is the meaning of this uproar?” the ַוַּי ֵּגד ְל ֵע ִלי׃ .man rushed over to tell Eli טו ְו ֵע ִלי ֶּב ִּן־תשׁ ְ ִעים ּושׁ ְ ֶמֹנה שׁ ָ ָנה ְו ֵע ָיניו Now Eli was ninety-eight years old; his eyes were 15 ָק ָמה ְולֹא ָיכוֹל ִלְראוֹת׃ .fixed in a blind stare טז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָה ִאישׁ ֶא ֵל־ע ִלי ָא ִנֹכי ַה ָּבא ִמן־ The man said toEli , “I am the one who came from 16 ַה ַּמ ֲעָר ָכה ַו ֲא ִני ִמ ַן־ה ַּמ ֲעָר ָכה ַנ ְס ִּתי ַה ּיוֹם ”.the battlefield; I have just fled from the battlefield ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶמ ָה־הָיה ַה ָ ּד ָבר ְּב ִני׃ ”?Eli] asked, “What happened, my son] יז ַוַּי ַען ַה ְמ ַב ֵּשׂר ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָנס ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִל ְפ ֵני The bearer of the news replied, Yisrael“ fled before 17 ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְו ַגם ַמ ֵּג ָפה ְג ָדוֹלה ָהְי ָתה ָב ָעם the Philistines and the troops also suffered a great ְו ַגם־שׁ ְ ֵני ָב ֶנ ָיך ֵמ ּתו ָח ְפ ִני ּו ִפ ְינ ָחס ַו ֲארוֹן slaughter. Your two sons, Chofni and Pinchas, are ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ִנ ְל ָק ָחה׃ ”.dead, and the Aron of Hashem has been captured יח ַוְי ִהי ְּכ ַהְז ִּכירוֹ ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַוִּי ּפֹל [When he mentioned the Aron of Hashem, [Eli 18 ֵמ ַע ַל־ה ִּכ ֵּסא ֲא ַחֹר ִנּית ְּב ַעד ַיד ַהשַּׁ ַער fell backward off the seat beside the gate, broke his ַו ִּתשָּׁ ֵבר ַמ ְפַר ְק ּתוֹ ַוָּימֹת ִּכ ָי־ז ֵקן ָה ִאישׁ .neck and died; for he was an old man and heavy ְו ָכ ֵבד ְו ּהוא שׁ ָ ַפט ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַאְר ָּב ִעים .He had been a chieftain ofYisrael for forty years שׁ ָ ָ נ ה ׃ יט ְו ַכ ָּלתוֹ ֵאשׁ ֶ ִּת־פ ְינ ָחס ָהָרה ָל ַלת ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ַמע His daughter-in-law, the wife of Pinchas, was with 19 ֶא ַת־השְּׁ ֻמ ָעה ֶא ִל־ה ָּל ַקח ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים child, about to give birth. When she heard the ּו ֵמת ָח ִמ ָיה ְו ִאישׁ ָ ּה ַו ִּת ְכַרע ַו ֵּת ֶלד ִּכי־ report that the Aron of Hashem was captured and ֶנ ֶה ְפ ּכו ָע ֶל ָיה ִצֶר ָיה׃ ,that her father-in-law and her husband were dead she was seized with labor pains, and she crouched down and gave birth. כ ּו ְכ ֵעת ּמו ָת ּה ַו ְּת ַד ֵּבְר ָנה ַה ִנּ ָּצבוֹת ָע ֶל ָיה ,As she lay dying, the women attending her said 20 ַא ִּל־ת ְיר ִאי ִּכי ֵבן ָי ָל ְד ְּת ְולֹא ָע ְנ ָתה ְולֹא־ Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But“ שׁ ָ ָ ת ה ִל ָ ּ ב ּ ה ׃ .she did not respond or pay heed

4:13 The whole city broke out in a cry After the Genesis 14, which describes the war he fought to save terrible battlefield loss to the Philistines, a man his nephew Lot), Moshe (see Numbers 21, where he from the tribe of Binyamin runs to Shilo to deliver the leads Israel in battle against Sihon and Og) and Yehoshua news to Eli. Rashi reports a tradition that this man was were all spiritual and military figures. Fighting just wars none other than Shaul, who would later be selected as is an imperative, and it is the responsibility of the Israelite the first king of Israel. This is significant, as leaders of leader to lead his troops into battle. Therefore, it’s not Israel are often military men. For example, Avraham (see surprising that the first king of Israel is also a soldier.

32 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ה Chapter 5

כא ַו ִּת ְקָרא ַל ַנּ ַער ִא ָי־כבוֹד ֵלאמֹר ָּג ָלה ָכבוֹד She named the boy Ichabod, meaning, “The 21 ִמִּי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ִל־ה ָּל ַקח ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים glory has departed from Yisrael”—referring to the ְו ֶא ָל־ח ִמ ָיה ְו ִאישׁ ָ ּה׃ capture of the Aron of Hashem and to [the death of] her father-in-law and her husband. כב ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָּג ָלה ָכבוֹד ִמִּי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכי ִנ ְל ַקח The glory is gone fromYisrael ,” she said, “for the“ 22 ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים׃ ”.Aron of Hashem has been captured א ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָל ְק ּחו ֵאת ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים When the Philistines captured the Aron of 1 5 ה ַוְי ִב ֻא ּהו ֵמ ֶא ֶבן ָה ֵעֶזר ַאשׁ ְ ּד ָוֹדה׃ Hashem, they brought it from Even Ha-Ezer to Samuel Ashdod. uf-lish-TEEM la-k’-KHU AYT a-RON ha-e-lo-HEEM vai-vi-U-hu may-E-ven ha-E-zer ash-DO-dah ב ַוִּי ְק ּחו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים The Philistines took theAron of Hashem and 2 ַוָּי ִב ּיאו אֹתוֹ ֵּבית ָ ּדגוֹן ַוַּי ִּצ ּיגו אֹתוֹ ֵא ֶצל brought it into the temple of Dagon and they set it ָ ּדגוֹן׃ .up beside Dagon ג ַוַּישׁ ְ ִּכ ּמו ַאשׁ ְ ּד ִוֹדים ִמ ָּמ ֳחָרת ְו ִה ֵנּה ָדגוֹן Early the next day, the Ashdodites found Dagon 3 ֵנֹפל ְל ָפ ָניו ַאְר ָצה ִל ְפ ֵני ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ַוִּי ְק ּחו lying face down on the ground in front of the Aron ֶא ָ ּת־דגוֹן ַוָּישׁ ִ ּבו אֹתוֹ ִל ְמקוֹמוֹ׃ of Hashem. They picked Dagon up and put him back in his place; ד ַוַּישׁ ְ ִּכ ּמו ַב ּב ֶֹקר ִמ ָּמ ֳחָרת ְו ִה ֵנּה ָדגוֹן ֵנֹפל but early the next morning, Dagon was again 4 ְל ָפ ָניו ַאְר ָצה ִל ְפ ֵני ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ְורֹאשׁ lying prone on the ground in front of the Aron of ָ ּדגוֹן ּושׁ ְ ֵּתי ַּכ ּפוֹת ָי ָדיו ְּכֻרתוֹת ֶאל־ Hashem. The head and both hands of Dagon were ַה ִּמ ְפ ָּתן ַרק ָ ּדגוֹן ִנשׁ ְ ַאר ָע ָליו׃ cut off, lying on the threshold; only Dagon’s trunk was left intact. ה ַע ֵּל־כן ִלֹא־י ְדְר ּכו ֲכֹה ֵני ָדגוֹן ְו ָכ ַל־ה ָּב ִאים That is why, to this day, the priests of Dagon and all 5 ֵּב ָ ּית־דגוֹן ַע ִל־מ ְפ ַּתן ָ ּדגוֹן ְּב ַאשׁ ְ ּדוֹד ַעד who enter the temple of Dagon do not tread on the ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ .threshold of Dagon in Ashdod ו ַו ִּת ְכ ַּבד ַי ְד־י ָהֹוה ֶא ָל־ה ַאשׁ ְ ּד ִוֹדים ַוְישׁ ִ ֵּמם The hand ofHashem lay heavy upon the 6 ַוַּי ְך ָאֹתם בעפלים ַּ]ב ְּט ִחֹרים[ ֶאת־ Ashdodites, and He wrought havoc among ַאשׁ ְ ּדוֹד ְו ֶא ְּת־ג ּבו ֶל ָיה׃ them: He struck Ashdod and its territory with hemorrhoids. ז ַוִּיְר ּאו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ ַי־אשׁ ְ ּדוֹד ִּכ ֵי־כן ְו ָא ְמ ּרו ,When the men of Ashdod saw how matters stood 7 ֵלֹא־ישׁ ֵ ב ֲארוֹן ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִע ָּמ ּנו ִּכי־ they said, “TheAron of the God of Yisrael must not ָקשׁ ְ ָתה ָידוֹ ָע ֵל ּינו ְו ַעל ָ ּדגוֹן ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו׃ remain with us, for His hand has dealt harshly with us and with our god Dagon.”

5:1 To Ashdod The coastal city of Ashdod is from around the world who come both for its located in the land allocated to the tribe of commerce and its beaches. It is truly a miracle that Yehuda. However, it is conquered by the invading the city once conquered by Philistines in ships now Philistines, and becomes one of their strongholds. hosts the largest port of the State of Israel, thus Modern Ashdod was built on the same site in 1956. providing tremendous economic support to the entire Coastal city One of the largest cities in Israel, it welcomes tourists nation. of Ashdod

33 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ו Chapter 6

ח ַוִּישׁ ְ ְל ּחו ַוַּי ַא ְס ּפו ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־סְר ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים They sent messengers and assembled all the 8 ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַמ ַה־נּ ֲע ֶשׂה ַל ֲארוֹן ֱא ֵלֹהי lords of the Philistines and asked, “What shall ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַּגת ִי ּסֹב ֲארוֹן ֱא ֵלֹהי we do with the Aron of the God of Yisrael?” They ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּי ֵּס ּב ּו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ answered, “Let the Aron of the God of Yisrael be removed to Gath.” So they moved the Aron of the God of Yisrael [to Gath]. ט ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵרי ֵה ַס ּב ּו אֹתוֹ ַו ְּת ִהי ַי ְד־י ָהֹוה And after they had moved it, the hand ofHashem 9 ָּב ִעיר ְמ ּהו ָמה ְּג ָדוֹלה ְמאֹד ַוַּי ְך ֶאת־ came against the city, causing great panic; He

Samuel ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָה ִעיר ִמ ָּקטֹן ְו ַע ָּד־גדוֹל ַוִּי ָּשׂ ְת ּרו struck the people of the city, young and old, so that ָל ֶהם עפלים ְ]ט ִחֹרים׃[ .hemorrhoids broke out among them י ַוְישׁ ַ ְּל ּחו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ֶע ְקרוֹן ַוְי ִהי Then they sent theAron of Hashem to Ekron. But 10 ְּכבוֹא ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ֶע ְקרוֹן ַוִּיְז ֲע ּקו when the Aron of Hashem came to Ekron, the ָה ֶע ְק ִרֹנים ֵלאמֹר ֵה ַס ּב ּו ֵא ַלי ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן Ekronites cried out, “They have moved theAron of ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַל ֲה ִמ ֵית ִני ְו ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי׃ ”.the God of Yisrael to us to slay us and our kindred יא ַוִּישׁ ְ ְל ּחו ַוַּי ַא ְס ּפו ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־סְר ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים They too sent messengers and assembled all the 11 ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו שׁ ַ ְּל ּחו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל lords of the Philistines and said, “Send the Aron ְוָישׁ ֹב ִל ְמקֹמוֹ ְו ָלֹא־י ִמית ִאֹתי ְו ֶאת־ of the God of Yisrael away, and let it return to its ַע ִּמי ִּכ ָי־הְי ָתה ְמ ּהו ַמ ָת־מֶות ְּב ָכ ָל־ה ִעיר ”.own place, that it may not slay us and our kindred ָּכ ְב ָדה ְמאֹד ַיד ָה ֱא ִלֹהים שׁ ָ ם׃ For the panic of death pervaded the whole city, so heavily had the hand of Hashem fallen there; יב ְו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵלֹא־מ ּתו ֻה ּכ ּו בעפלים and the men who did not die were stricken with 12 ַּ]ב ְּט ִחֹרים[ ַו ַּת ַעל שׁ ַ ְו ַעת ָה ִעיר ַהשָּׁ ָמִים׃ hemorrhoids. The outcry of the city went up to heaven. א ַוְי ִהי ֲא ְרוֹן־י ָהֹוה ִּב ְשׂ ֵדה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים TheAron of Hashem remained in the territory of 1 6 ו שׁ ִ ְב ָעה ֳח ָדשׁ ִ ים׃ .the Philistines seven months ב ַוִּי ְקְר ּאו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַל ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ְו ַל ּק ְֹס ִמים Then the Philistines summoned the priests and the 2 ֵלאמֹר ַמ ַה־נּ ֲע ֶשׂה ַל ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ִהוֹד ֻע ּנו diviners and asked, “What shall we do about the ַּב ֶּמה ְנשׁ ַ ְּל ֶח ּנּו ִל ְמקוֹמוֹ׃ Aron of Hashem? Tell us with what we shall send it off to its own place.” ג ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ִא ְם־משׁ ַ ְּל ִחים ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ֱא ֵלֹהי They answered, “If you are going to send theAron 3 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ְּל־תשׁ ַ ְּל ּחו אֹתוֹ ֵר ָיקם ִּכי־ of the God of Yisrael away, do not send it away ָהשׁ ֵ ב ָּתשׁ ִ ּיבו לוֹ ָאשׁ ָ ם ָאז ֵּתָר ְפ ּאו ְו ַנוֹדע without anything; you must also pay an indemnity ָל ֶכם ָל ָּמה ָלֹא־ת ּסור ָידוֹ ִמ ֶּכם׃ to Him. Then you will be healed, and He will make Himself known to you; otherwise His hand will not turn away from you.” ד ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָמה ָה ָאשׁ ָ ם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנשׁ ִ יב לוֹ They asked, “What is the indemnity that we 4 ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ִמ ְס ַּפר ַסְר ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֲח ִמשָּׁ ה should pay to Him?” They answered, “Five golden עפלי ְ]ט ֵחֹרי[ ָז ָהב ַו ֲח ִמשָּׁ ה ַע ְכ ְּבֵרי ָז ָהב hemorrhoids and five golden mice, corresponding ִּכ ַי־מ ֵּג ָפה ַא ַחת ְל ֻכ ָּלם ּו ְל ַסְר ֵנ ֶיכם׃ to the number of lords of the Philistines; for the same plague struck all of you and your lords. ה ַו ֲע ִשׂ ֶיתם ַצ ְל ֵמי עפליכם ְ]ט ֵחֹר ֶיכם[ You shall make figures of your hemorrhoids and 5 ְו ַצ ְל ֵמי ַע ְכ ְּבֵר ֶיכם ַה ַּמשׁ ְ ִח ִיתם ֶאת־ of the mice that are ravaging your land; thus you ָה ָאֶרץ ּו ְנ ַת ֶּתם ֵל ֵאלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָּכבוֹד shall honor the God of Yisrael, and perhaps He will ּאו ַלי ָי ֵקל ֶא ָת־ידוֹ ֵמ ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ּו ֵמ ַעל lighten the weight of His hand upon you and your ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ּו ֵמ ַעל ַאְר ְצ ֶכם׃ .gods and your land

34 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ו Chapter 6

ו ְו ָל ָּמה ְת ַכ ְּב ּדו ֶא ְת־ל ַב ְב ֶכם ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּכ ְּב ּדו Don’t harden your hearts as the Egyptians and 6 ִמ ְצַרִים ּו ַפְרעֹה ֶא ִת־ל ָּבם ֲהלוֹא ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Pharaoh hardened their hearts. As you know, when ִה ְת ַע ֵּלל ָּב ֶהם ַוְישׁ ַ ְּל ּחום ַוֵּי ֵל ּכו׃ He made a mockery of them, they had to let Yisrael go, and they departed. ז ְו ַע ָּתה ְק ּחו ַו ֲע ּשׂו ֲע ָג ָלה ֲח ָדשׁ ָ ה ֶא ָחת Therefore, get a new cart ready and two milch cows 7 ּושׁ ְ ֵּתי ָפרוֹת ָעלוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָלֹא־ע ָלה that have not borne a yoke; harness the cows to the ֲע ֵל ֶיהם עֹל ַו ֲא ַסְר ֶּתם ֶא ַת־ה ָּפרוֹת cart, but take back indoors the calves that follow ָּב ֲע ָג ָלה ַו ֲהשׁ ֵ ֶיבֹתם ְּב ֵנ ֶיהם ֵמ ַא ֲחֵר ֶיהם .them

ַה ָּבְי ָתה׃ Samuel ח ּו ְל ַק ְח ֶּתם ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ּו ְנ ַת ֶּתם אֹתוֹ ;Take the Aron of Hashem and place it on the cart 8 ֶא ָל־ה ֲע ָג ָלה ְו ֵאת ְּכ ֵלי ַהָ ּז ָהב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר and put next to it in a chest the gold objects you are ֲהשׁ ֵ ֶבֹתם לוֹ ָאשׁ ָ ם ָּת ִשׂ ּימו ָב ַאְר ַּגז ִמ ִּצ ּדוֹ paying Him as indemnity. Send it off, and let it go ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ֶּתם אֹתוֹ ְו ָה ָל ְך׃ .its own way ט ּוְר ִא ֶיתם ִא ֶ ּם־דֶר ְך ְּג ּבולוֹ ַי ֲע ֶלה ֵּבית ,Then watch: If it goes up the road toBeit Shemesh 9 שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ּהוא ָע ָשׂה ָל ּנו ֶא ָת־הָר ָעה to His own territory, it was He who has inflicted ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ַה ּזֹאת ְו ִאם־לֹא ְוָי ַד ְע ּנו ִּכי לֹא this great harm on us. But if not, we shall know ָידוֹ ָנ ְג ָעה ָּב ּנו ִמ ְקֶרה ּהוא ָהָיה ָל ּנו׃ that it was not His hand that struck us; it just happened to us by chance.” ur-ee-TEM im DE-rekh g’-vu-LO ya-a-LEH BAYT SHE-mesh HU A-sah LA-nu et ha- ra-AH ha-g’-do-LAH ha-ZOT v’-im LO v’-ya-DA-nu KEE LO ya-DO na-g’-AH BA-nu mik-REH HU HA-yah LA-nu י ַוַּי ֲע ּשׂו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֵּכן ַוִּי ְק ּחו שׁ ְ ֵּתי ָפרוֹת The men did so. They took two milch cows and 10 ָעלוֹת ַוַּי ַא ְס ּרום ָּב ֲע ָג ָלה ְו ֶא ְּת־ב ֵנ ֶיהם ָּכ ּלו harnessed them to the cart, and shut up their calves ַב ָּבִית׃ .indoors יא ַוָּי ִשׂ ּמו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָל־ה ֲע ָג ָלה ְו ֵאת They placed theAron of Hashem on the cart 11 ָה ַאְר ַּגז ְו ֵאת ַע ְכ ְּבֵרי ַהָ ּז ָהב ְו ֵאת ַצ ְל ֵמי together with the chest, the golden mice, and the ְט ֵחֹר ֶיהם׃ .figures of their hemorrhoids יב ַוִישַּׁ ְר ָנה ַה ָּפרוֹת ַּב ֶ ּדֶר ְך ַע ֶ ּל־דֶר ְך ֵּבית The cows went straight ahead along the road to 12 שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ִּב ְמ ִס ָּלה ַא ַחת ָה ְל ּכו ָה ְלֹך ְו ָגעוֹ ,Beit Shemesh. They went along a single highroad ְו ָלֹא־ס ּרו ָי ִמין ּו ְשׂמֹאול ְו ַסְר ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים lowing as they went, and turning off neither to the ְהֹל ִכים ַא ֲחֵר ֶיהם ַע ְּד־ג ּבול ֵּבית שׁ ָ ֶמשׁ ׃ right nor to the left; and the lords of the Philistines walked behind them as far as the border of Beit Shemesh. יג ּו ֵבית שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ְקֹצִרים ְק ִצ ִיר־ח ִּטים ָּב ֵע ֶמק The people ofBeit Shemesh were reaping their 13 ַוִּי ְשׂ ּאו ֶא ֵת־ע ֵינ ֶיהם ַוִּיְר ּאו ֶא ָת־ה ָארוֹן wheat harvest in the valley. They looked up and saw ַוִּי ְשׂ ְמ ּחו ִלְראוֹת׃ .[the Aron, and they rejoiced when they saw [it

6:9 To Beit Shemesh Beit Shemesh, west of discovered and massacred by Arabs before completing Yerushalayim, is in the territory of Yehuda their mission. Shortly after the War of Independence, a (Joshua 15) and is one of the cities set aside for the new Jewish community was built in Beit Shemesh. It was Leviim. In 1948, the area was significant in the fighting first settled by immigrants from Iran, Iraq and Morocco, between Arabs and Jews. It was from this area that and later by a large Russian and Ethiopian population. thirty-five fighters set off to try to rescue the besieged In more recent years, many North American Jews have Beit Shemesh Jewish communities in Gush Etzion. They were made their home in the biblical city of Beit Shemesh.

35 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ז Chapter 7

יד ְו ָה ֲע ָג ָלה ָּב ָאה ֶא ְל־שׂ ֵדה ְיהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ֵּבית־ The cart came into the field ofYehoshua of Beit 14 ַהשִּׁ ְמשׁ ִ י ַו ַּת ֲעמֹד שׁ ָ ם ְושׁ ָ ם ֶא ֶבן ְּג ָדוֹלה Shemesh and it stopped there. They split up the ַוְי ַב ְּק ּעו ֶא ֲת־ע ֵצי ָה ֲע ָג ָלה ְו ֶא ַת־ה ָּפרוֹת wood of the cart and presented the cows as a burnt ֶה ֱע ּלו ָעֹלה ַל ָיהֹוה׃ ;offering toHashem . A large stone was there

טו ְו ַה ְלִוִּים ִהוֹר ּידו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ְו ֶאת־ and the Leviim took down the Aron of Hashem and 15 ָה ַאְר ַּגז ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ֲאשׁ ֶ ּר־בוֹ ְכ ֵל ָי־ז ָהב the chest beside it containing the gold objects and ַוָּי ִשׂ ּמו ֶא ָל־ה ֶא ֶבן ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ְו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ֵבית־ placed them on the large stone. Then the men of שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ֶה ֱע ּלו עֹלוֹת ַוִּיְז ְּב ּחו ְז ָב ִחים ַּב ּיוֹם Beit Shemesh presented burnt offerings and other Samuel ַה ּהוא ַל ָיהֹוה׃ .sacrifices toHashem that day

טז ַו ֲח ִמשָּׁ ה ַסְר ֵנ ְי־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָר ּאו ַוָּישׁ ֻ ּבו The five lords of the Philistines saw this and 16 ֶע ְקרוֹן ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא׃ .returned the same day to Ekron יז ְו ֵא ֶּלה ְט ֵחֹרי ַהָ ּז ָהב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵהשׁ ִ ּיבו The following were the golden hemorrhoids that 17 ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָאשׁ ָ ם ַל ָיהֹוה ְל ַאשׁ ְ ּדוֹד ֶא ָחד the Philistines paid as an indemnity to Hashem: For ְל ַעָ ּזה ֶא ָחד ְל ַאשׁ ְ ְקלוֹן ֶא ָחד ְל ַגת ֶא ָחד Ashdod, one; for Azza, one; for Ashkelon, one; for ְל ֶע ְקרוֹן ֶא ָחד׃ .Gath, one; for Ekron, one יח ְו ַע ְכ ְּבֵרי ַהָ ּז ָהב ִמ ְס ַּפר ָּכ ָל־עֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים As for the golden mice, their number accorded 18 ַל ֲח ֵמשׁ ֶ ת ַה ְּסָר ִנים ֵמ ִעיר ִמ ְב ָצר ְו ַעד with all the Philistine towns that belonged to the ּכ ֶֹפר ַה ְּפָרִזי ְו ַעד ָא ֵבל ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר five lords—both fortified towns and unwalled ִה ִנּ ּיחו ָע ֶל ָיה ֵאת ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ַעד ַה ּיוֹם villages, as far as the great stone on which the Aron ַהֶ ּזה ִּב ְשׂ ֵדה ְיהוֹשׁ ֻ ַע ֵּב ַית־השִּׁ ְמשׁ ִ י׃ of Hashem was set down, to this day, in the field of Yehoshua of Beit Shemesh. יט ַוַּי ְך ְּב ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ֵבית־שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ִּכי ָר ּאו ַּב ֲארוֹן Hashem] struck at the men of Beit Shemesh] 19 ְי ָהֹוה ַוַּי ְך ָּב ָעם שׁ ִ ְב ִעים ִאישׁ ֲח ִמשִּׁ ים because they looked into the Aron of Hashem; He ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ַוִּי ְת ַא ְּב ּלו ָה ָעם ִּכ ִי־ה ָּכה ְי ָהֹוה [struck down seventy men among the people [and ָּב ָעם ַמ ָּכה ְג ָדוֹלה fifty thousand men. The people mourned, for He had inflicted a great slaughter upon the population. כ ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ֵבית־שׁ ֶ ֶמשׁ ִמי ּיו ַכל And the men of Beit Shemesh asked, “Who can 20 ַל ֲעמֹד ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַה ָּקדוֹשׁ ַהֶ ּזה ?stand in attendance onHashem , this holy Hashem ְו ֶא ִל־מי ַי ֲע ֶלה ֵמ ָע ֵל ּינו׃ ”?And to whom shall He go up from us

כא ַוִּישׁ ְ ְל ּחו ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶאל־יוֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ִקְרַית־ They sent messengers to the inhabitants ofKiryat 21 ְי ָעִרים ֵלאמֹר ֵהשׁ ִ ּבו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן Ye’arim to say, “The Philistines have sent back the ְי ָהֹוה ְר ּדו ַה ֲע ּלו אֹתוֹ ֲא ֵל ֶיכם׃ Aron of Hashem. Come down and take it into your keeping.” א ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִקְרַית ְי ָעִרים ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ֶאת־ The men ofKiryat Ye’arim came and took up the 1 7 ז ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ַוָּי ִב ּאו אֹתוֹ ֶא ֵּל־בית ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב Aron of Hashem and brought it into the house of ַּב ִּג ְב ָעה ְו ֶא ֶת־א ְל ָעָזר ְּבנוֹ ִק ְ ּדשׁ ּו ִלשׁ ְ מֹר Avinadav on the hill; and they consecrated his son ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה׃ .Elazar to have charge of the Aron of Hashem

ב ַוְי ִהי ִמ ּיוֹם שׁ ֶ ֶבת ָה ָארוֹן ְּב ִקְרַית ְי ָעִרים A long time elapsed from the day that the Aron was 2 ַוִּיְר ּב ּו ַהָּי ִמים ַוִּי ְה ּיו ֶע ְשׂ ִרים שׁ ָ ָנה ַוִּי ָנּ ּהו housed in Kiryat Ye’arim, twenty years in all; and all ָּכ ֵּל־בית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ֲחֵרי ְי ָהֹוה׃ . the House of Yisrael yearned afterHashem

36 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ז Chapter 7

ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָּל־כ ֵּל־בית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל And Shmuel said to all the House of Yisrael, “If you 3 ֵלאמֹר ִא ְּם־ב ָכ ְל־ל ַב ְב ֶכם ַא ֶּתם שׁ ָ ִבים mean to return to Hashem with all your heart, you ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ָה ִס ּירו ֶא ֱת־א ֵלֹהי ַה ֵנּ ָכר must remove the alien gods and the Ashtaroth ִמ ּת ְוֹכ ֶכם ְו ָה ַעשׁ ְ ָּתרוֹת ְו ָה ִכ ּינו ְל ַב ְב ֶכם from your midst and direct your heart to Hashem ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ְו ִע ְב ֻד ּהו ְל ַב ּדוֹ ְוַי ֵּצל ֶא ְת ֶכם and serve Him alone. Then He will deliver you ִמַּיד ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”.from the hands of the Philistines ד ַוָּי ִס ּירו ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ַת־ה ְּב ָע ִלים ְו ֶאת־ And the Israelites removed the Baalim and 4 ָה ַעשׁ ְ ָּתרֹת ַוַּי ַע ְב ּדו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְל ַב ּדוֹ׃ .Ashtaroth and they served Hashem alone Samuel ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִק ְב ּצו ֶא ָּת־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Shmuel said, “Assemble all Yisrael at Mitzpa, and I 5 ַה ִּמ ְצ ָּפ ָתה ְו ֶא ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ַּב ַע ְד ֶכם ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה׃ ”.will pray to Hashem for you ו ַוִּי ָּק ְב ּצו ַה ִּמ ְצ ָּפ ָתה ַוִּישׁ ְ ֲא ּבו ַ־מִים ַוִּישׁ ְ ְּפ ּכו They assembled atMitzpa , and they drew water 6 ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַוָּי ּצו ּמו ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו and poured it out before Hashem; they fasted that שׁ ָ ם ָח ָט ּאנו ַל ָיהֹוה ַוִּישׁ ְ ּפֹט שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאת־ day, and there they confessed that they had sinned ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַּב ִּמ ְצ ָּפה׃ against Hashem. And Shmuel acted as chieftain of the Israelites at Mitzpa. ז ַוִּישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִּכ ִי־ה ְת ַק ְּב ּצו ְב ֵני־ When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had 7 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ִּמ ְצ ָּפ ָתה ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ַסְר ֵנ ְי־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים assembled at Mitzpa, the lords of the Philistines ֶא ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוִּישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוִּיְר ּאו marched out against Yisrael. Hearing of this, the ִמ ְּפ ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ Israelites were terrified of the Philistines ח ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ְב ֵנ ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַאל־ and they implored Shmuel, “Do not neglect us and 8 ַּת ֲחֵרשׁ ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ִמְ ּזעֹק ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו do not refrain from crying out to Hashem our God ְויֹשׁ ִ ֵע ּנו ִמַּיד ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”.to save us from the hands of the Philistines ט ַוִּי ַּקח שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְט ֵלה ָח ָלב ֶא ָחד ויעלה ThereuponShmuel took a suckling lamb and 9 ַ]וַּי ֲע ֵל ּהו[ ָעוֹלה ָּכ ִליל ַל ָיהֹוה ַוִּיְז ַעק ; sacrificed it as a whole burnt offering toHashem שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ְּב ַעד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּי ֲע ֵנ ּהו ,and Shmuel cried out to Hashem in behalf of Yisrael ְי ָהֹוה׃ .and Hashem responded to him י ַוְי ִהי שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַמ ֲע ֶלה ָה ָעוֹלה ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים For as Shmuel was presenting the burnt offering 10 ִנ ְּגשׁ ּו ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּיְר ֵעם ְי ָהֹוה , and the Philistines advanced to attackYisrael ְּב ָּקוֹל־גדוֹל ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַע ְּל־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים Hashem thundered mightily against the Philistines ַוְי ֻה ֵּמם ַוִּי ָנּ ְג ּפו ִל ְפ ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ that day. He threw them into confusion, and they were routed by Yisrael. יא ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמ ַן־ה ִּמ ְצ ָּפה ַוִּיְר ְ ּד ּפו The men ofYisrael sallied out of Mitzpa and 11 ֶא ְּת־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוַּי ּכ ּום ַע ִד־מ ַּת ַחת ְל ֵבית pursued the Philistines, striking them down to a ָּכר׃ .point below Beth-car יב ַוִּי ַּקח שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ֶבן ַא ַחת ַוָּי ֶשׂם ֵּבין־ Shmuel took a stone and set it up between Mitzpa 12 ַה ִּמ ְצ ָּפה ּו ֵבין ַהשֵּׁ ן ַוִּי ְקָרא ֶאת־שׁ ְ ָמ ּה and Shen, and named it Even Ha-Ezer: “For up to ֶא ֶבן ָה ָעֶזר ַו ּי ַֹאמר ַע ֵד־ה ָנּה ֲעָזָר ּנו ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”.now,” he said, “Hashem has helped us יג ַוִּי ָּכ ְנ ּעו ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְו ָלֹא־י ְס ּפו עוֹד The Philistines were humbled and did not invade 13 ָלבוֹא ִּב ְג ּבול ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַו ְּת ִהי ַי ְד־י ָהֹוה the territory of Yisrael again; and the hand of ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּכֹל ְי ֵמי שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל׃ Hashem was set against the Philistines as long as Shmuel lived.

37 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ח Chapter 8

יד ַו ָּתשׁ ְֹב ָנה ֶה ָעִרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָל ְק ּחו ְ־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים The towns which the Philistines had taken from 14 ֵמ ֵאת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵמ ֶע ְקרוֹן ְו ַע ַּד־גת Yisrael, from Ekron to Gath, were restored to ְו ֶא ְּת־ג ּבו ָלן ִה ִּציל ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמַּיד ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים Yisrael; Yisrael recovered all her territory from the ַוְי ִהי שׁ ָ לוֹם ֵּבין ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ֵבין ָה ֱא ִמֹרי׃ Philistines. There was also peace betweenYisrael and the Amorites. טו ַוִּישׁ ְ ּפֹט שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּכֹל ְי ֵמי .Shmuel judged Yisrael as long as he lived 15 ַחָּייו׃ טז ְו ָה ַל ְך ִמ ֵ ּדי שׁ ָ ָנה ְּבשׁ ָ ָנה ְו ָס ַבב ֵּב ֵית־אל ,Each year he made the rounds of Beit El, Gilgal 16 Samuel ְו ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל ְו ַה ִּמ ְצ ָּפה ְושׁ ָ ַפט ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל and Mitzpa, and acted as judge over Yisrael at all ֵאת ָּכ ַל־ה ְּמקוֹמוֹת ָה ֵא ֶּלה׃ .those places v’-ha-LAKH mi-DAY sha-NAH b’-sha-NAH v’-sa-VAV bayt AYL v’-ha-gil-GAL v’-ha- mitz-PAH v’-sha-FAT et yis-ra-AYL AYT kol ha-m’-ko-MOT ha-AY-leh יז ּו ְתשׁ ֻ ָבתוֹ ָהָר ָמ ָתה ִּכי־שׁ ָ ם ֵּביתוֹ ְושׁ ָ ם Then he would return toRama , for his home was 17 שׁ ָ ָפט ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוִּי ֶבן־שׁ ָ ם ִמְז ֵּב ַח there, and there too he would judge Yisrael. He ַל ָיהֹוה׃ .built a mizbayach there to Hashem א ַוְי ִהי ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָז ֵקן שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוָּי ֶשׂם ֶא ָּת־ב ָניו When Shmuel grew old, he appointed his sons 1 8 ח שׁ ְֹפ ִטים ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .judges over Yisrael ב ַוְי ִהי שׁ ֶ ְּם־בנוֹ ַה ְּבכוֹר ֵיוֹאל ְושׁ ֵ ם ִמשׁ ְ ֵנ ּהו The name of his first-born son wasYoel , and his 2 ֲא ִבָּיה שׁ ְֹפ ִטים ִּב ְב ֵאר שׁ ָ ַבע׃ second son’s name was Aviya; they sat as judges in Be’er Sheva. ג ְו ָלֹא־ה ְל ּכו ָב ָניו בדרכו ִּ]ב ְדָר ָכיו[ ַוִּי ּט ּו But his sons did not follow in his ways; they were 3 ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ָּב ַצע ַוִּי ְק ּחו־שׁ ַֹחד ַוַּי ּט ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט׃ bent on gain, they accepted bribes, and they subverted justice. ד ַוִּי ְת ַק ְּב ּצו ּכֹל ִז ְק ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוָּי ּבֹאו ֶאל־ All the elders of Yisrael assembled and came to 4 שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָהָר ָמ ָתה׃ ,Shmuel at Rama

ה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֵא ָליו ִה ֵנּה ַא ָּתה ָז ַק ְנ ָּת ּו ָב ֶנ ָיך לֹא and they said to him, “You have grown old, and 5 ָה ְל ּכו ִּב ְדָר ֶכ ָיך ַע ָּתה ִשׂ ָימ ָּה־ל ּנו ֶמ ֶל ְך your sons have not followed your ways. Therefore ְלשׁ ָ ְפ ֵט ּנו ְּכ ָכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים׃ appoint a king for us, to govern us like all other nations.”

7:16 Each year he made the rounds As the inspiration. This has long been the practice of Israel’s chief prophet and judge of the People of Israel, Shmuel rabbis, whose mission includes traveling throughout could follow Eli’s example and require that the people Israel to reach and teach the people they serve. One of come to him. However, he does not wish to live in an the most famous examples was when Rabbi Abraham ivory tower. Shmuel becomes a different type of leader, Isaac Kook and nine other prominent rabbis visited early who goes to the people in order to meet with them, Jewish agricultural settlements in the Galilee region in inspire and serve them. Thus, he travels to the major cities 1913-14. Many of the residents of these settlements were of Israel on an annual basis. He serves as a role model for not religiously observant, but Rabbi Kook and his Rabbi Abraham future leaders who would travel throughout the land to colleagues felt obligated to teach them, and show their Isaac Kook (1865-1935) the homes and communities of their followers to offer love to them all.

38 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ח Chapter 8

ו ַוֵּיַרע ַה ָ ּד ָבר ְּב ֵע ֵיני שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Shmuel was displeased that they said “Give us a 6 ָא ְמ ּרו ְּת ָנ ָּה־ל ּנו ֶמ ֶל ְך ְלשׁ ָ ְפ ֵט ּנו ַוִּי ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ,king to govern us.” Shmuel prayed to Hashem שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה׃ va-YAY-ra ha-da-VAR b’-ay-NAY sh’-mu-AYL ka-a-SHER a-m’-RU t’-nah LA-nu ME- lekh l’-shof-TAY-nu va-yit-pa-LAYL sh’-mu-AYL el a-do-NAI ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל שׁ ְ ַמע ְּבקוֹל and Hashem replied to Shmuel, “Heed the demand 7 ָה ָעם ְלכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־יֹאמ ּרו ֵא ֶל ָיך ִּכי לֹא of the people in everything they say to you. For it is ְאֹת ָך ָמ ָא ּסו ִּכ ִי־אֹתי ָמ ֲא ּסו ִמ ְּמ ְלֹך not you that they have rejected; it is Me they have Samuel ֲע ֵל ֶיהם׃ .rejected as their king ח ְּכ ָכ ַל־ה ַּמ ֲע ִשׂים ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ּשׂו ִמ ּיוֹם ַה ֲע ִלֹתי Like everything else they have done ever since I 8 ָאֹתם ִמ ִּמ ְצַרִים ְו ַע ַד־ה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ַוַּי ַעְז ֻב ִני brought them out of Egypt to this day—forsaking ַוַּי ַע ְב ּדו ֱא ִלֹהים ֲא ֵחִרים ֵּכן ֵה ָּמה ִעֹשׂים Me and worshiping other gods—so they are doing ַּג ָם־ל ְך׃ .to you ט ְו ַע ָּתה שׁ ְ ַמע ְּב ָקוֹלם ַא ְך ִּכ ָי־ה ֵעד ָּת ִעיד Heed their demand; but warn them solemnly, and 9 ָּב ֶהם ְו ִה ַּג ְד ָּת ָל ֶהם ִמשׁ ְ ַּפט ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר tell them about the practices of any king who will ִי ְמ ְלֹך ֲע ֵל ֶיהם׃ ”.rule over them י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵאת ָּכ ִ ּל־ד ְבֵרי ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־ Shmuel reported all the words of Hashem to the 10 ָה ָעם ַהשּׁ ֲֹא ִלים ֵמ ִא ּתוֹ ֶמ ֶל ְך׃ .people, who were asking him for a king יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶזה ִי ְהֶיה ִמשׁ ְ ַּפט ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר He said, “This will be the practice of the king who 11 ִי ְמ ְלֹך ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ֶא ְּת־ב ֵנ ֶיכם ִי ָּקח ְו ָשׂם will rule over you: He will take your sons and לוֹ ְּב ֶמְר ַּכ ְב ּתוֹ ּו ְב ָפָרשׁ ָ יו ְוָר ּצו ִל ְפ ֵני appoint them as his charioteers and horsemen, and ֶמ ְר ַ ּכ ְב ּתוֹ ׃ .they will serve as outrunners for his chariots יב ְו ָל ּשׂום לוֹ ָשׂ ֵרי ֲא ָל ִפים ְו ָשׂ ֵרי ֲח ִמשִּׁ ים He will appoint them as his chiefs of thousands 12 ְו ַל ֲחרֹשׁ ֲחִרישׁ וֹ ְו ִל ְקצֹר ְק ִצירוֹ ְו ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ,and of fifties; or they will have to plow his fields ְּכ ֵל ִי־מ ְל ַח ְמ ּתוֹ ּו ְכ ֵלי ִר ְכ ּבוֹ׃ reap his harvest, and make his weapons and the equipment for his chariots. יג ְו ֶא ְּת־ב ֵנוֹת ֶיכם ִי ָּקח ְלַר ָּקחוֹת ּו ְל ַט ָּבחוֹת ,He will take your daughters as perfumers, cooks 13 ּו ְלאֹפוֹת׃ .and bakers

8:6 Shmuel was displeased While Shmuel ex- king of Israel is required to be even more than that. He pressed his displeasure with the people’s is to meant lift the people spiritually, to bring them request, it was not their actual request for a king that closer to Hashem so that they can serve as a “light unto troubled him. In fact, the Torah includes a command- the nations” (Isaiah 42:6). King Shaul is unable to do this. ment requiring the people to appoint a king For example, as detailed in Chapter 15, he does not (Deuteronomy 17:15). The problem, Rashi notes, was completely destroy Amalek and their animals, thereby that they wanted a king “like all the other nations” (verse defying God’s will in order to please the people. By con- 5). This request ignores the uniqueness of the People of trast, King David constantly seeks to elevate the nation, Israel, and the unusual type of leader their king should even at the expense of his own honor. For example, he be, a very different model than that followed by “all the dances before the Holy Ark when it was brought to other nations.” Rabbi Shlomo Aviner notes that because Yerushalayim, even though this conduct could be of their request, this is exactly the kind of king they redeemed unseemly for a king. Therefore, Shaul’s kingship ceive. King Shaul is a righteous individual who is very is of a temporary nature, while David’s dynasty becomes successful in uniting and organizing the people. But a the eternal monarchy of the Jewish People.

39 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ט Chapter 9

יד ְו ֶא ְת־שׂ ֵדוֹת ֶיכם ְו ֶא ַּת־כְר ֵמ ֶיכם ְוֵז ֵית ֶיכם He will seize your choice fields, vineyards, and 14 ַה ּט ִוֹבים ִי ָּקח ְו ָנ ַתן ַל ֲע ָב ָדיו׃ .olive groves, and give them to his courtiers טו ְוַזְר ֵע ֶיכם ְו ַכְר ֵמ ֶיכם ַי ְעשֹׂר ְו ָנ ַתן ְל ָסִר ָיסיו He will take a tenth part of your grain and vintage 15 ְו ַל ֲע ָב ָדיו׃ .and give it to his eunuchs and courtiers טז ְו ֶא ַת־ע ְב ֵד ֶיכם ְו ֶאת־שׁ ִ ְפ ֵחוֹת ֶיכם ְו ֶאת־ He will take your male and female slaves, your 16 ַּב ּחוֵר ֶיכם ַה ּט ִוֹבים ְו ֶא ֲת־ח ֵמוֹר ֶיכם ִי ָּקח choice young men, and your asses, and put them to ְו ָע ָשׂה ִל ְמ ַל ְאכ ּתוֹ׃ .work for him Samuel יז ְצֹאנ ֶכם ַי ְעשֹׂר ְו ַא ֶּתם ִּת ְה ּיו־לוֹ ַל ֲע ָב ִדים׃ He will take a tenth part of your flocks, and you 17 shall become his slaves. יח ּוְז ַע ְק ֶּתם ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ִמ ִּל ְפ ֵני ַמ ְל ְּכ ֶכם The day will come when you cry out because of 18 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ַחְר ֶּתם ָל ֶכם ְו ַלֹא־י ֲע ֶנה ְי ָהֹוה the king whom you yourselves have chosen; and ֶא ְת ֶכם ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא׃ ”.Hashem will not answer you on that day יט ַוְי ָמ ֲא ּנו ָה ָעם ִלשׁ ְ ַמֹע ְּבקוֹל שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל But the people would not listen to Shmuel’s 19 ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ּלֹא ִּכי ִא ֶם־מ ֶל ְך ִי ְהֶיה ָע ֵל ּינו׃ warning. “No,” they said. “We must have a king over us, כ ְו ָהִי ּינו ַג ֲם־א ַנ ְח ּנו ְּכ ָכ ַל־ה ּג ִוֹים ּושׁ ְ ָפ ָט ּנו that we may be like all the other nations: Let our 20 ַמ ְל ֵּכ ּנו ְוָי ָצא ְל ָפ ֵנ ּינו ְו ִנ ְל ַחם ֶאת־ king rule over us and go out at our head and fight ִמ ְל ֲח ֵמֹת ּנו׃ ”.our battles כא ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵאת ָּכ ִ ּל־ד ְבֵרי ָה ָעם When Shmuel heard all that the people said, he 21 ַוְי ַד ְּבֵרם ְּב ָאְז ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ .reported it to Hashem כב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל שׁ ְ ַמע ְּב ָקוֹלם And Hashem said to Shmuel, “Heed their demands 22 ְו ִה ְמ ַל ְכ ָּת ָל ֶהם ֶמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־ and appoint a king for them.” Shmuel then said to ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְל ּכו ִאישׁ ְל ִעירוֹ׃ ”.the men of Yisrael, “All of you go home א ַוְי ִה ִי־אישׁ מבן־ימין ִ]מ ִּב ְנָי ִמין[ ּושׁ ְ מוֹ There was a man ofBinyamin whose name was 1 9 ט ִקישׁ ֶּב ֲן־א ִב ֵיאל ֶּב ְן־צרוֹר ֶּב ְּן־ב ַכוֹרת ֶּבן־ Keesh son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Becorath son ֲא ִפ ַיח ֶּב ִן־אישׁ ְי ִמ ִיני ִּג ּבוֹר ָחִיל׃ .of Aphiah, a Binyaminite, a man of substance ב ְו ָלוֹ־הָיה ֵבן ּושׁ ְ מוֹ שׁ ָ ּאול ָּב ּחור ָוטוֹב He had a son whose name was Shaul, an excellent 2 ְו ֵאין ִאישׁ ִמ ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל טוֹב ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו young man; no one among the Israelites was ִמשִּׁ ְכמוֹ ָו ַמ ְע ָלה ָּג ַּבֹה ִמ ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם׃ handsomer than he; he was a head taller than any of the people. ג ַו ּת ַֹאב ְד ָנה ָה ֲאתֹנוֹת ְל ִקישׁ ֲא ִבי שׁ ָ ּאול ,Once the asses of Shaul’s father Keesh went astray 3 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִקישׁ ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ְּבנוֹ ַק ָח־נא ִא ְּת ָך and Keesh said to his son Shaul, “Take along one of ֶא ַת־א ַחד ֵמ ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ְו ּקום ֵל ְך ַּב ֵּקשׁ ֶאת־ ”.the servants and go out and look for the asses ָה ֲאתֹנֹת׃ ד ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ְּב ַה ֶר־א ְפַרִים ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ְּב ֶאֶרץ־ He passed into the hill country of Efraim. He 4 שׁ ָ ִלשׁ ָ ה ְולֹא ָמ ָצ ּאו ַוַּי ַע ְב ּרו ְב ֶאֶרץ־ crossed the district of Shalishah, but they did not שׁ ַ ֲע ִלים ָו ַאִין ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ְּב ֶאֶר ְץ־י ִמ ִיני ְולֹא find them. They passed through the district of ָמ ָצ ּאו׃ Shaalim, but they were not there. They traversed the [entire] territory of Binyamin, and still they did not find them.

40 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ט Chapter 9

ה ֵה ָּמה ָּב ּאו ְּב ֶאֶרץ ּצוף ְושׁ ָ ּאול ָא ַמר When they reached the district of Zuph, Shaul said 5 ְל ַנ ֲערוֹ ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־ע ּמוֹ ְל ָכה ְו ָנשׁ ּו ָבה ֶּפ ֶן־י ְח ַ ּדל ,to the servant who was with him, “Let us turn back ָא ִבי ִמ ָן־ה ֲאתֹנוֹת ְו ָד ַאג ָל ּנו׃ or my father will stop worrying about the asses and begin to worry about us.” ו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ִה ֵנּ ָה־נא ִאישׁ ֱ־א ִלֹהים ָּב ִעיר But he replied, “There is a man ofHashem in that 6 ַה ּזֹאת ְו ָה ִאישׁ ִנ ְכ ָּבד ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־י ַד ֵּבר ּבוֹא town, and the man is highly esteemed; everything ָיבוֹא ַע ָּתה ֵנ ֲל ָכה שָּׁ ם ּאו ַלי ַי ִּגיד ָל ּנו that he says comes true. Let us go there; perhaps he ֶא ַ ּת־דְר ֵּכ ּנו ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ה ַל ְכ ּנו ָע ֶל ָיה׃ ”.will tell us about the errand on which we set out ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ַנ ֲערוֹ ְו ִה ֵנּה ֵנ ֵל ְך ּו ַמה־ Samuel 7 “But if we go,” Shaul said to his servant, “what can ָנּ ִביא ָל ִאישׁ ִּכי ַה ֶּל ֶחם ָאַזל ִמ ֵּכ ֵל ּינו we bring the man? For the food in our bags is all ּו ְתשׁ ּוָרה ֵא ְין־ל ָה ִביא ְל ִאישׁ ָה ֱא ִלֹהים gone, and there is nothing we can bring to the man ָמה ִא ָּת ּנו׃ ”?of Hashem as a present. What have we got ח ַו ּי ֶֹסף ַה ַנּ ַער ַל ֲענוֹת ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ֶֹאמר The servant answeredShaul again, “I happen to 8 ִה ֵנּה ִנ ְמ ָצא ְבָי ִדי ֶר ַבע שׁ ֶ ֶקל ָּכ ֶסף ְו ָנ ַת ִּתי have a quarter-shekel of silver. I can give that to ְל ִאישׁ ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ְו ִה ִּגיד ָל ּנו ֶא ַ ּת־דְר ֵּכ ּנו׃ the man of Hashem and he will tell us about our errand.”— ט ְל ָפ ִנים ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ָה ִאישׁ ְּב ֶל ְכ ּתוֹ Formerly in Yisrael, when a man went to inquire of 9 ִל ְדרוֹשׁ ֱא ִלֹהים ְל ּכו ְו ֵנ ְל ָכה ַע ָד־ה ֶרֹאה ”,Hashem, he would say, “Come, let us go to the seer ִּכי ַל ָנּ ִביא ַה ּיוֹם ִי ָּקֵרא ְל ָפ ִנים ָה ֶרֹאה׃ —.for the Navi of today was formerly called a seer י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ַנ ֲערוֹ טוֹב ְ ּד ָבְר ָך ְל ָכה ”.Shaul said to his servant, “A good idea; let us go 10 ֵנ ֵל ָכה ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ֶא ָל־ה ִעיר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־שׁ ָ ם ִאישׁ And they went to the town where the man of ָה ֱא ִלֹהים׃ .Hashem lived יא ֵה ָּמה ִעֹלים ְּב ַמ ֲע ֵלה ָה ִעיר ְו ֵה ָּמה ָמ ְצ ּאו As they were climbing the ascent to the town, they 11 ְנ ָערוֹת ְיֹצאוֹת ִלשׁ ְ אֹב ָמִים ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָל ֶהן met some girls coming out to draw water, and they ֲהֵישׁ ָּבֶזה ָה ֶרֹאה׃ ”?asked them, “Is the seer in town יב ַו ַּת ֲע ֶנ ָינה ָאוֹתם ַו ּת ַֹאמְר ָנה ֵּישׁ ִה ֵנּה .Yes,” they replied. “He is up there ahead of you“ 12 ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ַמ ֵהר ַע ָּתה ִּכי ַה ּיוֹם ָּבא ָל ִעיר ִּכי Hurry, for he has just come to the town because the ֶז ַבח ַה ּיוֹם ָל ָעם ַּב ָּב ָמה׃ .people have a sacrifice at the shrine today יג ְּכ ֲבֹא ֶכם ָה ִעיר ֵּכן ִּת ְמ ְצ ּאון אֹתוֹ ְּב ֶטֶרם As soon as you enter the town, you will find him 13 ַי ֲע ֶלה ַה ָּב ָמ ָתה ֶל ֱאכֹל ִּכי ַלֹא־יֹאכל before he goes up to the shrine to eat; the people ָה ָעם ַע ּד־בֹאוֹ ִּכ ּי־הוא ְי ָבֵר ְך ַהֶ ּז ַבח will not eat until he comes; for he must first bless ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ְיֹאכ ּלו ַה ְּקֻר ִאים ְו ַע ָּתה ֲע ּלו the sacrifice and only then will the guests eat. Go ִּכי־אֹתוֹ ְכ ַה ּיוֹם ִּת ְמ ְצ ּאון אֹתוֹ׃ ”.up at once, for you will find him right away k’-vo-a-KHEM ha-EER KAYN tim-tz’-UN o-TO b’-TE-rem ya-a-LEH ha-ba-MA-tah le-e-KHOL KEE lo yo-KHAL ha-AM ad bo-O kee HU y’-va-RAYKH ha-ZE-vakh a-kha-ray KHAYN yo-kh’-LU ha-k’-ru-EEM v’-a-TAH a-LU kee o-TO kh’-ha-YOM tim-tz’-UN o-TO

9:13 for he must first bless the sacrifice Rashi other location, even after the Beit Hamikdash is notes that since the Mishkan at Shilo lies in ruins, destroyed. This law is a reminder of the eternal sanctity the People of Israel are allowed to offer sacrifices to of Yerushalayim and Har Habayit. The holiness of Har Hashem in other places. However, once the Beit Habayit is everlasting, and one day, the third Temple will Hamikdash would be established in Yerushalayim, no be built there. further sacrifices would ever again be permitted in any

41 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ט Chapter 9

יד ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ָה ִעיר ֵה ָּמה ָּב ִאים ְּב ְתוֹך ָה ִעיר So they went up to the town; and as they were 14 ְו ִה ֵנּה שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵיֹצא ִל ְקָר ָאתם ַל ֲעלוֹת ,entering the town, Shmuel came out toward them ַה ָּב ָמה׃ .on his way up to the shrine טו ַו ָיהֹוה ָּג ָלה ֶא ֶת־אֹזן שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל יוֹם ֶא ָחד Now the day before Shaul came, Hashem had 15 ִל ְפ ֵני בוֹא־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵלאמֹר׃ :revealed the following to Shmuel טז ָּכ ֵעת ָמ ָחר ֶאשׁ ְ ַלח ֵא ֶל ָיך ִאישׁ ֵמ ֶאֶרץ At this time tomorrow, I will send a man to you“ 16 ִּב ְנָי ִמן ּו ְמשׁ ַ ְח ּתוֹ ְל ָנ ִגיד ַע ַל־ע ִּמי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל from the territory of Binyamin, and you shall anoint ּ ּ him ruler of My people Yisrael. He will deliver My Samuel ְוהוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי ִמַיד ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִּכי ָר ִא ִיתי ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי ִּכי ָּב ָאה ַצ ֲע ָקתוֹ ֵא ָלי׃ people from the hands of the Philistines; for I have taken note of My people, their outcry has come to Me.” יז ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָר ָאה ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ָיהֹוה ָע ָנ ּהו As soon as Shmuel saw Shaul, Hashem declared to 17 ִה ֵנּה ָה ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ַמְר ִּתי ֵא ֶל ָיך ֶזה him, “This is the man that I told you would govern ַי ְעצֹר ְּב ַע ִּמי׃ ”.My people יח ַוִּי ַּגשׁ שׁ ָ ּאול ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְּב ְתוֹך ַהשָּׁ ַער Shaul approached Shmuel inside the gate and said 18 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ִּג ָיד ָה־נּא ִלי ֵא ֶי־זה ֵּבית ָה ֶרֹאה׃ to him, “Tell me, please, where is the house of the seer?” יט ַוַּי ַען שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִנֹכי And Shmuel answered Shaul, “I am the seer. Go up 19 ָה ֶרֹאה ֲע ֵלה ְל ָפ ַני ַה ָּב ָמה ַו ֲא ַכ ְל ֶּתם ִע ִּמי ahead of me to the shrine, for you shall eat with me ַה ּיוֹם ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּת ָיך ַב ּב ֶֹקר ְוכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּב ְל ָב ְב ָך today; and in the morning I will let you go, after ַא ִּגיד ָל ְך׃ .telling you whatever may be on your mind כ ְו ָל ֲאתֹנוֹת ָה ְאֹבדוֹת ְל ָך ַה ּיוֹם שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת As for your asses that strayed three days ago, do not 20 ַהָּי ִמים ַא ָּל־ת ֶשׂם ֶא ִת־ל ְּב ָך ָל ֶהם ִּכי concern yourself about them, for they have been ִנ ְמ ָצ ּאו ּו ְל ִמי ָּכ ֶל־ח ְמ ַ ּדת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲהלוֹא found. And for whom is all Yisrael yearning, if not ְל ָך ּו ְלכֹל ֵּבית ָא ִב ָיך׃ ”?for you and all your ancestral house כא ַוַּי ַען שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲהלוֹא ֶב ְן־י ִמ ִיני Shaul replied, “But I am only a Binyaminite, from 21 ָא ִנֹכי ִמ ַּק ַט ֵנּי שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ִמשׁ ְ ַּפ ְח ִּתי the smallest of the tribes of Yisrael, and my clan is ַה ְּצ ִעָרה ִמ ָּכ ִל־משׁ ְ ְּפחוֹת שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִב ְנָי ִמן !the least of all the clans of the tribe of Binyamin ְו ָל ָּמה ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת ֵא ַלי ַּכ ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה׃ ”?Why do you say such things to me כב ַוִּי ַּקח שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶא ַת־נ ֲערוֹ Shmuel took Shaul and his servant and brought 22 ַוְי ִב ֵיאם ִלשׁ ְ ָּכ ָתה ַוִּי ֵּתן ָל ֶהם ָמקוֹם them into the hall, and gave them a place at the ְּברֹאשׁ ַה ְּק ּרו ִאים ְו ֵה ָּמה ִּכשׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ִאישׁ ׃ .head of the guests, who numbered about thirty כג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַל ַּט ָּבח ְּת ָנה ֶא ַת־ה ָּמ ָנה And Shmuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion 23 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנ ַת ִּתי ָל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ַמְר ִּתי ֵא ֶל ָיך ִשׂים ”.which I gave you and told you to set aside ָאֹת ּה ִע ָּמ ְך׃ כד ַוָּיֶרם ַה ַּט ָּבח ֶא ַת־השּׁ וֹק ְו ֶה ָע ֶל ָיה ַוָּי ֶשׂם The cook lifted up the thigh and what was on it, and 24 ִל ְפ ֵני שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָאר ִשׂים־ set it before Shaul. And [Shmuel] said, “What has ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ֱאכֹל ִּכי ַל ּמ ֵוֹעד שׁ ָ ּמו ְר־ל ָך ֵלאמֹר been reserved is set before you. Eat; it has been kept ָה ָעם ָקָר ִאתי ַו ּי ַֹאכל שׁ ָ ּאול ִעם־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל for you for this occasion, when I said I was inviting ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא׃ .the people.” So Shaul ate with Shmuel that day כה ַוֵּיְר ּדו ֵמ ַה ָּב ָמה ָה ִעיר ַוְי ַד ֵּבר ִעם־שׁ ָ ּאול ,They then descended from the shrine to the town 25 ַע ַל־ה ָּגג׃ .and [Shmuel] talked with Shaul on the roof

42 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק י Chapter 10

כו ַוַּישׁ ְ ִּכ ּמו ַוְי ִהי ַּכ ֲעלוֹת ַהשַּׁ ַחר ַוִּי ְקָרא Early, at the break of day, Shmuel called to Shaul on 26 שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול הגג ַ]ה ָּג ָגה[ ֵלאמֹר ”.the roof. He said, “Get up, and I will send you off ּקו ָמה ַו ֲאשׁ ַ ְּל ֶח ָּך ַוָּי ָקם שׁ ָ ּאול ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ,Shaul arose, and the two of them, Shmuel and he שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם ּהוא ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַה ּחו ָצה׃ .went outside

כז ֵה ָּמה ְיוֹר ִדים ִּב ְק ֵצה ָה ִעיר ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ,As they were walking toward the end of the town 27 ָא ַמר ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ֱאמֹר ַל ַנּ ַער ְוַי ֲעבֹר Shmuel said to Shaul, “Tell the servant to walk ְל ָפ ֵנ ּינו ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ְו ַא ָּתה ֲעמֹד ַּכ ּיוֹם ahead of us”—and he walked ahead—“but you ְו ַאשׁ ְ ִמ ֲיע ָך ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַבר ֱא ִלֹהים׃ stop here a moment and I will make known to you Samuel the word of Hashem.” א ַוִּי ַּקח שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ַּת־פ ְך ַהשֶּׁ ֶמן ַוִּיצֹק ַעל־ Shmuel took a flask of oil and poured some on 1 10 י רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוִּישָּׁ ֵק ּהו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲהלוֹא ִּכ ְי־משׁ ָ ֲח ָך Shaul’s head and kissed him, and said, “Hashem ְי ָהֹוה ַע ַל־נ ֲח ָלתוֹ ְל ָנ ִגיד׃ .herewith anoints you ruler over His own people

ב ְּב ֶל ְכ ְּת ָך ַה ּיוֹם ֵמ ִע ָּמ ִדי ּו ָמ ָצ ָאת שׁ ְ ֵני When you leave me today, you will meet two 2 ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִע ְם־ק ֻבַרת ָר ֵחל ִּב ְג ּבול ִּב ְנָי ִמן men near the tomb of Rachel in the territory of ְּב ֶצ ְל ַצח ְו ָא ְמ ּרו ֵא ֶל ָיך ִנ ְמ ְצ ּאו ָה ֲאתֹנוֹת Binyamin, at Zelzah, and they will tell you that ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ַל ְכ ָּת ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ְו ִה ֵנּה ָנ ַטשׁ ָא ִב ָיך ,the asses you set out to look for have been found ֶא ִ ּת־ד ְבֵרי ָה ֲאתֹנוֹת ְו ָד ַאג ָל ֶכם ֵלאמֹר and that your father has stopped being concerned ָמה ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ִל ְב ִני׃ :about the asses and is worrying about you, saying ‘What shall I do about my son?’ b’-lekh-t’-KHA ha-YOM may-i-ma-DEE u-ma-TZA-ta sh’-NAY a-na-SHEEM im k’- vu-RAT ra-KHAYL big-VUL bin-ya-MIN b’-tzel-TZAKH v’-a-m’-RU ay-LE-kha nim- tz’-U ha-a-to-NOT a-SHER ha-LAKH-ta l’-va-KAYSH v’-hi-NAY na-TASH a-VEE- kha et div-RAY ha-a-to-NOT v’-da-AG la-KHEM lay-MOR MAH e-e-SEH liv-NEE ג ְו ָח ַל ְפ ָּת ִמשָּׁ ם ָו ָה ְל ָאה ּו ָב ָאת ַע ֵד־אלוֹן You shall pass on from there until you come to the 3 ָּתבוֹר ּו ְמ ָצ ּאו ָך שָּׁ ם שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים terebinth of Tavor. There you will be met by three ִעֹלים ֶא ָל־ה ֱא ִלֹהים ֵּב ֵית־אל ֶא ָחד ֵנֹשׂא men making a pilgrimage to Hashem at Beit El. One שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ְג ָדִיים ְו ֶא ָחד ֵנֹשׂא שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת will be carrying three kids, another will be carrying ִּכ ְּכרוֹת ֶל ֶחם ְו ֶא ָחד ֵנֹשׂא ֵנ ֶב ָל־יִין׃ three loaves of bread, and the third will be carrying a jar of wine. ד ְושׁ ָ ֲא ּלו ְל ָך ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם ְו ָנ ְת ּנו ְל ָך שׁ ְ ֵּת ֶי־ל ֶחם They will greet you and offer you two loaves of 4 ְו ָל ַק ְח ָּת ִמָּי ָדם׃ .bread, which you shall accept

10:2 You will meet two men near the tomb of they also passed by Rachel’s tomb and she cried to God Rachel Already in biblical times, the tomb of on their behalf, saving them from complete destruction. Rachel was a well-known landmark for the Israelites. During the period of Turkish rule over the Land of Israel, Ever since Yaakov buried his beloved wife Rachel Sir Moses Montefiore renovated the tomb and (Genesis 35:19), the Children of Israel have prayed at this constructed the domed building that covers the site in holy site. According to the Sages, Yosef stopped to pray Bethlehem until today. Rachel’s Tomb was one of the Rachel’s Tomb in Beit Lechem at his mother’s grave on his way down to Egypt, and holy places liberated by Israel in the Six Day War, and is when the Children of Israel were exiled from the land, again a site of prayer for the Jewish people.

43 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק י Chapter 10

ה ַא ַחר ֵּכן ָּתבוֹא ִּג ְב ַעת ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ , After that, you are to go on to the Hill ofHashem 5 שׁ ָ ם ְנ ִצ ֵבי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִו ִיהי ְכ ֲבֹא ָך שׁ ָ ם where the Philistine prefects reside. There, as ָה ִעיר ּו ָפ ַג ְע ָּת ֶח ֶבל ְנ ִב ִיאים ְיֹר ִדים you enter the town, you will encounter a band of ֵמ ַה ָּב ָמה ְו ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם ֵנ ֶבל ְותֹף ְו ָח ִליל ְו ִכנּוֹר Neviim coming down from the shrine, preceded by ְו ֵה ָּמה ִמ ְת ַנ ְּב ִאים׃ lyres, timbrels, flutes, and harps, and they will be speaking in ecstasy. ו ְו ָצ ְל ָחה ָע ֶל ָיך ּרו ַח ְי ָהֹוה ְו ִה ְת ַנ ִּב ָית ִע ָּמם The spirit ofHashem will grip you, and you will 6 ְו ֶנ ְה ַּפ ְכ ָּת ְל ִאישׁ ַא ֵחר׃ speak in ecstasy along with them; you will become

another man. Samuel ז ְו ָהָיה ִּכי תבאינה ָ]ת ָבֹאנה[ ָהאֹתוֹת And once these signs have happened to you, act 7 ָה ֵא ֶּלה ָל ְך ֲע ֵשׂה ְל ָך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּת ְמ ָצא ָי ֶד ָך ִּכי .when the occasion arises, for Hashem is with you ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ִע ָּמ ְך׃ ח ְוָיַר ְד ָּת ְל ָפ ַני ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל ְו ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי ֵיֹרד After that, you are to go down toGilgal ahead of 8 ֵא ֶל ָיך ְל ַה ֲעלוֹת עֹלוֹת ִלְז ּב ַֹח ִז ְב ֵחי me, and I will come down to you to present burnt שׁ ְ ָל ִמים שׁ ִ ְב ַעת ָי ִמים ּת ֵוֹחל ַע ּד־ב ִוֹאי offerings and offer sacrifices of well-being. Wait ֵא ֶל ָיך ְו ַהוֹד ְע ִּתי ְל ָך ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּת ֲע ֶשׂה׃ seven days until I come to you and instruct you what you are to do next.” ט ְו ָהָיה ְּכ ַה ְפנֹתוֹ שׁ ִ ְכמוֹ ָל ֶל ֶכת ֵמ ִעם As [Shaul] turned around to leave Shmuel, Hashem 9 שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוַּי ֲה ָפ ְך־לוֹ ֱא ִלֹהים ֵלב ַא ֵחר gave him another heart; and all those signs were ַוָּי ּבֹאו ָּכ ָל־האֹתוֹת ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא׃ .fulfilled that same day י ַוָּי ּבֹאו שׁ ָ ם ַה ִּג ְב ָע ָתה ְו ִה ֵנּה ֶח ֶב ְל־נ ִב ִאים And when they came there, to the Hill, he saw a 10 ִל ְקָראתוֹ ַו ִּת ְצ ַלח ָע ָליו ּרו ַח ֱא ִלֹהים band of Neviim coming toward him. Thereupon ַוִּי ְת ַנ ֵּבא ְּב ָתוֹכם׃ the spirit of Hashem gripped him, and he spoke in ecstasy among them. יא ַוְי ִהי ָּכ ְל־יוֹדעוֹ ֵמ ִא ְּתמוֹל שׁ ִ ְלשׁ וֹם ַוִּיְר ּאו When all who knew him previously saw him 11 ְו ִה ֵנּה ִע ְם־נ ִב ִאים ִנ ָּבא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָה ָעם ִאישׁ speaking in ecstasy together with the Neviim, the ֶא ֵל־ר ֵע ּהו ַמ ֶ ּה־זה ָהָיה ְל ֶב ִן־קישׁ ֲה ַגם people said to one another, “What’s happened to שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ְנּ ִב ִיאים׃ ”?the son of Keesh? Is Shaul too among the Neviim יב ַוַּי ַען ִאישׁ ִמשָּׁ ם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּו ִמי ֲא ִב ֶיהם ַעל־ But another person there spoke up and said, “And 12 ֵּכן ָהְי ָתה ְל ָמשׁ ָ ל ֲה ַגם שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ְנּ ִב ִאים׃ who are their fathers?” Thus the proverb arose: “Is Shaul too among the Neviim?” יג ַוְי ַכל ֵמ ִה ְת ַנ ּבוֹת ַוָּיבֹא ַה ָּב ָמה׃ And when he stopped speaking in ecstasy, he 13 entered the shrine. יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּדוֹד שׁ ָ ּאול ֵא ָליו ְו ֶא ַל־נ ֲערוֹ ָאן Shaul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where 14 ֲה ַל ְכ ֶּתם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ָת־ה ֲאתֹנוֹת .did you go?” “To look for the asses,” he replied ַו ִנּ ְר ֶאה ִכ ַי־אִין ַו ָנּבוֹא ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל׃ ,And when we saw that they were not to be found“ we went to Shmuel.” טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּדוֹד שׁ ָ ּאול ַה ִּג ָיד ָה־נּא ִלי ָמה־ Tell me,” said Shaul’s uncle, “what did Shmuel say“ 15 ָא ַמר ָל ֶכם שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל׃ ”?to you טז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ּל־דוֹדוֹ ַה ֵּגד ִה ִּגיד ָל ּנו Shaul answered his uncle, “He just told us that 16 ִּכי ִנ ְמ ְצ ּאו ָה ֲאתֹנוֹת ְו ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַבר ַה ְּמ ּלו ָכה the asses had been found.” But he did not tell ִלֹא־ה ִּגיד לוֹ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ַמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל׃ him anything of what Shmuel had said about the kingship.

44 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק אי Chapter 11

יז ַוַּי ְצ ֵעק שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה Shmuel summoned the people to Hashem at Mitzpa 17 ַה ִּמ ְצ ָּפה׃ יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ְּל־ב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה and said to them, “Thus saidHashem , the God 18 ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָא ִנֹכי ֶה ֱע ֵל ִיתי ֶאת־ of Yisrael: ‘I brought Yisrael out of Egypt, and I ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמ ִּמ ְצָרִים ָו ַא ִּציל ֶא ְת ֶכם ִמַּיד delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and ִמ ְצַרִים ּו ִמַּיד ָּכ ַל־ה ַּמ ְמ ָלכוֹת ַה ּל ֲֹח ִצים ’.of all the kingdoms that oppressed you ֶא ְת ֶכם׃ יט ּ But today you have rejected your God who 19

ְו ַא ֶּתם ַהיוֹם ְמ ַא ְס ֶּתם ֶא ֱת־א ֵלֹה ֶיכם Samuel ֲאשׁ ֶ ּר־הוא מוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ָל ֶכם ִמ ָּכ ָל־ר ֵעוֹת ֶיכם .delivered you from all your troubles and calamities ְו ָצ ֵרֹת ֶיכם ַו ּת ְֹאמ ּרו לוֹ ִּכ ֶי־מ ֶל ְך ָּת ִשׂים For you said, ‘No, set up a king over us!’ Now ָע ֵל ּינו ְו ַע ָּתה ִה ְתַי ְּצ ּבו ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה station yourselves before Hashem, by your tribes ְלשׁ ִ ְב ֵט ֶיכם ּו ְל ַא ְל ֵפ ֶיכם׃ ”.and clans כ ַוַּי ְקֵרב שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵאת ָּכל־שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Shmuel brought forward each of the tribes of 20 ַוִּי ָּל ֵכד שׁ ֵ ֶבט ִּב ְנָי ִמן׃ .Yisrael, and the lot indicated the tribe of Binyamin כא ַוַּי ְקֵרב ֶאת־שׁ ֵ ֶבט ִּב ְנָי ִמן למשפחתו ThenShmuel brought forward the tribe of 21 ְ]ל ִמשׁ ְ ְּפ ָחֹתיו[ ַו ִּת ָּל ֵכד ִמשׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ַה ַּמ ְטִרי Binyamin by its clans, and the clan of the Matrites ַוִּי ָּל ֵכד שׁ ָ ּאול ֶּב ִן־קישׁ ַוְי ַב ְקשׁ ֻ ּהו ְולֹא was indicated; and then Shaul son of Keesh was ִנ ְמ ָצא׃ indicated. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. כב ַוִּישׁ ְ ֲא ּלו־עוֹד ַּב ָיהֹוה ֲה ָבא עוֹד ֲהלֹם They inquired ofHashem again, “Has anyone 22 ִאישׁ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ִה ֵנּ ּה־הוא ֶנ ְח ָּבא ֶאל־ else come here?” And Hashem replied, “Yes; he is ַה ֵּכ ִלים׃ ”.hiding among the baggage כג ַוָּיֻר ּצו ַוִּי ָּק ֻח ּהו ִמשָּׁ ם ַוִּי ְתַי ֵּצב ְּב ְתוֹך ָה ָעם So they ran over and brought him from there; and 23 ַוִּי ְג ַּב ּה ִמ ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ִמשִּׁ ְכמוֹ ָו ָמ ְע ָלה׃ when he took his place among the people, he stood a head taller than all the people. כד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָּל־כ ָל־ה ָעם ַה ְּר ִא ֶיתם And Shmuel said to the people, “Do you see the 24 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּב ַח ּר־בוֹ ְי ָהֹוה ִּכי ֵאין ָּכ ּמֹהו ְּב ָכל־ one whom Hashem has chosen? There is none ָה ָעם ַוָּיִר ּעו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ְי ִחי ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ like him among all the people.” And all the people acclaimed him, shouting, “Long live the king!” כה ַוְי ַד ֵּבר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ֵאת ִמשׁ ְ ַּפט Shmuel expounded to the people the rules of the 25 ַה ְּמ ֻל ָכה ַוִּי ְכ ּתֹב ַּב ֵּס ֶפר ַוַּי ַנּח ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה monarchy, and recorded them in a document ַוְישׁ ַ ַּלח שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָּת־כ ָל־ה ָעם ִאישׁ which he deposited before Hashem. Shmuel then ְל ֵביתוֹ׃ .sent the people back to their homes כו ְו ַגם־שׁ ָ ּאול ָה ַל ְך ְל ֵביתוֹ ִּג ְב ָע ָתה ַוֵּי ְל ּכו Shaul also went home to Giva, accompanied 26 ִע ּמוֹ ַה ַחִיל ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־נ ַגע ֱא ִלֹהים ְּב ִל ָּבם׃ by upstanding men whose hearts Hashem had touched. כז ּו ְב ֵני ְב ִלַּי ַעל ָא ְמ ּרו ַמ ּה־יֹשׁ ִ ֵע ּנו ֶזה ַוִּי ְבֻז ּהו But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow 27 ְו ֵלֹא־ה ִב ּיאו לוֹ ִמ ְנ ָחה ַוְי ִהי ְּכ ַמ ֲחִרישׁ ׃ save us?” So they scorned him and brought him no gift. But he pretended not to mind. א ַוַּי ַעל ָנ ָחשׁ ָה ַע ּמ ִוֹני ַוִּי ַחן ַע ָל־י ֵבשׁ ִּג ְל ָעד Nahash the Ammonite marched up and besieged 1 11 יא ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָּכ ַל־א ְנשׁ ֵ י ָי ֵבישׁ ֶא ָל־נ ָחשׁ ְּכָרת־ Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh-gilead said to ָל ּנו ְבִרית ְו ַנ ַע ְב ֶד ָּך׃ Nahash, “Make a pact with us, and we will serve you.”

45 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק אי Chapter 11

ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ָנ ָחשׁ ָה ַע ּמ ִוֹני ְּבזֹאת But Nahash the Ammonite answered them, “I 2 ֶא ְכרֹת ָל ֶכם ִּב ְנקוֹר ָל ֶכם ָּכ ֵל־עין ָי ִמין will make a pact with you on this condition, that ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּת ָיה ֶחְר ָּפה ַע ָּל־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ everyone’s right eye be gouged out; I will make this a humiliation for all Yisrael.” ג ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֵא ָליו ִז ְק ֵני ָי ֵבישׁ ֶהֶרף ָל ּנו The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven 3 שׁ ִ ְב ַעת ָי ִמים ְו ִנשׁ ְ ְל ָחה ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ְּבכֹל days’ respite, so that we may send messengers ְּג ּבול ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ִא ֵם־אין מוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ָאֹת ּנו throughout the territory of Yisrael; if no one comes ְוָי ָצ ּאנו ֵא ֶל ָיך׃ ”.to our aid, we will surrender to you Samuel ד ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ִכים ִּג ְב ַעת שׁ ָ ּאול ַוְי ַד ְּב ּרו When the messengers came to Giva of Shaul and 4 ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים ְּב ָאְז ֵני ָה ָעם ַוִּי ְשׂ ּאו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם gave this report in the hearing of the people, all the ֶא ָת־קוֹלם ַוִּי ְב ּכ ּו׃ .people broke into weeping ה ְו ִה ֵנּה שׁ ָ ּאול ָּבא ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ָּב ָקר ִמ ַן־ה ָּשׂ ֶדה Shaul was just coming from the field driving the 5 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ַמ ָּה־ל ָעם ִּכי ִי ְב ּכ ּו ַוְי ַס ְּפ ּרו־ cattle; andShaul asked, “Why are the people לוֹ ֶא ִ ּת־ד ְבֵרי ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָי ֵבישׁ ׃ crying?” And they told him about the situation of the men of Jabesh. ו ַו ִּת ְצ ַלח ּרו ַח ֱ־א ִלֹהים ַעל־שׁ ָ ּאול בשמעו When he heard these things, the spirit of Hashem 6 ְּ]כשׁ ָ ְמעוֹ[ ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַוִּי ַחר .gripped Shaul and his anger blazed up ַא ּפוֹ ְמאֹד׃ ז ַוִּי ַּקח ֶצ ֶמד ָּב ָקר ַוְי ַנ ְּת ֵח ּהו ַוְישׁ ַ ַּלח ְּב ָכל־ ,He took a yoke of oxen and cut them into pieces 7 ְּג ּבול ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּבַיד ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ִכים ֵלאמֹר which he sent by messengers throughout the ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵא ֶינ ּנּו ֵיֹצא ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ַא ַחר territory of Yisrael, with the warning, “Thus shall be שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ּכֹה ֵי ָע ֶשׂה ִל ְב ָקרוֹ ַוִּי ּפֹל ַּפ ַחד־ done to the cattle of anyone who does not follow ְי ָהֹוה ַע ָל־ה ָעם ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ְּכ ִאישׁ ֶא ָחד׃ Shaul and Shmuel into battle!” Terror fromHashem fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. ח ַוִּי ְפ ְק ֵדם ְּב ָבֶזק ַוִּי ְה ּיו ְב ֵנ ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל שׁ ְ לֹשׁ Shaul] mustered them in Bezek, and the Israelites] 8 ֵמאוֹת ֶא ֶלף ְו ִאישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ָא ֶלף׃ .numbered 300,000, the men of Yehuda 30,000 ט ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַל ַּמ ְל ָא ִכים ַה ָּב ִאים ּכֹה ְתֹאמ ּרון The messengers who had come were told, “Thus 9 ְל ִאישׁ ָי ֵבישׁ ִּג ְל ָעד ָמ ָחר ִּת ְהֶי ָה־ל ֶכם :shall you speak to the men of Jabesh-gilead ְּתשׁ ּו ָעה בחם ְּ]כחֹם[ ַהשָּׁ ֶמשׁ ַוָּי ּבֹאו Tomorrow, when the sun grows hot, you shall be ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ִכים ַוַּי ִּג ּידו ְל ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָי ֵבישׁ ַוִּי ְשׂ ָמ ּחו׃ saved.” When the messengers came and told this to the men of Jabesh-gilead, they rejoiced. י ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָי ֵבישׁ ָמ ָחר ֵנ ֵצא ֲא ֵל ֶיכם ,[The men of Jabesh then told [the Ammonites 10 ַו ֲע ִשׂ ֶיתם ָּל ּנו ְּכ ָכ ַל־ה ּטוֹב ְּב ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם׃ Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can“ do to us whatever you please.” יא ַוְי ִהי ִמ ָּמ ֳחָרת ַוָּי ֶשׂם שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָת־ה ָעם The next day,Shaul divided the troops into three 11 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ָראשׁ ִ ים ַוָּי ּבֹאו ְב ְתוֹך ַ־ה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה columns; at the morning watch they entered the ְּב ַאשׁ ְ ֶמֹרת ַה ּב ֶֹקר ַוַּי ּכ ּו ֶא ַת־ע ּמוֹן ַעד־ camp and struck down the Ammonites until the חֹם ַה ּיוֹם ַוְי ִהי ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָאִרים ַוָּי ֻפ ּצו ְולֹא day grew hot. The survivors scattered; no two were ִנשׁ ְ ֲא ּרו ָ־בם שׁ ְ ַנִים ָי ַחד׃ .left together יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָה ָעם ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִמי ָה ֵאֹמר ,The people then said toShmuel , “Who was it said 12 שׁ ָ ּאול ִי ְמ ְלֹך ָע ֵל ּינו ְּת ּנו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים Shall Shaul be king over us?’ Hand the men over‘ ּו ְנ ִמ ֵיתם׃ ”!and we will put them to death

46 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק בי Chapter 12

יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ּלֹא־יו ַמת ִאישׁ ַּב ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה But Shaul replied, “No man shall be put to death 13 ִּכי ַה ּיוֹם ָע ָשׂ ְה־י ָהֹוה ְּתשׁ ּו ָעה ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ this day! For this day Hashem has brought victory to Yisrael.” יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ְל ּכו ְו ֵנ ְל ָכה Shmuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to 14 ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל ּו ְנ ַח ֵ ּדשׁ שׁ ָ ם ַה ְּמ ּלו ָכה׃ ”.Gilgal and there inaugurate the monarchy va-YO-mer sh’-mu-AYL el ha-AM l’-KHU v’-nay-l’-KHAH ha-gil-GAL un-kha- DAYSH SHAM ha-m’-lu-KHAH 15 טו ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל ַוַּי ְמ ִל ּכו שׁ ָ ם ֶאת־ Samuel So all the people went to Gilgal, and there at שׁ ָ ּאול ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַּב ִּג ְל ָּגל ַוִּיְז ְּב ּחו־שׁ ָ ם .Gilgal they declared Shaul king before Hashem ְז ָב ִחים שׁ ְ ָל ִמים ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַוִּי ְשׂ ַמח שׁ ָ ם They offered sacrifices of well-being there before שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָכ ַל־א ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַע ְד־מאֹד׃ Hashem; and Shaul and all the men of Yisrael held a great celebration there. א ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָּל־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִה ֵנּה ThenShmuel said to all Yisrael, “I have yielded to 1 12 יב שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ִּתי ְב ְקֹל ֶכם ְלכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ֲר־א ַמְר ֶּתם ִלי you in all you have asked of me and have set a king ָו ַא ְמ ִל ְיך ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ֶמ ֶל ְך׃ .over you ב ְו ַע ָּתה ִה ֵנּה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִמ ְת ַה ֵּל ְך ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיכם ַו ֲא ִני ,Henceforth the king will be your leader. “As for me 2 ָז ַק ְנ ִּתי ָו ַשׂ ְב ִּתי ּו ָב ַני ִה ָנּם ִא ְּת ֶכם ַו ֲא ִני I have grown old and gray—but my sons are still ִה ְת ַה ַּל ְכ ִּתי ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיכם ִמ ְנּ ֻעַרי ַע ַד־ה ּיוֹם with you—and I have been your leader from my ַהֶ ּזה׃ .youth to this day ג ִה ְנ ִני ֲע ּנו ִבי ֶנ ֶגד ְי ָהֹוה ְו ֶנ ֶגד ְמשׁ ִ יחוֹ Here I am! Testify against me, in the presence of 3 ֶאת־שׁ וֹר ִמי ָל ַק ְח ִּתי ַו ֲחמוֹר ִמי ָל ַק ְח ִּתי :Hashem and in the presence of His anointed one ְו ֶא ִת־מי ָעשׁ ַ ְק ִּתי ֶא ִת־מי ַר ּצ ִוֹתי ּו ִמַּיד־ ?Whose ox have I taken, or whose ass have I taken ִמי ָל ַק ְח ִּתי ֶכֹפר ְו ַא ְע ִלים ֵע ַיני ּבוֹ ְו ָאשׁ ִ יב ?Whom have I defrauded or whom have I robbed ָל ֶכם׃ From whom have I taken a bribe to look the other way? I will return it to you.” ד ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו לֹא ֲעשׁ ַ ְק ָּת ּנו ְולֹא ַר ּצ ָוֹת ּנו ְולֹא־ ,They responded, “You have not defrauded us 4 ָל ַק ְח ָּת ִמַּי ִד־אישׁ ְמ ּאו ָמה׃ and you have not robbed us, and you have taken nothing from anyone.” ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ֵעד ְי ָהֹוה ָּב ֶכם ְו ֵעד He said to them, “Hashem then is witness, and His 5 ְמשׁ ִ יחוֹ ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ִּכי לֹא ְמ ָצ ֶאתם ְּבָי ִדי anointed is witness, to your admission this day that ְמ ּאו ָמה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵעד׃ you have found nothing in my possession.” They responded, “He is!” ו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ְי ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ,[Shmuel said to the people, “Hashem [is witness 6 ָע ָשׂה ֶאת־מֹשׁ ֶ ה ְו ֶא ַת־א ֲהרֹן ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר He who appointed Moshe and Aharon and who ֶה ֱע ָלה ֶא ֲת־א ֵבֹת ֶיכם ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים׃ .brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt

11:14 Shmuel said to the people Shmuel tells the willingly agrees. Monarchy, like all just forms of people it is time to renew the monarchy, which governments, requires the consent of the governed. leads to a second coronation of King Shaul and great Therefore, it is not surprising that Israel’s government in rejoicing. Rashi explains the need for this renewal: the contemporary pre-messianic era is a democracy. In Previously, not everyone had acquiesced to Shaul’s fact, it is the only democracy in a region of autocracies Rashi (1040-1105) appointment. At this point, though, the entire nation and theocracies.

47 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק בי Chapter 12

ז ְו ַע ָּתה ִה ְתַי ְּצ ּבו ְו ִאשָּׁ ְפ ָטה ִא ְּת ֶכם ִל ְפ ֵני Come, stand before Hashem while I cite against 7 ְי ָהֹוה ֵאת ָּכ ִל־צ ְדקוֹת ְי ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ָשׂה you all the kindnesses that Hashem has done to you ִא ְּת ֶכם ְו ֶא ֲת־א ֵבוֹת ֶיכם׃ .and your fathers ח ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־בא ַי ֲעקֹב ִמ ְצָרִים ַוִּיְז ֲע ּקו When Yaakov came to Egypt,…your fathers“ 8 ֲא ֵבוֹת ֶיכם ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ְי ָהֹוה ֶאת־ cried out to Hashem, and Hashem sent Moshe and מֹשׁ ֶ ה ְו ֶא ַת־א ֲהרֹן ַו ּי ִוֹצ ּיאו ֶא ֲת־א ֵבֹת ֶיכם Aharon, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and ִמ ִּמ ְצַרִים ַו ּיֹשׁ ִ ּבום ַּב ָּמקוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ .settled them in this place

Samuel ט ַוִּישׁ ְ ְּכ ּחו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיהם ַוִּי ְמ ּכֹר But they forgot Hashem their God; so He delivered 9 ָאֹתם ְּבַיד ִס ְיסָרא ַשׂ ְר־צ ָבא ָחצוֹר ּו ְבַיד־ them into the hands of Sisera the military ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּו ְבַיד ֶמ ֶל ְך ָמוֹאב ַוִּי ָּל ֲח ּמו ָּבם׃ commander of Hazor, into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the kind of Moab; and these made war upon them. י ַוִּיְז ֲע ּקו ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ויאמר ַ]ו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו[ They cried toHashem , ‘We are guilty, for we have 10 ָח ָט ּאנו ִּכי ָעַז ְב ּנו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ַו ַנּ ֲעבֹד forsaken Hashem and worshiped the Baalim and ֶא ַת־ה ְּב ָע ִלים ְו ֶא ָת־ה ַעשׁ ְ ָּתרוֹת ְו ַע ָּתה Ashtaroth. Oh, deliver us from our enemies and we ַה ִּצ ֵיל ּנו ִמַּיד ְאֹי ֵב ּינו ְו ַנ ַע ְב ֶד ָּך׃ ’.will serve You יא ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ְת־יֻר ַּב ַעל ְו ֶא ְּת־ב ָדן ְו ֶאת־ And Hashem sent Yerubaal and Bedan and Yiftach 11 ִי ְפ ָּתח ְו ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוַּי ֵּצל ֶא ְת ֶכם ִמַּיד and Shmuel, and delivered you from the enemies ְאֹי ֵב ֶיכם ִמ ָּס ִביב ַו ֵּתשׁ ְ ּבו ֶּב ַטח׃ .around you; and you dwelt in security

יב ַו ִּתְר ּאו ִּכ ָי־נ ָחשׁ ֶמ ֶל ְך ְּב ֵנ ַי־ע ּמוֹן ָּבא But when you saw that Nahash king of the 12 ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ַו ּת ְֹאמ ּרו ִלי לֹא ִּכ ֶי־מ ֶל ְך ִי ְמ ְלֹך Ammonites was advancing against you, you said to ָע ֵל ּינו ַו ָיהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ַמ ְל ְּכ ֶכם׃ —’me, ‘No, we must have a king reigning over us though Hashem your God is your King. יג ְו ַע ָּתה ִה ֵנּה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ַחְר ֶּתם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Well, Hashem has set a king over you! Here is the“ 13 שׁ ְ ֶא ְל ֶּתם ְו ִה ֵנּה ָנ ַתן ְי ָהֹוה ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ֶמ ֶל ְך׃ .king that you have chosen, that you have asked for יד ִא ִּם־ת ְיר ּאו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ַו ֲע ַב ְד ֶּתם אֹתוֹ If you will revere Hashem, worship Him, and“ 14 ּושׁ ְ ַמ ְע ֶּתם ְּבקֹלוֹ ְולֹא ַת ְמ ּרו ֶא ִּת־פי ,obey Him, and will not floutHashem ’s command ְי ָהֹוה ִו ְהִי ֶתם ַּג ַם־א ֶּתם ְו ַג ַם־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר if both you and the king who reigns over you will ָמ ַל ְך ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ַא ַחר ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם׃ .[follow Hashem your God, [well and good im tee-r’-U et a-do-NAI va-a-vad-TEM o-TO u-sh’-ma-TEM b’-ko-LO v’-LO tam-RU et PEE a-do-NAI vih-yi-TEM gam a-TEM v’-GAM ha-ME-lekh a-sher ma-LAKH a-lay- KHEM a-KHAR a-do-NAI e-lo-hay-KHEM

12:14 If you will revere Hashem, worship Him, and in the Tanakh. In order for the Children of Israel to be obey Him The prophet Shmuel clarifies to the able to live as a free nation in the Land of Israel, they people that the key to their success will not be their must observe God’s Torah. This is a reminder that their king, but rather their observance of Hashem’s goal is not merely to be free, but rather to be a holy and commandments. As Rashi explains, observance of the free nation in Eretz Yisrael. If they do not aspire to this laws will mean that the People of Israel and its king all objective, the land will not tolerate their sins and will live to ripe, old ages. This theme is repeated frequently eventually spit them out (Leviticus 18:26-30).

48 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק גי Chapter 13

טו ְו ִאם־לֹא ִתשׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ּו ְמִר ֶיתם But if you do not obey Hashem and you flout 15 ֶא ִּת־פי ְי ָהֹוה ְו ָהְי ָתה ַי ְד־י ָהֹוה ָּב ֶכם Hashem’s command, the hand of Hashem will strike ּו ַב ֲא ֵבֹת ֶיכם׃ .you as it did your fathers טז ַּג ַם־ע ָּתה ִה ְתַי ְּצ ּבו ּוְר ּאו ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר Now stand by and see the marvelous thing that“ 16 ַה ָּגדוֹל ַהֶ ּזה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְי ָהֹוה ֶעֹשׂה ְל ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם׃ .Hashem will do before your eyes יז ֲהלוֹא ְק ִצ ִיר־ח ִּטים ַה ּיוֹם ֶא ְקָרא ֶאל־ It is the season of the wheat harvest. I will pray to 17 ְי ָהֹוה ְוִי ֵּתן קֹלוֹת ּו ָמ ָטר ּו ְד ּעו ּוְר ּאו ִּכי־ Hashem and He will send thunder and rain; then you will take thought and realize what a wicked ָר ַע ְת ֶכם ַר ָּבה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲע ִשׂ ֶיתם ְּב ֵע ֵיני ְי ָהֹוה Samuel ִלשׁ ְ אוֹל ָל ֶכם ֶמ ֶל ְך׃ thing you did in the sight of Hashem when you asked for a king.” יח ַוִּי ְקָרא שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ַוִּי ֵּתן ְי ָהֹוה Shmuel prayed to Hashem, and Hashem sent 18 קֹלֹת ּו ָמ ָטר ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַוִּי ָירא ָכ ָל־ה ָעם thunder and rain that day, and the people stood in ְמאֹד ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ְו ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל׃ .awe of Hashem and of Shmuel יט ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִה ְת ַּפ ֵּלל The people all said toShmuel , “Intercede for 19 ְּב ַע ֲד־ע ָב ֶד ָיך ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ְו ַא ָל־נ ּמות your servants with Hashem your God that we ִּכ ָי־י ַס ְפ ּנו ַע ָּל־כ ַל־ח ּט ֵֹאת ּינו ָר ָעה ִלשׁ ְ אֹל may not die, for we have added to all our sins the ָל ּנו ֶמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.wickedness of asking for a king כ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ַא ִּל־ת ָיר ּאו But Shmuel said to the people, “Have no fear. You 20 ַא ֶּתם ֲע ִשׂ ֶיתם ֵאת ָּכ ָל־הָר ָעה ַה ּזֹאת ַא ְך have, indeed, done all those wicked things. Do ַא ָּל־ת ּסו ּרו ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ְי ָהֹוה ַו ֲע ַב ְד ֶּתם ֶאת־ not, however, turn away from Hashem, but serve ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ָכ ְל־ל ַב ְב ֶכם׃ .Hashem with all your heart כא ְולֹא ָּת ּסו ּרו ִּכי ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ּת ֹּהו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא־ Do not turn away to follow worthless things, which 21 ִיוֹע ּילו ְולֹא ַי ִּצ ּילו ִּכ ּי־תֹהו ֵה ָּמה׃ .can neither profit nor save but are worthless כב ִּכי ִלֹא־י ּטֹשׁ ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַת־ע ּמוֹ ַּב ֲע ּבור שׁ ְ מוֹ For the sake of His great name, Hashem will 22 ַה ָּגדוֹל ִּכי ִהוֹאיל ְי ָהֹוה ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ֶא ְת ֶכם never abandon His people, seeing that Hashem לוֹ ְל ָעם׃ .undertook to make you His people כג ַּגם ָא ִנֹכי ָח ִל ָילה ִּלי ֵמ ֲחטֹא ַל ָיהֹוה As for me, far be it from me to sin against Hashem“ 23 ֵמ ֲחדֹל ְל ִה ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ַּב ַע ְד ֶכם ְו ֵהוֹר ִיתי and refrain from praying for you; and I will ֶא ְת ֶכם ְּב ֶדֶר ְך ַה ּט ָוֹבה ְו ַהְישׁ ָ ָרה׃ continue to instruct you in the practice of what is good and right. כד ַא ְך ְי ּראו ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ַו ֲע ַב ְד ֶּתם אֹתוֹ Above all, you must revere Hashem and serve Him 24 ֶּב ֱא ֶמת ְּב ָכ ְל־ל ַב ְב ֶכם ִּכי ְר ּאו ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ faithfully with all your heart; and consider how ִה ְג ִ ּדל ִע ָּמ ֶכם׃ .grandly He has dealt with you כה ְו ִא ָם־הֵר ַע ָּתֵר ּעו ַּג ַם־א ֶּתם ַּג ַם־מ ְל ְּכ ֶכם For if you persist in your wrongdoing, both you 25 ִּת ָּס ּפו׃ ”.and your king shall be swept away א ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ָנה שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ָמ ְלכוֹ ּושׁ ְ ֵּתי שׁ ָ ִנים ָמ ַל ְך Shaul was… years old when he became king, and 1 13 יג ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .he reigned over Yisrael two years ב ַוִּי ְב ַחר־לוֹ שׁ ָ ּאול שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ֲא ָל ִפים Shaul picked 3,000 Israelites, of whom 2,000 were 2 ִמִּי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוִּי ְה ּיו ִעם־שׁ ָ ּאול ַא ְל ַּפִים with Shaul in Michmas and in the hill country ְּב ִמ ְכ ָמשׂ ּו ְב ַהר ֵּב ֵית־אל ְו ֶא ֶלף ָה ּיו ִעם־ of Beit El, and 1,000 with Yonatan in Giva of ָיוֹנ ָתן ְּב ִג ְב ַעת ִּב ְנָי ִמין ְוֶי ֶתר ָה ָעם שׁ ִ ַּלח Binyamin; the rest of the troops he sent back to ִאישׁ ְל ָאֹה ָליו׃ .their homes

49 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק גי Chapter 13

ג ַוַּי ְך ָיוֹנ ָתן ֵאת ְנ ִציב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ;Yonatan struck down the Philistine prefect in Geba 3 ְּב ֶג ַבע ַוִּישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְושׁ ָ ּאול ָּת ַקע and the Philistines heard about it. Shaul had the ַּבשּׁ ָוֹפר ְּב ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ֵלאמֹר ִישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו shofar sounded throughout the land, saying, “Let ָה ִע ְבִרים׃ ”.the Hebrews hear

ד ְו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל שׁ ָ ְמ ּעו ֵלאמֹר ִה ָּכה שׁ ָ ּאול When all Yisrael heard that Shaul had struck down 4 ֶא ְת־נ ִציב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְו ַג ִם־נ ְב ַאשׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל the Philistine prefect, and that Yisrael had incurred ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוִּי ָּצ ֲע ּקו ָה ָעם ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ָ ּאול the wrath of the Philistines, all the people rallied to ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל׃ .Shaul at Gilgal Samuel ה ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶנ ֶא ְס ּפו ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם ִע ִם־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל : The Philistines, in turn, gathered to attackYisrael 5 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ֶא ֶלף ֶר ֶכב ְושׁ ֵ שׁ ֶ ת ֲא ָל ִפים chariots and 6,000 horsemen, and troops 30,000 ָּפָרשׁ ִ ים ְו ָעם ַּכחוֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַע ְל־שׂ ַפ ַת־הָּים as numerous as the sands of the seashore. They ָלרֹב ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ַוַּי ֲח ּנו ְב ִמ ְכ ָמשׂ ִק ְד ַמת ֵּבית marched up and encamped at Michmas, east of Beit ָאֶון׃ .Aven

ו ְו ִאישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָר ּאו ִּכי ַצר־לוֹ ִּכי ִנ ַּגשׂ When the men of Yisrael saw that they were in 6 ָה ָעם ַוִּי ְת ַח ְּב ּאו ָה ָעם ַּב ְּמ ָערוֹת ּו ַב ֲחָו ִחים trouble—for the troops were hard pressed—the ּו ַב ְּס ָל ִעים ּו ַב ְּצִר ִחים ּו ַב ּבֹרוֹת׃ people hid in caves, among thorns, among rocks, in tunnels, and in cisterns. ז ְו ִע ְבִרים ָע ְב ּרו ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ֶאֶרץ ָּגד Some Hebrews crossed the Yarden, [to] the 7 ְו ִג ְל ָעד ְושׁ ָ ּאול ֶעוֹד ּנּו ַב ִּג ְל ָּגל ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ,territory of Gad and Gilad. Shaul was still at Gilgal ָחְר ּדו ַא ֲחָריו׃ .and the rest of the people rallied to him in alarm ח וייחל ַ]ו ּי ֶוֹחל [ שׁ ִ ְב ַעת ָי ִמים ַל ּמ ֵוֹעד He waited seven days, the time that Shmuel [had 8 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְו ָלֹא־בא שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל set]. But when Shmuel failed to come to Gilgal, and ַוָּי ֶפץ ָה ָעם ֵמ ָע ָליו׃ ,the people began to scatter ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ַה ִּגשׁ ּו ֵא ַלי ָה ָעֹלה Shaul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the 9 ְו ַהשְּׁ ָל ִמים ַוַּי ַעל ָה ָעֹלה׃ sacrifice of well-being”; and he presented the burnt offering. י ַוְי ִהי ְּכ ַכ ּלֹתוֹ ְל ַה ֲעלוֹת ָה ָעֹלה ְו ִה ֵנּה He had just finished presenting the burnt offering 10 שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָּבא ַוֵּי ֵצא שׁ ָ ּאול ִל ְקָראתוֹ when Shmuel arrived; and Shaul went out to meet ְל ָב ֲרכוֹ ׃ .him and welcome him יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶמה ָע ִשׂ ָית ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול But Shmuel said, “What have you done?” Shaul 11 ִּכ ָי־ר ִא ִיתי ִכ ָי־נ ַפץ ָה ָעם ֵמ ָע ַלי ְו ַא ָּתה replied, “I saw the people leaving me and ָלֹא־ב ָאת ְל ֵמוֹעד ַהָּי ִמים ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים scattering; you had not come at the appointed ֶנ ֱא ָס ִפים ִמ ְכ ָמשׂ׃ .time, and the Philistines had gathered at Michmas יב ָו ַאֹמר ַע ָּתה ֵיְר ּדו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֵא ַלי ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל I thought the Philistines would march down 12 ּו ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה לֹא ִח ִּל ִיתי ָו ֶא ְת ַא ַּפק ָו ַא ֲע ֶלה ,against me at Gilgal before I had entreated Hashem ָה ָעֹלה׃ ”.so I forced myself to present the burnt offering יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ִנ ְס ָּכ ְל ָּת לֹא Shmuel answered Shaul, “You acted foolishly in 13 שׁ ָ ַמְר ָּת ֶא ִת־מ ְצַות ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר not keeping the commandments that Hashem your ִצָּו ְך ִּכי ַע ָּתה ֵה ִכין ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַת־מ ְמ ַל ְכ ְּת ָך God laid upon you! Otherwise Hashem would have ֶא ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ .established your dynasty over Yisrael forever

50 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק גי Chapter 13

יד ְו ַע ָּתה ַמ ְמ ַל ְכ ְּת ָך ָלֹא־ת ּקום ִּב ֵּקשׁ ְי ָהֹוה But now your dynasty will not endure. Hashem 14 לוֹ ִאישׁ ִּכ ְל ָבבוֹ ַוְי ַצֵּו ּהו ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָנ ִגיד ַעל־ will seek out a man after His own heart, and ַע ּמוֹ ִּכי לֹא שׁ ָ ַמְר ָּת ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־צְּו ָך ְי ָהֹוה׃ ,Hashem will appoint him ruler over His people because you did not abide by what Hashem had commanded you.” טו ַוָּי ָקם שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוַּי ַעל ִמ ַן־ה ִּג ְל ָּגל Shmuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Giva 15 ִּג ְב ַעת ִּב ְנָי ִמן ַוִּי ְפקֹד שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָת־ה ָעם of Binyamin. Shaul numbered the troops who ַה ִנּ ְמ ְצ ִאים ִע ּמוֹ ְּכשׁ ֵ שׁ ֵמאוֹת ִאישׁ ׃ .remained with him—about 600 strong Samuel טז ְושׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָיוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ ְו ָה ָעם ַה ִנּ ְמ ָצא ִע ָּמם Shaul and his son Yonatan, and the troops who 16 יֹשׁ ְ ִבים ְּב ֶג ַבע ִּב ְנָי ִמן ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָח ּנו ,remained with them, stayed in Geba of Binyamin ְב ִמ ְכ ָמשׂ ׃ .while the Philistines were encamped at Michmas יז ַוֵּי ֵצא ַה ַּמשׁ ְ ִחית ִמ ַּמ ֲח ֵנה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים The raiders came out of the Philistine camp 17 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ָראשׁ ִ ים ָהרֹאשׁ ֶא ָחד ִי ְפ ֶנה ֶאל־ in three columns: One column headed for the ֶ ּדֶר ְך ָע ְפָרה ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ שׁ ּו ָעל׃ ,Ophrah road that leads to the district of Shual יח ְו ָהרֹאשׁ ֶא ָחד ִי ְפ ֶנה ֶ ּדֶר ְך ֵּבית חֹרוֹן ,another column headed for the Beth-horon road 18 ְו ָהרֹאשׁ ֶא ָחד ִי ְפ ֶנה ֶ ּדֶר ְך ַה ְּג ּבול ַה ִנּשׁ ְ ָקף and the third column headed for the border road ַע ֵּל־גי ַה ְּצ ִבֹעים ַה ִּמ ְד ָּבָרה׃ that overlooks the valley of Zeboim toward the desert. יט ְו ָחָרשׁ לֹא ִי ָּמ ֵצא ְּבכֹל ֶאֶרץ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,No smith was to be found in all the land of Yisrael 19 ִּכי־אמר ָ]א ְמ ּרו[ ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶּפן ַי ֲע ּשׂו for the Philistines were afraid that the Hebrews ָה ִע ְבִרים ֶחֶרב אוֹ ֲח ִנית׃ .would make swords or spears v’- kha-RASH LO yi-ma-TZAY b’-KHOL E-retz yis-ra-AYL kee a-m’-RU f’-lish-TEEM PEN ya-a-SU ha-iv-REEM KHE-rev O kha-NEET כ ַוֵּיְר ּדו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִל ְלטוֹשׁ So all the Israelites had to go down to the 20 ִאישׁ ֶא ַת־מ ֲחַרשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ְו ֶא ֵת־אתוֹ ְו ֶאת־ ,Philistines to have their plowshares, their mattocks ַקְר ֻ ּד ּמוֹ ְו ֵאת ַמ ֲחֵרשׁ ָ תוֹ׃ .axes, and colters sharpened כא ְו ָהְי ָתה ַה ְּפ ִצ ָירה ִפים ַל ַּמ ֲחֵרשׁ ֹת The charge for sharpening was apim for 21 ְו ָל ֵא ִתים ְו ִלשׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִק ְּלשׁ וֹן ּו ְל ַה ַּקְר ֻ ּד ִּמים plowshares, mattocks, three-pronged forks, and ּו ְל ַה ִּציב ַה ָ ּדְר ָבן׃ .axes, and for setting the goads

13:19 No smith was to be found in all the land of maintain weapons. Like Shaul and Yonatan who made Yisrael Under Philistine rule, the People of Israel secret weapons to defend their people, there were brave are not allowed to engage in metal work, as the Philistines Jews who secretly imported weapons and made bullets are afraid they will use these workshops to make weapons. that later became critical in the War of Independence. For Therefore, any time the Israelites need metal work, such example, the Ayalon Institute near Rehovot was the site Ayalon Institute as for sharpening plows, they have to travel and pay of a secret bullet factory, hidden under what was officially underground exorbitant prices to have the work done by Philistine a kibbutz training center. Despite harsh conditions and bullet factory craftsmen. Later, this becomes a model for oppressors of life-threatening risks in the pre-State days, young Jews the Jews, who would control access to weapons and worked underground making bullets that would later be minimize economic opportunities. During British rule over used to defend the newborn State of Israel against its the Land of Israel, Jews were similarly not allowed to enemies.

51 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

כב ְו ָהָיה ְּביוֹם ִמ ְל ֶח ֶמת ְולֹא ִנ ְמ ָצא ֶחֶרב Thus on the day of the battle, no sword or spear 22 ַו ֲח ִנית ְּבַיד ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול was to be found in the possession of any of the ְו ֶא ָת־יוֹנ ָתן ַו ִּת ָּמ ֵצא ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ּו ְל ָיוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ׃ troops with Shaul and Yonatan; only Shaul and Yonatan had them. כג ַוֵּי ֵצא ַמ ַּצב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶא ַל־מ ֲע ַבר ִמ ְכ ָמשׂ׃ Now the Philistine garrison had marched out to the 23 pass of Michmas. א ַוְי ִהי ַה ּיוֹם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹנ ָתן ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ֶאל־ One day, Yonatan son of Shaul said to the attendant 1 14 יד ַה ַנּ ַער ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו ְל ָכה ְו ַנ ְע ְּבָרה ֶא ַל־מ ַּצב who carried his arms, “Come, let us cross over to Samuel ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵמ ֵע ֶבר ַה ָּלז ּו ְל ָא ִביו לֹא the Philistine garrison on the other side”; but he ִה ִּגיד׃ .did not tell his father ב ְושׁ ָ ּאול יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ִּב ְק ֵצה ַה ִּג ְב ָעה ַּת ַחת ,Now Shaul was staying on the outskirts of Giva 2 ָהִר ּמוֹן ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ִמ ְגרוֹן ְו ָה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִע ּמוֹ under the pomegranate tree at Migron, and the ְּכשׁ ֵ שׁ ֵמאוֹת ִאישׁ ׃ .troops with him numbered about 600 ג ַו ֲא ִחָּיה ֶב ֲן־א ִח ּטוב ֲא ִחי ִא ָיכבוֹד ֶּבן־ Achiya son of Achituv brother of Ichabod son of 3 ִּפ ְינ ָחס ֶּב ֵן־ע ִלי ּכ ֵֹהן ְי ָהֹוה ְּבשׁ ִ לוֹ ֵנֹשׂא ,Pinchas son of Eli, the Kohen of Hashem at Shilo ֵאפוֹד ְו ָה ָעם לֹא ָי ַדע ִּכי ָה ַל ְך ָיוֹנ ָתן׃ was there bearing an ephod.—The troops did not know that Yonatan had gone. ד ּו ֵבין ַה ַּמ ְע ְּברוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּב ֵּקשׁ ָיוֹנ ָתן ַל ֲעבֹר At the crossing by which Yonatan sought to reach 4 ַע ַל־מ ַּצב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים שׁ ֵ ַן־ה ֶּס ַלע ֵמ ָה ֵע ֶבר the Philistine garrison, there was a rocky crag on ִמֶ ּזה ְושׁ ֵ ַן־ה ֶּס ַלע ֵמ ָה ֵע ֶבר ִמֶ ּזה ְושׁ ֵ ם one side, and another rocky crag on the other, the ָה ֶא ָחד ּב ֵוֹצץ ְושׁ ֵ ם ָה ֶא ָחד ֶס ֶנּה׃ .one called Bozez and the other Seneh ה ַהשֵּׁ ן ָה ֶא ָחד ָמ ּצוק ִמ ָּצפוֹן ּמול ִמ ְכ ָמשׂ ,One crag was located on the north, near Michmas 5 ְו ָה ֶא ָחד ִמ ֶנּ ֶגב ּמול ָּג ַבע׃ .and the other on the south, near Geba ו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶא ַל־ה ַנּ ַער ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו ְל ָכה Yehonatan said to the attendant who carried his 6 ְו ַנ ְע ְּבָרה ֶא ַל־מ ַּצב ָה ֲעֵר ִלים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ּאו ַלי arms, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ְי ָהֹוה ָל ּנו ִּכי ֵאין ַל ָיהֹוה ַמ ְעצוֹר those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps Hashem will ְלהוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ְּבַרב אוֹ ִב ְמ ָעט׃ act in our behalf, for nothing prevents Hashem from winning a victory by many or by few.” ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו ֲע ֵשׂה ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר His arms-bearer answered him, “Do whatever 7 ִּב ְל ָב ֶב ָך ְנ ֵטה ָל ְך ִה ְנ ִני ִע ְּמ ָך ִּכ ְל ָב ֶב ָך׃ you like. You go first, I am with you, whatever you decide.” ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ִה ֵנּה ֲא ַנ ְח ּנו ְעֹבִרים ֶאל־ Yehonatan said, “We’ll cross over to those men and 8 ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ְו ִנ ְג ִל ּינו ֲא ֵל ֶיהם׃ .let them see us ט ִא ּם־כֹה ְיֹאמ ּרו ֵא ֵל ּינו ּד ֹּמ ּו ַע ַד־ה ִּג ֵיע ּנו If they say to us, ‘Wait until we get to you,’ then 9 ֲא ֵל ֶיכם ְו ָע ַמ ְד ּנו ַת ְח ֵּת ּינו ְולֹא ַנ ֲע ֶלה .we’ll stay where we are, and not go up to them ֲא ֵל ֶיהם׃ י ְו ִא ּם־כֹה ְיֹאמ ּרו ֲע ּלו ָע ֵל ּינו ְו ָע ִל ּינו ִּכי־ ,But if they say, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up 10 ְנ ָת ָנם ְי ָהֹוה ְּבָי ֵד ּנו ְוֶז ָּה־ל ּנו ָהאוֹת׃ for Hashem is delivering them into our hands. That shall be our sign.” יא ַוִּי ָּג ּלו שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם ֶא ַל־מ ַּצב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים They both showed themselves to the Philistine 11 ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִה ֵנּה ִע ְבִרים ְיֹצ ִאים outpost and the Philistines said, “Look, some ִמ ַן־ה ִחֹרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ְת ַח ְּב ּאו־שׁ ָ ם׃ Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have been hiding.”

52 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

יב ַוַּי ֲע ּנו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ַה ַּמ ָּצ ָבה ֶא ָת־יוֹנ ָתן ְו ֶאת־ The men of the outpost shouted toYonatan and 12 ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֲע ּלו ֵא ֵל ּינו ְו ִנוֹד ָיעה his arms-bearer, “Come up to us, and we’ll teach ֶא ְת ֶכם ָ ּד ָבר ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹנ ָתן ֶא ֵל־נֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו ,you a lesson.” ThenYonatan said to his arms-bearer ֲע ֵלה ַא ֲחַרי ִּכ ְי־נ ָת ָנם ְי ָהֹוה ְּבַיד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ Follow me, for Hashem will deliver them into the“ hands of Yisrael.” יג ַוַּי ַעל ָיוֹנ ָתן ַע ָל־י ָדיו ְו ַע ַל־ר ְג ָליו ְו ֵנֹשׂא ,And Yonatan clambered up on his hands and feet 13 ֵכ ָליו ַא ֲחָריו ַוִּי ְּפ ּלו ִל ְפ ֵני ָיוֹנ ָתן ְו ֵנֹשׂא his arms-bearer behind him; [the Philistines] fell ֵכ ָליו ְמ ֵמוֹתת ַא ֲחָריו׃ before Yonatan, and his arms-bearer finished them

Samuel off behind him. יד ַו ְּת ִהי ַה ַּמ ָּכה ָהִראשׁ ָֹנה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ָּכה ָיוֹנ ָתן The initial attack thatYonatan and his arms-bearer 14 ְו ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו ְּכ ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ִאישׁ ְּכ ַב ֲח ִצי ַמ ֲע ָנה made accounted for some twenty men, within a ֶצ ֶמד ָשׂ ֶדה׃ .space about half a furrow long [in] an acre of land טו ַו ְּת ִהי ֲחָר ָדה ַב ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ַב ָּשׂ ֶדה ּו ְב ָכ ָל־ה ָעם Terror broke out among all the troops both in 15 ַה ַּמ ָּצב ְו ַה ַּמשׁ ְ ִחית ָחְר ּדו ַּג ֵם־ה ָּמה ַו ִּתְר ַּגז the camp [and] in the field; the outposts and the ָה ָאֶרץ ַו ְּת ִהי ְל ֶחְר ַ ּדת ֱא ִלֹהים׃ ,raiders were also terrified. The very earth quaked and a terror from Hashem ensued. טז ַוִּיְר ּאו ַה ּצ ִֹפים ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ִג ְב ַעת ִּב ְנָי ִמן Shaul’s scouts in Giva of Binyamin saw that the 16 ְו ִה ֵנּה ֶה ָהמוֹן ָנמוֹג ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַו ֲהלֹם׃ .multitude was scattering in all directions יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ָל ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ ִּפ ְק ּדו ָ־נא And Shaul said to the troops with him, “Take a 17 ּוְר ּאו ִמי ָה ַל ְך ֵמ ִע ָּמ ּנו ַוִּי ְפ ְק ּדו ְו ִה ֵנּה ֵאין count and see who has left us.” They took a count ָיוֹנ ָתן ְו ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו׃ and found that Yonatan and his arms-bearer were missing. יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ַל ֲא ִחָּיה ַה ִּגישׁ ָ ה ֲארוֹן ThereuponShaul said to Achiya, “Bring the Aron of 18 ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ִּכ ָי־הָיה ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַּב ּיוֹם Hashem here”; for the Aron of Hashem was at the ַה ּהוא ּו ְב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .time among the Israelites יט ַוְי ִהי ַעד ִ ּד ֶּבר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַל־ה ּכ ֵֹהן ְו ֶה ָהמוֹן But while Shaul was speaking to the Kohen, the 19 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ַמ ֲח ֵנה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָה ְלוֹך ָוָרב ;confusion in the Philistine camp kept increasing ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַל־ה ּכ ֵֹהן ֱאסֹף ָי ֶד ָך׃ and Shaul said to the Kohen, “Withdraw your hand.” כ ַוִּיָ ּז ֵעק שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ Shaul and the troops with him assembled and 20 ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַע ַד־ה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ִה ֵנּה ָהְי ָתה ֶחֶרב rushed into battle; they found [the Philistines] in ִאישׁ ְּבֵר ֵע ּהו ְמ ּהו ָמה ְּג ָדוֹלה ְמאֹד׃ very great confusion, every man’s sword turned against his fellow. כא ְו ָה ִע ְבִרים ָה ּיו ַל ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְּכ ֶא ְתמוֹל And the Hebrews who had previously sided with 21 שׁ ִ ְלשׁ וֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ּלו ִע ָּמם ַּב ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ָס ִביב the Philistines, who had come up with them in the ְו ַג ֵם־ה ָּמה ִל ְהיוֹת ִע ִם־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִעם־ army [from] round about—they too joined the שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָיוֹנ ָתן׃ .Israelites who were with Shaul and Yonatan כב ְוכֹל ִאישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ִּמ ְת ַח ְּב ִאים ְּב ַהר־ When all the men of Yisrael who were hiding in 22 ֶא ְפַרִים שׁ ָ ְמ ּעו ִּכ ָי־נ ּסו ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוַּי ְד ְּב ּקו the hill country of Efraim heard that the Philistines ַג ֵם־ה ָּמה ַא ֲחֵר ֶיהם ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ .were fleeing, they too pursued them in battle כג ַו ּיוֹשׁ ַ ע ְי ָהֹוה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל .ThusHashem brought victory to Yisrael that day 23 ְו ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ָע ְבָרה ֶא ֵּת־בית ָאֶון׃ .The fighting passed beyondBeit Aven

53 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

כד ְו ִאישׁ ִ־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִנ ַּגשׂ ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַו ּי ֶֹאל The men ofYisrael were distressed that day. For 24 שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ֵלאמֹר ָא ּרור ָה ִאישׁ Shaul had laid an oath upon the troops: “Cursed ֲאשׁ ֶ ַר־יֹאכל ֶל ֶחם ַע ָד־ה ֶעֶרב ְו ִנ ַּק ְמ ִּתי be the man who eats any food before night falls ֵמ ְאֹי ַבי ְולֹא ָט ַעם ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ָל ֶחם׃ and I take revenge on my enemies.” So none of the troops ate anything. כה ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ָּב ּאו ַבָּי ַער ַוְי ִהי ְד ַבשׁ ַע ְּל־פ ֵני Everybody came to a stack of beehives where some 25 ַה ּ ָשׂ ֶדה׃ .honey had spilled on the ground כו ַוָּיבֹא ָה ָעם ֶא ַל־הַּי ַער ְו ִה ֵנּה ֵה ֶל ְך ְ ּד ָבשׁ When the troops came to the beehives and found 26 Samuel ְו ֵא ַין־מ ִּשׂיג ָידוֹ ֶא ִּל־פיו ִּכ ָי־יֵרא ָה ָעם the flow of honey there, no one put his hand to his ֶא ַת־השְּׁ ֻב ָעה׃ .mouth, for the troops feared the oath כז ְו ָיוֹנ ָתן לֹא־שׁ ָ ַמע ְּב ַהשׁ ְ ִּב ַיע ָא ִביו ֶאת־ Yonatan, however, had not heard his father adjure 27 ָה ָעם ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ֶא ְת־ק ֵצה ַה ַּמ ֶּטה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ,the troops. So he put out the stick he had with him ְּבָידוֹ ַוִּי ְט ּבֹל ָאוֹת ּה ְּבַי ְעַרת ַה ְ ּד ָבשׁ ַוָּישׁ ֶ ב dipped it into the beehive of honey, and brought ָידוֹ ֶא ִּל־פיו ותראנה ַ]ו ָּת ְאֹר ָנה[ ֵע ָיניו׃ .his hand back to his mouth; and his eyes lit up כח ַוַּי ַען ִאישׁ ֵמ ָה ָעם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַהשׁ ְ ֵּב ַע ִהשׁ ְ ִּב ַיע At this one of the soldiers spoke up, “Your father 28 ָא ִב ָיך ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ֵלאמֹר ָא ּרור ָה ִאישׁ adjured the troops: ‘Cursed be the man who eats ֲאשׁ ֶ ַר־יֹאכל ֶל ֶחם ַה ּיוֹם ַוָּי ַעף ָה ָעם׃ ”.anything this day.’ And so the troops are faint כט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹנ ָתן ָע ַכר ָא ִבי ֶא ָת־ה ָאֶרץ Yonatan answered, “My father has brought trouble 29 ְר ּאו ָ־נא ִּכ ּי־אֹרו ֵע ַיני ִּכי ָט ַע ְמ ִּתי ְמ ַעט on the people. See for yourselves how my eyes lit ְ ּד ַבשׁ ַהֶ ּזה׃ .up when I tasted that bit of honey va-YO-mer yo-na-TAN a-KHAR a-VEE et ha-A-retz r’-u NA kee O-ru ay-NAI KEE ta-AM-tee m’-AT d’-VASH ha-ZEH ל ַאף ִּכי ּלוא ָאכֹל ָא ַכל ַה ּיוֹם ָה ָעם ִמשְּׁ ַלל If only the troops had eaten today of spoil captured 30 ְאֹי ָביו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָמ ָצא ִּכי ַע ָּתה ָלֹא־ר ְב ָתה from the enemy, the defeat of the Philistines would ַמ ָּכה ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”!have been greater still לא ַוַּי ּכ ּו ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִמ ִּמ ְכ ָמשׂ They struck down the Philistines that day from 31 ַאָּי ָלֹנה ַוָּי ַעף ָה ָעם ְמאֹד׃ .Michmas to Aijalon, and the troops were famished לב ויעש ַ]וַּי ַעט[ ָה ָעם ֶאל־שלל ַ]השָּׁ ָלל[ The troops pounced on the spoil; they took the 32 ַוִּי ְק ּחו צֹאן ּו ָב ָקר ּו ְב ֵני ָב ָקר ַוִּישׁ ְ ֲח ּטו־ sheep and cows and calves and slaughtered them ָאְר ָצה ַו ּי ַֹאכל ָה ָעם ַע ַל־ה ָ ּדם׃ .on the ground, and the troops ate with the blood

14:29 Yonatan answered, “My father has brought their soldiers have high morale so that they can trouble on the people Though King Shaul had succeed. Today, there are organizations that assist the instructed the soldiers of Israel not to eat, his son Israeli Defense Forces by providing soldiers not only Yehonatan eats honey, and declares that his father with essential items they need for battle, but also with erred by issuing such an order. Rabbi Shlomo Aviner extra amenities, to demonstrate that the IDF has many notes that although righteous individuals like King supporters from around the world who pray and work Shaul may be able to fast in battle, soldiers need to eat for their success. This raises the morale of Israel’s and drink in order to maintain their physical and soldiers and contributes to the success of their holy emotional strength. Armies need to make sure that mission.

54 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

לג ַוַּי ִּג ּידו ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ָה ָעם ִחֹטאים When it was reported to Shaul that the troops were 33 ַל ָיהֹוה ֶל ֱאכֹל ַע ַל־ה ָ ּדם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְּב ַג ְד ֶּתם sinning against Hashem, eating with the blood, he ּג ֹּל ּו ֵ־א ַלי ַה ּיוֹם ֶא ֶבן ְּג ָדוֹלה׃ said, “You have acted faithlessly. Roll a large stone over to me today.” לד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֻּפ ּצו ָב ָעם ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ָל ֶהם And Shaul ordered, “Spread out among the troops 34 ַה ִּגישׁ ּו ֵא ַלי ִאישׁ שׁ וֹרוֹ ְו ִאישׁ ְשׂ ֵי ּהו and tell them that everyone must bring me his ox ּושׁ ְ ַח ְט ֶּתם ָּבֶזה ַו ֲא ַכ ְל ֶּתם ְו ֶלֹא־ת ֶח ְט ּאו .or his sheep and slaughter it here, and then eat ַל ָיהֹוה ֶל ֱאכֹל ֶא ַל־ה ָ ּדם ַוַּי ִּגשׁ ּו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם You must not sin against Hashem and eat with the

ִאישׁ שׁ וֹרוֹ ְבָידוֹ ַה ַּלְי ָלה ַוִּישׁ ְ ֲח ּטו־שׁ ָ ם׃ Samuel blood.” Every one of the troops brought his own ox with him that night and slaughtered it there. לה ַוִּי ֶבן שׁ ָ ּאול ִמְז ֵּב ַח ַל ָיהֹוה אֹתוֹ ֵה ֵחל ThusShaul set up a mizbayach to Hashem; it was 35 ִל ְבנוֹת ִמְז ֵּב ַח ַל ָיהֹוה׃ .the firstmizbayach he erected to Hashem לו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֵנְר ָדה ַא ֲחֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים Shaul said, “Let us go down after the Philistines 36 ַלְי ָלה ְו ָנ ָבֹזה ָב ֶהם ַעד־אוֹר ַה ּב ֶֹקר ְולֹא־ by night and plunder among them until the light ַנשׁ ְ ֵאר ָּב ֶהם ִאישׁ ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָּכ ַל־ה ּטוֹב of morning; and let us not leave a single survivor ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ֲע ֵשׂה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ִנ ְקְר ָבה ֲהלֹם among them.” “Do whatever you please,” they ֶא ָל־ה ֱא ִלֹהים׃ replied. But the Kohen said, “Let us approach Hashem here.” לז ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל שׁ ָ ּאול ֵּב ִאלֹהים ַה ֵאֵרד ַא ֲחֵרי So Shaul inquired of Hashem, “Shall I go down 37 ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֲה ִת ְּת ֵנם ְּבַיד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְולֹא after the Philistines? Will You deliver them into the ָע ָנ ּהו ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא׃ hands of Yisrael?” But this time He did not respond to him. לח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ּגֹשׁ ּו ֲהלֹם ּכֹל ִּפנּוֹת ָה ָעם ThenShaul said, “Come forward, all chief officers 38 ּו ְד ּעו ּוְר ּאו ַּב ָּמה ָהְי ָתה ַה ַח ָּטאת ַה ּזֹאת of the troops, and find out how this guilt was ַה ּיוֹ ם׃ .incurred today לט ִּכי ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ַה ּמוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכי ,For as Hashem lives who brings victory to Yisrael 39 ִא ֶם־ישׁ ְ נוֹ ְּב ָיוֹנ ָתן ְּב ִני ִּכי מוֹת ָי ּמות ְו ֵאין even if it was through my son Yonatan, he shall be ֵעֹנ ּהו ִמ ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם׃ .put to death!” Not one soldier answered him מ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ָּל־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ֶּתם ִּת ְה ּיו And he said to all the Israelites, “You stand on one 40 ְל ֵע ֶבר ֶא ָחד ַו ֲא ִני ְו ָיוֹנ ָתן ְּב ִני ִנ ְהֶיה ְל ֵע ֶבר side, and my son Yonatan and I shall stand on the ֶא ָחד ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָה ָעם ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַה ּטוֹב ”.other.” The troops said toShaul , “Do as you please ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ֲע ֵשׂה׃ מא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,Shaul then said to Hashem, the God of Yisrael 41 ָה ָבה ָת ִמים ַוִּי ָּל ֵכד ָיוֹנ ָתן ְושׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָה ָעם Show Thammim.”Yonatan and Shaul were“ ָי ָצ ּאו׃ .indicated by lot, and the troops were cleared מב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ַה ִּפ ּילו ֵּב ִיני ּו ֵבין ָיוֹנ ָתן ְּב ִני And Shaul said, “Cast the lots between my son and 42 ַוִּי ָּל ֵכד ָיוֹנ ָתן׃ .me”; and Yonatan was indicated מג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָל־יוֹנ ָתן ַה ִּג ָידה ִּלי ֶמה Shaul said to Yonatan, “Tell me, what have you 43 ָע ִשׂ ָיתה ַוַּי ֶּגד־לוֹ ָיוֹנ ָתן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָטעֹם done?” And Yonatan told him, “I only tasted a bit ָט ַע ְמ ִּתי ִּב ְק ֵצה ַה ַּמ ֶּטה ֲאשׁ ֶ ְּר־בָי ִדי ְמ ַעט of honey with the tip of the stick in my hand. I am ְ ּד ַבשׁ ִה ְנ ִני ָא ּמות׃ ”.ready to die מד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ּכ ַֹה־י ֲע ֶשׂה ֱא ִלֹהים ְוכֹה Shaul said, “Thus and more mayHashem do: You 44 ִיוֹסף ִּכי־מוֹת ָּת ּמות ָיוֹנ ָתן׃ ”!shall be put to death, Yonatan

55 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק וט Chapter 15

מה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָה ָעם ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ֲה ָיוֹנ ָתן ָי ּמות ,But the troops said to Shaul, “Shall Yonatan die 45 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ָשׂה ַהְישׁ ּו ָעה ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ַה ּזֹאת !after bringing this great victory toYisrael ? Never ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָח ִל ָילה ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ִא ִם־י ּפֹל As Hashem lives, not a hair of his head shall fall to ִמ ַּשׂ ֲעַרת רֹאשׁ וֹ ַאְר ָצה ִּכ ִי־ע ֱם־א ִלֹהים the ground! For he brought this day to pass with ָע ָשׂה ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ַוִּי ְפ ּד ּו ָה ָעם ֶא ָת־יוֹנ ָתן the help of Hashem.” Thus the troops savedYonatan ְו ֵלֹא־מת׃ .and he did not die מו ַוַּי ַעל שׁ ָ ּאול ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים Shaul broke off his pursuit of the Philistines, and 46 ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָה ְל ּכו ִל ְמ ָקוֹמם׃ .the Philistines returned to their homes Samuel מז ְושׁ ָ ּאול ָל ַכד ַה ְּמ ּלו ָכה ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,After Shaul had secured his kingship over Yisrael 47 ַוִּי ָּל ֶחם ָס ִביב ְּב ָכ ְל־אֹי ָביו ְּב ָמוֹאב :he waged war on every side against all his enemies ּו ִב ְב ֵנ ַי־ע ּמוֹן ּו ֶב ֱאדוֹם ּו ְב ַמ ְל ֵכי ָצוֹבה against the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, the ּו ַב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּו ְבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־י ְפ ֶנה ַיְרשׁ ִ ַיע׃ Philistines, and the kings of Zobah; and wherever he turned he worsted [them]. מח ַוַּי ַעשׂ ַחִיל ַוַּי ְך ֶא ֲת־ע ָמ ֵלק ַוַּי ֵּצל ֶאת־ He was triumphant, defeating the Amalekites and 48 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמַּיד שׁ ֵֹס ּהו׃ .saving Yisrael from those who plundered it מט ַוִּי ְה ּיו ְּב ֵני שׁ ָ ּאול ָיוֹנ ָתן ְוִישׁ ְ ִוי ּו ַמ ְל ִּכי־שׁ ּו ַע ;Shaul’s sons were: Yonatan, Ishvi, and Malchishua 49 ְושׁ ֵ ם שׁ ְ ֵּתי ְב ָנֹתיו שׁ ֵ ם ַה ְּב ִכ ָירה ֵמַרב ,and the names of his two daughters were Merab ְושׁ ֵ ם ַה ְּק ַט ָנּה ִמ ַיכל׃ .the older, and Michal, the younger נ ְושׁ ֵ ם ֵאשׁ ֶ ת שׁ ָ ּאול ֲא ִח ַינֹעם ַּבת־ The name ofShaul ’s wife was Ahinoam daughter 50 ֲא ִח ָימ ַעץ ְושׁ ֵ ם ַשׂ ְר־צ ָבאוֹ ֲא ִב ֵינר ֶּב ֵן־נר of Ahimaaz; and the name of his army commander ּדוֹד שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .was Abiner son of Shaul’s uncle Ner נא ְו ִקישׁ ֲא ִבי־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֵנר ֲא ִב ַי־א ְב ֵנר ֶּבן־ Keesh, Shaul’s father, and Ner, Avner’s father, were 51 ֲא ִב ֵיאל׃ .sons of Abiel נב ַו ְּת ִהי ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ֲחָז ָקה ַע ְּל־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּכֹל There was bitter war against the Philistines all the 52 ְי ֵמי שׁ ָ ּאול ְוָר ָאה שׁ ָ ּאול ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ִּג ּבוֹר days of Shaul; and whenever Shaul noticed any ְו ָכ ֶּל־ב ַן־חִיל ַוַּי ַא ְס ֵפ ּהו ֵא ָליו׃ stalwart man or warrior, he would take him into his service. א ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ִאֹתי שׁ ָ ַלח Shmuel said to Shaul, “I am the one Hashem sent to 1 15 טו ְי ָהֹוה ִל ְמשׁ ָ ֳח ָך ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ַל־ע ּמוֹ ַעל־ ,anoint you king over His people Yisrael. Therefore ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ַע ָּתה שׁ ְ ַמע ְלקוֹל ִ ּד ְבֵרי ְי ָהֹוה׃ !listen to Hashem’s command ב ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ָּפ ַק ְד ִּתי ֵאת Thus said thelord of Hosts: I am exacting the“ 2 ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ָשׂה ֲע ָמ ֵלק ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־שׂם penalty for what Amalek did to Yisrael, for the לוֹ ַּב ֶ ּדֶר ְך ַּב ֲעלֹתוֹ ִמ ִּמ ְצָרִים׃ assault he made upon them on the road, on their way up from Egypt. ג ַע ָּתה ֵל ְך ְו ִה ִּכ ָיתה ֶא ֲת־ע ָמ ֵלק ְו ַה ֲחַר ְמ ֶּתם Now go, attack Amalek, and proscribe all that 3 ֶא ָּת־כ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר־לוֹ ְולֹא ַת ְחמֹל ָע ָליו belongs to him. Spare no one, but kill alike men ְו ֵה ַמ ָּתה ֵמ ִאישׁ ַע ִד־אשָּׁ ה ֵמ ֵעֹלל ְו ַעד־ ,and women, infants and sucklings, oxen and sheep ֵיוֹנק ִמשּׁ וֹר ְו ַע ֶד־שׂה ִמ ָּג ָמל ְו ַע ֲד־חמוֹר׃ ”!camels and asses ד ַוְישׁ ַ ַּמע שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ַוִּי ְפ ְק ֵדם Shaul mustered the troops and enrolled them at 4 ַּב ְּט ָל ִאים ָמ ַאתִים ֶא ֶלף ַר ְג ִלי ַו ֲע ֶשׂ ֶרת Telaim: 200,000 men on foot, and 10,000 men of ֲא ָל ִפים ֶא ִת־אישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה׃ .Yehuda

56 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק וט Chapter 15

ה ַוָּיבֹא שׁ ָ ּאול ַע ִד־עיר ֲע ָמ ֵלק ַוָּיֶרב ַּב ָנּ ַחל׃ ThenShaul advanced as far as the city of Amalek 5 and lay in wait in the wadi. ו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַל־ה ֵּק ִיני ְל ּכו ֻּס ּרו ְר ּדו Shaul said to the Kenites, “Come, withdraw at once 6 ִמ ּת ְוֹך ֲע ָמ ֵל ִקי ֶּפ ִן־אֹס ְפ ָך ִע ּמוֹ ְו ַא ָּתה from among the Amalekites, that I may not destroy ָע ִשׂ ָיתה ֶח ֶסד ִע ָּם־כ ְּל־ב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל you along with them; for you showed kindness ַּב ֲע ָלוֹתם ִמ ִּמ ְצָרִים ַוָּי ַסר ֵק ִיני ִמ ּת ְוֹך to all the Israelites when they left Egypt.” So the ֲע ָמ ֵלק׃ .Kenites withdrew from among the Amalekites ז ַוַּי ְך שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ֲת־ע ָמ ֵלק ֵמ ֲחִו ָילה ּב ֲוֹא ָך Shaul destroyed Amalek from Havilah all the way 7 שׁ ּור ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ִמ ְצָרִים׃ ,Samuel to Shur, which is close to Egypt ח ַוִּי ְת ּפֹשׂ ֶא ֲת־א ַגג ֶמ ֶל ְך ֲ־ע ָמ ֵלק ָחי ְו ֶאת־ and he captured King Agag of Amalek alive. He 8 ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ֶה ֱחִרים ְל ִפ ָי־חֶרב׃ proscribed all the people, putting them to the sword; ט ַוַּי ְחמֹל שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָה ָעם ַע ֲל־א ָגג ְו ַע ֵל־מ ַיטב but Shaul and the troops spared Agag and the 9 ַה ּצֹאן ְו ַה ָּב ָקר ְו ַה ִּמשׁ ְ ִנים ְו ַע ַל־ה ָּכִרים best of the sheep, the oxen, the second-born, the ְו ַע ָּל־כ ַל־ה ּטוֹב ְולֹא ָא ּבו ַה ֲחִר ָימם ְו ָכל־ lambs, and all else that was of value. They would ַה ְּמ ָל ָאכה ְנ ִמ ְבָזה ְו ָנ ֵמס ָאֹת ּה ֶה ֱחִר ּימו׃ not proscribe them; they proscribed only what was cheap and worthless. י ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵלאמֹר׃ :The word ofHashem then came to Shmuel 10 יא ִנ ַח ְמ ִּתי ִּכ ִי־ה ְמ ַל ְכ ִּתי ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך I regret that I made Shaul king, for he has“ 11 ִּכי־שׁ ָ ב ֵמ ַא ֲחַרי ְו ֶא ְ ּת־ד ָבַרי לֹא ֵה ִקים turned away from Me and has not carried out ַוִּי ַחר ִלשׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוִּיְז ַעק ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ָּכל־ My commands.” Shmuel was distressed and he ַה ָּלְי ָלה׃ .entreated Hashem all night long ni-KHAM-tee kee him-LAKH-tee et sha-UL l’-ME-lekh kee SHAV may-a-kha-RAI v’-et d’-va-RAI lo hay-KEEM va-YI-khar lish-mu-AYL va-yiz-AK el a-do-NAI kol ha-LAI-la יב ַוַּישׁ ְ ֵּכם שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִל ְקַראת שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ּב ֶֹקר .Early in the morning Shmuel went to meet Shaul 12 ַוֻּי ַּגד ִלשׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵלאמֹר ָּבא־שׁ ָ ּאול Shmuel was told, “Shaul went to Carmel, where he ַה ַּכְר ֶמ ָלה ְו ִה ֵנּה ַמ ִּציב לוֹ ָיד ַוִּי ּסֹב ַוַּי ֲעבֹר erected a monument for himself; then he left and ַוֵּיֶרד ַה ִּג ְל ָּגל׃ ”.went on down to Gilgal יג ַוָּיבֹא שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ,When Shmuel came to Shaul, Shaul said to him 13 שׁ ָ ּאול ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ַל ָיהֹוה ֲה ִק ִימֹתי ֶאת־ Blessed are you of Hashem! I have fulfilled“ ְ ּד ַבר ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”.Hashem’s command יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ּו ֶמה ַקוֹל־ה ּצֹאן ַהֶ ּזה Then what,” demandedShmuel , “is this bleating“ 14 ְּב ָאְז ָני ְוקוֹל ַה ָּב ָקר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹמ ַע׃ of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of oxen that I hear?”

15:11 I regret that I made Shaul king Shaul’s error However, King Shaul’s transgression was of a national of not completely eradicating the evil Amalek scope, impacting the future of the nation. In fact, the costs him his kingdom. Yet, King David’s sin with Rabbis of the Midrash teach that the evil Haman Batsheva (II Samuel 11-12) does not have a similar result. mentioned in Megillat Esther descends from Amalek’s In his Book of the Principles, Rabbi Yosef Albo, a King Agag, whom Shaul kept alive long enough to father philosopher in fifteenth century Spain, notes that King a child. Thus, the punishment has to be one that impacts David’s sin, though grave, is a personal one. Therefore, his rule over the whole nation. his punishment only impacts him and his family.

57 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק וט Chapter 15

טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֵמ ֲע ָמ ֵל ִקי ֱה ִב ּיאום ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Shaul answered, “They were brought from the 15 ָח ַמל ָה ָעם ַע ֵל־מ ַיטב ַה ּצֹאן ְו ַה ָּב ָקר Amalekites, for the troops spared the choicest of ְל ַמ ַען ְז ַבֹח ַל ָיהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ְו ֶא ַת־ה ּי ֵוֹתר the sheep and oxen for sacrificing toHashem your ֶה ֱחַר ְמ ּנו׃ ”.God. And we proscribed the rest טז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ֶהֶרף ְו ַא ִּג ָידה Shmuel said to Shaul, “Stop! Let me tell you what 16 ְּל ָך ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ֶּבר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ַלי ַה ָּלְי ָלה .Hashem said to me last night!” “Speak,” he replied ויאמרו ַ]ו ּי ֶֹאמר[ לוֹ ַ ּד ֵּבר׃

Samuel יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֲהלוֹא ִא ָם־קטֹן ַא ָּתה ,And Shmuel said, “You may look small to yourself 17 ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך רֹאשׁ שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָא ָּתה but you are the head of the tribes of Yisrael. Hashem ַוִּי ְמשׁ ָ ֲח ָך ְי ָהֹוה ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ,anointed you king over Yisrael יח ַוִּישׁ ְ ָל ֲח ָך ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ָדֶר ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵל ְך and Hashem sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and 18 ְו ַה ֲחַר ְמ ָּתה ֶא ַת־ה ַח ָּט ִאים ֶא ֲת־ע ָמ ֵלק proscribe the sinful Amalekites; make war on them ְו ִנ ְל ַח ְמ ָּת בוֹ ַעד ַּכ ּל ָוֹתם ָאֹתם׃ ’.until you have exterminated them יט ְו ָל ָּמה לֹא־שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ָּת ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ַו ַּת ַעט Why did you disobey Hashem and swoop down on 19 ֶא ַל־השָּׁ ָלל ַו ַּת ַעשׂ ָהַרע ְּב ֵע ֵיני ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”?the spoil in defiance ofHashem ’s will כ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Shaul said to Shmuel, “But I did obey Hashem! I 20 שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ִּתי ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ָו ֵא ֵל ְך ַּב ֶ ּדֶר ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ :performed the mission on which Hashem sent me שׁ ְ ָל ַח ִני ְי ָהֹוה ָו ָא ִביא ֶא ֲת־א ַגג ֶמ ֶל ְך I captured King Agag of Amalek, and I proscribed ֲע ָמ ֵלק ְו ֶא ֲת־ע ָמ ֵלק ֶה ֱחַר ְמ ִּתי׃ ,Amalek כא ַוִּי ַּקח ָה ָעם ֵמ ַהשָּׁ ָלל צֹאן ּו ָב ָקר ֵראשׁ ִ ית and the troops took from the spoil some sheep and 21 ַה ֵחֶרם ִלְז ּב ַֹח ַל ָיהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ַּב ִּג ְל ָּגל׃ oxen—the best of what had been proscribed—to sacrifice toHashem your God at Gilgal.” כב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַה ֵח ֶפץ ַל ָיהֹוה ְּבעֹלוֹת But Shmuel said: “Does Hashem delight in burnt 22 ּוְז ָב ִחים ִּכשׁ ְ ַמֹע ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ִה ֵנּה שׁ ְ ַמֹע offerings and sacrifices As much as in obedience ִמֶ ּז ַבח טוֹב ְל ַה ְקשׁ ִ יב ֵמ ֵח ֶלב ֵא ִילים׃ to Hashem’s command? Surely, obedience is better than sacrifice, Compliance than the fat of rams. כג ִּכי ַח ַּט ֶאת־ק ֶסם ֶמִרי ְו ָאֶון ּו ְתָר ִפים ,For rebellion is like the sin of divination, Defiance 23 ַה ְפ ַצר ַי ַען ָמ ַא ְס ָּת ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַבר ְי ָהֹוה like the iniquity of teraphim. Because you rejected ַוִּי ְמ ָא ְס ָך ִמ ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.Hashem’s command, He has rejected you as king כד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָח ָט ִאתי ִּכי־ Shaul said to Shmuel, “I did wrong to transgress 24 ָע ַבְר ִּתי ֶא ִּת־פ ְי־י ָהֹוה ְו ֶא ְ ּת־ד ָבֶר ָיך ִּכי Hashem’s command and your instructions; but I ָיֵר ִאתי ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ָו ֶאשׁ ְ ַמע ְּב ָקוֹלם׃ .was afraid of the troops and I yielded to them כה ְו ַע ָּתה ָשׂא ָנא ֶא ַת־ח ָּט ִאתי ְושׁ ּוב ִע ִּמי ,Please, forgive my offense and come back with me 25 ְו ֶאשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחֶוה ַל ָיהֹוה׃ ”.and I will bow low to Hashem כו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול לֹא ָאשׁ ּוב But Shmuel said to Shaul, “I will not go back with 26 ִע ָּמ ְך ִּכי ָמ ַא ְס ָּתה ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַבר ְי ָהֹוה you; for you have rejected Hashem’s command, and ַוִּי ְמ ָא ְס ָך ְי ָהֹוה ִמ ְהיוֹת ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ”.Hashem has rejected you as king over Yisrael כז ַוִּי ּסֹב שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָל ֶל ֶכת ַוַּי ֲחֵזק ִּב ְכ ַנ ְף־מ ִעילוֹ As Shmuel turned to leave, Shaul seized the corner 27 ַוִּי ָּקַרע׃ .of his robe, and it tore

58 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק וט Chapter 15

כח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָקַרע ְי ָהֹוה ֶאת־ And Shmuel said to him, “Hashem has this day torn 28 ַמ ְמ ְל ּכות ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵמ ָע ֶל ָיך ַה ּיוֹם ּו ְנ ָת ָנ ּה the kingship over Yisrael away from you and has ְלֵר ֲע ָך ַה ּטוֹב ִמ ֶּמ ָּך׃ .given it to another who is worthier than you va-YO-mer ay-LAV sh’-mu-EL ka-RA a-do-NAI et mam-l’-KHUT yis-ra-AYL may-a- LE-kha ha-YOM un-ta-NAH l’-ray-a-KHA ha-TOV mi-ME-ka כט ְו ַגם ֵנ ַצח ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל לֹא ְישׁ ַ ֵּקר ְולֹא ִי ָנּ ֵחם Moreover, the Glory of Yisrael does not deceive 29 ִּכי לֹא ָא ָדם ּהוא ְל ִה ָנּ ֵחם׃ or change His mind, for He is not human that He should change His mind.” Samuel v’-GAM NAY-tzakh yis-ra-AYL LO y’-sha-KAYR v’-LO y’-na-KHAYM KEE LO a-DAM hu l’-hi-na-KHAYM ל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָח ָט ִאתי ַע ָּתה ַּכ ְּב ֵד ִני ָנא ֶנ ֶגד But [Shaul] pleaded, “I did wrong. Please, honor 30 ִז ְק ֵנ ַי־ע ִּמי ְו ֶנ ֶגד ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְושׁ ּוב ִע ִּמי me in the presence of the elders of my people and ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחֵו ִיתי ַל ָיהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך׃ in the presence of Yisrael, and come back with me until I have bowed low to Hashem your God.” לא ַוָּישׁ ָ ב שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו So Shmuel followed Shaul back, and Shaul bowed 31 שׁ ָ ּאול ַל ָיהֹוה׃ .low to Hashem לב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַה ִּגישׁ ּו ֵא ַלי ֶא ֲת־א ַגג Shmuel said, “Bring forward to me King Agag of 32 ֶמ ֶל ְך ֲע ָמ ֵלק ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֵא ָליו ֲא ַגג ַמ ֲע ַדנֹּת Amalek.” Agag approached him with faltering ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ָגג ָא ֵכן ָסר ַמ ַר־ה ָּמֶות׃ ”!steps; and Agag said, “Ah, bitter death is at hand לג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ִ ְּכ ָלה ָנשׁ ִ ים ,Shmuel said: “As your sword has bereaved women 33 ַחְר ֶּב ָך ֵּכ ִּן־תשׁ ְ ַּכל ִמ ָנּשׁ ִ ים ִא ֶּמ ָך ַוְישׁ ַ ֵּסף ”.So shall your mother be bereaved among women שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ֲת־א ָגג ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַּב ִּג ְל ָּגל׃ And Shmuel cut Agag down before Hashem at Gilgal. לד ַוֵּי ֶל ְך שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ָהָר ָמ ָתה ְושׁ ָ ּאול ָע ָלה ֶאל־ Shmuel then departed for Rama, and Shaul went up 34 ֵּביתוֹ ִּג ְב ַעת שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .to his home at Giva of Shaul לה ְו ָלֹא־י ַסף שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ִלְראוֹת ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול Shmuel never saw Shaul again to the day of his 35 ַעד־יוֹם מוֹתוֹ ִּכ ִי־ה ְת ַא ֵּבל שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־ death. But Shmuel grieved over Shaul, because שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ָיהֹוה ִנ ָחם ִּכ ִי־ה ְמ ִל ְיך ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול Hashem regretted that He had madeShaul king ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .over Yisrael

15:29 The Glory of Yisrael does not deceive When Israel does not deceive.’ NILI conducted espionage World War I broke out in 1914, many young against the Ottoman authorities on behalf of the Allies. Zionists perceived the crisis as an opportunity through They hoped that with their assistance, the British would which the political landscape of Palestine could be come to power and reward the Jews with an transformed to advance the dream of Jewish self- independent state in Palestine. In 1917, however, the determination in their homeland. Sarah Aaronsohn, one Turks discovered Sarah Aaronsohn’s espionage and Sarah Aaronsohn of the first generation of native-born Zionists, was born arrested her. Despite interrogations and torture, she (1890-1917) in 1890 in Zichron Yaakov. With Aaronsohn at the helm, refused to disclose any information about NILI’s efforts, a young group of idealists formed a clandestine taking her own life instead. She sacrificed her life for the organization they called “NILI,” which was a Hebrew millenia-old dream to promote the independence of acronym based on the phrase in this verse verse, Netzach the Jewish people. Sarah Aaronsohn is remembered to .The Glory of this day as a national hero of Israel‘ ,(נצח ישראל לא ישקר) Yisrael Lo Yishaker

59 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זט Chapter 16

א ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַע ָד־מ ַתי And Hashem said to Shmuel, “How long will you 1 16 טז ַא ָּתה ִמ ְת ַא ֵּבל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ֲא ִני ְמ ַא ְס ִּתיו grieve over Shaul, since I have rejected him as king ִמ ְּמ ְלֹך ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַמ ֵּלא ַקְר ְנ ָך שׁ ֶ ֶמן ְו ֵל ְך over Yisrael? Fill your horn with oil and set out; I ֶאשׁ ְ ָל ֲח ָך ֶא ִל־ישׁ ַ י ֵּב ַית־ה ַּל ְח ִמי ִּכ ָי־ר ִא ִיתי am sending you to Yishai the Bethlehemite, for I ְּב ָב ָניו ִלי ֶמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.have decided on one of his sons to be king ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵא ְיך ֵא ֵל ְך ְושׁ ָ ַמע שׁ ָ ּאול ,Shmuel replied, “How can I go? If Shaul hears of it 2 ַו ֲהָר ָג ִני ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶע ְג ַלת ָּב ָקר ִּת ַּקח he will kill me.” Hashem answered, “Take a heifer ְּבָי ֶד ָך ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ִלְז ּב ַֹח ַל ָיהֹוה ָּב ִאתי׃ with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Hashem.’ Samuel ג ְו ָקָר ָאת ְלִישׁ ַ י ַּבָ ּז ַבח ְו ָא ִנֹכי ִאוֹד ֲיע ָך ֵאת Invite Yishai to the sacrificial feast, and then I will 3 ֲאשׁ ֶ ַּר־ת ֲע ֶשׂה ּו ָמשׁ ַ ְח ָּת ִלי ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ make known to you what you shall do; you shall ַאֹמר ֵא ֶל ָיך׃ ”.anoint for Me the one I point out to you ד ַוַּי ַעשׂ שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ֶּבר ְי ָהֹוה ַוָּיבֹא Shmuel did what Hashem commanded. When he 4 ֵּבית ָל ֶחם ַוֶּי ֶחְר ּדו ִז ְק ֵני ָה ִעיר ִל ְקָראתוֹ came to Beit Lechem, the elders of the city went out ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ לֹם ּב ֶוֹא ָך׃ in alarm to meet him and said, “Do you come on a peaceful errand?” ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ לוֹם ִלְז ּב ַֹח ַל ָיהֹוה ָּב ִאתי Yes,” he replied, “I have come to sacrifice to“ 5 ִה ְת ַק ְ ּדשׁ ּו ּו ָב ֶאתם ִא ִּתי ַּבָ ּז ַבח ַוְי ַק ֵ ּדשׁ Hashem. Purify yourselves and join me in the ֶא ִת־ישׁ ַ י ְו ֶא ָּת־ב ָניו ַוִּי ְקָרא ָל ֶהם ַלָ ּז ַבח׃ sacrificial feast.” He also instructedYishai and his sons to purify themselves and invited them to the sacrificial feast. ו ַוְי ִהי ְּב ָבוֹאם ַוַּיְרא ֶא ֱת־א ִל ָיאב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר :When they arrived and he saw Eliav, he thought 6 ַא ְך ֶנ ֶגד ְי ָהֹוה ְמשׁ ִ יחוֹ׃ ”.Surely Hashem’s anointed stands before Him“ ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַא ַּל־ת ֵּבט ֶאל־ But Hashem said to Shmuel, “Pay no attention to 7 ַמְר ֵא ּהו ְו ֶא ְּל־ג ַּבֹה ָקוֹמתוֹ ִּכי ְמ ַא ְס ִּת ּיהו his appearance or his stature, for I have rejected ִּכי לֹא ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִיְר ֶאה ָה ָא ָדם ִּכי ָה ָא ָדם him. For not as man sees [does Hashem see]; man ִיְר ֶאה ַל ֵע ַינִים ַו ָיהֹוה ִיְר ֶאה ַל ֵּל ָבב׃ sees only what is visible, but Hashem sees into the heart.” ח ַוִּי ְקָרא ִישׁ ַ י ֶא ֲל־א ִב ָינ ָדב ַוַּי ֲע ִבֵר ּהו ִל ְפ ֵני ThenYishai called Avinadav and had him pass 8 שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַּג ָּם־בֶזה ָלֹא־ב ַחר ְי ָהֹוה׃ before Shmuel; but he said, “Hashem has not chosen this one either.” ט ַוַּי ֲע ֵבר ִישׁ ַ י שׁ ַ ָּמה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַּג ָּם־בֶזה לֹא־ ,Next Yishai presented Shammah; and again he said 9 ָב ַחר ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”.Hashem has not chosen this one either“ י ַוַּי ֲע ֵבר ִישׁ ַ י שׁ ִ ְב ַעת ָּב ָניו ִל ְפ ֵני שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ThusYishai presented seven of his sons before 10 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ִל־ישׁ ַ י ָלֹא־ב ַחר ְי ָהֹוה Shmuel, and Shmuel said to Yishai, “Hashem has not ָּב ֵא ֶּלה׃ ”.chosen any of these יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ִל־ישׁ ַ י ֲה ַת ּמ ּו ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ThenShmuel asked Yishai, “Are these all the boys 11 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר עוֹד שׁ ָ ַאר ַה ָּק ָטן ְו ִה ֵנּה ֶרֹעה ;you have?” He replied, “There is still the youngest ַּב ּצֹאן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ִל־ישׁ ַ י שׁ ִ ְל ָחה ,he is tending the flock.” AndShmuel said to Yishai ְו ָק ֶח ּנּו ִּכי ָלֹא־נסֹב ַע ּד־בֹאוֹ פֹה׃ Send someone to bring him, for we will not sit“ down to eat until he gets here.”

60 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זט Chapter 16

va-YO-mer sh’-mu-AYL el yi-SHAI ha-TA-mu ha-n’-a-REEM va-YO-mer OD sha-AR ha-ka-TAN v’-hi-NAY ro-EH ba-TZON va-YO-mer sh’-mu-EL el yi-SHAI shil-KHAH v’-ka-KHE-nu kee LO na-SOV ad bo-O FOH יב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַוְי ִב ֵיא ּהו ְו ּהוא ַא ְד ִמוֹני ִע ְם־י ֵפה -So they sent and brought him. He was ruddy 12 ֵע ַינִים ְוטוֹב ִרֹאי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ּקום cheeked, bright-eyed, and handsome. And Hashem ְמשׁ ָ ֵח ּהו ִּכ ֶי־זה ּהוא׃ ”.said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one יג ַוִּי ַּקח שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶא ֶת־קֶרן ַהשֶּׁ ֶמן ַוִּי ְמשׁ ַ ח Shmuel took the horn of oil and anointed him 13 אֹתוֹ ְּב ֶקֶרב ֶא ָחיו ַו ִּת ְצ ַלח ּרו ַח ְ־י ָהֹוה ֶאל־ in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ַה ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָו ָמ ְע ָלה ַוָּי ָקם שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל Samuel Hashem gripped David from that day on. Shmuel ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָהָר ָמ ָתה׃ .then set out for Rama יד ְו ּרו ַח ְי ָהֹוה ָסָרה ֵמ ִעם שׁ ָ ּאול ּו ִב ֲע ַת ּת ּו ,Now the spirit of Hashem had departed from Shaul 14 ּרו ַח ָ־ר ָעה ֵמ ֵאת ְי ָהֹוה׃ .and an evil spirit from Hashem began to terrify him טו ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַע ְב ֵדי־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵא ָליו ִה ֵנּ ָה־נא ּרו ַח־ Shaul’s courtiers said to him, “An evil spirit of 15 ֱא ִלֹהים ָר ָעה ְמ ַב ִע ֶּת ָך׃ .Hashem is terrifying you טז ַיֹאמ ָר־נא ֲא ֵדֹנ ּנו ֲע ָב ֶד ָיך ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ְי ַב ְקשׁ ּו Let our lord give the order [and] the courtiers in 16 ִאישׁ ֵיֹד ַע ְמ ַנ ֵּגן ַּב ִּכנּוֹר ְו ָהָיה ִּב ְהיוֹת ָע ֶל ָיך attendance on you will look for someone who is ּרו ַח ֱ־א ִלֹהים ָר ָעה ְו ִנ ֵּגן ְּבָידוֹ ְוטוֹב ָל ְך׃ skilled at playing the lyre; whenever the evil spirit of Hashem comes over you, he will play it and you will feel better.” יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ְר ּאו ָ־נא ִלי So Shaul said to his courtiers, “Find me someone 17 ִאישׁ ֵמ ִיטיב ְל ַנ ֵּגן ַו ֲה ִב ֶיאוֹתם ֵא ָלי׃ ”.who can play well and bring him to me יח ַוַּי ַען ֶא ָחד ֵמ ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה ָר ִא ִיתי One of the attendants spoke up, “I have observed 18 ֵּבן ְלִישׁ ַ י ֵּבית ַה ַּל ְח ִמי ֵיֹד ַע ַנ ֵּגן ְו ִג ּבוֹר ַחִיל a son of Yishai the Bethlehemite who is skilled in ְו ִאישׁ ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ּו ְנבוֹן ָ ּד ָבר ְו ִאישׁ ּת ַֹאר music; he is a stalwart fellow and a warrior, sensible ַו ָיהֹוה ִע ּמוֹ׃ in speech, and handsome in appearance, and Hashem is with him.” יט ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח שׁ ָ ּאול ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶא ִל־ישׁ ָ י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ,Whereupon Shaul sent messengers to Yishai to say 19 שׁ ִ ְל ָחה ֵא ַלי ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ִּב ְנ ָך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּב ּצֹאן׃ ”.Send me your son David, who is with the flock“ כ ַוִּי ַּקח ִישׁ ַ י ֲחמוֹר ֶל ֶחם ְונֹאד ַיִין ּו ְג ִדי Yishai took an ass [laden with] bread, a skin of 20 ִעִ ּזים ֶא ָחד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ְּבַי ָ ּד־דִוד ְּבנוֹ ֶאל־ wine, and a kid, and sent them to Shaul by his son שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .David כא ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַוַּי ֲעמֹד ְל ָפ ָניו ;So David came to Shaul and entered his service 21 ַוֶּי ֱא ָה ֵב ּהו ְמאֹד ַוְי ִהי־לוֹ ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ִלים׃ Shaul] took a strong liking to him and made him] one of his arms-bearers. כב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ִל־ישׁ ַ י ֵלאמֹר ַי ֲע ָמ ָד־נא Shaul sent word to Yishai, “Let David remain in my 22 ָדִוד ְל ָפ ַני ִּכ ָי־מ ָצא ֵחן ְּב ֵע ָיני׃ ”.service, for I am pleased with him

16:11 There is still the youngest; he is tending the the flock as a whole, and also for each individual sheep. flock Young David is not the only great leader of the Each one must be cared for, and must be counted as Children of Israel who was a shepherd before Hashem part of the flock for tithing. This is perfect training for called him to a leadership role. For example, Moshe was leaders, who must lead the nation as a whole, and also Shepherd also a shepherd. Shepherds bear great responsibility for maintain concern and compassion for each individual. in the Kidron Valley

61 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

כג ְו ָהָיה ִּב ְהיוֹת ּרו ַח ֱ־א ִלֹהים ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול Whenever the [evil] spirit of Hashem came upon 23 ְו ָל ַקח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ִּכנּוֹר ְו ִנ ֵּגן ְּבָידוֹ ְוָרַוח Shaul, David would take the lyre and play it; Shaul ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ְוטוֹב לוֹ ְו ָסָרה ֵמ ָע ָליו ּרו ַח would find relief and feel better, and the evil spirit ָהָר ָעה׃ .would leave him א ַוַּי ַא ְס ּפו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶא ַת־מ ֲח ֵנ ֶיהם ;The Philistines assembled their forces for battle 1 17 יז ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ַוֵּי ָא ְס ּפו שֹׂכֹה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִל ּיהו ָדה they massed at Socoh of Yehuda, and encamped at ַוַּי ֲח ּנו ֵּבין־שׂוֹכֹה ּו ֵב ֲין־עֵז ָקה ְּב ֶא ֶפס .Ephes-dammim, between Socoh and Azeika ַ ּד ִּמים׃ Samuel ב ְושׁ ָ ּאול ְו ִאישׁ ִ־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶנ ֶא ְס ּפו ַוַּי ֲח ּנו Shaul and the men of Yisrael massed and encamped 2 ְּב ֵע ֶמק ָה ֵא ָלה ַוַּי ַעְר ּכו ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ִל ְקַראת in the valley of Elah. They drew up their line of ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ,battle against the Philistines ג ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְעֹמ ִדים ֶא ָל־ה ָהר ִמֶ ּזה with the Philistines stationed on one hill and 3 ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְעֹמ ִדים ֶא ָל־ה ָהר ִמֶ ּזה ְו ַה ַּגְיא Yisrael stationed on the opposite hill; the ravine ֵּב ֵינ ֶיהם׃ .was between them ד ַוֵּי ֵצא ִאישׁ ַ־ה ֵּב ַנִים ִמ ַּמ ֲחנוֹת ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים A champion of the Philistine forces stepped 4 ָּג ְלָית שׁ ְ מוֹ ִמ ַּגת ָּג ְבהוֹ שׁ ֵ שׁ ַא ּמוֹת ָוָזֶרת׃ forward; his name was Goliath of Gath, and he was six amot and a zeret tall. ה ְו ַכוֹבע ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ ְושׁ ִ ְריוֹן He had a bronze helmet on his head, and wore a 5 ַק ְשׂ ַק ִּשׂים ּהוא ָל ּבושׁ ּו ִמשׁ ְ ַקל ַהשִּׁ ְריוֹן breastplate of scale armor, a bronze breastplate ֲח ֵמשׁ ֶ ֲת־א ָל ִפים שׁ ְ ָק ִלים ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת׃ . weighing five thousandshekalim ו ּו ִמ ְצ ַחת ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת ַע ַל־ר ְג ָליו ְו ִכידוֹן ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת He had bronze greaves on his legs, and a bronze 6 ֵּבין ְּכ ֵת ָפיו׃ .javelin [slung] from his shoulders ז וחץ ְ]ו ֵעץ[ ֲח ִניתוֹ ִּכ ְמנוֹר ְאֹר ִגים ְו ַל ֶה ֶבת The shaft of his spear was like a weaver’s bar, and 7 ֲח ִניתוֹ שׁ ֵ שׁ ֵ־מאוֹת שׁ ְ ָק ִלים ַּבְרֶזל ְו ֵנֹשׂא the iron head of his spear weighed six hundred ַה ִּצ ָנּה ֵהֹל ְך ְל ָפ ָניו׃ shekalim; and the shield-bearer marched in front of him. ח ַוַּי ֲעמֹד ַוִּי ְקָרא ֶא ַל־מ ַעְרכֹת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל He stopped and called out to the ranks of Yisrael 8 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ֶהם ָל ָּמה ֵת ְצ ּאו ַל ֲע ְרֹך ִמ ְל ָח ָמה and he said to them, “Why should you come out to ֲהלוֹא ָא ִנֹכי ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ְו ַא ֶּתם ֲע ָב ִדים ,[engage in battle? I am the Philistine [champion ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ּרו ָ־ל ֶכם ִאישׁ ְוֵיֵרד ֵא ָלי׃ and you are Shaul’s servants. Choose one of your men and let him come down against me. ט ִא ּם־יו ַכל ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם ִא ִּתי ְו ִה ָּכ ִני ְו ָהִי ּינו If he bests me in combat and kills me, we will 9 ָל ֶכם ַל ֲע ָב ִדים ְו ִא ֲם־א ִני ּאו ַכל־לוֹ ,become your slaves; but if I best him and kill him ְו ִה ִּכ ִיתיו ִו ְהִי ֶיתם ָל ּנו ַל ֲע ָב ִדים ַו ֲע ַב ְד ֶּתם ”.you shall be our slaves and serve us ָאֹת ּנו׃ י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ֲא ִני ֵחַר ְפ ִּתי ֶאת־ And the Philistine ended, “I herewith defy the 10 ַמ ַעְרכוֹת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ְּת ּנו ִ־לי ִאישׁ ”!ranks of Yisrael. Get me a man and let’s fight it out ְו ִנ ָּל ֲח ָמה ָי ַחד׃ יא ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ִ ּת־ד ְבֵרי When Shaul and all Yisrael heard these words of the 11 ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַוֵּי ַח ּת ּו ַוִּיְר ּאו ְמאֹד׃ .Philistine, they were dismayed and terror-stricken

62 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

יב ְו ָדִוד ֶּב ִן־אישׁ ֶא ְפָר ִתי ַהֶ ּזה ִמ ֵּבית ֶל ֶחם David was the son of a certain Ephrathite of Beit 12 ְי ּהו ָדה ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ִישׁ ַ י ְולוֹ שׁ ְ ָמֹנה ָב ִנים Lechem in Yehuda whose name was Yishai. He had ְו ָה ִאישׁ ִּב ֵימי שׁ ָ ּאול ָז ֵקן ָּבא ַב ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים׃ eight sons, and in the days of Shaul the man was already old, advanced in years. יג ַוֵּי ְל ּכו שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ְּב ֵנ ִי־ישׁ ַ י ַה ְּג ִדֹלים ָה ְל ּכו The three oldest sons ofYishai had left and gone 13 ַא ֲחֵרי־שׁ ָ ּאול ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְושׁ ֵ ם שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת with Shaul to the war. The names of his three sons ָּב ָניו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ְל ּכו ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ֱא ִל ָיאב ,who had gone to the war were Eliav the first-born ַה ְּבכוֹר ּו ִמשׁ ְ ֵנ ּהו ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב ְו ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ י ;the next Avinadav, and the third Shammah

שׁ ַ ּ ָ מ ה ׃ Samuel יד ְו ָדִוד ּהוא ַה ָּק ָטן ּושׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ַה ְּג ִדֹלים ָה ְל ּכו and David was the youngest. The three oldest had 14 ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ָ ּאול׃ ,followed Shaul טו ְו ָדִוד ֵהֹל ְך ָושׁ ָ ב ֵמ ַעל שׁ ָ ּאול ִלְרעוֹת ֶאת־ and David would go back and forth from attending 15 צֹאן ָא ִביו ֵּב ָית־ל ֶחם׃ on Shaul to shepherd his father’s flock atBeit Lechem. טז ַוִּי ַּגשׁ ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַהשׁ ְ ֵּכם ְו ַה ֲעֵרב ַוִּי ְתַי ֵּצב The Philistine stepped forward morning and 16 ַאְר ָּב ִעים יוֹם׃ .evening and took his stand for forty days יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִישׁ ַ י ְל ָדִוד ְּבנוֹ ַק ָח־נא ְל ַא ֶח ָיך Yishai said to his son David, “Take an efah of this 17 ֵא ַיפת ַה ָּק ִליא ַהֶ ּזה ַו ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ֶל ֶחם ַהֶ ּזה parched corn and these ten loaves of bread for your ְו ָהֵרץ ַה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ְל ַא ֶח ָיך׃ brothers, and carry them quickly to your brothers in camp. יח ְו ֵאת ֲע ֶשׂ ֶרת ֲחִר ֵצי ֶה ָח ָלב ָה ֵא ֶּלה ָּת ִביא Take these ten cheeses to the captain of their 18 ְל ַשׂ ָר־ה ָא ֶלף ְו ֶא ַת־א ֶח ָיך ִּת ְפקֹד ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם thousand. Find out how your brothers are and ְו ֶא ֲת־עֻר ָּב ָתם ִּת ָּקח׃ ”.bring some token from them יט ְושׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֵה ָּמה ְו ָכ ִל־אישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְּב ֵע ֶמק Shaul and the brothers and all the men of Yisrael 19 ָה ֵא ָלה ִנ ְל ָח ִמים ִע ְּם־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ were in the valley of Elah, in the war against the Philistines. כ ַוַּישׁ ְ ֵּכם ָ ּדִוד ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ַוִּי ּטֹשׁ ֶא ַת־ה ּצֹאן ַעל־ Early next morning, David left someone in charge 20 שׁ ֵֹמר ַוִּי ָּשׂא ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִצָּו ּהו ִישׁ ָ י ַוָּיבֹא of the flock, took [the provisions], and set out, as ַה ַּמ ְע ָּג ָלה ְו ַה ַחִיל ַה ּי ֵֹצא ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ֲעָר ָכה his father Yishai had instructed him. He reached the ְו ֵהֵר ּעו ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ barricade as the army was going out to the battle lines shouting the war cry. כא ַו ַּת ֲע ְרֹך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַמ ֲעָר ָכה Yisrael and the Philistines drew up their battle lines 21 ִל ְקַראת ַמ ֲעָר ָכה׃ .opposite each other כב ַוִּי ּטֹשׁ ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ֵּכ ִלים ֵמ ָע ָליו ַע ַל־יד David left his baggage with the man in charge of the 22 שׁ ֵוֹמר ַה ֵּכ ִלים ַוָּיָרץ ַה ַּמ ֲעָר ָכה ַוָּיבֹא baggage and ran toward the battle line and went to ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ְל ֶא ָחיו ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ .greet his brothers כג ְו ּהוא ְמ ַד ֵּבר ִע ָּמם ְו ִה ֵנּה ִאישׁ ַה ֵּב ַנִים While he was talking to them, the champion, whose 23 ֶעוֹלה ָּג ְלָית ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי שׁ ְ מוֹ ִמ ַּגת name was Goliath, the Philistine of Gath, stepped ממערות ִ]מ ַּמ ַעְרכוֹת[ ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוְי ַד ֵּבר forward from the Philistine ranks and spoke the ַּכ ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ָ ּדִוד׃ .same words as before; and David heard him כד ְוכֹל ִאישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּבְר ָאוֹתם ֶא ָת־ה ִאישׁ When the men of Yisrael saw the man, they fled in 24 ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו ִמ ָּפ ָניו ַוִּי ְיר ּאו ְמאֹד׃ .terror

63 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

כה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִאישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ְּר ִא ֶיתם ָה ִאישׁ And the men of Yisrael were saying [among 25 ָה ֶעֹלה ַהֶ ּזה ִּכי ְל ָחֵרף ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶעֹלה ?themselves], “Do you see that man coming out ְו ָהָיה ָה ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ַר־י ֶּכ ּנּו ַי ְעשׁ ְ ֶר ּנּו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך He comes out to defy Yisrael! The man who kills עֹשׁ ֶ ר ָּגדוֹל ְו ֶא ִּת־ב ּתוֹ ִי ֶּתן־לוֹ ְו ֵאת ֵּבית ;him will be rewarded by the king with great riches ָא ִביו ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ָח ְפשׁ ִ י ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ he will also give him his daughter in marriage and grant exemption to his father’s house in Yisrael.” כו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָל־ה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ָה ְעֹמ ִדים ִע ּמוֹ David asked the men standing near him, “What 26 ֵלאמֹר ַמ ֵּה־י ָע ֶשׂה ָל ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ֶּכה will be done for the man who kills that Philistine

Samuel ֶא ַת־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַה ָּלז ְו ֵה ִסיר ֶחְר ָּפה ֵמ ַעל and removes the disgrace from Yisrael? Who is ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכי ִמי ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶה ָעֵרל ַהֶ ּזה ִּכי that uncircumcised Philistine that he dares defy ֵחֵרף ַמ ַעְרכוֹת ֱא ִלֹהים ַחִּיים׃ ”?the ranks of the living God va-YO-mer da-VID el ha-a-na-SHEEM ha-o-m’-DEEM i-MO lay-MOR mah yay-a- SEH la-EESH a-SHER ya-KEH et ha-p’-lish-TEE ha-LAZ v’-hay-SEER kher-PAH may-AL yis-ra-AYL KEE MEE ha-p’-lish-TEE he-a-RAYL ha-ZEH KEE khay-RAYF ma-ar-KHOT e-lo-HEEM kha-YEEM כז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ָה ָעם ַּכ ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ֵלאמֹר ּכֹה The troops told him in the same words what would 27 ֵי ָע ֶשׂה ָל ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ֶּכ ּנּו׃ .be done for the man who killed him כח ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ֱא ִל ָיאב ָא ִחיו ַה ָּגדוֹל ְּב ַד ְּברוֹ When Eliav, his oldest brother, heard him 28 ֶא ָל־ה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ַוִּי ַח ַר־אף ֱא ִל ָיאב ְּב ָדִוד speaking to the men, Eliav became angry with ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ָּמ ֶ ּה־זה ָיַר ְד ָּת ְו ַע ִל־מי ָנ ַטשׁ ְ ָּת ,David and said, “Why did you come down here ְמ ַעט ַה ּצֹאן ָה ֵה ָנּה ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ֲא ִני ָי ַד ְע ִּתי and with whom did you leave those few sheep ֶא ְת־ז ְדֹנ ָך ְו ֵאת ַרֹע ְל ָב ֶב ָך ִּכי ְל ַמ ַען ְראוֹת in the wilderness? I know your impudence and ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ָיָר ְד ָּת׃ your impertinence: you came down to watch the fighting!” כט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶמה ָע ִשׂ ִיתי ָע ָּתה ֲהלוֹא ָ ּד ָבר But David replied, “What have I done now? I was 29 ּהוא׃ ”!only asking ל ַוִּי ּסֹב ֵמ ֶא ְצלוֹ ֶא ּל־מול ַא ֵחר ַו ּי ֶֹאמר And he turned away from him toward someone 30 ַּכ ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ַוְישׁ ִ ֻב ּהו ָה ָעם ָ ּד ָבר ַּכ ָ ּד ָבר else; he asked the same question, and the troops ָהִראשׁ וֹן׃ .gave him the same answer as before לא ַוְּישָּׁ ְמ ּעו ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ֶּבר ָ ּדִוד ַוַּי ִּג ּדו The thingsDavid said were overheard and were 31 ִל ְפ ֵני־שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ָּק ֵח ּהו׃ .reported to Shaul, who had him brought over לב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַא ִל־י ּפֹל ֵל ָב־א ָדם .David said to Shaul, “Let no man’s courage fail him 32 ָע ָליו ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֵי ֵל ְך ְו ִנ ְל ַחם ִע ַם־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ”!Your servant will go and fight that Philistine ַהֶ ּזה׃

17:26 That he dares defy the ranks of the living God Himself, and is prepared to risk his life to defeat God? David expresses his conviction that the Goliath in order to defend the nation and God’s honor. battle against Goliath and the Philistines is far more than Hashem responds by granting the nation a miraculous an ordinary military affair. Goliath taunts the entire victory at the hands of the young David. We see similar Nation of Israel, and thus by extension, the God of Israel. stories in our own generation, when the small Nation Defeating him is therefore not only a military necessity, of Israel has miraculously defeated armies far larger than Valley of Elah but also a spiritual imperative. David understands that their own, and whose citizens have frequently seen the where David an attack on the People of Israel is always an attack on hand of God intervening to save Jews from peril. fought Goliath

64 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

לג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד לֹא ּתו ַכל ָל ֶל ֶכת But Shaul said to David, “You cannot go to that 33 ֶא ַל־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַהֶ ּזה ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם ִע ּמוֹ ִּכ ַי־נ ַער Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he ַא ָּתה ְו ּהוא ִאישׁ ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ִמ ְנּ ֻעָריו׃ ”!has been a warrior from his youth לד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ֶרֹעה ָהָיה ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך David replied to Shaul, “Your servant has been 34 ְל ָא ִביו ַּב ּצֹאן ּו ָבא ָה ֲאִרי ְו ֶא ַת־ה ּדוֹב tending his father’s sheep, and if a lion or a bear ְו ָנ ָשׂא ֶשׂה ֵמ ָה ֵע ֶדר׃ ,came and carried off an animal from the flock לה ְוָי ָצ ִאתי ַא ֲחָריו ְו ִה ִּכ ִתיו ְו ִה ַּצ ְל ִּתי ִמ ִּפיו I would go after it and fight it and rescue it from its 35 ּ mouth. And if it attacked me, I would seize it by the

ַוָי ָקם ָע ַלי ְו ֶה ֱחַז ְק ִּתי ִּבְז ָקנוֹ ְו ִה ִּכ ִתיו Samuel ַו ֲה ִמ ִּיתיו׃ .beard and strike it down and kill it לו ַּגם ֶא ָת־ה ֲאִרי ַּג ַם־ה ּדוֹב ִה ָּכה ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and 36 ְו ָהָיה ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶה ָעֵרל ַהֶ ּזה ְּכ ַא ַחד ֵמ ֶהם that uncircumcised Philistine shall end up like one ִּכי ֵחֵרף ַמ ַעְרכֹת ֱא ִלֹהים ַחִּיים׃ of them, for he has defied the ranks of the living Hashem. לז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ְי ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ִּצ ַל ִני ִמַּיד Hashem,” David went on, “who saved me from lion 37 ָה ֲאִרי ּו ִמַּיד ַה ּדֹב ּהוא ַי ִּצ ֵיל ִני ִמַּיד ”.and bear will also save me from that Philistine ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַהֶ ּזה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ֵל ְך Then go,”Shaul said to David, “and may Hashem“ ַו ָיהֹוה ִי ְהֶיה ִע ָּמ ְך׃ ”!be with you לח ַוַּי ְל ֵּבשׁ שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ַמ ָ ּדיו ְו ָנ ַתן ַקוֹבע Shaul clothed David in his own garment; he 38 ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוַּי ְל ֵּבשׁ אֹתוֹ שׁ ִ ְריוֹן׃ placed a bronze helmet on his head and fastened a breastplate on him. לט ַוַּי ְח ּגֹר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־חְר ּבוֹ ֵמ ַעל ְל ַמ ָ ּדיו ַו ּי ֶֹאל David girded his sword over his garment. Then he 39 ָל ֶל ֶכת ִּכי ִלֹא־נ ָּסה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶאל־ tried to walk; but he was not used to it. And David שׁ ָ ּאול לֹא ּאו ַכל ָל ֶל ֶכת ָּב ֵא ֶּלה ִּכי לֹא said to Shaul, “I cannot walk in these, for I am not ִנ ִּס ִיתי ַוְי ִסֵרם ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ָע ָליו׃ .used to them.” So David took them off מ ַוִּי ַּקח ַמ ְקלוֹ ְּבָידוֹ ַוִּי ְב ַחר־לוֹ ֲח ִמשָּׁ ה He took his stick, picked a few smooth stones 40 ַח ֻּל ֵק ֲי־א ָב ִנים ִמ ַן־ה ַנּ ַחל ַוָּי ֶשׂם ָאֹתם from the wadi, put them in the pocket of his ִּב ְכ ִלי ָה ִרֹעים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־לוֹ ּו ַבַּי ְל ּקוט ְו ַק ְּלעוֹ shepherd’s bag and, sling in hand, he went toward ְבָידוֹ ַוִּי ַּגשׁ ֶא ַל־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי׃ .the Philistine מא ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ֵהֹל ְך ְו ָקֵרב ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד The Philistine, meanwhile, was coming closer to 41 ְו ָה ִאישׁ ֵנֹשׂא ַה ִּצ ָנּה ְל ָפ ָניו׃ .David, preceded by his shield-bearer מב ַוַּי ֵּבט ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַוִּיְר ֶאה ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ַוִּי ְבֵז ּהו When the Philistine caught sight of David, he scorned 42 ִּכ ָי־הָיה ַנ ַער ְו ַא ְד ִמֹני ִע ְם־י ֵפה ַמְר ֶאה׃ .him, for he was but a boy, ruddy and handsome מג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ֲה ֶכ ֶלב ָא ִנֹכי And the Philistine called out to David, “Am I a 43 ִּכ ַי־א ָּתה ָב ֵא־א ַלי ַּב ַּמ ְקלוֹת ַוְי ַק ֵּלל dog that you come against me with sticks?” The ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ֵּב ָאלֹהיו׃ ;Philistine cursed David by his gods מד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ְל ָכה ֵא ַלי and the Philistine said to David, “Come here, and 44 ְו ֶא ְּת ָנה ֶא ְּת־ב ָשׂ ְר ָך ְלעוֹף ַהשָּׁ ַמִים I will give your flesh to the birds of the sky and the ּו ְל ֶב ֱה ַמת ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ ”.beasts of the field מה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַל־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַא ָּתה ָּבא ֵא ַלי David replied to the Philistine, “You come against 45 ְּב ֶחֶרב ּו ַב ֲח ִנית ּו ְב ִכידוֹן ְו ָא ִנֹכי ָב ֵא־א ֶל ָיך me with sword and spear and javelin; but I come ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֱא ֵלֹהי ַמ ַעְרכוֹת against you in the name of the lord of Hosts, the ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵחַר ְפ ָּת׃ .God of the ranks of Yisrael, whom you have defied

65 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

מו ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ְי ַס ֶּגְר ָך ְי ָהֹוה ְּבָי ִדי ְו ִה ִּכ ִית ָך This very dayHashem will deliver you into my 46 ַו ֲה ִס ִרֹתי ֶאת־רֹאשׁ ְ ָך ֵמ ָע ֶל ָיך ְו ָנ ַת ִּתי hands. I will kill you and cut off your head; and I ֶּפ ֶגר ַמ ֲח ֵנה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ְלעוֹף will give the carcasses of the Philistine camp to the ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ּו ְל ַחַּית ָה ָאֶרץ ְוֵי ְד ּעו ָּכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth. All the ִּכי ֵישׁ ֱא ִלֹהים ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .earth shall know that there is a Hashem in Yisrael מז ְוֵי ְד ּעו ָּכ ַל־ה ָּק ָהל ַהֶ ּזה ִּכי־לֹא ְּב ֶחֶרב And this whole assembly shall know that Hashem 47 ּו ַב ֲח ִנית ְיהוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ְי ָהֹוה ִּכי ַל ָיהֹוה can give victory without sword or spear. For the ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ָנ ַתן ֶא ְת ֶכם ְּבָי ֵד ּנו׃ battle isHashem ’s, and He will deliver you into our hands.” Samuel מח ְו ָהָיה ִּכ ָי־קם ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַוִּי ְקַרב When the Philistine began to advance toward him 48 ִל ְקַראת ָ ּדִוד ַוְי ַמ ֵהר ָ ּדִוד ַוָּיָרץ ַה ַּמ ֲעָר ָכה again, David quickly ran up to the battle line to face ִל ְקַראת ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי׃ .the Philistine מט ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָת־ידוֹ ֶא ַל־ה ֶּכ ִלי ַוִּי ַּקח David put his hand into the bag; he took out a 49 ִמשָּׁ ם ֶא ֶבן ַוְי ַק ַּלע ַוַּי ְך ֶא ַת־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי stone and slung it. It struck the Philistine in the ֶא ִל־מ ְצחוֹ ַו ִּת ְט ַּבע ָה ֶא ֶבן ְּב ִמ ְצחוֹ ַוִּי ּפֹל forehead; the stone sank into his forehead, and he ַע ָּל־פ ָניו ָאְר ָצה׃ .fell face down on the ground נ ַוֶּי ֱחַזק ָ ּדִוד ִמ ַן־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַּב ֶּק ַלע ּו ָב ֶא ֶבן ThusDavid bested the Philistine with sling and 50 ַוַּי ְך ֶא ַת־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַוְי ִמ ֵית ּהו ְו ֶחֶרב ֵאין stone; he struck him down and killed him. David ְּבַי ָ ּד־דִוד׃ ;had no sword נא ַוָּיָרץ ָ ּדִוד ַוַּי ֲעמֹד ֶא ַל־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַוִּי ַּקח ,so David ran up and stood over the Philistine 51 ֶא ַת־חְר ּבוֹ ַוִּישׁ ְ ְל ָפ ּה ִמ ַּת ְעָר ּה ַוְי ְמֹת ֵת ּהו ;grasped his sword and pulled it from its sheath ַוִּי ְכָר ָּת־ב ּה ֶאת־רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוִּיְר ּאו ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים .and with it he dispatched him and cut off his head ִּכ ֵי־מת ִּג ּב ָוֹרם ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו׃ When the Philistines saw that their warrior was dead, they ran. נב ַוָּי ֻק ּמו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִו ּיהו ָדה ַוָּיִר ּעו The men ofYisrael and Yehuda rose up with a war 52 ַוִּיְר ְ ּד ּפו ֶא ַת־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַע ּד־ב ֲוֹא ָך ַגְיא cry and they pursued the Philistines all the way to ְו ַעד שׁ ַ ֲעֵרי ֶע ְקרוֹן ַוִּי ְּפ ּלו ַח ְל ֵלי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים Gai and up to the gates of Ekron; the Philistines fell ְּב ֶדֶר ְך שׁ ַ ֲעַרִים ְו ַע ַּד־גת ְו ַע ֶד־ע ְקרוֹן׃ mortally wounded along the road to Shaarim up to Gath and Ekron. נג ַוָּישׁ ֻ ּבו ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמ ְ ּדלֹק ַא ֲחֵרי Then the Israelites returned from chasing the 53 ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוָּישׁ ֹּס ּו ֶא ַת־מ ֲח ֵנ ֶיהם׃ .Philistines and looted their camp נד ַוִּי ַּקח ָ ּדִוד ֶאת־רֹאשׁ ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַוְי ִב ֵא ּהו David took the head of the Philistine and brought 54 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם ְו ֶא ֵּת־כ ָליו ָשׂם ְּב ָא ֳהלוֹ׃ it to Yerushalayim; and he put his weapons in his own tent. נה ְו ִכְראוֹת שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ֵיֹצא ִל ְקַראת When Shaul saw David going out to assault the 55 ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ָא ַמר ֶא ַל־א ְב ֵנר ַשׂר ַה ָּצ ָבא ,Philistine, he asked his army commander Avner ֶּב ִן־מ ֶי־זה ַה ַנּ ַער ַא ְב ֵנר ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְב ֵנר ֵחי־ ,Whose son is that boy, Avner?” And Avner replied“ ַנ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִא ָם־י ָד ְע ִּתי׃ ”.By your life, Your Majesty, I do not know“ נו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך שׁ ְ ַאל ַא ָּתה ֶּב ִן־מ ֶי־זה Then find out whose son that young fellow is,” the“ 56 ָה ָע ֶלם׃ .king ordered נז ּו ְכשׁ ּוב ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ַה ּכוֹת ֶא ַת־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַוִּי ַּקח ,So when David returned after killing the Philistine 57 אֹתוֹ ַא ְב ֵנר ַוְי ִב ֵא ּהו ִל ְפ ֵני שׁ ָ ּאול ְורֹאשׁ Avner took him and brought him to Shaul, with the ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ְּבָידוֹ׃ .head of the Philistine still in his hand

66 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק חי Chapter 18

נח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו שׁ ָ ּאול ֶּב ִן־מי ַא ָּתה ַה ָנּ ַער ”?Shaul said to him, “Whose son are you, my boy 58 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶּב ַן־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִישׁ ַ י ֵּבית ַה ַּל ְח ִמי׃ And David answered, “The son of your servant Yishai the Bethlehemite.” א ַוְי ִהי ְּכ ַכ ּלֹתוֹ ְל ַד ֵּבר ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶנ ֶפשׁ , When [David] finished speaking withShaul 1 18 יח ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ִנ ְקשׁ ְ ָרה ְּב ֶנ ֶפשׁ ָ ּדִוד ויאהבו Yehonatan’s soul became bound up with the soul of ַ]וֶּי ֱא ָה ֵב ּהו[ ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְּכ ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ׃ .David; Yehonatan loved David as himself ב ַוִּי ָּק ֵח ּהו שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְולֹא ְנ ָתנוֹ Shaul took him [into his service] that day and 2 ָלשׁ ּוב ֵּבית ָא ִביו׃ —.would not let him return to his father’s house Samuel ג ַוִּי ְכרֹת ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְו ָדִוד ְּבִרית ְּב ַא ֲה ָבתוֹ אֹתוֹ Yehonatan and David made a pact, because 3 ְ ּ כ ַ נ ְ פ שׁ ֹ ו ׃ .Yehonatan] loved him as himself] ד ַוִּי ְת ַּפשֵּׁ ט ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶא ַת־ה ְּמ ִעיל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Yehonatan took off the cloak and tunic he was 4 ָע ָליו ַוִּי ְּת ֵנ ּהו ְל ָדִוד ּו ַמ ָ ּדיו ְו ַע ַד־חְר ּבוֹ wearing and gave them to David, together with his ְו ַע ַד־קשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ְו ַע ֲד־חגֹרוֹ׃ .sword, bow, and belt va-yit-pa-SHAYT y’-ho-na-TAN et ha-m’-EEL a-SHER a-LAV va-yi-t’-NAY-hu l’-da- VID u-ma-DAV v’-ad khar-BO v’-ad kash-TO v’-ad kha-go-RO ה ַוֵּי ֵצא ָדִוד ְּבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִישׁ ְ ָל ֶח ּנּו שׁ ָ ּאול David went out [with the troops], and he was 5 ַי ְשׂ ִּכיל ַוְי ִשׂ ֵמ ּהו שׁ ָ ּאול ַעל ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י successful in every mission on which Shaul sent ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ַוִּי ַיטב ְּב ֵע ֵיני ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְו ַגם him, and Shaul put him in command of all the ְּב ֵע ֵיני ַע ְב ֵדי שׁ ָ ּאול׃ soldiers; this pleased all the troops and Shaul’s courtiers as well. ו ַוְי ִהי ְּב ָבוֹאם ְּבשׁ ּוב ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ַה ּכוֹת ֶאת־ When the [troops] came home [and] David 6 ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַו ֵּת ֶצ ָאנה ַה ָנּשׁ ִ ים ִמ ָּכ ָל־עֵרי returned from killing the Philistine, the women ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל לשור ָ]לשׁ ִ יר[ ְו ַה ְּמחֹלוֹת of all the towns of Yisrael came out singing ִל ְקַראת שׁ ָ ּאול ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּב ֻת ִּפים ְּב ִשׂ ְמ ָחה ,and dancing to greet King Shaul with timbrels ּ ו ְ ב שׁ ָ ִ ל שׁ ִ י ם ׃ .shouting, and sistrums ז ַו ַּת ֲע ֶנ ָינה ַה ָנּשׁ ִ ים ַה ְמ ַשׂ ֲחקוֹת ַו ּת ַֹאמְרןָ :The women sang as they danced, and they chanted 7 ִה ָּכה שׁ ָ ּאול באלפו ַּ]ב ֲא ָל ָפיו[ ְו ָדִוד Shaul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of ְּבִר ְב ָבֹתיו׃ !thousands ח ַוִּי ַחר ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ְמאֹד ַוֵּיַרע ְּב ֵע ָיניו ַה ָ ּד ָבר Shaul was much distressed and greatly vexed about 8 ַהֶ ּזה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָנ ְת ּנו ְל ָדִוד ְר ָבבוֹת ְו ִלי ָנ ְת ּנו the matter. For he said, “ToDavid they have given ָה ֲא ָל ִפים ְועוֹד לוֹ ַא ְך ַה ְּמ ּלו ָכה׃ tens of thousands, and to me they have given thousands. All that he lacks is the kingship!” ט ַוְי ִהי שׁ ָ ּאול עון ֵ]עוֹין[ ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ֵמ ַה ּיוֹם .From that day on Shaul kept a jealous eye on David 9 ַה ּהוא ָו ָה ְל ָאה׃

18:4 Yehonatan took off the cloak and tunic he reason to be jealous of David who was destined to be was wearing and gave them to David The Sages the new king of Israel. But instead, Yehonatan accepts view the mutual affection shared by Yehonatan and the decree. He not only protects David from his father, David as the epitome of true love between friends, as King Shaul, but also gives him the symbol of his position neither has any ulterior motives (Ethics of the Fathers as heir to the throne. Yehonatan recognizes that David 5:16). Indeed, as the heir apparent, Yehonatan has every is to be the founder of the eternal dynasty of Israel.

67 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק חי Chapter 18

י ַוְי ִהי ִמ ָּמ ֳחָרת ַו ִּת ְצ ַלח ּרו ַח ֱא ִלֹהים ָר ָעה The next day an evil spirit ofHashem gripped Shaul 10 ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ְת ַנ ֵּבא ְב ְתוֹך ַ־ה ַּבִית ְו ָדִוד and he began to rave in the house, while David was ְמ ַנ ֵּגן ְּבָידוֹ ְּכיוֹם ְּביוֹם ְו ַה ֲח ִנית ְּבַיד־ playing [the lyre], as he did daily. Shaul had a spear שׁ ָ ּאול׃ ,in his hand יא ַוָּי ֶטל שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַת־ה ֲח ִנית ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ֶּכה and Shaul threw the spear, thinking to pin David to 11 ְב ָדִוד ּו ַב ִּקיר ַוִּי ּסֹב ָ ּדִוד ִמ ָּפ ָניו ַּפ ֲע ָמִים׃ .the wall. But David eluded him twice יב ַוִּיָרא שׁ ָ ּאול ִמ ִּל ְפ ֵני ָדִוד ִּכ ָי־הָיה ְי ָהֹוה Shaul was afraid of David, for Hashem was with him 12

Samuel ִע ּמוֹ ּו ֵמ ִעם שׁ ָ ּאול ָסר׃ .and had turned away from Shaul יג ַוְי ִסֵר ּהו שׁ ָ ּאול ֵמ ִע ּמוֹ ַוְי ִשׂ ֵמ ּהו לוֹ ַשׂר־ So Shaul removed him from his presence and 13 ָא ֶלף ַוֵּי ֵצא ַוָּיבֹא ִל ְפ ֵני ָה ָעם׃ appointed him chief of a thousand, to march at the head of the troops. יד ַוְי ִהי ָדִוד ְל ָכ ָ ּל־דְר ָכו ַמ ְשׂ ִּכיל ַו ָיהֹוה ִע ּמוֹ׃ David was successful in all his undertakings, for 14 Hashem was with him; טו ַוַּיְרא שׁ ָ ּאול ֲאשׁ ֶ ּר־הוא ַמ ְשׂ ִּכיל ְמאֹד and when Shaul saw that he was successful, he 15 ַוָּי ָגר ִמ ָּפ ָניו׃ .dreaded him טז ְו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִו ּיהו ָדה ֵאֹהב ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ִּכי־ All Yisrael and Yehuda loved David, for he marched 16 ּהוא ֵיוֹצא ָו ָבא ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם׃ .at their head יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ִה ֵנּה ִב ִּתי ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ,Shaul said to David, “Here is my older daughter 17 ֵמַרב ָאֹת ּה ֶא ֶּת ְן־ל ָך ְל ִאשָּׁ ה ַא ְך ֱהֵיה־ ,Merab; I will give her to you in marriage; in return ִּלי ְל ֶב ַן־חִיל ְו ִה ָּל ֵחם ִמ ְל ֲחמוֹת ְי ָהֹוה ”. you be my warrior and fight the battles ofHashem ְושׁ ָ ּאול ָא ַמר ַא ְּל־ת ִהי ָי ִדי ּבוֹ ּו ְת ִהי־בוֹ Shaul thought: “Let not my hand strike him; let the ַי ְּד־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”.hand of the Philistines strike him יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ִמי ָא ִנֹכי ּו ִמי ַחַּיי David replied to Shaul, “Who am I and what is my 18 ִמשׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ָא ִבי ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ֶי־א ְהֶיה ָח ָתן life—my father’s family in Yisrael—that I should ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”?become Your Majesty’s son-in-law יט ַוְי ִהי ְּב ֵעת ֵּתת ֶא ֵת־מַרב ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ,But at the time that Merab, daughter of Shaul 19 ְל ָדִוד ְו ִהיא ִנ ְּת ָנה ְל ַע ְדִר ֵיאל ַה ְּמ ָחֹל ִתי should have been given to David, she was given in ְ ל ִ א שׁ ּ ָ ה ׃ .marriage to Adriel the Meholathite כ ַו ֶּת ֱא ַהב ִמ ַיכל ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ַוַּי ִּג ּדו Now Michal daughter of Shaul had fallen in love 20 ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּישׁ ַ ר ַה ָ ּד ָבר ְּב ֵע ָיניו׃ ,with David; and when this was reported to Shaul he was pleased. כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ְּת ֶנ ָנּה ּלוֹ ּו ְת ִהי־לוֹ Shaul thought: “I will give her to him, and she can 21 ְל ֵמוֹקשׁ ּו ְת ִהי־בוֹ ַי ְּד־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַו ּי ֶֹאמר serve as a snare for him, so that the Philistines may שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ִּבשׁ ְ ַּתִים ִּת ְת ַח ֵּתן ִּבי kill him.” So Shaul said to David, “You can become ַה ּיוֹ ם׃ ”.my son-in-law even now through the second one כב ַוְי ַצו שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ֲת־ע ָב ָדו ַ ּד ְּב ּרו ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד And Shaul instructed his courtiers to say to David 22 ַּב ָּלט ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ָח ֵפץ ְּב ָך ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָכל־ privately, “The king is fond of you and all his ֲע ָב ָדיו ֲא ֵה ּבו ָך ְו ַע ָּתה ִה ְת ַח ֵּתן ַּב ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ courtiers like you. So why not become the king’s son-in-law?”

68 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק טי Chapter 19

כג ַוְי ַד ְּב ּרו ַע ְב ֵדי שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ָאְז ֵני ָדִוד ֶאת־ When the king’s courtiers repeated these words to 23 ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַה ְנ ַק ָּלה David, David replied, “Do you think that becoming ְב ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם ִה ְת ַח ֵּתן ַּב ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָא ִנֹכי ִאישׁ ָ־רשׁ the son-in-law of a king is a small matter, when I am ְו ִנ ְק ֶלה׃ ”?but a poor man of no consequence כד ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ַע ְב ֵדי שׁ ָ ּאול לוֹ ֵלאמֹר ַּכ ְ ּד ָבִרים Shaul’s courtiers reported to him, “This is what 24 ָה ֵא ֶּלה ִ ּד ֶּבר ָ ּדִוד׃ ”.David answered כה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ּכ ְֹה־תֹאמ ּרו ְל ָדִוד ֵאין־ And Shaul said, “Say this to David: ‘The king 25 ְ desires no other bride-price than the foreskins of

ֵח ֶפץ ַל ֶּמ ֶלך ְּב ַמֹהר ִּכי ְּב ֵמ ָאה ָעְרלוֹת Samuel ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְל ִה ָנּ ֵקם ְּב ְאֹי ֵבי ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְושׁ ָ ּאול a hundred Philistines, as vengeance on the king’s ָחשׁ ַ ב ְל ַה ִּפיל ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ְּבַי ְּד־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ enemies.’”—Shaul intended to bring about David’s death at the hands of the Philistines.— כו ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ֲע ָב ָדיו ְל ָדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה When his courtiers told this to David, David was 26 ַוִּישׁ ַ ר ַה ָ ּד ָבר ְּב ֵע ֵיני ָדִוד ְל ִה ְת ַח ֵּתן ַּב ֶּמ ֶל ְך -pleased with the idea of becoming the king’s son ְולֹא ָמ ְל ּאו ַהָּי ִמים׃ ,in-law. Before the time had expired כז ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ּהוא ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ַוַּי ְך David went out with his men and killed two 27 ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָמ ַאתִים ִאישׁ ַוָּי ֵבא ָדִוד ֶאת־ hundred Philistines; David brought their foreskins ָעְר ֵלֹת ֶיהם ַוְי ַמ ְל ּאום ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ִה ְת ַח ֵּתן and they were counted out for the king, that he ַּב ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוִּי ֶּתן־לוֹ שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ִת־מ ַיכל ִּב ּתוֹ might become the king’s son-in-law. Shaul then ְ ל ִ א שׁ ּ ָ ה ׃ .gave him his daughter Michal in marriage כח ַוַּיְרא שׁ ָ ּאול ַוֵּי ַדע ִּכי ְי ָהֹוה ִע ָ ּם־דִוד When Shaul realized that Hashem was with David 28 ּו ִמ ַיכל ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ֲא ֵה ַב ְת ּהו׃ ,and that Michal daughter of Shaul loved him כט ַו ּי ֶֹאסף שׁ ָ ּאול ֵלרֹא ִמ ְּפ ֵני ָדִוד עוֹד ַוְי ִהי Shaul grew still more afraid of David; and Shaul was 29 שׁ ָ ּאול ֵאֹיב ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ָּכ ַל־הָּי ִמים׃ .David’s enemy ever after ל ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ָשׂ ֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוְי ִהי ִמ ֵ ּדי ֵצ ָאתם The Philistine chiefs marched out [to battle]; and 30 ָשׂ ַכל ָ ּדִוד ִמ ּכֹל ַע ְב ֵדי שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ַיקר שׁ ְ מוֹ every time they marched out, David was more ְמאֹד׃ successful than all the other officers ofShaul . His reputation soared. א ַוְי ַד ֵּבר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָל־יוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ ְו ֶא ָּל־כל־ Shaul urged his son Yonatan and all his courtiers to 1 19 יט ֲע ָב ָדיו ְל ָה ִמית ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ֶּבן־ kill David. But Shaul’s son Yehonatan was very fond שׁ ָ ּאול ָח ֵפץ ְּב ָדִוד ְמאֹד׃ ,of David ב ַוַּי ֵּגד ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְל ָדִוד ֵלאמֹר ְמ ַב ֵּקשׁ שׁ ָ ּאול and Yehonatan told David, “My father Shaul is 2 ָא ִבי ַל ֲה ִמ ֶית ָך ְו ַע ָּתה ִהשָּׁ ֶמ ָר־נא ַב ּב ֶֹקר bent on killing you. Be on your guard tomorrow ְוָישׁ ַ ְב ָּת ַב ֵּס ֶתר ְו ַנ ְח ֵּב ָאת׃ .morning; get to a secret place and remain in hiding ג ַו ֲא ִני ֵא ֵצא ְו ָע ַמ ְד ִּתי ְלַי ָד־א ִבי ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה I will go out and stand next to my father in the field 3 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַא ָּתה שׁ ָ ם ַו ֲא ִני ֲא ַד ֵּבר ְּב ָך ֶא ָל־א ִבי where you will be, and I will speak to my father ְוָר ִא ִיתי ָמה ְו ִה ַּג ְד ִּתי ָל ְך׃ ”.about you. If I learn anything, I will tell you ד ַוְי ַד ֵּבר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְּב ָדִוד טוֹב ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול So Yehonatan spoke well of David to his father 4 ָא ִביו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ַא ֶל־י ֱח ָטא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך Shaul. He said to him, “Let not Your Majesty wrong ְּב ַע ְב ּדוֹ ְב ָדִוד ִּכי לוֹא ָח ָטא ָל ְך ְו ִכי ;his servant David, for he has not wronged you ַמ ֲע ָשׂיו ְטוֹב־ל ָך ְמאֹד׃ indeed, all his actions have been very much to your advantage.

69 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק טי Chapter 19

ה ַוָּי ֶשׂם ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ וֹ ְב ַכ ּפוֹ ַוַּי ְך ֶא ַת־ה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי He took his life in his hands and killed the 5 ַוַּי ַעשׂ ְי ָהֹוה ְּתשׁ ּו ָעה ְג ָדוֹלה ְל ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Philistine, and Hashem wrought a great victory ָר ִא ָית ַו ִּת ְשׂ ָמח ְו ָל ָּמה ֶת ֱח ָטא ְּב ָדם ָנ ִקי for all Yisrael. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then ְל ָה ִמית ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ִח ָנּם׃ should you incur the guilt of shedding the blood of an innocent man, killing David without cause?” ו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע שׁ ָ ּאול ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ַוִּישָּׁ ַבע ,Shaul heeded Yehonatan’s plea, and Shaul swore 6 שׁ ָ ּאול ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ִא ּם־יו ָמת׃ ”!A s Hashem lives, he shall not be put to death“ ז ַוִּי ְקָרא ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְל ָדִוד ַוַּי ֶּגד־לוֹ ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן Yehonatan called David, and Yehonatan told him all 7 Samuel ֵאת ָּכ ַל־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַוָּי ֵבא ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן this. ThenYehonatan brought David to Shaul, and ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַוְי ִהי ְל ָפ ָניו ְּכ ֶא ְתמוֹל .he served him as before שׁ ִ ְ ל שׁ ֹ ו ם ׃ ח ַו ּת ֶוֹסף ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ִל ְהיוֹת ַוֵּי ֵצא ָדִוד Fighting broke out again. David went out and 8 ַוִּי ָּל ֶחם ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוַּי ְך ָּב ֶהם ַמ ָּכה ְג ָדוֹלה fought the Philistines. He inflicted a great defeat ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו ִמ ָּפ ָניו׃ .upon them and they fled before him ט ַו ְּת ִהי ּרו ַח ְי ָהֹוה ָר ָעה ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ּהוא Then an evil spirit ofHashem came upon Shaul 9 ְּב ֵביתוֹ יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ַו ֲח ִניתוֹ ְּבָידוֹ ְו ָדִוד ְמ ַנ ֵּגן while he was sitting in his house with his spear in ְּבָיד׃ .[his hand, and David was playing [the lyre י ַוְי ַב ֵּקשׁ שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ַה ּכוֹת ַּב ֲח ִנית ְּב ָדִוד ,Shaul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear 10 ּו ַב ִּקיר ַוִּי ְפ ַטר ִמ ְּפ ֵני שׁ ָ ּאול ַוַּי ְך ֶאת־ but he eluded Shaul, so that he drove the spear into ַה ֲח ִנית ַּב ִּקיר ְו ָדִוד ָנס ַוִּי ָּמ ֵלט ַּב ַּלְי ָלה the wall. David fled and got away. That night ּהוא׃ יא ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח שׁ ָ ּאול ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶא ֵּל־בית ָ ּדִוד Shaul sent messengers to David’s home to keep 11 ְלשׁ ָ ְמרוֹ ְו ַל ֲה ִמיתוֹ ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ַו ַּת ֵּגד ְל ָדִוד watch on him and to kill him in the morning. But ִמ ַיכל ִאשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ֵלאמֹר ִא ֵם־א ְינ ָך ְמ ַמ ֵּלט David’s wife Michal told him, “Unless you run for ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ַה ַּלְי ָלה ָמ ָחר ַא ָּתה ּמו ָמת׃ ”.your life tonight, you will be killed tomorrow יב ַו ּתֶֹרד ִמ ַיכל ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ְּב ַעד ַה ַח ּלוֹן ַוֵּי ֶל ְך Michal let David down from the window and he 12 ַוִּי ְבַרח ַוִּי ָּמ ֵלט׃ .escaped and fled va-TO-red mi-KHAL et da-VID b’-AD ha-kha-LON va-YAY-lekh va-yiv-RAKH va-yi- ma-LAYT יג ַו ִּת ַּקח ִמ ַיכל ֶא ַת־ה ְּתָר ִפים ַו ָּת ֶשׂם Michal then took the household idol, laid it on the 13 ֶא ַל־ה ִּמ ָּטה ְו ֵאת ְּכ ִביר ָה ִעִ ּזים ָשׂ ָמה bed, and covered it with a cloth; and at its head she ְמַר ֲאשׁ ָֹתיו ַו ְּת ַכס ַּב ָּב ֶגד׃ .put a net of goat’s hair יד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח שׁ ָ ּאול ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ָל ַק ַחת ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ,Shaul sent messengers to seize David; but she said 14 ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ֶחֹלה ּהוא׃ ”.He is sick“

19:12 Michal let David down from the escape. According to the Sages (Sanhedrin 19b), when window Michal, daughter of King Shaul, is Shaul later gives her as a wife to another man (25:44), David’s wife. Shaul had thought that she would be loyal they heroically refrain from all contact with each other, to her father and surrender David to him. However, like as they both understand that she is still married to David. her brother Yehonatan, Michal recognizes that David Her loyalty to Hashem’s will, despite the risks involved, and his descendants are destined to be the eternal kings forever serves as an inspiration to those who seek to of Israel. She risks her life to help her beloved husband overcome all challenges to do the will of God.

70 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק כ Chapter 20

טו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַת־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ִכים ִלְראוֹת Shaul, however, sent back the messengers to see 15 ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ֵלאמֹר ַה ֲע ּלו אֹתוֹ ַב ִּמ ָּטה ֵא ַלי David for themselves. “Bring him up to me in the ַל ֲה ִמתוֹ ׃ ”.bed,” he ordered, “that he may be put to death טז ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ִכים ְו ִה ֵנּה ַה ְּתָר ִפים ֶאל־ When the messengers came, they found the 16 ַה ִּמ ָּטה ּו ְכ ִביר ָה ִעִ ּזים ְמַר ֲאשׁ ָֹתיו׃ household idol in the bed, with the net of goat’s hair at its head. יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ִל־מ ַיכל ָל ָּמה ָּכ ָכה Shaul said to Michal, “Why did you play that 17

ִר ִּמ ִית ִני ַו ְּתשׁ ַ ְּל ִחי ֶא ְת־אֹי ִבי ַוִּי ָּמ ֵלט ”?Samuel trick on me and let my enemy get away safely ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ִמ ַיכל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ּהו ָא־א ַמר ֵא ַלי :Because,” Michal answered Shaul, “he said to me“ שׁ ַ ְּל ִח ִני ָל ָמה ֲא ִמ ֵית ְך׃ ”’.Help me get away or I’ll kill you‘ יח ְו ָדִוד ָּבַרח ַוִּי ָּמ ֵלט ַוָּיבֹא ֶאל־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל David made good his escape, and he came to 18 ָהָר ָמ ָתה ַוַּי ֶּגד־לוֹ ֵאת ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר ָע ָשׂה־לוֹ Shmuel at Rama and told him all that Shaul had שׁ ָ ּאול ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ּהוא ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוֵּישׁ ְ ּבו בנוית done to him. He and Shmuel went and stayed at ְּ]ב ָניוֹת׃[ .Naioth יט ַוֻּי ַּגד ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ָדִוד בנוית ,Shaul was told that David was at Naioth in Rama 19 ְּ]ב ָניוֹת[ ָּבָר ָמה׃ כ ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח שׁ ָ ּאול ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ָל ַק ַחת ֶאת־ and Shaul sent messengers to seize David. They 20 ָ ּדִוד ַוַּיְרא ֶא ַת־ל ֲה ַקת ַה ְנּ ִב ִיאים ִנ ְּב ִאים saw a band of Neviim speaking in ecstasy, with ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵעֹמד ִנ ָּצב ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ַו ְּת ִהי ַעל־ Shmuel standing by as their leader; and the spirit ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי שׁ ָ ּאול ּרו ַח ֱא ִלֹהים ַוִּי ְת ַנ ְּב ּאו of Hashem came upon Shaul’s messengers and they ַּג ֵם־ה ָּמה׃ .too began to speak in ecstasy כא ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֲא ֵחִרים When Shaul was told about this, he sent other 21 ַוִּי ְת ַנ ְּב ּאו ַּג ֵם־ה ָּמה ַו ּי ֶֹסף שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח messengers; but they too spoke in ecstasy. Shaul ַמ ְל ָא ִכים שׁ ְ ִלשׁ ִ ים ַוִּי ְת ַנ ְּב ּאו ַּג ֵם־ה ָּמה׃ sent a third group of messengers; and they also spoke in ecstasy. כב ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַּג ּם־הוא ָהָר ָמ ָתה ַוָּיבֹא ַע ּד־בוֹר So he himself went to Rama. When he came to the 22 ַה ָּגדוֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּב ֶּשׂ ּכו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר great cistern at Secu, he asked, “Where are Shmuel ֵאיפֹה שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְו ָדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה בנוית and David?” and was told that they were at Naioth ְּ]ב ָניוֹת[ ָּבָר ָמה׃ .in Rama כג ַוֵּי ֶל ְך שׁ ָ ם ֶאל־נוית ָ]ניוֹת[ ָּבָר ָמה ַו ְּת ִהי He was on his way there, to Naioth in Rama, when 23 ָע ָליו ַּג ּם־הוא ּרו ַח ֱא ִלֹהים ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָה ְלוֹך the spirit of Hashem came upon him too; and he ַוִּי ְת ַנ ֵּבא ַע ּד־בֹאוֹ בנוית ְּ]ב ָניוֹת[ ָּבָר ָמה׃ walked on, speaking in ecstasy, until he reached Naioth in Rama. כד ַוִּי ְפשׁ ַ ט ַּג ּם־הוא ְּב ָג ָדיו ַוִּי ְת ַנ ֵּבא ַג ּם־הוא Then he too stripped off his clothes and he too 24 ִל ְפ ֵני שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוִּי ּפֹל ָערֹם ָּכ ַל־ה ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא spoke in ecstasy before Shmuel; and he lay naked ְו ָכ ַל־ה ָּלְי ָלה ַע ֵּל־כן ְיֹאמ ּרו ֲה ַגם שׁ ָ ּאול all that day and all night. That is why people say, “Is ַּב ְנּ ִב ִיאם׃ ”?Shaul too among the Neviim א ַוִּי ְבַרח ָ ּדִוד מנוות ִ]מ ָנּיוֹת[ ָּבָר ָמה ַוָּיבֹא David fled from Naioth inRama ; he came to 1 20 כ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶמה ָע ִשׂ ִיתי ֶמה־ Yehonatan and said, “What have I done, what is ֲע ִוׂני ּו ֶמ ַה־ח ָּט ִאתי ִל ְפ ֵני ָא ִב ָיך ִּכי ְמ ַב ֵּקשׁ my crime and my guilt against your father, that he ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ִ י׃ ”?seeks my life

71 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק כ Chapter 20

ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ָח ִל ָילה לֹא ָת ּמות ִה ֵנּה לו־עשה He replied, “Heaven forbid! You shall not die. My 2 ]לֹא־[ ַ]י ֲע ֶשׂה[ ָא ִבי ָ ּד ָבר ָּגדוֹל אוֹ ָ ּד ָבר father does not do anything, great or small, without ָקטֹן ְולֹא ִי ְג ֶלה ֶא ָת־אְז ִני ּו ַמ ּד ּו ַע ַי ְס ִּתיר disclosing it to me; why should my father conceal ָא ִבי ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ֵאין זֹאת׃ ”!this matter from me? It cannot be ג ַוִּישָּׁ ַבע עוֹד ָ ּדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָי ַדֹע ָי ַדע ָא ִב ָיך David swore further, “Your father knows well that 3 ִּכ ָי־מ ָצ ִאתי ֵחן ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ֵל־י ַדע־ you are fond of me and has decided: Yehonatan זֹאת ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶּפ ֵן־י ָע ֵצב ְו ּאו ָלם ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה must not learn of this or he will be grieved. But, as ְו ֵחי ַנ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך ִּכי ְכ ֶפ ַשׂע ֵּב ִיני ּו ֵבין ַה ָּמֶות׃ Hashem lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.” Samuel ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַמ ּה־ת ַֹאמר Yehonatan said to David, “Whatever you want, I 4 ַנ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ְו ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ָּה־ל ְך׃ ”.will do it for you ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ְל־י ָהוֹנ ָתן ִה ֵנּ ֶה־חֹדשׁ ָמ ָחר David said to Yehonatan, “Tomorrow is the new 5 ְו ָא ִנֹכי ָישׁ ֵֹב־אשׁ ֵ ב ִע ַם־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶל ֱאכוֹל .moon, and I am to sit with the king at the meal ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ַּת ִני ְו ִנ ְס ַּתְר ִּתי ַב ָּשׂ ֶדה ַעד ָה ֶעֶרב Instead, let me go and I will hide in the countryside ַ ה שׁ ּ ְ ִ ל שׁ ִ י ת ׃ .until the third evening ו ִא ָּם־פקֹד ִי ְפ ְק ֵד ִני ָא ִב ָיך ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ִנשׁ ְ אֹל If your father notes my absence, you say, ‘David 6 ִנשׁ ְ ַאל ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ָדִוד ָל ּרוץ ֵּב ֶית־ל ֶחם ִעירוֹ asked my permission to run down to his home ִּכי ֶז ַבח ַהָּי ִמים שׁ ָ ם ְל ָכ ַל־ה ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפ ָחה׃ town, Beit Lechem, for the whole family has its annual sacrifice there.’ ז ִא ּם־כֹה ַיֹאמר טוֹב שׁ ָ לוֹם ְל ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ְו ִאם־ If he says ‘Good,’ your servant is safe; but if his 7 ָחרֹה ֶי ֱחֶרה לוֹ ַ ּדע ִּכ ָי־כ ְל ָתה ָהָר ָעה [anger flares up, know that he is resolved to do [me ֵמ ִע ּמוֹ ׃ .harm ח ְו ָע ִשׂ ָית ֶח ֶסד ַע ַל־ע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ִּכי ִּב ְבִרית ְי ָהֹוה Deal faithfully with your servant, since you have 8 ֵה ֵב ָאת ֶא ַת־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִע ָּמ ְך ְו ִא ֶם־ישׁ ִּ־בי taken your servant into a covenant of Hashem with ָעוׂן ֲה ִמ ֵית ִני ַא ָּתה ְו ַע ָד־א ִב ָיך ָל ָּמ ֶ ּה־זה you. And if I am guilty, kill me yourself, but don’t ְת ִב ֵיא ִני׃ ”.make me go back to your father ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ָח ִל ָילה ָּל ְך ִּכי ִא ָם־י ַדֹע Yehonatan replied, “Don’t talk like that! If I learn 9 ֵא ַדע ִּכ ָי־כ ְל ָתה ָהָר ָעה ֵמ ִעם ָא ִבי ָלבוֹא that my father has resolved to kill you, I will surely ָע ֶל ָיך ְולֹא ָאֹת ּה ַא ִּגיד ָל ְך׃ ”.tell you about it י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ְל־י ָהוֹנ ָתן ִמי ַי ִּגיד ִלי אוֹ David said to Yehonatan, “Who will tell me if your 10 ַמ ַּה־י ַע ְנ ָך ָא ִב ָיך ָקשׁ ָ ה׃ ”?father answers you harshly יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ְל ָכה ְו ֵנ ֵצא ;”Yehonatan said to David, “Let us go into the open 11 ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ .and they both went out into the open יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ThenYehonatan said to David, “By Hashem, the 12 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ֶי־א ְחקֹר ֶא ָת־א ִבי ָּכ ֵעת ָמ ָחר God of Yisrael! I will sound out my father at this ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ית ְו ִה ֵנּה־טוֹב ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ְו ָלֹא־אז time tomorrow, [or] on the third day; and if [his ֶאשׁ ְ ַלח ֵא ֶל ָיך ְו ָג ִל ִיתי ֶא ָת־אְז ֶנ ָך׃ response] is favorable for David, I will send a message to you at once and disclose it to you. יג ּכ ַֹה־י ֲע ֶשׂה ְי ָהֹוה ִל ָיהוֹנ ָתן ְוכֹה ִיֹסיף ִּכי־ But if my father intends to do you harm, may 13 ֵי ִיטב ֶא ָל־א ִבי ֶא ָת־הָר ָעה ָע ֶל ָיך ְו ָג ִל ִיתי Hashem do thus to Yehonatan and more if I do ֶא ָת־אְז ֶנ ָך ְושׁ ִ ַּל ְח ִּת ָיך ְו ָה ַל ְכ ָּת ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם not] disclose it to you and send you off to escape] ִו ִיהי ְי ָהֹוה ִע ָּמ ְך ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ִע ָם־א ִבי׃ unharmed. May Hashem be with you, as He used to be with my father.

72 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק כ Chapter 20

יד ְולֹא ִא ֶם־עוֹד ִנּי ָחי ְו ַלֹא־ת ֲע ֶשׂה ִע ָּמ ִדי ,Nor shall you fail to show me Hashem’s faithfulness 14 ֶח ֶסד ְי ָהֹוה ְולֹא ָא ּמות׃ ,while I am alive; nor, when I am dead טו ְו ַלֹא־ת ְכִרת ֶא ַת־ח ְס ְ ּד ָך ֵמ ִעם ֵּב ִיתי ַעד־ shall you ever discontinue your faithfulness to my 15 ָעוֹלם ְולֹא ְּב ַה ְכִרת ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ְת־אֹי ֵבי ָדִוד house—not even afterHashem has wiped out every ִאישׁ ֵמ ַעל ְּפ ֵני ָה ֲא ָד ָמה׃ .one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth טז ַוִּי ְכרֹת ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ִע ֵּם־בית ָ ּדִוד ּו ִב ֵּקשׁ ְי ָהֹוה Thus hasYehonatan covenanted with the house of 16 ִמַּיד ְאֹי ֵבי ָדִוד׃ David; and may Hashem requite the enemies of David!” Samuel יז ַו ּי ֶוֹסף ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְל ַהשׁ ְ ִּב ַיע ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד Yehonatan, out of his love for David, adjured him 17 ְּב ַא ֲה ָבתוֹ אֹתוֹ ִּכ ַי־א ֲה ַבת ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ ֲא ֵהבוֹ׃ .again, for he loved him as himself יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר־לוֹ ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ָמ ָחר ֶחֹדשׁ ְו ִנ ְפ ַק ְד ָּת Yehonatan said to him, “Tomorrow will be the new 18 ִּכי ִי ָּפ ֵקד מוֹשׁ ָ ֶב ָך׃ moon; and you will be missed when your seat remains vacant. va-yo-mer LO y’-ho-na-TAN ma-KHAR KHO-desh v’-NIF-kad-TA KEE yi-pa-KAYD mo-sha-VE-kha יט ְושׁ ִ ַּלשׁ ְ ָּת ֵּתֵרד ְמאֹד ּו ָב ָאת ֶא ַל־ה ָּמקוֹם So the day after tomorrow, go down all the way to 19 ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־נ ְס ַּתְר ָּת שָּׁ ם ְּביוֹם ַה ַּמ ֲע ֶשׂה the place where you hid the other time, and stay ְוָישׁ ַ ְב ָּת ֵא ֶצל ָה ֶא ֶבן ָה ָאֶזל׃ .close to the Ezel stone כ ַו ֲא ִני שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ַה ִח ִּצים ִצ ָ ּדה ֶאוֹרה Now I will shoot three arrows to one side of it, as 20 ְלשׁ ַ ַּל ִח־לי ְל ַמ ָּטָרה׃ ,though I were shooting at a mark כא ְו ִה ֵנּה ֶאשׁ ְ ַלח ֶא ַת־ה ַנּ ַער ֵל ְך ְמ ָצא ֶאת־ .and I will order the boy to go and find the arrows 21 ַה ִח ִּצים ִא ָם־אמֹר ַאֹמר ַל ַנּ ַער ִה ֵנּה If I call to the boy, ‘Hey! the arrows are on this side ַה ִח ִּצים ִמ ְּמ ָך ָו ֵה ָנּה ָק ֶח ּנּו ָו ָבֹאה ִּכי־ of you,’ be reassured and come, for you are safe and שׁ ָ לוֹם ְל ָך ְו ֵאין ָ ּד ָבר ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה׃ !there is no danger—as Hashem lives כב ְו ִא ּם־כֹה ַאֹמר ָל ֶע ֶלם ִה ֵנּה ַה ִח ִּצים ִמ ְּמ ָך But if, instead, I call to the lad, ‘Hey! the arrows are 22 ָו ָה ְל ָאה ֵל ְך ִּכי שׁ ִ ַּל ֲח ָך ְי ָהֹוה׃ beyond you,’ then leave, for Hashem has sent you away. כג ְו ַה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ַּבְר ּנו ֲא ִני ָו ָא ָּתה ִה ֵנּה As for the promise we made to each other, may 23 ְי ָהֹוה ֵּב ִיני ּו ֵב ְינ ָך ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ ”.Hashem be [witness] between you and me forever כד ַוִּי ָּס ֵתר ָ ּדִוד ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה ַוְי ִהי ַה ֶחֹדשׁ ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב David hid in the field. The new moon came, and 24 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶעל־]אל־[ ַה ֶּל ֶחם ֶל ֱאכוֹל׃ .the king sat down to partake of the meal כה ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַעל־מוֹשׁ ָ בוֹ ְּכ ַפ ַעם ְּב ַפ ַעם When the king took his usual place on the seat 25 ֶאל־מוֹשׁ ַ ב ַה ִּקיר ַוָּי ָקם ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב by the wall, Yehonatan rose and Avner sat down at ַא ְב ֵנר ִמ ַּצד שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ָּפ ֵקד ְמקוֹם ָ ּדִוד׃ .Shaul’s side; but David’s place remained vacant

20:18 Tomorrow will be the new moon The our era, with the establishment of the State of Israel, we Sages teach that the moon is a symbol of the are beginning to see the truth of this statement. When People of Israel. Just as the moon waxes and wanes, the world is ultimately blessed with the Mashiach, from appearing tiny when it is new but large by the middle the house of David, the light from the People of Israel of the month, the Children of Israel follow a similar cycle. will shine its brightest, originating in the Land of Israel Full moon Though at times they are a small and downtrodden na- and illuminating the entire world. over the walls of Jerusalem tion, they will again become great in the eyes of all. In

73 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק כ Chapter 20

כו ְו ִלֹא־ד ֶּבר שׁ ָ ּאול ְמ ּאו ָמה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא That day, however,Shaul said nothing. “It’s 26 ִּכי ָא ַמר ִמ ְקֶרה ּהוא ִּב ְל ִּתי ָטהוֹר ּהוא accidental,” he thought. “He must be unclean and ִּכי־לֹא ָטהוֹר׃ ”.not yet cleansed כז ַוְי ִהי ִמ ָּמ ֳחַרת ַה ֶחֹדשׁ ַהשֵּׁ ִני ַוִּי ָּפ ֵקד ,But on the day after the new moon, the second day 27 ְמקוֹם ָ ּדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ְל־י ָהוֹנ ָתן David’s place was vacant again. So Shaul said to his ְּבנוֹ ַמ ּד ּו ַע ָלֹא־בא ֶב ִן־ישׁ ַ י ַּג ְּם־תמוֹל ַּגם־ son Yehonatan, “Why didn’t the son of Yishai come ַה ּיוֹם ֶא ַל־ה ָּל ֶחם׃ ”?to the meal yesterday or today כח ּ Yehonatan answered Shaul, “David begged leave of 28

Samuel ַוַי ַען ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ִנשׁ ְ אֹל ִנשׁ ְ ַאל ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ִע ָּמ ִדי ַע ֵּד־בית ָל ֶחם׃ .me to go to Beit Lechem כט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ַ ְּל ֵח ִני ָנא ִּכי ֶז ַבח ִמשׁ ְ ָּפ ָחה ָל ּנו He said, ‘Please let me go, for we are going to have 29 ָּב ִעיר ְו ּהוא ִצָּו ִה־לי ָא ִחי ְו ַע ָּתה ִאם־ a family feast in our town and my brother has ָמ ָצ ִאתי ֵחן ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ִא ָּמ ְל ָטה ָנּא ְו ֶאְר ֶאה summoned me to it. Do me a favor, let me slip away ֶא ֶת־א ָחי ַע ֵּל־כן ָלֹא־בא ֶאל־שׁ ֻ ְל ַחן to see my kinsmen.’ That is why he has not come to ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.the king’s table ל ַוִּי ַח ַר־אף שׁ ָ ּאול ִּב ָיהוֹנ ָתן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ֶּבן־ Shaul flew into a rage againstYehonatan . “You son 30 ַנ ֲעַות ַה ַּמְר ּד ּות ֲהלוֹא ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ִּכ ֵי־בֹחר .of a perverse, rebellious woman!” he shouted ַא ָּתה ְל ֶב ִן־ישׁ ַ י ְל ָבשׁ ְ ְּת ָך ּו ְלבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶעְרַות I know that you side with the son of Yishai—to“ ִא ֶּמ ָך׃ your shame, and to the shame of your mother’s nakedness! לא ִּכי ָכ ַל־הָּי ִמים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֶּב ִן־ישׁ ַ י ַחי ַעל־ ,For as long as the son of Yishai lives on earth 31 ָה ֲא ָד ָמה לֹא ִת ּכוֹן ַא ָּתה ּו ַמ ְל ּכו ֶת ָך ְו ַע ָּתה neither you nor your kingship will be secure. Now שׁ ְ ַלח ְו ַקח אֹתוֹ ֵא ַלי ִּכי ֶב ָן־מֶות ּהוא׃ then, have him brought to me, for he is marked for death.” לב ַוַּי ַען ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ָא ִביו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ,But Yehonatan spoke up and said to his father 32 ֵא ָליו ָל ָּמה ּיו ַמת ֶמה ָע ָשׂה׃ Why should he be put to death? What has he“ done?” לג ַוָּי ֶטל שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַת־ה ֲח ִנית ָע ָליו ְל ַה ּכֹתוֹ At that, Shaul threw his spear at him to strike him 33 ַוֵּי ַדע ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ִּכ ָי־כ ָלה ִהיא ֵמ ִעם ָא ִביו down; and Yehonatan realized that his father was ְל ָה ִמית ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד׃ .determined to do away with David לד ַוָּי ָקם ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֵמ ִעם ַהשֻּׁ ְל ָחן ָּב ֳחִר ָי־אף Yehonatan rose from the table in a rage. He ate no 34 ְו ָלֹא־א ַכל ְּב ַיוֹם־ה ֶחֹדשׁ ַהשֵּׁ ִני ֶל ֶחם ִּכי food on the second day of the new moon, because ֶנ ְע ַצב ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ִּכי ִה ְכ ִלמוֹ ָא ִביו׃ he was grieved about David, and because his father had humiliated him. לה ַוְי ִהי ַב ּב ֶֹקר ַוֵּי ֵצא ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ְל ֵמוֹעד In the morning, Yehonatan went out into the open 35 ָ ּדִוד ְו ַנ ַער ָקטֹן ִע ּמוֹ׃ for the meeting with David, accompanied by a young boy. לו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְל ַנ ֲערוֹ ֻרץ ְמ ָצא ָנא ֶא ַת־ה ִח ִּצים He said to the boy, “Run ahead and find the arrows 36 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ִנֹכי ֶמוֹרה ַה ַנּ ַער ָרץ ְו ּהו ָא־יָרה that I shoot.” And as the boy ran, he shot the ַה ֵח ִצי ְל ַה ֲע ִברוֹ׃ .arrows past him לז ַוָּיבֹא ַה ַנּ ַער ַע ְד־מקוֹם ַה ֵח ִצי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר When the boy came to the place where the arrows 37 ָיָרה ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ַוִּי ְקָרא ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ַנּ ַער shot by Yehonatan had fallen, Yehonatan called out ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲהלוֹא ַה ֵח ִצי ִמ ְּמ ָך ָו ָה ְל ָאה׃ ”!to the boy, “Hey, the arrows are beyond you

74 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק אכ Chapter 21

לח ַוִּי ְקָרא ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ַנּ ַער ְמ ֵהָרה And Yehonatan called after the boy, “Quick, hurry 38 ּחושׁ ָ ה ַא ַּל־ת ֲעמֹד ַוְי ַל ֵּקט ַנ ַער ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן up. Don’t stop!” So Yehonatan’s boy gathered the ֶאת־החצי ַ]ה ִח ִּצים[ ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ֲל־א ָדֹניו׃ —.arrows and came back to his master לט ְו ַה ַנּ ַער ָלֹא־י ַדע ְמ ּאו ָמה ַא ְך ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְו ָדִוד The boy suspected nothing; onlyYehonatan and 39 ָי ְד ּעו ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר׃ —.David knew the arrangement מ ַוִּי ֵּתן ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶא ֵּת־כ ָליו ֶא ַל־ה ַנּ ַער ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ ,Yehonatan handed the gear to his boy and told him 40 לוֹ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ֵל ְך ָה ֵביא ָה ִעיר׃ ”.Take these back to the town“ Samuel מא ַה ַנּ ַער ָּבא ְו ָדִוד ָקם ֵמ ֵא ֶצל ַה ֶנּ ֶגב ַוִּי ּפֹל When the boy got there, David emerged from his 41 ְל ַא ָּפיו ַאְר ָצה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו שׁ ָ לֹשׁ ְּפ ָע ִמים concealment at the Negev. He flung himself face ַוִּישְּׁ ּקו ִאישׁ ֶא ֵת־ר ֵע ּהו ַוִּי ְב ּכ ּו ִאישׁ ֶאת־ .down on the ground and bowed low three times ֵר ֵע ּהו ַע ָ ּד־דִוד ִה ְג ִ ּדיל׃ They kissed each other and wept together;David wept the longer. מב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְל ָדִוד ֵל ְך ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Yehonatan said to David, “Go in peace! For we two 42 ִנשׁ ְ ַּב ְע ּנו שׁ ְ ֵנ ּינו ֲא ַנ ְח ּנו ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה ֵלאמֹר :have sworn to each other in the name of Hashem ְי ָהֹוה ִי ְהֶיה ֵּב ִיני ּו ֵב ֶינ ָך ּו ֵבין ַזְר ִעי ּו ֵבין ,May Hashem be [witness] between you and me‘ ַזְר ֲע ָך ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ ”’!and between your offspring and mine, forever א ַוָּי ָקם ַוֵּי ַל ְך ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ָּבא ָה ִעיר׃ David then went his way, and Yehonatan returned 1 21 כא .to the town ב ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ֶנֹבה ֶא ֲל־א ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ַה ּכ ֵֹהן .David went to the Kohen Achimelech at Nov 2 ַוֶּי ֱחַרד ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ִל ְקַראת ָ ּדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ Achimelech came out in alarm to meet David, and ַמ ּד ּו ַע ַא ָּתה ְל ַב ֶ ּד ָך ְו ִאישׁ ֵאין ִא ָּת ְך׃ he said to him, “Why are you alone, and no one with you?” ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַל ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִצַּו ִני David answered the Kohen Achimelech, “The king 3 ָד ָבר ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ִאישׁ ַא ֵל־י ַדע ְמ ּאו ָמה ,has ordered me on a mission, and he said to me ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־א ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹל ֲח ָך ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר No one must know anything about the mission on‘ ִצִּו ִית ָך ְו ֶא ַת־ה ְנּ ָעִרים ַיוֹד ְע ִּתי ֶא ְל־מקוֹם which I am sending you and for which I have given ְּפ ִלֹני ַא ְל ִמוֹני׃ you orders.’ So I have directed [my] young men to such and such a place. ד ְו ַע ָּתה ַמ ֵּה־ישׁ ַּת ַח ָת־י ְד ָך ֲח ִמשָּׁ ֶה־ל ֶחם Now then, what have you got on hand? Any loaves 4 ְּת ָנה ְבָי ִדי אוֹ ַה ִנּ ְמ ָצא׃ of bread? Let me have them—or whatever is available.” ה ַוַּי ַען ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ֶין־ל ֶחם TheKohen answered David, “I have no ordinary 5 חֹל ֶא ַּל־ת ַחת ָי ִדי ִּכ ִי־א ֶם־ל ֶחם ֶקֹדשׁ ֵישׁ —bread on hand; there is only consecrated bread ִא ִם־נשׁ ְ ְמ ּרו ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ַא ְך ֵמ ִאשָּׁ ה׃ provided the young men have kept away from women.” ו ַוַּי ַען ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ּכ ֵֹהן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ִּכי In reply to the Kohen, David said, “I assure you 6 ִא ִם־אשָּׁ ה ֲע ֻצָר ָה־ל ּנו ִּכ ְתמוֹל שׁ ִ ְלשׁ ֹם .that women have been kept from us, as always ְּב ֵצ ִאתי ַוִּי ְה ּיו ְכ ֵל ַי־ה ְנּ ָעִרים ֶקֹדשׁ ְו ּהוא Whenever I went on a mission, even if the journey ֶ ּדֶר ְך חֹל ְו ַאף ִּכי ַה ּיוֹם ִי ְק ַ ּדשׁ ַּב ֶּכ ִלי׃ was a common one, the vessels of the young men were consecrated; all the more then may consecrated food be put into their vessels today.”

75 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק אכ Chapter 21

ז ַוִּי ֶּתן־לוֹ ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ֶקֹדשׁ ִּכי ָלֹא־הָיה שׁ ָ ם So the Kohen gave him consecrated bread, because 7 ֶל ֶחם ִּכ ִי־א ֶם־ל ֶחם ַה ָּפ ִנים ַה ּמ ּו ָסִרים ,there was none there except the bread of display ִמ ִּל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ָל ּשׂום ֶל ֶחם חֹם ְּביוֹם which had been removed from the presence of ִה ָ ּל ְקחוֹ ׃ Hashem, to be replaced by warm bread as soon as it was taken away.— va-yi-ten LO ha-ko-HAYN KO-desh KEE lo ha-YAH SHAM LE-khem kee im LE-khem ha-pa-NEEM ha-mu-sa-REEM mi-lif-NAY a-do-NAI la-SUM LE-khem KHOM b’- YOM hi-la-k’-KHO

Samuel ח ְושׁ ָ ם ִאישׁ ֵמ ַע ְב ֵדי שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ,Now one of Shaul’s officials was there that day 8 ֶנ ְע ָצר ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ּד ֵֹאג ָה ֲא ִדֹמי detained before Hashem; his name was Doeg ַא ִּביר ָה ִרֹעים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְלשׁ ָ ּאול׃ .Ha’adomi, Shaul’s chief herdsman ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַל ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ְו ִאין ֶישׁ ּ־פֹה David said to Achimelech, “Haven’t you got a spear 9 ַת ַח ָת־י ְד ָך ֲח ִנית ָאוֹ־חֶרב ִּכי ַג ַם־חְר ִּבי or sword on hand? I didn’t take my sword or any of ְו ַג ֵּם־כ ַלי ָלֹא־ל ַק ְח ִּתי ְבָי ִדי ִּכ ָי־הָיה ְד ַבר־ my weapons with me, because the king’s mission ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָנ ּחוץ׃ ”.was urgent י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ֶחֶרב ָּג ְלָית ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי TheKohen said, “There is the sword of Goliath the 10 ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־ה ִּכ ָית ְּב ֵע ֶמק ָה ֵא ָלה ִה ֵנּ ִה־היא Philistine whom you slew in the valley of Elah; it is ּלו ָטה ַב ִּשׂ ְמ ָלה ַא ֲחֵרי ָה ֵאפוֹד ִא ָם־אֹת ּה over there, wrapped in a cloth, behind the ephod. If ִּת ַּק ְח־ל ָך ָקח ִּכי ֵאין ַא ֶחֶרת ּזו ָל ָת ּה ָּבֶזה you want to take that one, take it, for there is none ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֵאין ָּכ ָמוֹה ְּת ֶנ ָנּה ִּלי׃ here but that one.” David replied, “There is none like it; give it to me.” יא ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַוִּי ְבַרח ַּב ּי ַוֹם־ה ּהוא ִמ ְּפ ֵני That dayDavid continued on his flight fromShaul 11 שׁ ָ ּאול ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ָל־א ִכישׁ ֶמ ֶל ְך ַּגת׃ .and he came to King Achish of Gath יב ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַע ְב ֵדי ָא ִכישׁ ֵא ָליו ֲה ֶלוֹא־זה ָדִוד ,The courtiers of Achish said to him, “Why 12 ֶמ ֶל ְך ָה ָאֶרץ ֲהלוֹא ָלֶזה ַי ֲע ּנו ַב ְּמחֹלוֹת that’s David, king of the land! That’s the one of ֵלאמֹר ִה ָּכה שׁ ָ ּאול באלפו ַּ]ב ֲא ָל ָפיו[ whom they sing as they dance: Shaul has slain his ְו ָדִוד ברבבתו ְּ]בִר ְב ָבֹתיו׃[ ”.thousands; David, his tens of thousands יג ַוָּי ֶשׂם ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ִּב ְל ָבבוֹ These words worriedDavid and he became very 13 ַוִּיָרא ְמאֹד ִמ ְּפ ֵני ָא ִכישׁ ֶמ ֶל ְך ַּ־גת׃ .much afraid of King Achish of Gath יד ַוְישׁ ַ נּוֹ ֶא ַת־ט ְעמוֹ ְּב ֵע ֵינ ֶיהם ַוִּי ְת ֵהֹלל So he concealed his good sense from them; he 14 ְּבָי ָדם ויתו ַ]וְי ָתיו[ ַע ַ ּל־ד ְלתוֹת ַהשַּׁ ַער feigned madness for their benefit. He scratched ַו ּי ֶוֹרד ִרירוֹ ֶא ְל־ז ָקנוֹ׃ marks on the doors of the gate and let his saliva run down his beard. טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִכישׁ ֶא ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ִה ֵנּה ִתְר ּאו And Achish said to his courtiers, “You see the man 15 ִאישׁ ִמשׁ ְ ַּת ֵּג ַע ָל ָּמה ָּת ִב ּיאו אֹתוֹ ֵא ָלי׃ ?is raving; why bring him to me

21:7 Bread of display The term ‘bread of display,’ tradition teaches that a miracle surrounded the bread or ‘shewbread,’ refers to twelve special loaves of display. When the priests received them a full week that were placed on the Table, one of the vessels in the after being placed on the Table, the loaves were still as sanctuary of the Mishkan, and later in the Beit warm and fresh as they were when they were first baked. Hamikdash. Each loaf represents one tribe of Israel. Each This was a reminder of Hashem’s constant watch over week, the loaves are replaced and the old ones are then His sanctuary and His people. eaten by the Kohanim, priests. As Rashi notes, Jewish

76 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק בכ Chapter 22

טז ֲח ַסר ְמשׁ ֻ ָּג ִעים ָא ִני ִּכ ֲי־ה ֵב ֶאתם ֶא ֶת־זה Do I lack madmen that you have brought this 16 ְל ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֵּג ַע ָע ָלי ֲהֶזה ָיבוֹא ֶא ֵּל־ב ִיתי׃ fellow to rave for me? Should this fellow enter my house?” א ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ִמשָּׁ ם ַוִּי ָּמ ֵלט ֶא ְל־מ ָעַרת David departed from there and escaped to the 1 22 כב ֲע ֻד ָּלם ַוִּישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ֶא ָחיו ְו ָכ ֵּל־בית ָא ִביו cave of Adulam; and when his brothers and all his ַוֵּיְר ּדו ֵא ָליו שׁ ָ ָּמה׃ .father’s house heard, they joined him down there ב ַוִּי ְת ַק ְּב ּצו ֵא ָליו ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ָמצוֹק ְו ָכ ִל־אישׁ Everyone who was in straits and everyone who was 2

ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־לוֹ נֹשׁ ֶ א ְו ָכ ִל־אישׁ ַמ ֶר־נ ֶפשׁ ַוְי ִהי Samuel in debt and everyone who was desperate joined ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ְל ָשׂר ַוִּי ְה ּיו ִע ּמוֹ ְּכ ַאְר ַּבע ֵמאוֹת him, and he became their leader; there were about ִ א י שׁ ׃ .four hundred men with him ג ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ִמשָּׁ ם ִמ ְצ ֵּפה ָמוֹאב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab, and 3 ֶא ֶל־מ ֶל ְך ָמוֹאב ֵי ֵצ ָא־נא ָא ִבי ְו ִא ִּמי he said to the king of Moab, “Let my father and ִא ְּת ֶכם ַעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵא ַדע ַמ ַּה־י ֲע ֶשׂ ִּה־לי mother come [and stay] with you, until I know ֱא ִלֹהים׃ ”.what Hashem will do for me ד ַוַּי ְנ ֵחם ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ֶמ ֶל ְך ָמוֹאב ַוֵּישׁ ְ ּבו ִע ּמוֹ So he led them to the king of Moab, and they 4 ָּכ ְל־י ֵמי ֱה ָ ּיוֹת־דִוד ַּב ְּמ ּצו ָדה׃ stayed with him as long as David remained in the stronghold. ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָּגד ַה ָנּ ִביא ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד לֹא ֵתשׁ ֵ ב But the Navi Gad said to David, “Do not stay in the 5 ַּב ְּמ ּצו ָדה ֵל ְך ּו ָב ָאת ְּ־ל ָך ֶאֶרץ ְי ּהו ָדה ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ”.stronghold; go at once to the territory of Yehuda ָ ּדִוד ַוָּיבֹא ַי ַער ָחֶרת׃ .So David left and went to the forest of Hereth ו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע שׁ ָ ּאול ִּכי ַנוֹדע ָ ּדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים When Shaul heard that David and the men with 6 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ ְושׁ ָ ּאול יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ַּב ִּג ְב ָעה ַּת ַחת־ ,him had been located—Shaul was then in Giva ָה ֶאשׁ ֶ ל ָּבָר ָמה ַו ֲח ִניתוֹ ְבָידוֹ ְו ָכ ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו sitting under the tamarisk tree on the height, spear ִנ ָּצ ִבים ָע ָליו׃ in hand, with all his courtiers in attendance upon him— ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ַל ֲע ָב ָדיו ַה ִנּ ָּצ ִבים ָע ָליו ,Shaul said to the courtiers standing about him 7 שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ָ־נא ְּב ֵני ְי ִמ ִיני ַּג ְם־ל ֻכ ְּל ֶכם ִי ֵּתן ֶּבן־ Listen, men of Binyamin! Will the son of Yishai“ ִישׁ ַ י ָשׂדוֹת ּו ְכָר ִמים ְל ֻכ ְּל ֶכם ָי ִשׂים ָשׂ ֵרי give fields and vineyards to every one of you? And ֲא ָל ִפים ְו ָשׂ ֵרי ֵמאוֹת׃ will he make all of you captains of thousands or captains of hundreds? ח ִּכי ְקשׁ ַ ְר ֶּתם ֻּכ ְּל ֶכם ָע ַלי ְו ֵא ּין־ג ֶֹלה ֶאת־ ?Is that why all of you have conspired against me 8 ָאְז ִני ִּב ְכָר ְּת־ב ִני ִע ֶּם־ב ִן־ישׁ ַ י ְו ֵא ֶין־חֹלה For no one informs me when my own son makes ִמ ֶּכם ָע ַלי ְו ֶגֹלה ֶא ָת־אְז ִני ִּכי ֵה ִקים ְּב ִני a pact with the son of Yishai; no one is concerned ֶא ַת־ע ְב ִ ּדי ָע ַלי ְל ֵאֹרב ַּכ ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ for me and no one informs me when my own son has set my servant in ambush against me, as is now the case.” ט ַוַּי ַען ּד ֵֹאג ָה ֲא ִדֹמי ְו ּהוא ִנ ָּצב ַע ַל־ע ְב ֵדי־ Doeg Ha’adomi, who was standing among the 9 שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ַֹאמר ָר ִא ִיתי ֶא ֶּת־ב ִן־ישׁ ַ י ָּבא courtiers of Shaul, spoke up: “I saw the son of ֶנֹבה ֶא ֲל־א ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ּטוב׃ .Yishai come to Achimelech son of Achituv at Nov י ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל־לוֹ ַּב ָיהֹוה ְו ֵצ ָידה ָנ ַתן לוֹ ְו ֵאת He inquired of Hashem on his behalf and gave him 10 ֶחֶרב ָּג ְלָית ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ָנ ַתן לוֹ׃ provisions; he also gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.”

77 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק בכ Chapter 22

יא ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִל ְקרֹא ֶא ֲת־א ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך Thereupon the king sent for theKohen Achimelech 11 ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ּיטוב ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ְו ֵאת ָּכ ֵּל־בית ָא ִביו son of Achituv and for all the Kohanim belonging to ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּבנֹב ַוָּי ּבֹאו ֻכ ָּלם ֶאל־ ,his father’s house at Nov. They all came to the king ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול שׁ ְ ַמ ָע־נא ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ּיטוב ,and Shaul said, “Listen to me, son of Achituv.” “Yes 12 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ְנ ִני ֲא ִדֹני׃ .my lord,” he replied יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר אלו ֵ]א ָליו[ שׁ ָ ּאול ָל ָּמה And Shaul said to him, “Why have you and the 13 ָ son of Yishai conspired against me? You gave him Samuel ְקשׁ ַ ְר ֶּתם ָע ַלי ַא ָּתה ּו ֶב ִן־ישׁ ָ י ְּב ִת ְּתך לוֹ ֶל ֶחם ְו ֶחֶרב ְושׁ ָ אוֹל לוֹ ֵּב ִאלֹהים ָל ּקום food and a sword, and inquired of Hashem for ֵא ַלי ְל ֵאֹרב ַּכ ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ him—that he may rise in ambush against me, as is now the case.” va-YO-mer ay-LAV sha-UL LA-mah k’-shar-TEM a-LAI a-TAH u-ven yi-SHAI b’-ti-t’-KHA LO LE-khem v’-KHE-rev v’-sha-OL LO bay-lo-HEEM la-KUM ay-LAI l’-o-RAYV ka-YOM ha-ZEH יד ַוַּי ַען ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ַֹאמר ּו ִמי Achimelech replied to the king, “But who is there 14 ְב ָכ ֲל־ע ָב ֶד ָיך ְּכ ָדִוד ֶנ ֱא ָמן ַו ֲח ַתן ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ,among all your courtiers as trusted as David ְו ָסר ֶא ִל־משׁ ְ ַמ ְע ֶּת ָך ְו ִנ ְכ ָּבד ְּב ֵב ֶית ָך׃ son-in-law of Your Majesty and obedient to your bidding, and esteemed in your household? טו ַה ּיוֹם ַה ִח ּל ִֹתי ִלשאול־]לשׁ ְ ָאל־[ לוֹ This is the first time that I inquired ofHashem for 15 ֵב ִאלֹהים ָח ִל ָילה ִּלי ַא ָל־י ֵשׂם ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך him; I have done no wrong. Let not Your Majesty ְּב ַע ְב ּדוֹ ָד ָבר ְּב ָכ ֵּל־בית ָא ִבי ִּכי ָלֹא־י ַדע find fault with his servant [or] with any of my ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ְּב ָכל־זֹאת ָ ּד ָבר ָקטֹן אוֹ ָגדוֹל׃ father’s house; for your servant knew nothing whatever about all this.” טז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך מוֹת ָּת ּמות ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך But the king said, “You shall die, Achimelech, you 16 ַא ָּתה ְו ָכ ֵּל־בית ָא ִב ָיך׃ ”.and all your father’s house יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָלָר ִצים ַה ִנּ ָּצ ִבים ָע ָליו ּסֹב ּו ,And the king commanded the guards standing by 17 ְו ָה ִמ ּיתו ּכ ֲֹה ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ִּכי ַג ָם־י ָדם ִע ָ ּם־דִוד Turn about and kill the Kohanim of Hashem, for“ ְו ִכי ָי ְד ּעו ִּכ ֵי־בֹר ַח ּהוא ְולֹא ָג ּלו ֶאת־אזנו they are in league with David; they knew he was ָ]אְז ִני[ ְו ָלֹא־א ּבו ַע ְב ֵדי ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִלשׁ ְ ַלֹח running away and they did not inform me.” But ֶא ָת־י ָדם ִל ְפ ַגֹע ְּב ֲכֹה ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ the king’s servants would not raise a hand to strike down the Kohanim of Hashem. יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך לדויג ְ]ל ֵדוֹאג[ סֹב ַא ָּתה Thereupon the king said to Doeg, “You, Doeg, go 18 ּו ְפ ַגע ַּב ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ַוִּי ּסֹב דויג ּ]ד ֵוֹאג[ ָה ֲא ִדֹמי and strike down the Kohanim.” And Doeg Ha’adomi ַוִּי ְפ ַּג ּע־הוא ַּב ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ַוָּי ֶמת ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ,went and struck down the Kohanim himself; that day שׁ ְ ִמֹנים ַו ֲח ִמשָּׁ ה ִאישׁ ֵנֹשׂא ֵאפוֹד ָּבד׃ .he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod

22:13 And inquired of Hashem for him The Urim treated David as a king, since they are not allowed to Ve’Tumim, mystical objects in the Kohen Gadol’s inquire of the Urim Ve’Tumim for a regular citizen. Thus, breastplate, were used to receive communication from King Shaul was angry not only that Achimelech had Hashem. Divine messages were transmitted through assisted David, but that he related to him as the king. the illumination of the twelve stones on the breast The use of the Urim Ve’Tumim is another example of Replica of the plate, which represented the twelve tribes of Israel. the high level of God’s direct involvement in the lives breastplate, Rashi explains that by using the Urim Ve’Tumim to ask of the Children of Israel, felt most acutely in Eretz central Sephardic Hashem to provide instruction to David , the Kohanim Yisrael. synagogue, Ramat Gan

78 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק גכ Chapter 23

יט ְו ֵאת נֹב ִע ַיר־ה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ִה ָּכה ְל ִפ ֶי־חֶרב He put Nov, the town of the Kohanim, to the 19 ֵמ ִאישׁ ְו ַע ִד־אשָּׁ ה ֵמ ֵעוֹלל ְו ַע ֵד־יוֹנק ,sword: men and women, children and infants ְושׁ וֹר ַו ֲחמוֹר ָו ֶשׂה ְל ִפ ָי־חֶרב׃ .oxen, asses, and sheep—[all] to the sword כ ַוִּי ָּמ ֵלט ֵּב ֶן־א ָחד ַל ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ּטוב But one son of Achimelech son of Achituv 20 ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ֶא ְבָי ָתר ַוִּי ְבַרח ַא ֲחֵרי ָדִוד׃ escaped—his name was Evyatar—and he fled to David. כא ַוַּי ֵּגד ֶא ְבָי ָתר ְל ָדִוד ִּכי ָהַרג שׁ ָ ּאול ֵאת When Evyatar told David that Shaul had killed the 21 ּכ ֲֹה ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ ,Kohanim of Hashem Samuel כב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ְל ֶא ְבָי ָתר ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא David said to Evyatar, “I knew that day, when Doeg 22 ִּכי־שׁ ָ ם דויג ּ]ד ֵוֹאג[ ָה ֲא ִדֹמי ִּכ ַי־ה ֵּגד Ha’adomi was there, that he would tell Shaul. I am ַי ִּגיד ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ָא ִנֹכי ַס ּב ִֹתי ְּב ָכ ֶל־נ ֶפשׁ ֵּבית .to blame for all the deaths in your father’s house ָא ִב ָיך׃ כג שׁ ְ ָבה ִא ִּתי ַא ִּל־ת ָירא ִּכי ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־י ַב ֵּקשׁ Stay with me; do not be afraid; for whoever seeks 23 ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ִ י ְי ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך ִּכ ִי־משׁ ְ ֶמֶרת your life must seek my life also. It will be my care to ַא ָּתה ִע ָּמ ִדי׃ ”.guard you א ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ְל ָדִוד ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים David was told: “The Philistines are raiding Keilah 1 23 כג ִנ ְל ָח ִמים ִּב ְק ִע ָילה ְו ֵה ָּמה שׁ ִֹסים ֶאת־ ”.and plundering the threshing floors ַה ֳּגָרנוֹת׃ ב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ָ ּדִוד ַּב ָיהֹוה ֵלאמֹר ַה ֵא ֵל ְך ְו ִה ֵּכ ִיתי David consulted Hashem, “Shall I go and attack 2 ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ;those Philistines?” And Hashem said to David, “Go ֵל ְך ְו ִה ִּכ ָית ַב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְוהוֹשׁ ַ ְע ָּת ֶאת־ ”.attack the Philistines and you will save Keilah ְק ִע ָילה׃ ג ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָדִוד ֵא ָליו ִה ֵנּה ֲא ַנ ְח ּנו פֹה But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid 3 ִּב ּיהו ָדה ְיֵר ִאים ְו ַאף ִּכ ֵי־נ ֵל ְך ְק ִע ָלה ֶאל־ here in Yehuda, how much more if we go to Keilah ַמ ַעְרכוֹת ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”!against the forces of the Philistines ד ַו ּי ֶוֹסף עוֹד ָ ּדִוד ִלשׁ ְ אֹל ַּב ָיהֹוה ַוַּי ֲע ֵנ ּהו So David consulted Hashem again, and Hashem 4 ְי ָהֹוה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּקום ֵרד ְק ִע ָילה ִּכ ֲי־א ִני ֵנֹתן ,answered him, “March down at once to Keilah ֶא ְּת־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְּבָי ֶד ָך׃ for I am going to deliver the Philistines into your hands.” ה ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ואנשו ַ]ו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו[ ְק ִע ָילה David and his men went to Keilah and fought 5 ַוִּי ָּל ֶחם ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוִּי ְנ ַהג ֶא ִת־מ ְק ֵנ ֶיהם against the Philistines; he drove off their cattle and ַוַּי ְך ָּב ֶהם ַמ ָּכה ְג ָדוֹלה ַו ּיֹשׁ ַ ע ָ ּדִוד ֵאת inflicted a severe defeat on them. ThusDavid saved יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ְק ִע ָילה׃ .the inhabitants of Keilah ו ַוְי ִהי ִּב ְב ַרֹח ֶא ְבָי ָתר ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד When Evyatar son of Achimelech fled toDavid at 6 ְק ִע ָילה ֵאפוֹד ָיַרד ְּבָידוֹ׃ .Keilah, he brought down an ephod with him ז ַוֻּי ַּגד ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ִּכ ָי־בא ָדִוד ְק ִע ָילה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר Shaul was told that David had come to Keilah, and 7 שׁ ָ ּאול ִנ ַּכר אֹתוֹ ֱא ִלֹהים ְּבָי ִדי ִּכי ִנ ְס ַּגר Shaul thought, “Hashem has delivered him into my ָלבוֹא ְּב ִעיר ְ ּד ָל ַתִים ּו ְבִר ַיח׃ hands, for he has shut himself in by entering a town with gates and bars.” ח ַוְישׁ ַ ַּמע שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָּת־כ ָל־ה ָעם ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה Shaul summoned all the troops for war, to go down 8 ָלֶר ֶדת ְק ִע ָילה ָל ּצור ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ְו ֶאל־ .to Keilah and besiege David and his men ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו׃

79 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק גכ Chapter 23

ט ַוֵּי ַדע ָ ּדִוד ִּכי ָע ָליו שׁ ָ ּאול ַמ ֲחִרישׁ When David learned that Shaul was planning to 9 ָהָר ָעה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ֶל־א ְבָי ָתר ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ַה ִּגישׁ ָ ה harm him, he told the Kohen Evyatar to bring the ָה ֵאפוֹד׃ .ephod forward י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל שׁ ָ ַמֹע And David said, “Hashem, God of Yisrael, Your 10 שׁ ָ ַמע ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִּכ ְי־מ ַב ֵּקשׁ שׁ ָ ּאול ָלבוֹא servant has heard that Shaul intends to come to ֶא ְל־ק ִע ָילה ְלשׁ ַ ֵחת ָל ִעיר ַּב ֲע ּבוִרי׃ .Keilah and destroy the town because of me יא ֲה ַי ְס ִּגֻר ִני ַב ֲע ֵלי ְק ִע ָילה ְב ָידוֹ ֲה ֵיֵרד שׁ ָ ּאול Will the citizens of Keilah deliver me into his 11 ָ hands? Will Shaul come down, as Your servant has Samuel ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ַמע ַע ְב ֶ ּדך ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַה ֶּג ָד־נא ְל ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵיֵרד׃ ”!heard? Hashem, God of Yisrael, tell Your servant And Hashem said, “He will.” יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֲהַי ְס ִּג ּרו ַּב ֲע ֵלי ְק ִע ָילה ִאֹתי David continued, “Will the citizens of Keilah 12 ְו ֶא ֲת־א ָנשׁ ַ י ְּבַיד־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה deliver me and my men into Shaul’s hands?” And ַי ְס ִּג ּירו׃ ”.Hashem answered, “They will יג ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְּכשׁ ֵ שׁ ֵ־מאוֹת ִאישׁ So David and his men, about six hundred in 13 ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ִמ ְּק ִע ָלה ַוִּי ְת ַה ְּל ּכו ַּב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִי ְת ַה ָּל ּכו number, left Keilah at once and moved about ּו ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ֻה ַּגד ִּכ ִי־נ ְמ ַלט ָ ּדִוד ִמ ְּק ִע ָילה wherever they could. And when Shaul was told that ַוֶּי ְח ַ ּדל ָל ֵצאת׃ .David had got away from Keilah, he did not set out יד ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ָ ּדִוד ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ַּב ְּמ ָצדוֹת ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ָּב ָהר David was staying in the strongholds of the 14 ְּב ִמ ְד ַּב ִר־זיף ַוְי ַב ְקשׁ ֵ ּהו שׁ ָ ּאול ָּכ ַל־הָּי ִמים wilderness [of Yehuda]; he stayed in the hill ְו ְלֹא־נ ָתנוֹ ֱא ִלֹהים ְּבָידוֹ׃ country, in the wilderness of Ziph. Shaul searched for him constantly, but Hashem did not deliver him into his hands. טו ַוַּיְרא ָדִוד ִּכ ָי־י ָצא שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶאת־ David was once at Horesh in the wilderness of 15 ַנ ְפשׁ וֹ ְו ָדִוד ְּב ִמ ְד ַּב ִר־זיף ַּב ְחֹרשׁ ָ ה׃ Ziph, when David learned that Shaul had come out to seek his life. טז ַוָּי ָקם ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד And Shaul’s son Yehonatan came to David at 16 ְחֹרשׁ ָ ה ַוְי ַחֵ ּזק ֶא ָת־ידוֹ ֵּב ִאלֹהים׃ [Horesh and encouraged him in [the name of Hashem. יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ַא ִּל־ת ָירא ִּכי לֹא ִת ְמ ָצ ֲא ָך He said to him, “Do not be afraid: the hand of my 17 ַיד שׁ ָ ּאול ָא ִבי ְו ַא ָּתה ִּת ְמ ְלֹך ַעל־ father Shaul will never touch you. You are going to ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ָא ִנֹכי ֶא ְהֶי ְּה־ל ָך ְל ִמשׁ ְ ֶנה ְו ַגם־ ;be king over Yisrael and I shall be second to you שׁ ָ ּאול ָא ִבי ֵיֹד ַע ֵּכן׃ ”.and even my father Shaul knows this is so va-YO-mer ay-LAV al tee-RA KEE LO tim-tza-a-KHA yad sha-UL a-VEE v’-a-TAH tim-LOKH al yis-ra-AYL v’-a-no-KHEE eh-yeh l’-KHA l’-mish-NEH v’-GAM sha-UL a-VEE yo-DAY-a KAYN

23:17 Do not be afraid: the hand of my father Shaul great admiration for his friend and sacrifice for the sake will never touch you This verse again demonstrates of the nation as well as for David, Yehonatan expresses Yehonatan’s selflessness and love forDavid . Despite his his desire to serve under David. Yehonatan is a powerful awareness that the consequence of David becoming and inspiring model, not only of an elevated level of king is that he will not succeed his father on the throne, friendship, but also of an individual willing to make any Yehonatan recognizes that Hashem has designated his sacrifice necessary to advance the will of God and the beloved friend David as the next king of Israel. Displaying wellbeing of Israel.

80 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק דכ Chapter 24

יח ַוִּי ְכְר ּתו שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם ְּבִרית ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב And the two of them entered into a pact before 18 ָ ּדִוד ַּב ְחֹרשׁ ָ ה ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ָה ַל ְך ְל ֵביתוֹ׃ Hashem. David remained in Horesh, and Yehonatan went home. יט ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ִז ִפים ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַה ִּג ְב ָע ָתה ֵלאמֹר ,Some Ziphites went up to Shaul in Giva and said 19 ֲהלוֹא ָדִוד ִמ ְס ַּת ֵּתר ִע ָּמ ּנו ַב ְּמ ָצדוֹת David is hiding among us in the strongholds of“ ַּב ְחֹרשׁ ָ ה ְּב ִג ְב ַעת ַה ֲח ִכ ָילה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִמ ִימין .Horesh, at the hill of Hachilah south of Jeshimon ַהְישׁ ִ ימוֹן׃ כ ְו ַע ָּתה ְל ָכ ַל־אַּות ַנ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָלֶר ֶדת ֵרד ,So if Your Majesty has the desire to come down 20 ְו ָל ּנו ַה ְס ִּגירוֹ ְּבַיד ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ Samuel come down, and it will be our task to deliver him into Your Majesty’s hands.” כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ּרו ִכים ַא ֶּתם ַל ָיהֹוה ִּכי And Shaul replied, “May you be blessed of Hashem 21 ֲח ַמ ְל ֶּתם ָע ָלי׃ !for the compassion you have shown me כב ְל ּכו ָ־נא ָה ִכ ּינו עוֹד ּו ְד ּעו ּוְר ּאו ֶאת־ Go now and prepare further. Look around and 22 ְמקוֹמוֹ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּת ְהֶיה ַר ְגלוֹ ִמי ָר ָא ּהו שׁ ָ ם learn what places he sets foot on [and] who has ִּכי ָא ַמר ֵא ַלי ָערוֹם ַי ְעִרם ּהוא׃ seen him there, for I have been told he is a very cunning fellow. כג ּוְר ּאו ּו ְד ּעו ִמ ּכֹל ַה ַּמ ֲח ִבֹאים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Look around and learn in which of all his hiding 23 ִי ְת ַח ֵּבא שׁ ָ ם ְושׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם ֵא ַלי ֶא ָל־נכוֹן places he has been hiding, and return to me when ְו ָה ַל ְכ ִּתי ִא ְּת ֶכם ְו ָהָיה ִא ֶם־ישׁ ְ נוֹ ָב ָאֶרץ you are certain. I will then go with you, and if he is ְו ִח ַּפ ְשׂ ִּתי אֹתוֹ ְּבכֹל ַא ְל ֵפי ְי ּהו ָדה׃ in the region, I will search him out among all the clans of Yehuda.” כד ַוָּי ּקו ּמו ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ִז ָיפה ִל ְפ ֵני שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָדִוד They left at once for Ziph, ahead ofShaul ; David 24 ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְּב ִמ ְד ַּבר ָמעוֹן ָּב ֲעָר ָבה ֶאל ְי ִמין ,and his men were then in the wilderness of Maon ַהְישׁ ִ ימוֹן׃ .in the Arabah, to the south of Jeshimon כה ַוֵּי ֶל ְך שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ְל ָדִוד When Shaul and his men came to search, David was 25 ַוֵּיֶרד ַה ֶּס ַלע ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ְּב ִמ ְד ַּבר ָמעוֹן ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע told about it; and he went down to the rocky region שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּיְר ּדֹף ַא ֲחֵר ָי־דִוד ִמ ְד ַּבר ָמעוֹן׃ and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. On hearing this, Shaul pursued David in the wilderness of Maon. כו ַוֵּי ֶל ְך שׁ ָ ּאול ִמ ַּצד ָה ָהר ִמֶ ּזה ְו ָדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ,Shaul was making his way along one side of a hill 26 ִמ ַּצד ָה ָהר ִמֶ ּזה ַוְי ִהי ָדִוד ֶנ ְח ָּפז ָל ֶל ֶכת and David and his men were on the other side of ִמ ְּפ ֵני שׁ ָ ּאול ְושׁ ָ ּאול ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְעֹטִרים ֶאל־ the hill. David was trying hard to elude Shaul, and ָ ּדִוד ְו ֶא ֲל־א ָנשׁ ָ יו ְל ָת ְפ ָשׂם׃ Shaul and his men were trying to encircle David and his men and capture them, כז ּו ַמ ְל ָא ְך ָּבא ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵלאמֹר ַמ ֲהָרה when a messenger came and told Shaul, “Come 27 ְו ֵל ָכה ִּכ ָי־פשׁ ְ ּטו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַע ָל־ה ָאֶרץ׃ ”.quickly, for the Philistines have invaded the land כח ַוָּישׁ ָ ב שׁ ָ ּאול ִמְרדֹף ַא ֲחֵרי ָדִוד ַוֵּי ֶל ְך Shaul gave up his pursuit of David and went to 28 ִל ְקַראת ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַע ֵּל־כן ָקְר ּאו ַל ָּמקוֹם meet the Philistines. That is why that place came to ַה ּהוא ֶס ַלע ַה ַּמ ְח ְלקוֹת׃ .be called the Rock of Separation א ַוַּי ַעל ָ ּדִוד ִמשָּׁ ם ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ִּב ְמ ָצדוֹת ֵע ֶּין־ג ִדי׃ David went from there and stayed in the 1 24 כד .wildernesses of Ein Gedi ב ַוְי ִהי ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ב שׁ ָ ּאול ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי When Shaul returned from pursuing the 2 ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוַּי ִּג ּדו לוֹ ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ָדִוד Philistines, he was told that David was in the ְּב ִמ ְד ַּבר ֵעין ֶּג ִדי׃ .wilderness of Ein Gedi

81 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק דכ Chapter 24

ג ַוִּי ַּקח שׁ ָ ּאול שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ֲא ָל ִפים ִאישׁ ָּב ּחור So Shaul took three thousand picked men from all 3 ִמ ָּכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד Yisrael and went in search of David and his men in ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ּצוֵרי ַהְּי ֵע ִלים׃ ;the direction of the rocks of the wild goats ד ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ִּל־ג ְדרוֹת ַה ּצֹאן ַע ַל־ה ֶ ּדֶר ְך ְושׁ ָ ם .and he came to the sheepfolds along the way 4 ְמ ָעָרה ַוָּיבֹא שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ָה ֵס ְך ֶא ַת־ר ְג ָליו There was a cave there, andShaul went in to relieve ְו ָדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְּבַיְר ְּכ ֵתי ַה ְּמ ָעָרה יֹשׁ ְ ִבים׃ himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the back of the cave. ה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָדִוד ֵא ָליו ִה ֵנּה ַה ּיוֹם David’s men said to him, “This is the day of which 5 Samuel ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ֶל ָיך ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי ֵנֹתן Hashem said to you, ‘I will deliver your enemy into ֶאת־איביך ִ]אֹי ְב ָך[ ְּבָי ֶד ָך ְו ָע ִשׂ ָית ּלוֹ ”’.your hands; you can do with him as you please ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִי ַטב ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַוִּי ְכרֹת David went and stealthily cut off the corner of ֶא ְּת־כ ַנ ַף־ה ְּמ ִעיל ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־לשׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ָּלט׃ .Shaul’s cloak ו ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ַוַּי ְך ֵל ָ ּב־דִוד אֹתוֹ ַעל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר But afterwardDavid reproached himself for cutting 6 ָּכַרת ֶא ָּת־כ ָנף ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְלשׁ ָ ּאול׃ .off the corner ofShaul ’s cloak ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַל ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ָח ִל ָילה ִּלי ֵמ ָיהֹוה ִאם־ He said to his men, “Hashem forbid that I should 7 ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ַל ִאדֹני ִל ְמשׁ ִ ַיח —do such a thing to my lord—Hashem’s anointed ְי ָהֹוה ִלשׁ ְ ַלֹח ָי ִדי ּבוֹ ִּכ ְי־משׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה that I should raise my hand against him; for he is ּהוא׃ ”.Hashem’s anointed va-YO-mer l’-a-na-SHAV kha-LEE-lah LEE may-a-do-NAI im e-e-SEH et ha-da- VAR ha-ZEH la-do-NEE lim-SHEE-akh a-do-NAI lish-LO-akh ya-DEE BO kee m’-SHEE-akh a-do-NAI HU ח ַוְישׁ ַ ַּסע ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֲת־א ָנשׁ ָ יו ַּב ְ ּד ָבִרים ְולֹא David rebuked his men and did not permit them to 8 ְנ ָת ָנם ָל ּקום ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ְושׁ ָ ּאול ָקם attackShaul . Shaul left the cave and started on his ֵמ ַה ְּמ ָעָרה ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַּב ָ ּדֶר ְך׃ .way ט ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ַוֵּי ֵצא מן־המערה ThenDavid also went out of the cave and called 9 ֵ]מ ַה ְּמ ָעָרה[ ַוִּי ְקָרא ַא ֲחֵרי־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵלאמֹר after Shaul, “My lord king!” Shaul looked around ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוַּי ֵּבט שׁ ָ ּאול ַא ֲחָריו ַוִּי ּקֹד and David bowed low in homage, with his face to ָ ּדִוד ַא ַּפִים ַאְר ָצה ַוִּישׁ ְ ָּת ּחו׃ .the ground י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ָל ָּמה ִתשׁ ְ ַמע ֶאת־ And David said to Shaul, “Why do you listen to the 10 ִ ּד ְבֵרי ָא ָדם ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ָדִוד ְמ ַב ֵּקשׁ ’?people who say, ‘David is out to do you harm ָר ָע ֶת ָך׃

24:7 Hashem forbid that I Though David could have continues until the very end, expressed in the beautiful legitimately killed King Shaul in self-defense, he merely eulogy he delivers for Shaul after his death (see II Samuel cuts his royal cloak, and refrains from harming him 1:17-27). The leaders of the nation must be respected by physically. However, despite this extreme restraint, after all, as they are chosen by Hashem and charged with the the fact David greatly regrets his act, feeling that he has responsibility of leading His people and guiding them in shown disrespect to the king of Israel. Despite everything their holy mission. David has the strength and wisdom Shaul had done to him, David honors King Shaul and to understand this, even while being pursued by the king his position as the anointed king of Israel. This esteem whose throne he would later inherit.

82 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק דכ Chapter 24

יא ִה ֵנּה ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ָר ּאו ֵע ֶינ ָיך ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ You can see for yourself now that Hashem delivered 11 ְנ ָת ְנ ָך ְי ָהֹוה ַה ּיוֹם ְּבָי ִדי ַּב ְּמ ָעָרה ְו ָא ַמר you into my hands in the cave today. And though I ַל ֲהָר ֲג ָך ַו ָּת ָחס ָע ֶל ָיך ָו ַאֹמר ֶלֹא־אשׁ ְ ַלח ,was urged to kill you, I showed you pity; for I said ָי ִדי ַּב ִאדֹני ִּכ ְי־משׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה ּהוא׃ I will not raise a hand against my lord, since he is‘ Hashem’s anointed.’ יב ְו ָא ִבי ְר ֵאה ַּגם ְר ֵאה ֶא ְּת־כ ַנף ְמ ִע ְיל ָך Please, sir, take a close look at the corner of your 12 ְּבָי ִדי ִּכי ְּב ָכְר ִתי ֶא ְּת־כ ַנף ְמ ִע ְיל ָך ְולֹא cloak in my hand; for when I cut off the corner of ֲהַר ְג ִּת ָיך ַ ּדע ּוְר ֵאה ִּכי ֵאין ְּבָי ִדי ָר ָעה your cloak, I did not kill you. You must see plainly

ָו ֶפשׁ ַ ע ְו ָלֹא־ח ָט ִאתי ָל ְך ְו ַא ָּתה ֶצֹדה ֶאת־ Samuel that I have done nothing evil or rebellious, and I ַ נ ְ פ שׁ ִ י ְל ַ ק ְ ח ָ ּ ת ּ ה ׃ have never wronged you. Yet you are bent on taking my life. יג ִישׁ ְ ּפֹט ְי ָהֹוה ֵּב ִיני ּו ֵב ֶינ ָך ּו ְנ ָק ַמ ִני ְי ָהֹוה May Hashem judge between you and me! And may 13 ִמ ֶּמ ָּך ְוָי ִדי לֹא ִת ְהֶי ָּה־ב ְך׃ He take vengeance upon you for me, but my hand will never touch you. יד ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַיֹאמר ְמשׁ ַ ל ַה ַּק ְד ִמֹני ֵמְרשׁ ָ ִעים As the ancient proverb has it: ‘Wicked deeds come 14 ֵי ֵצא ֶרשׁ ַ ע ְוָי ִדי לֹא ִת ְהֶי ָּה־ב ְך׃ .from wicked men!’ My hand will never touch you טו ַא ֲחֵרי ִמי ָי ָצא ֶמ ֶל ְך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ֲחֵרי ִמי ?Against whom has the king of Yisrael come out 15 ַא ָּתה ֵרֹדף ַא ֲחֵרי ֶּכ ֶלב ֵמת ַא ֲחֵרי ַּפְרעֹשׁ Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A single ֶא ָחד׃ ?flea טז ְו ָהָיה ְי ָהֹוה ְל ַדָּין ְושׁ ָ ַפט ֵּב ִיני ּו ֵב ֶינ ָך ְוֵיֶרא May Hashem be arbiter and may He judge between 16 ְוָיֵרב ֶא ִת־ר ִיבי ְוִישׁ ְ ְּפ ֵט ִני ִמָּי ֶד ָך׃ you and me! May He take note and uphold my cause, and vindicate me against you.” יז ַוְי ִהי ְּכ ַכ ּלוֹת ָ ּדִוד ְל ַד ֵּבר ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים , When David finished saying these things toShaul 17 ָה ֵא ֶּלה ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֲה ְקֹל ָך Shaul said, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And ֶזה ְּב ִני ָדִוד ַוִּי ָּשׂא שׁ ָ ּאול קֹלוֹ ַוֵּי ְב ְּך׃ .Shaul broke down and wept יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַצ ִ ּדיק ַא ָּתה ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ִּכי He said to David, “You are right, not I; for you have 18 ַא ָּתה ְּג ַמ ְל ַּת ִני ַה ּט ָוֹבה ַו ֲא ִני ְּג ַמ ְל ִּת ָיך .treated me generously, but I have treated you badly ָהָר ָעה׃ יט ואת ְ]ו ַא ָּתה[ ִה ַּג ְד ָּת ַה ּיוֹם ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ Yes, you have just revealed how generously you 19 ָע ִשׂ ָיתה ִא ִּתי ָטוֹבה ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִס ְּגַר ִני treated me, for Hashem delivered me into your ְי ָהֹוה ְּבָי ְד ָך ְולֹא ֲהַר ְג ָּת ִני׃ .hands and you did not kill me כ ְו ִכ ִי־י ְמ ָצא ִאישׁ ֶא ְת־אֹיבוֹ ְושׁ ִ ְּלחוֹ ְּב ֶדֶר ְך If a man meets his enemy, does he let him go his 20 ָטוֹבה ַו ָיהֹוה ְישׁ ַ ֶּל ְמ ָך ָטוֹבה ַּת ַחת ַה ּיוֹם way unharmed? Surely, Hashem will reward you ַהֶ ּזה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ִשׂ ָיתה ִלי׃ .generously for what you have done for me this day כא ְו ַע ָּתה ִה ֵנּה ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ִּכי ָמ ְלֹך ִּת ְמ ְלוֹך I know now that you will become king, and that the 21 ְו ָק ָמה ְּבָי ְד ָך ַמ ְמ ֶל ֶכת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .kingship over Yisrael will remain in your hands כב ְו ַע ָּתה ִהשָּׁ ְב ָעה ִּלי ַּב ָיהֹוה ִא ַּם־ת ְכִרית So swear to me by Hashem that you will not destroy 22 ֶא ַת־זְר ִעי ַא ֲחָרי ְו ִא ַּם־תשׁ ְ ִמיד ֶאת־שׁ ְ ִמי my descendants or wipe out my name from my ִמ ֵּבית ָא ִבי׃ ”.father’s house כג ַוִּישָּׁ ַבע ָ ּדִוד ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ַוֵּי ֶל ְך שׁ ָ ּאול ֶאל־ David swore to Shaul, Shaul went home, and David 23 ֵּביתוֹ ְו ָדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ָע ּלו ַע ַל־ה ְּמ ּצו ָדה׃ .and his men went up to the strongholds

83 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק הכ Chapter 25

א ַוָּי ָמת שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַוִּי ָּק ְב ּצו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Shmuel died, and all Yisrael gathered and made 1 25 כה ַוִּי ְס ְּפ ּדו־לוֹ ַוִּי ְק ְּבֻר ּהו ְּב ֵביתוֹ ָּבָר ָמה ַוָּי ָקם lament for him; and they buried him in Rama, his ָ ּדִוד ַוֵּיֶרד ֶא ִל־מ ְד ַּבר ָּפ ָארן׃ .home. David went down to the wilderness of Paran ב ְו ִאישׁ ְּב ָמעוֹן ּו ַמ ֲע ֵשׂ ּהו ַב ַּכְר ֶמל ְו ָה ִאישׁ There was a man in Maon whose possessions were 2 ָּגדוֹל ְמאֹד ְולוֹ צֹאן שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ֲת־א ָל ִפים in Carmel. The man was very wealthy; he owned ְו ֶא ֶלף ִעִ ּזים ַוְי ִהי ִּב ְגזֹז ֶאת־צֹאנוֹ ַּב ַּכְר ֶמל׃ three thousand sheep and a thousand goats. At the time, he was shearing his sheep in Carmel. ג ְושׁ ֵ ם ָה ִאישׁ ָנ ָבל ְושׁ ֵ ם ִאשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ֲא ִב ָגִיל The man’s name wasNaval , and his wife’s name was 3 Samuel ְו ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַטוֹב ֶת־שׂ ֶכל ִו ַיפת ּת ַֹאר ְו ָה ִאישׁ ,Avigail. The woman was intelligent and beautiful ָקשׁ ֶ ה ְוַרע ַמ ֲע ָל ִלים ְו ּהוא כלבו ָ]כ ִל ִּבי׃[ but the man, a Calebite, was a hard man and an evildoer. ד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ָ ּדִוד ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ִּכ ֵי־גֹזז ָנ ָבל ֶאת־ David was in the wilderness when he heard that 4 צֹאנוֹ׃ .Naval was shearing his sheep ה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ְנ ָעִרים ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד David dispatched ten young men, and David 5 ַל ְנּ ָעִרים ֲע ּלו ַכְר ֶמ ָלה ּו ָב ֶאתם ֶא ָל־נ ָבל .instructed the young men, “Go up to Carmel ּושׁ ְ ֶא ְל ֶּתם־לוֹ ִבשׁ ְ ִמי ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ .When you come to Naval, greet him in my name ו ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ּכֹה ֶל ָחי ְו ַא ָּתה שׁ ָ לוֹם ּו ֵב ְית ָך Say as follows: ‘To life! Greetings to you and to 6 שׁ ָ לוֹם ְוכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־ל ָך שׁ ָ לוֹם׃ !your household and to all that is yours ז ְו ַע ָּתה שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ִּתי ִּכי ְגֹזִזים ָל ְך ַע ָּתה I hear that you are now doing your shearing. As you 7 ָה ִרֹעים ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־ל ָך ָה ּיו ִע ָּמ ּנו לֹא know, your shepherds have been with us; we did ֶה ְכ ַל ְמ ּנום ְו ִלֹא־נ ְפ ַקד ָל ֶהם ְמ ּאו ָמה ָּכל־ not harm them, and nothing of theirs was missing ְי ֵמי ֱה ָיוֹתם ַּב ַּכְר ֶמל׃ .all the time they were in Carmel ח שׁ ְ ַאל ֶא ְת־נ ָעֶר ָיך ְוַי ִּג ּידו ָל ְך ְוִי ְמ ְצ ּאו Ask your young men and they will tell you. So 8 ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ֵחן ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ִּכ ַי־על־יוֹם טוֹב ָּב ּנו receive these young men graciously, for we have ְּת ָנ ָה־נּא ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּת ְמ ָצא ָי ְד ָך ַל ֲע ָב ֶד ָיך come on a festive occasion. Please give your ּו ְל ִב ְנ ָך ְל ָדִוד׃ ”’.servants and your son David whatever you can ט ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַנ ֲעֵרי ָדִוד ַוְי ַד ְּב ּרו ֶא ָל־נ ָבל ְּכ ָכל־ David’s young men went and delivered this 9 ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ָ ּדִוד ַוָּי ּנו ּחו׃ message to Naval in the name of David. When they stopped speaking, י ַוַּי ַען ָנ ָבל ֶא ַת־ע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִמי ?Naval answered David’s servants, “Who is David 10 ָדִוד ּו ִמי ֶב ִן־ישׁ ָ י ַה ּיוֹם ַר ּב ּו ֲע ָב ִדים Who is the son of Yishai? There are many slaves ַה ִּמ ְת ָּפְר ִצים ִאישׁ ִמ ְּפ ֵני ֲא ָדֹניו׃ .nowadays who run away from their masters יא ְו ָל ַק ְח ִּתי ֶא ַת־ל ְח ִמי ְו ֶא ֵת־מ ַימי ְו ֵאת Should I then take my bread and my water, and the 11 ִט ְב ָח ִתי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָט ַב ְח ִּתי ְל ְגֹזָזי ְו ָנ ַת ִּתי meat that I slaughtered for my own shearers, and ַל ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ֵאי ִמֶ ּזה ֵה ָּמה׃ give them to men who come from I don’t know where?” יב ַוַּי ַה ְפ ּכו ַנ ֲעֵר ָי־דִוד ְל ַדְר ָּכם ַוָּישׁ ֻ ּבו ַוָּי ּבֹאו ;ThereuponDavid ’s young men retraced their steps 12 ַוַּי ִּג ּדו לוֹ ְּככֹל ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה׃ .and when they got back, they told him all this יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַל ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ִח ְג ּרו ִאישׁ ֶאת־ ”.And David said to his men, “Gird on your swords 13 ַחְר ּבוֹ ַוַּי ְח ְּג ּרו ִאישׁ ֶא ַת־חְר ּבוֹ ַוַּי ְח ּגֹר ַּגם־ Each girded on his sword; David too girded on ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־חְר ּבוֹ ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ַא ֲחֵרי ָדִוד ְּכ ַאְר ַּבע his sword. About four hundred men went up after ֵמאוֹת ִאישׁ ּו ָמ ַאתִים ָישׁ ְ ּבו ַע ַל־ה ֵּכ ִלים׃ David, while two hundred remained with the baggage. 84 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק הכ Chapter 25

יד ְו ַל ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ָנ ָבל ִה ִּגיד ַנ ַע ֶר־א ָחד One of [Naval’s] young men told Avigail, Naval’s 14 ֵמ ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה שׁ ָ ַלח ָ ּדִוד wife, that David had sent messengers from the ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֵמ ַה ִּמ ְד ָּבר ְל ָבֵר ְך ֶא ֲת־א ֵדֹנ ּינו wilderness to greet their master, and that he had ַוָּי ַעט ָּב ֶהם׃ .spurned them טו ְו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִטֹבים ָל ּנו ְמאֹד ְולֹא ָה ְכ ַל ְמ ּנו But the men had been very friendly to us; we were“ 15 ְו ָלֹא־פ ַק ְד ּנו ְמ ּאו ָמה ָּכ ְל־י ֵמי ִה ְת ַה ַּל ְכ ּנו not harmed, nor did we miss anything all the time ִא ָּתם ִּב ְה ֵיוֹת ּנו ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ that we went about with them while we were in the open. Samuel טז ָחוֹמה ָה ּיו ָע ֵל ּינו ַּג ַם־לְי ָלה ַּג ָם־יוֹמם ָּכל־ They were a wall about us both by night and by day 16 ְי ֵמי ֱה ֵיוֹת ּנו ִע ָּמם ִרֹעים ַה ּצֹאן׃ all the time that we were with them tending the flocks. יז ְו ַע ָּתה ְ ּד ִעי ּוְר ִאי ַמ ַּה־ת ֲע ִשׂי ִּכ ָי־כ ְל ָתה So consider carefully what you should do, for harm 17 ָהָר ָעה ֶא ֲל־א ֵדֹנ ּינו ְו ַעל ָּכ ֵּל־ביתוֹ ְו ּהוא threatens our master and all his household; he is ֶּב ְּן־ב ִלַּי ַעל ִמ ַ ּד ֵּבר ֵא ָליו׃ ”.such a nasty fellow that no one can speak to him יח ַו ְּת ַמ ֵהר אבוגיל ֲ]א ִב ַיגִיל[ ַו ִּת ַּקח Avigail quickly got together two hundred loaves 18 ָמ ַאתִים ֶל ֶחם ּושׁ ְ ַנִים ִנ ְב ֵל ַי־יִין ְו ָח ֵמשׁ of bread, two jars of wine, five dressed sheep, five צֹאן עשוות ֲ]ע ּשׂויֹת[ ְו ָח ֵמשׁ ְס ִאים ,se’eem of parched corn, one hundred cakes of raisin ָק ִלי ּו ֵמ ָאה ִצ ֻּמ ִקים ּו ָמ ַאתִים ְ ּד ֵב ִלים and two hundred cakes of pressed figs. She loaded ַו ָּת ֶשׂם ַע ַל־ה ֲח ִמֹרים׃ ,them on asses יט ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ִל ְנ ָעֶר ָיה ִע ְב ּרו ְל ָפ ַני ִה ְנ ִני and she told her young men, “Go on ahead of 19 ַא ֲחֵר ֶיכם ָּב ָאה ּו ְל ִאישׁ ָ ּה ָנ ָבל לֹא ִה ִּג ָידה׃ me, and I’ll follow you”; but she did not tell her husband Naval. כ ְו ָהָיה ִהיא ֶרֹכ ֶבת ַע ַל־ה ֲחמוֹר ְו ֶיֹר ֶדת She was riding on the ass and going down a trail on 20 ְּב ֵס ֶתר ָה ָהר ְו ִה ֵנּה ָדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְיֹר ִדים the hill, when David and his men appeared, coming ִל ְקָר ָאת ּה ַו ִּת ְפ ּגֹשׁ ָאֹתם׃ —.down toward her; and she met them כא ְו ָדִוד ָא ַמר ַא ְך ַלשֶּׁ ֶקר שׁ ָ ַמְר ִּתי ֶא ָּת־כל־ Now David had been saying, “It was all for nothing 21 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָלֶזה ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ְו ִלֹא־נ ְפ ַקד ִמ ָּכל־ that I protected that fellow’s possessions in the ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־לוֹ ְמ ּאו ָמה ַוָּישׁ ֶ ִב־לי ָר ָעה ַּת ַחת .wilderness, and that nothing he owned is missing ָטוֹבה׃ .He has paid me back evil for good כב ּכ ַֹה־י ֲע ֶשׂה ֱא ִלֹהים ְל ְאֹי ֵבי ָדִוד ְוכֹה ִיֹסיף May Hashem do thus and more to the enemies of 22 ִא ַם־אשׁ ְ ִאיר ִמ ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר־לוֹ ַע ַד־ה ּב ֶֹקר David if, by the light of morning, I leave a single ַמשׁ ְ ִּתין ְּב ִקיר׃ —”.male of his כג ַו ֵּתֶרא ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ַו ְּת ַמ ֵהר ַו ֵּתֶרד When Avigail saw David, she quickly dismounted 23 ֵמ ַעל ַה ֲחמוֹר ַו ִּת ּפֹל ְל ַא ֵּפי ָדִוד ַע ָּל־פ ֶנ ָיה from the ass and threw herself face down before ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ַּת ּחו ָאֶרץ׃ .David, bowing to the ground כד ַו ִּת ּפֹל ַע ַל־ר ְג ָליו ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ִּב ֲי־א ִני ֲא ִדֹני Prostrate at his feet, she pleaded, “Let the blame be 24 ֶה ָעוׂן ּו ְת ַד ֶּב ָר־נא ֲא ָמ ְת ָך ְּב ָאְז ֶנ ָיך ּושׁ ְ ַמע ;mine, my lord, but let your handmaid speak to you ֵאת ִ ּד ְבֵרי ֲא ָמ ֶת ָך׃ .hear your maid’s plea כה ַא ָל־נא ָי ִשׂים ֲא ִדֹני ֶא ִת־ל ּבוֹ ֶא ִל־אישׁ Please, my lord, pay no attention to that wretched 25 ַה ְּב ִלַּי ַעל ַהֶ ּזה ַע ָל־נ ָבל ִּכי ִכשׁ ְ מוֹ ֶּכ ּן־הוא :fellow Naval. For he is just what his name says ָנ ָבל שׁ ְ מוֹ ּו ְנ ָב ָלה ִע ּמוֹ ַו ֲא ִני ֲא ָמ ְת ָך לֹא His name means ‘boor’ and he is a boor. “Your ָר ִא ִיתי ֶא ַת־נ ֲעֵרי ֲא ִדֹני ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ָל ְח ָּת׃ handmaid did not see the young men whom my lord sent.

85 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק הכ Chapter 25

כו ְו ַע ָּתה ֲא ִדֹני ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ְו ֵח ַי־נ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר —I swear, my lord, as Hashem lives and as you live 26 ְמ ָנ ֲע ָך ְי ָהֹוה ִמ ּבוֹא ְב ָד ִמים ְוהוֹשׁ ֵ ַע ָי ְד ָך Hashem who has kept you from seeking redress by ָל ְך ְו ַע ָּתה ִי ְה ּיו ְכ ָנ ָבל ְאֹי ֶב ָיך ְו ַה ְמ ַב ְקשׁ ִ ים blood with your own hands—let your enemies and ֶא ֲל־א ִדֹני ָר ָעה׃ !all who would harm my lord fare like Naval כז ְו ַע ָּתה ַה ְּבָר ָכה ַה ּזֹאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ֵר־ה ִביא Here is the present which your maidservant has 27 שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך ַל ִאדֹני ְו ִנ ְּת ָנה ַל ְנּ ָעִרים brought to my lord; let it be given to the young ַה ִּמ ְת ַה ְּל ִכים ְּבַר ְג ֵלי ֲא ִדֹני׃ .men who are the followers of my lord כח ָ Please pardon your maid’s boldness. For Hashem 28

Samuel ָשׂא ָנא ְל ֶפשׁ ַ ע ֲא ָמ ֶתך ִּכי ָע ַשֹׂה־י ֲע ֶשׂה ְי ָהֹוה ַל ִאדֹני ַּבִית ֶנ ֱא ָמן ִּכ ִי־מ ְל ֲחמוֹת will grant my lord an enduring house, because ְי ָהֹוה ֲא ִדֹני ִנ ְל ָחם ְוָר ָעה ִלֹא־ת ָּמ ֵצא ְב ָך my lord is fighting the battles ofHashem , and no ִמָּי ֶמ ָיך׃ .wrong is ever to be found in you SA NA l’-FE-sha a-ma-TE-kha KEE a-soh ya-a-SEH a-do-NAI la-do-NEE BA-yit ne-e-MAN kee mil-kha-MOT a-do-NAI a-do-NEE nil-KHAM v’-ra-AH lo ti-ma-TZAY v’-KHA mi-ya-ME-kha כט ַוָּי ָקם ָא ָדם ִלְר ָד ְפ ָך ּו ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך And if anyone sets out to pursue you and seek 29 ְו ָהְי ָתה ֶנ ֶפשׁ ֲא ִדֹני ְצ ּרוָרה ִּב ְצרוֹר ַה ַחִּיים your life, the life of my lord will be bound up in the ֵאת ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ְו ֵאת ֶנ ֶפשׁ ְאֹי ֶב ָיך bundle of life in the care of Hashem; but He will ְי ַק ְּל ֶע ָנּה ְּב ְתוֹך ַּכף ַה ָּק ַלע׃ fling away the lives of your enemies as from the hollow of a sling. ל ְו ָהָיה ִּכ ַי־י ֲע ֶשׂה ְי ָהֹוה ַל ִאדֹני ְּככֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ And when Hashem has accomplished for my 30 ִ ּד ֶּבר ֶא ַת־ה ּט ָוֹבה ָע ֶל ָיך ְו ִצְּו ָך ְל ָנ ִגיד lord all the good He has promised you, and has ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ,appointed you ruler of Yisrael לא ְולֹא ִת ְהֶיה זֹאת ְל ָך ְל ּפו ָקה ּו ְל ִמ ְכשׁ וֹל do not let this be a cause of stumbling and of 31 ֵלב ַל ִאדֹני ְו ִלשׁ ְ ָּפ ְך ָ ּ־דם ִח ָנּם ּו ְלהוֹשׁ ִ ַיע faltering courage to my lord that you have shed ֲא ִדֹני לוֹ ְו ֵה ִיטב ְי ָהֹוה ַל ִאדֹני ְוָז ַכְר ָּת ֶאת־ blood needlessly and that my lord sought redress ֲא ָמ ֶת ָך׃ with his own hands. And when Hashem has prospered my lord, remember your maid.” לב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַל ֲא ִב ַיגל ָּב ּרו ְך ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי David said to Avigail, “Praised be Hashem, the God 32 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ְ ָל ֵח ְך ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה !of Yisrael, who sent you this day to meet me ִל ְקָר ִאתי׃ לג ּו ָב ּרו ְך ַט ְע ֵמ ְך ּו ְב ּרו ָכה ָא ְּת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּכ ִל ִת ִני And blessed be your prudence, and blessed be you 33 ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ִמ ּבוֹא ְב ָד ִמים ְוהֹשׁ ֵ ַע ָי ִדי ִלי׃ yourself for restraining me from seeking redress in blood by my own hands. לד ְו ּאו ָלם ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר —For as sure as Hashem, the God of Yisrael, lives 34 ְמ ָנ ַע ִני ֵמ ָהַרע ָאֹת ְך ִּכי ּלו ֵלי ִמ ַהְר ְּת who has kept me from harming you—had you ותבאתי ַ]ו ָּתבֹאת[ ִל ְקָר ִאתי ִּכי ִא ַם־נוֹתר not come quickly to meet me, not a single male of ְל ָנ ָבל ַעד־אוֹר ַה ּב ֶֹקר ַמשׁ ְ ִּתין ְּב ִקיר׃ ”.Naval’s line would have been left by daybreak

25:28 Because my lord is fighting the battles of ethics: The People of Israel are required to fight wars Hashem Metzudat David explains that the only to defend themselves and to strengthen the prophetess Avigail is warning David that he should kill Promised Land. The State of Israel follows this biblical only if necessary as part of Hashem’s wars against mandate, as can be seen even in the name given to the enemies such as the Philistines, but not in order to exact Israeli army: The Israel Defense Forces, or in Hebrew, Tz’va Israel Defense Forces insignia .(צבא ההגנה לישראל) revenge. This is one of the foundations of Jewish military HaHaganah L’Yisrael

86 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק וכ Chapter 26

לה ַוִּי ַּקח ָ ּדִוד ִמָּי ָד ּה ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ֵר־ה ִב ָיאה לוֹ David then accepted from her what she had 35 ְו ָל ּה ָא ַמר ֲע ִלי ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם ְל ֵב ֵית ְך ְר ִאי brought him, and he said to her, “Go up to your שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ִּתי ְב ֵקוֹל ְך ָו ֶא ָּשׂא ָּפ ָנִי ְך׃ home safely. See, I have heeded your plea and respected your wish.” לו ַו ָּתבֹא ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ֶא ָל־נ ָבל ְו ִה ֵנּה־לוֹ ִמשׁ ְ ֶּתה When Avigail came home to Naval, he was having 36 ְּב ֵביתוֹ ְּכ ִמשׁ ְ ֵּתה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ֵלב ָנ ָבל טוֹב a feast in his house, a feast fit for a king;Naval was ָע ָליו ְו ּהוא שׁ ִ ּכֹר ַע ְד־מאֹד ְו ִלֹא־ה ִּג ָידה in a merry mood and very drunk, so she did not tell ּלוֹ ָ ּד ָבר ָקטֹן ְו ָגדוֹל ַעד־אוֹר ַה ּב ֶֹקר׃ .him anything at all until daybreak Samuel לז ַוְי ִהי ַב ּב ֶֹקר ְּב ֵצאת ַהַּיִין ִמ ָנּ ָבל ַו ַּת ֶּגד־לוֹ The next morning, whenNaval had slept off 37 ִאשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַוָּי ָמת ִל ּבוֹ the wine, his wife told him everything that had ְּב ִקְר ּבוֹ ְו ּהוא ָהָיה ְל ָא ֶבן׃ happened; and his courage died within him, and he became like a stone. לח ַוְי ִהי ַּכ ֲע ֶשׂ ֶרת ַהָּי ִמים ַוִּי ּגֹף ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָת־נ ָבל About ten days later Hashem struck Naval and he 38 ַוָּימֹת׃ .died לט ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ָ ּדִוד ִּכי ֵמת ָנ ָבל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָּב ּרו ְך ,When David heard that Naval was dead, he said 39 ְי ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָרב ֶא ִת־ריב ֶחְר ָּפ ִתי ִמַּיד ָנ ָבל Praised be Hashem who championed my cause“ ְו ֶא ַת־ע ְב ּדוֹ ָח ַשׂ ְך ֵמָר ָעה ְו ֵאת ָר ַעת ָנ ָבל against the insults of Naval and held back His ֵהשׁ ִ יב ְי ָהֹוה ְּברֹאשׁ וֹ ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ַוְי ַד ֵּבר servant from wrongdoing; Hashem has brought ַּב ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ְל ַק ְח ָּת ּה לוֹ ְל ִאשָּׁ ה׃ Naval’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” David sent messengers to propose marriage to Avigail, to take her as his wife. מ ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ֶא ֲל־א ִב ַיגִיל ַה ַּכְר ֶמ ָלה When David’s servants came to Avigail at Carmel 40 ַוְי ַד ְּב ּרו ֵא ֶל ָיה ֵלאמֹר ָ ּדִוד שׁ ְ ָל ָח ּנו ֵא ַלִי ְך and told her that David had sent them to her to ְל ַק ְח ֵּת ְך לוֹ ְל ִאשָּׁ ה׃ ,make her his wife מא ַו ָּת ָקם ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ַּת ּחו ַא ַּפִים ָאְר ָצה ַו ּת ֶֹאמר she immediately bowed low with her face to the 41 ִה ֵנּה ֲא ָמ ְת ָך ְלשׁ ִ ְפ ָחה ִלְרחֹץ ַר ְג ֵלי ַע ְב ֵדי ground and said, “Your handmaid is ready to be ֲא ִדֹני׃ your maidservant, to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.” מב ַו ְּת ַמ ֵהר ַו ָּת ָקם ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ַו ִּתְר ַּכב ַעל־ ThenAvigail rose quickly and mounted an ass, and 42 ַה ֲחמוֹר ְו ָח ֵמשׁ ַנ ֲע ֶרֹת ָיה ַה ְהֹלכוֹת ְלַר ְג ָל ּה with five of her maids in attendance she followed ַו ֵּת ֶל ְך ַא ֲחֵרי ַמ ְל ֲא ֵכי ָדִוד ַו ְּת ִהי־לוֹ .David’s messengers; and she became his wife ְ ל ִ א שׁ ּ ָ ה ׃ מג ְו ֶא ֲת־א ִח ַינֹעם ָל ַקח ָ ּדִוד ִמִּיְזְר ֶעאל Now David had taken Ahinoam of Yizrael; so both 43 ַו ִּת ְהֶייןָ ַּגם־שׁ ְ ֵּת ֶיהן לוֹ ְל ָנשׁ ִ ים׃ .of them became his wives מד ְושׁ ָ ּאול ָנ ַתן ֶא ִת־מ ַיכל ִּב ּתוֹ ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ָ ּדִוד ,Shaul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife 44 ְל ַפ ְל ִטי ֶב ַן־לִישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִמ ַּג ִּלים׃ .to Palti son of Laish from Gallim א ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַהִ ּז ִפים ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַה ִּג ְב ָע ָתה The Ziphites came toShaul at Giva and said, “David 1 26 כו ֵלאמֹר ֲהלוֹא ָדִוד ִמ ְס ַּת ֵּתר ְּב ִג ְב ַעת ”.is hiding in the hill of Hachilah facing Jeshimon ַה ֲח ִכ ָילה ַעל ְּפ ֵני ַהְישׁ ִ ימֹן׃ ב ַוָּי ָקם שׁ ָ ּאול ַוֵּיֶרד ֶא ִל־מ ְד ַּב ִר־זיף ְו ִא ּתוֹ ,Shaul went down at once to the wilderness of Ziph 2 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ֲת־א ָל ִפים ִאישׁ ְּב ּחוֵרי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,together with three thousand picked men of Yisrael ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ְּב ִמ ְד ַּב ִר־זיף׃ ,to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph

87 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק וכ Chapter 26

ג ַוִּי ַחן שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ִג ְב ַעת ַה ֲח ִכ ָילה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר and Shaul encamped on the hill of Hachilah which 3 ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ַהְישׁ ִ ימֹן ַע ַל־ה ָ ּדֶר ְך ְו ָדִוד יֹשׁ ֵ ב faces Jeshimon, by the road. When David, who was ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר ַוַּיְרא ִּכי ָבא שׁ ָ ּאול ַא ֲחָריו then living in the wilderness, learned that Shaul ַה ִּמ ְד ָּבָרה׃ ,had come after him into the wilderness ד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ְמַר ְּג ִלים ַוֵּי ַדע ִּכ ָי־בא שׁ ָ ּאול David sent out scouts and made sure that Shaul had 4 ֶא ָל־נכוֹן׃ .come ה ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ַל־ה ָּמקוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָח ָנה־ David went at once to the place where Shaul had 5 ּ encamped, and David saw the spot where Shaul

Samuel שׁ ָ ם שׁ ָ ּאול ַוַיְרא ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ָּמקוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ָ ַכב־שׁ ָ ם שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ַא ְב ֵנר ֶּב ֵן־נר ַשׂר־ and his army commander, Avner son of Ner, lay ְצ ָבאוֹ ְושׁ ָ ּאול שׁ ֵֹכב ַּב ַּמ ְע ָּגל ְו ָה ָעם ִחֹנים asleep. Shaul lay asleep inside the barricade and the סביבתו ְ]ס ִב ָיבֹתיו׃[ .troops were posted around him ו ַוַּי ַען ָ ּדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ֲל־א ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ַה ִח ִּתי David spoke up and asked Achimelech the Hittite 6 ְו ֶא ֲל־א ִבישׁ ַ י ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה ֲא ִחי ָיוֹאב ֵלאמֹר and Avishai son of Tzeruya, Yoav’s brother, “Who ִמ ֵי־יֵרד ִא ִּתי ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ”?will go down with me into the camp to Shaul ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֲא ִני ֵאֵרד ִע ָּמ ְך׃ ”.And Avishai answered, “I will go down with you ז ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ַו ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ַלְי ָלה So David and Avishai approached the troops 7 ְו ִה ֵנּה שׁ ָ ּאול שׁ ֵֹכב ָישׁ ֵ ן ַּב ַּמ ְע ָּגל ַו ֲח ִניתוֹ by night, and found Shaul fast asleep inside the ְמ ּעו ָכ ָה־ב ָאֶרץ מראשתו ְ]מַר ֲאשׁ ָֹתיו[ ,barricade, his spear stuck in the ground at his head ְו ַא ְב ֵנר ְו ָה ָעם שׁ ְֹכ ִבים סביבתו .and Avner and the troops sleeping around him ְ]ס ִב ָיבֹתיו׃[ ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ִס ַּגר ֱא ִלֹהים And Avishai said to David, “Hashem has delivered 8 ַה ּיוֹם ֶא ִת־אוֹי ְב ָך ְּבָי ֶד ָך ְו ַע ָּתה ַא ֶּכ ּנּו ָנא your enemy into your hands today. Let me pin him ַּב ֲח ִנית ּו ָב ָאֶרץ ַּפ ַעם ַא ַחת ְולֹא ֶאשׁ ְ ֶנה to the ground with a single thrust of the spear. I will לוֹ ׃ ”.not have to strike him twice ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֲל־א ִבישׁ ַ י ַא ַּל־תשׁ ְ ִח ֵית ּהו !But David said to Avishai, “Don’t do him violence 9 ִּכי ִמי שׁ ָ ַלח ָידוֹ ִּב ְמשׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה ְו ִנ ָּקה׃ No one can lay hands on Hashem’s anointed with impunity.” י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ִּכי ִא ְם־י ָהֹוה ִי ָּג ֶפ ּנּו And David went on, “As Hashem lives, Hashem 10 אוֹ־יוֹמוֹ ָיבוֹא ָו ֵמת אוֹ ַב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ֵיֵרד Himself will strike him down, or his time will come ְו ִנ ְס ָּפה׃ and he will die, or he will go down to battle and perish. יא ָח ִל ָילה ִּלי ֵמ ָיהֹוה ִמשְּׁ ַלֹח ָי ִדי ִּב ְמשׁ ִ ַיח But Hashem forbid that I should lay a hand on 11 ְי ָהֹוה ְו ַע ָּתה ַק ָח־נא ֶא ַת־ה ֲח ִנית ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Hashem’s anointed! Just take the spear and the מראשתו ְ]מַר ֲאשׁ ָֹתיו[ ְו ֶא ַת־צ ַּפ ַחת ”.water jar at his head and let’s be off ַה ַּמִים ְו ֵנ ֲל ָכה ָּל ּנו׃ יב ַוִּי ַּקח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ֲח ִנית ְו ֶא ַת־צ ַּפ ַחת So David took away the spear and the water jar at 12 ַה ַּמִים ֵמַר ֲאשׁ ֵֹתי שׁ ָ ּאול ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ָל ֶהם ְו ֵאין Shaul’s head, and they left. No one saw or knew or ֶרֹאה ְו ֵאין ֵיוֹד ַע ְו ֵאין ֵמ ִקיץ ִּכי ֻכ ָּלם woke up; all remained asleep; a deep sleep from ְישׁ ֵ ִנים ִּכי ַּתְר ֵ ּד ַמת ְי ָהֹוה ָנ ְפ ָלה ֲע ֵל ֶיהם׃ .Hashem had fallen upon them יג ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ָ ּדִוד ָה ֵע ֶבר ַוַּי ֲעמֹד ַעל־רֹאשׁ ָ־ה ָהר David crossed over to the other side and stood afar 13 ֵמָרחֹק ַרב ַה ָּמקוֹם ֵּב ֵינ ֶיהם׃ on top of a hill; there was considerable distance between them.

88 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק וכ Chapter 26

יד ַוִּי ְקָרא ָדִוד ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ְו ֶא ַל־א ְב ֵנר ֶּב ֵן־נר And David shouted to the troops and to Avner son 14 ֵלאמֹר ֲהלוֹא ַת ֲע ֶנה ַא ְב ֵנר ַוַּי ַען ַא ְב ֵנר of Ner, “Avner, aren’t you going to answer?” And ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִמי ַא ָּתה ָקָר ָאת ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ Avner shouted back, “Who are you to shout at the king?” טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַל־א ְב ֵנר ֲה ִלוֹא־אישׁ ַא ָּתה And David answered Avner, “You are a man, aren’t 15 ּו ִמי ָכ ָמוֹך ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ָל ָּמה לֹא שׁ ָ ַמְר ָּת you? And there is no one like you in Yisrael! So why ֶא ֲל־א ֶדֹנ ָיך ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכ ָי־בא ַא ַחד ָה ָעם didn’t you keep watch over your lord the king? For ְל ַהשׁ ְ ִחית ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲא ֶדֹנ ָיך׃ one of [our] troops came to do violence to your

Samuel lord the king. טז לֹא־טוֹב ַה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ִשׂ ָית You have not given a good account of yourself! As 16 ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ִּכי ְב ֵנ ָי־מֶות ַא ֶּתם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא־ Hashem lives, [all of] you deserve to die, because שׁ ְ ַמְר ֶּתם ַע ֲל־א ֵדֹנ ֶיכם ַע ְל־משׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה you did not keep watch over your lord, Hashem’s ְו ַע ָּתה ְר ֵאה ֵא ֲי־ח ִנית ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ֶא ַת־צ ַּפ ַחת anointed. Look around, where are the king’s spear ַה ַּמִים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר מראשתו ְ]מַר ֲאשׁ ָֹתיו׃[ ”?and the water jar that were at his head יז ַוַּי ֵּכר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶאת־קוֹל ָ ּדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲה ְקוֹל ָך Shaul recognized David’s voice, and he asked, “Is 17 ֶזה ְּב ִני ָדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ִקוֹלי ֲא ִדֹני ,that your voice, my son David?” And David replied ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.It is, my lord king“ יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ָּמה ֶ ּזה ֲא ִדֹני ֵרֹדף ַא ֲחֵרי ַע ְב ּדוֹ And he went on, “But why does my lord continue 18 ִּכי ֶמה ָע ִשׂ ִיתי ּו ַמ ְּה־בָי ִדי ָר ָעה׃ to pursue his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of? יט ְו ַע ָּתה ִישׁ ְ ַמ ָע־נא ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵאת ִ ּד ְבֵרי .Now let my lord the king hear his servant out 19 ַע ְב ּדוֹ ִא ְם־י ָהֹוה ֱה ִס ְית ָך ִבי ָיַרח ִמ ְנ ָחה If Hashem has incited you against me, let Him ְו ִאם ְּב ֵני ָה ָא ָדם ֲא ּרוִרים ֵהם ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ,be appeased by an offering; but if it is men ִּכ ֵי־גְרשׁ ּו ִני ַה ּיוֹם ֵמ ִה ְס ַּת ֵּפ ַח ְּב ַנ ֲח ַלת may they be accursed of Hashem! For they have ְי ָהֹוה ֵלאמֹר ֵל ְך ֲעבֹד ֱא ִלֹהים ֲא ֵחִרים׃ driven me out today, so that I cannot have a share in Hashem’s possession, but am told, ‘Go and worship other gods.’ v’-a-TAH yish-ma NA a-do-NEE ha-ME-lekh AYT div-RAY av-DO im a-do-NAI he- see-t’-KHA VEE ya-RAKH min-KHAH v’-IM b’-NAY ha-a-DAM a-ru-REEM HAYM lif-NAY a-do-NAI kee gay-r’-SHU-nee ha-YOM may-his-ta-PAY-akh b’-na-kha-LAT a-do-NAI lay-MOR LAYKH a-VOD e-lo-HEEM a-khay-REEM כ ְו ַע ָּתה ַא ִל־י ּפֹל ָ ּד ִמי ַאְר ָצה ִמ ֶנּ ֶגד ְּפ ֵני Oh, let my blood not fall to the ground, away from 20 ְי ָהֹוה ִּכ ָי־י ָצא ֶמ ֶל ְך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ the presence of Hashem! For the king of Yisrael ֶא ַּת־פְרעֹשׁ ֶא ָחד ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִיְר ּדֹף ַה ּקֵֹרא has come out to seek a single flea—as if he were ֶּב ָהִרים׃ ”.hunting a partridge in the hills

26:19 Go and worship other gods As Rashi make this dramatic statement because the People of Israel explains, David makes the surprising claim that are commanded to live in Eretz Yisrael, and it is the only God told him to go and worship other gods, because he place in the world where one can fulfill all of the was compelled to run away to the land of the Philistines, commandments. It is also the place that Hashem has and in a certain sense, leaving the Land of Israel is chosen to reveal Himself through awe inspiring miracles, tantamount to worshipping idols. This is reflected in the from biblical through modern times. Hence, leaving the Talmudic statement (Ketubot 110a), “one who lives outside Land of Israel greatly reduces a person’s relationship with of Eretz Yisrael is like one who has no God.” The Rabbis God, and is somewhat similar to idolatry.

89 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק זכ Chapter 27

כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ָח ָט ִאתי שׁ ּוב ְּב ִנ ָי־דִוד ,And Shaul answered, “I am in the wrong. Come back 21 ִּכי ָלֹא־אַרע ְל ָך עוֹד ַּת ַחת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ְקָרה my son David, for I will never harm you again, seeing ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ִה ֵנּה ִה ְס ַּכ ְל ִּתי how you have held my life precious this day. Yes, I ָו ֶאשׁ ְ ֶּגה ַהְר ֵּבה ְמאֹד׃ ”.have been a fool, and I have erred so very much כב ַוַּי ַען ָ ּדִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה החנית ֲ]ח ִנית[ David replied, “Here is Your Majesty’s spear. Let 22 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְוַי ֲעבֹר ֶא ָחד ֵמ ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ְוִי ָּק ֶח ָה׃ .one of the young men come over and get it כג ַו ָיהֹוה ָישׁ ִ יב ָל ִאישׁ ֶא ִת־צ ְד ָקתוֹ ְו ֶאת־ And Hashem will requite every man for his 23 ָ ּ right conduct and loyalty—for this day Hashem Samuel ֱא ֻמ ָנתוֹ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְנ ָת ְנך ְי ָהֹוה ַהיוֹם ְּבָיד ְולֹא ָא ִב ִיתי ִלשׁ ְ ַלֹח ָי ִדי ִּב ְמשׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה׃ delivered you into my hands and I would not raise a hand against Hashem’s anointed. כד ְו ִה ֵנּה ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּג ְד ָלה ַנ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה And just as I valued your life highly this day, so may 24 ְּב ֵע ָיני ֵּכן ִּת ְג ַ ּדל ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ְּב ֵע ֵיני ְי ָהֹוה ְוַי ִּצ ֵל ִני Hashem value my life and may He rescue me from ִמ ָּכ ָל־צָרה׃ ”.all trouble כה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ָּב ּרו ְך ַא ָּתה ְּב ִני Shaul answered David, “May you be blessed, my 25 ָדִוד ַּגם ָעשֹׂה ַת ֲע ֶשׂה ְו ַגם ָיכֹל ּת ּו ָכל ”.son David. You shall achieve, and you shall prevail ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ְל ַדְר ּכוֹ ְושׁ ָ ּאול שׁ ָ ב ִל ְמקוֹמוֹ׃ .David then went his way, and Shaul returned home א ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ִל־ל ּבוֹ ַע ָּתה ֶא ָּס ֶפה יוֹם־ David said to himself, “Some day I shall certainly 1 27 כז ֶא ָחד ְּבַיד־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵא ִין־לי טוֹב ִּכי ִה ָּמ ֵלט perish at the hands of Shaul. The best thing for me ִא ָּמ ֵלט ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְו ַנוֹאשׁ ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי is to flee to the land of the Philistines;Shaul will שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ַב ְקשׁ ֵ ִני עוֹד ְּב ָכ ְּל־ג ּבול ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל then give up hunting me throughout the territory ְו ִנ ְמ ַל ְט ִּתי ִמָּידוֹ׃ ”.of Yisrael, and I will escape him ב ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ּהוא ְושׁ ֵ שׁ ֵ־מאוֹת ִאישׁ So David and the six hundred men with him went and 2 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִע ּמוֹ ֶא ָל־א ִכישׁ ֶּב ָן־מ ְעוֹך ֶמ ֶל ְך ַּגת׃ .crossed over to King Achish son of Maoch of Gath ג ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ָ ּדִוד ִע ָם־א ִכישׁ ְּב ַגת ּהוא ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ,David and his men stayed with Achish in Gath 3 ִאישׁ ּו ֵביתוֹ ָ ּדִוד ּושׁ ְ ֵּתי ָנשׁ ָ יו ֲא ִח ַינֹעם each man with his family, and David with his two ַהִּיְזְר ֵע ִאלית ַו ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ֵאשׁ ֶ ָת־נ ָבל wives, Ahinoam the Yizraelite and Avigail wife of ַה ַּכְר ְמ ִלית׃ .Naval the Carmelite ד ַוֻּי ַּגד ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ִּכ ָי־בַרח ָ ּדִוד ַּגת ְולֹא־יוסף And when Shaul was told that David had fled to 4 ָ]י ַסף[ עוֹד ְל ַב ְקשׁ וֹ׃ .Gath, he did not pursue him any more ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָל־א ִכישׁ ִא ָם־נא ָמ ָצ ִאתי David said to Achish, “If you please, let a place be 5 ֵחן ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ִי ְּת ּנו ִ־לי ָמקוֹם ְּב ַא ַחת ָעֵרי granted me in one of the country towns where I ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ְו ֵאשׁ ְ ָבה שָּׁ ם ְו ָל ָּמה ֵישׁ ֵ ב ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך can live; why should your servant remain with you ְּב ִעיר ַה ַּמ ְמ ָל ָכה ִע ָּמ ְך׃ ”?in the royal city ו ַוִּי ֶּתן־לוֹ ָא ִכישׁ ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֶא ִת־צ ְק ָלג At that time Achish granted him Tziklag; that 6 ָל ֵכן ָהְי ָתה ִצ ְק ַלג ְל ַמ ְל ֵכי ְי ּהו ָדה ַעד is how Tziklag came to belong to the kings of ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ .Yehuda, as is still the case va-yi-ten LO a-KHEESH ba-YOM ha-HU et tzik-LAG la-KHAYN ha-y’-TAH tzik- LAG l’-mal-KHAY y’-hu-DAH AD ha-YOM ha-ZEH

27:6 That is how Tziklag came to belong to the Tziklag as a place for him to dwell. Metzudat David points Tomb of Shmuel kings of Yehuda Achish gives David the city of out that Tziklag was actually part of the designated the Prophet

90 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק חכ Chapter 28

ז ַוְי ִהי ִמ ְס ַּפר ַהָּי ִמים ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ישׁ ַ ב ָ ּדִוד The length of time thatDavid lived in Philistine 7 ִּב ְשׂ ֵדה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָי ִמים ְו ַאְר ָּב ָעה .territory was a year and four months ֳח ָדשׁ ִ ים׃ ח ַוַּי ַעל ָ ּדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ַוִּי ְפשׁ ְ ּטו ֶא ַל־ה ְּגשׁ ּוִרי David and his men went up and raided the 8 והגרזי ְ]ו ַה ִּגְזִרי[ ְו ָה ֲע ָמ ֵל ִקי ִּכי ֵה ָנּה Geshurites, the Gizrites, and the Amalekites—who יֹשׁ ְ בוֹת ָה ָאֶרץ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵמ ָעוֹלם ּב ֲוֹא ָך were the inhabitants of the region of Olam, all the שׁ ּוָרה ְו ַע ֶד־אֶרץ ִמ ְצָרִים׃ —.way to Shur and to the land of Egypt ט ּ When David attacked a region, he would leave no 9

ְו ִה ָּכה ָדִוד ֶא ָת־ה ָאֶרץ ְולֹא ְי ַחֶיה ִאישׁ Samuel ְו ִאשָּׁ ה ְו ָל ַקח צֹאן ּו ָב ָקר ַו ֲח ִמֹרים ,man or woman alive; he would take flocks, herds ּו ְג ַמ ִּלים ּו ְב ָג ִדים ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ָל־א ִכישׁ ׃ asses, camels, and clothing. When he returned and came to Achish, י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִכישׁ ַא ְּל־פשׁ ַ ְט ֶּתם ַה ּיוֹם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ”?Achish would ask, “Where did you raid today 10 ָ ּדִוד ַע ֶל־נ ֶגב ְי ּהו ָדה ְו ַע ֶל־נ ֶגב ַהַּיְר ְח ְמ ֵא ִלי and David would reply, “TheNegev of Yehuda,” or ְו ֶא ֶל־נ ֶגב ַה ֵּק ִיני׃ the Negev of the Jerahmeelites,” or “the Negev of“ the Kenites.” יא ְו ִאישׁ ְו ִאשָּׁ ה ְלֹא־י ַחֶּיה ָדִוד ְל ָה ִביא ַגת David would leave no man or woman alive to be 11 ֵלאמֹר ֶּפ ַן־י ִּג ּדו ָע ֵל ּינו ֵלאמֹר ּכ ָֹה־ע ָשׂה brought to Gath; for he thought, “They might tell ָדִוד ְוכֹה ִמשׁ ְ ָּפטוֹ ָּכ ַל־הָּי ִמים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָישׁ ַ ב about us: David did this.” Such was his practice as ִּב ְשׂ ֵדה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ .long as he stayed in the territory of the Philistines יב ַוַּי ֲא ֵמן ָא ִכישׁ ְּב ָדִוד ֵלאמֹר ַה ְב ֵאשׁ Achish trusted David. He thought: “He has aroused 12 ִה ְב ִאישׁ ְּב ַע ּמוֹ ְבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ָהָיה ִלי ְל ֶע ֶבד the wrath of his own people Yisrael, and so he will ָעוֹלם׃ ”.be my vassal forever א ַוְי ִהי ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵהם ַוִּי ְק ְּב ּצו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים At that time the Philistines mustered their forces 1 28 כח ֶא ַת־מ ֲח ֵנ ֶיהם ַל ָּצ ָבא ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל for war, to take the field againstYisrael . Achish said ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִכישׁ ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ָי ַדֹע ֵּת ַדע ִּכי ִא ִּתי to David, “You know, of course, that you and your ֵּת ֵצא ַב ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ַא ָּתה ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ֶ ָיך׃ ”.men must march out with my forces ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָל־א ִכישׁ ָל ֵכן ַא ָּתה ֵת ַדע David answered Achish, “You surely know what 2 ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ַר־י ֲע ֶשׂה ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִכישׁ your servant will do.” “In that case,” Achish replied ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ָל ֵכן שׁ ֵֹמר ְלרֹאשׁ ִ י ֲא ִשׂ ְימ ָך ָּכל־ to David, “I will appoint you my bodyguard for ַהָּי ִמים׃ ”.life ג ּושׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֵמת ַוִּי ְס ְּפ ּדו־לוֹ ָּכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Now Shmuel had died and all Yisrael made lament 3 ַוִּי ְק ְּבֻר ּהו ָבָר ָמה ּו ְב ִעירוֹ ְושׁ ָ ּאול ֵה ִסיר for him; and he was buried in his own town of ָהאֹבוֹת ְו ֶא ַת־הִּי ְ ּד ִעֹנים ֵמ ָה ָאֶרץ׃ [Rama. And Shaul had forbidden [recourse to ghosts and familiar spirits in the land. ush-mu-AYL MAYT va-yis-p’-du LO kol yis-ra-AYL va-yik-b’-RU-hu va-ra-MAH uv-ee- RO v’-sha-UL hay-SEER ha-o-VOT v’-et ha-yi-d’-o-NEEM may-ha-A-retz

inheritance of David’s tribe Yehuda, but it had been taken reclaim much of Judea, Samaria, the Golan Heighs and by the Philistines. At various times, many areas of Eretz the Gaza Strip during the Six Day War, tripling the size Yisrael have been conquered by different invaders. Yet, of Israel in less than a week. this does not detract from the rights of the People of Israel. Just as Achish enables David to reclaim Tziklag, in 28:3 And he was buried in his own town of 27:6 That is how Tziklag came to belong to the Tomb of Shmuel 1967 divine Providence allowed the Jewish people to Rama When the prophet Shmuel dies on the kings of Yehuda Achish gives David the city of the Prophet

91 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק חכ Chapter 28

ד ַוִּי ָּק ְב ּצו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַוַּי ֲח ּנו ְבשׁ ּו ֵנם The Philistines mustered and they marched to 4 ַוִּי ְק ּבֹץ שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ָּת־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּי ֲח ּנו Shunem and encamped; and Shaul gathered all ַּב ִּג ְל ּב ַֹע׃ .Yisrael, and they encamped at Gilboa

ה ַוַּיְרא שׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַת־מ ֲח ֵנה ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוִּיָרא When Shaul saw the Philistine force, his heart 5 ַוֶּי ֱחַרד ִל ּבוֹ ְמאֹד׃ .trembled with fear

ו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ָיהֹוה ְולֹא ָע ָנ ּהו ְי ָהֹוה ַּגם And Shaul inquired of Hashem, but Hashem did 6 ַּב ֲחלֹמוֹת ַּגם ָּב ּאוִרים ַּגם ַּב ְנּ ִב ִיאם׃ not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by

Neviim. Samuel ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ַל ֲע ָב ָדיו ַּב ְּקשׁ ּו ִ־לי ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ThenShaul said to his courtiers, “Find me a woman 7 ַּב ֲע ַלת־אוֹב ְו ֵא ְל ָכה ֵא ֶל ָיה ְו ֶא ְדְרשׁ ָ ָּה־ב ּה who consults ghosts, so that I can go to her and ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֲע ָב ָדיו ֵא ָליו ִה ֵנּה ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ַּב ֲע ַלת־ inquire through her.” And his courtiers told him אוֹב ְּב ֵעין ּדוֹר׃ that there was a woman in En-dor who consulted ghosts. ח ַוִּי ְת ַח ֵּפשׂ שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ְל ַּבשׁ ְּב ָג ִדים ֲא ֵחִרים Shaul disguised himself; he put on different clothes 8 ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ּהוא ּושׁ ְ ֵני ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִע ּמוֹ ַוָּי ּבֹאו ֶאל־ and set out with two men. They came to the ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ָלְי ָלה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָקסומי־]ק ֳס ִמי־[ woman by night, and he said, “Please divine for me ָנא ִלי ָּבאוֹב ְו ַה ֲע ִלי ִלי ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ַר־אֹמר by a ghost. Bring up for me the one I shall name to ֵא ָלִי ְך׃ ”.you

ט ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֵא ָליו ִה ֵנּה ַא ָּתה ָי ַד ְע ָּת But the woman answered him, “You know what 9 ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ָשׂה שׁ ָ ּאול ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ְכִרית [Shaul has done, how he has banned [the use of ֶא ָת־האֹבוֹת ְו ֶא ַת־הִּי ְ ּד ִעֹני ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ ghosts and familiar spirits in the land. So why are ְו ָל ָמה ַא ָּתה ִמ ְת ַנ ֵּקשׁ ְּב ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ַל ֲה ִמ ֵית ִני׃ ”?you laying a trap for me, to get me killed

י ַוִּישָּׁ ַבע ָל ּה שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ָיהֹוה ֵלאמֹר ַחי־ ,Shaul swore to her by Hashem: “As Hashem lives 10 ְי ָהֹוה ִא ִם־י ְּקֵר ְך ָעוׂן ַּב ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה׃ ”.you won’t get into trouble over this יא ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶא ִת־מי ַא ֲע ֶל ָּה־ל ְך At that, the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up 11 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַה ֲע ִל ִי־לי׃ ”.for you?” He answered, “Bring up Shmuel for me יב ַו ֵּתֶרא ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶאת־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַו ִּתְז ַעק ְּבקוֹל Then the woman recognizedShmuel , and she 12 ָּגדוֹל ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵלאמֹר shrieked loudly, and said to Shaul, “Why have you ָל ָּמה ִר ִּמ ָית ִני ְו ַא ָּתה שׁ ָ ּאול׃ ”!deceived me? You are Shaul

יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ּה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַא ִּל־ת ְיר ִאי ִּכי ָמה The king answered her, “Don’t be afraid. What do 13 ָר ִאית ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול you see?” And the woman said to Shaul, “I see a ֱא ִלֹהים ָר ִא ִיתי ִעֹלים ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ׃ ”.divine being coming up from the earth

twenty-eighth day of the Hebrew month of Iyar, he is its strategic location along the road between buried in Rama. According to tradition, Shmuel’s burial Yerushalayim and Tel Aviv, the Arabs used it during the site is in the northwest outskirts of modern Jerusalem, War of Independence and the Six Day War as a base near the neighborhood of Ramot. It has long been a from which to fire at Israeli soldiers. This holy site was place of prayer and study for the Jewish people. Given liberated by the Israeli Army during the Six Day War.

92 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק חכ Chapter 28

יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ּה ַמ ָּה־ת ֳארוֹ ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ִאישׁ ָז ֵקן What does he look like?” he asked her. “It is an old“ 14 ֶעֹלה ְו ּהוא ֶעֹטה ְמ ִעיל ַוֵּי ַדע שׁ ָ ּאול man coming up,” she said, “and he is wrapped in a ִּכי־שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ּהוא ַוִּי ּקֹד ַא ַּפִים ַאְר ָצה robe.” ThenShaul knew that it was Shmuel; and he ַ ו ִ ּ י שׁ ְ ָ ּ ת ח ּו ׃ .bowed low in homage with his face to the ground טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ָל ָּמה Shmuel said to Shaul, “Why have you disturbed me 15 ִהְר ַּגְז ַּת ִני ְל ַה ֲעלוֹת ִאֹתי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול and brought me up?” And Shaul answered, “I am in ַצ ִר־לי ְמאֹד ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִנ ְל ָח ִמים ִּבי great trouble. The Philistines are attacking me and ֵו ִאלֹהים ָסר ֵמ ָע ַלי ְו ָלֹא־ע ָנ ִני עוֹד ַּגם Hashem has turned away from me; He no longer ְּבַי ַד־ה ְנּ ִב ִיאם ַּג ַּם־ב ֲחלֹמוֹת ָו ֶא ְקָר ֶאה ְל ָך Samuel answers me, either by Neviim or in dreams. So I ְל ִהוֹד ֵיע ִני ָמה ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה׃ ”.have called you to tell me what I am to do טז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ְו ָל ָּמה ִּתשׁ ְ ָא ֵל ִני ַו ָיהֹוה Shmuel said, “Why do you ask me, seeing that 16 ָסר ֵמ ָע ֶל ָיך ַוְי ִהי ָעֶר ָך׃ Hashem has turned away from you and has become your adversary? יז ַוַּי ַעשׂ ְי ָהֹוה לוֹ ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ֶּבר ְּבָי ִדי ַוִּי ְקַרע Hashem has done for Himself as He foretold 17 ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַת־ה ַּמ ְמ ָל ָכה ִמָּי ֶד ָך ַוִּי ְּת ָנ ּה ְלֵר ֲע ָך through me: Hashem has torn the kingship out ְל ָדִוד׃ of your hands and has given it to your fellow, to David, יח ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא־שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ָּת ְּבקוֹל ְי ָהֹוה ְולֹא־ because you did not obey Hashem and did not 18 ָע ִשׂ ָית ֲח ַרוֹן־א ּפוֹ ַּב ֲע ָמ ֵלק ַע ֵּל־כן ַה ָ ּד ָבר execute His wrath upon the Amalekites. That is ַהֶ ּזה ָע ָשׂ ְה־ל ָך ְי ָהֹוה ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ .why Hashem has done this to you today יט ְוִי ֵּתן ְי ָהֹוה ַּגם ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִע ְּמ ָך ְּבַיד־ Further, Hashem will deliver the Israelites who 19 ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּו ָמ ָחר ַא ָּתה ּו ָב ֶנ ָיך ִע ִּמי ַּגם .are with you into the hands of the Philistines ֶא ַת־מ ֲח ֵנה ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִי ֵּתן ְי ָהֹוה ְּבַיד־ Tomorrow your sons and you will be with me; and ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ Hashem will also deliver the Israelite forces into the hands of the Philistines.” כ ַוְי ַמ ֵהר שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ּפֹל ְמ ָלֹא־קוֹמתוֹ ַאְר ָצה ,At once Shaul flung himself prone on the ground 20 ַוִּיָרא ְמאֹד ִמ ִ ּד ְבֵרי שׁ ְ ּמו ֵאל ַּג ּם־כ ַֹח terrified byShmuel ’s words. Besides, there was no ָלֹא־הָיה בוֹ ִּכי לֹא ָא ַכל ֶל ֶחם ָּכ ַל־ה ּיוֹם strength in him, for he had not eaten anything all ְו ָכ ַל־ה ָּלְי ָלה׃ .day and all night כא ַו ָּתבוֹא ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ֵּתֶרא ִּכי־ The woman went up toShaul and, seeing how 21 ִנ ְב ַהל ְמאֹד ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ִה ֵנּה שׁ ָ ְמ ָעה greatly disturbed he was, she said to him, “Your שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך ְּב ֶקוֹל ָך ָו ָא ִשׂים ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ְּב ַכ ִּפי handmaid listened to you; I took my life in my ָו ֶאשׁ ְ ַמע ֶא ְ ּת־ד ָבֶר ָיך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת ֵא ָלי׃ .hands and heeded the request you made of me כב ְו ַע ָּתה שׁ ְ ַמ ָע־נא ַג ַם־א ָּתה ְּבקוֹל שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ֶת ָך So now you listen to me: Let me set before you a 22 ְו ָא ִשׂ ָמה ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ַּפ ֶת־ל ֶחם ֶו ֱאכוֹל ִו ִיהי ְב ָך bit of food. Eat, and then you will have the strength ּכ ַֹח ִּכי ֵת ֵל ְך ַּב ָ ּדֶר ְך׃ ”.to go on your way כג ַוְי ָמ ֵאן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לֹא ַאֹכל ַוִּי ְפְר ּצו־בוֹ He refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But when his 23 ֲע ָב ָדיו ְו ַג ָם־ה ִאשָּׁ ה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ְל ָקֹלם ַוָּי ָקם courtiers as well as the woman urged him, he ֵמ ָה ָאֶרץ ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ֶא ַל־ה ִּמ ָּטה׃ listened to them; he got up from the ground and sat on the bed. כד ְו ָל ִאשָּׁ ה ֵע ֶג ַל־מְר ֵּבק ַּב ַּבִית ַו ְּת ַמ ֵהר The woman had a stall-fed calf in the house; she 24 ַו ִּתְז ָּב ֵח ּהו ַו ִּת ַּק ֶח־ק ַמח ַו ָּת ָלשׁ ַו ּת ֵֹפ ּהו hastily slaughtered it, and took flour and kneaded ַמ ּצוֹ ת׃ .it, and baked some unleavened cakes

93 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק טכ Chapter 29

כה ַו ַּת ֵּגשׁ ִל ְפ ֵני־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ִל ְפ ֵני ֲע ָב ָדיו ַו ּי ֵֹאכ ּלו She set this before Shaul and his courtiers, and they 25 ַוָּי ֻק ּמו ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ַּב ַּלְי ָלה ַה ּהוא׃ .ate. Then they rose and left the same night א ַוִּי ְק ְּב ּצו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־מ ֲח ֵנ ֶיהם ,The Philistines mustered all their forces at Aphek 1 29 כט ֲא ֵפ ָקה ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִחֹנים ַּב ַעִין ֲאשׁ ֶ ר .while Yisrael was encamping at the spring in Yizrael ְּבִיְזְר ֶעאל׃ ב ְו ַסְר ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְעֹבִרים ְל ֵמאוֹת The Philistine lords came marching, each with his 2 ְו ַל ֲא ָל ִפים ְו ָדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְעֹבִרים units of hundreds and of thousands; and David and his men came marching last, with Achish. Samuel ָּב ַא ֲח ָרֹנה ִע ָם־א ִכישׁ ׃ v’-sar-NAY f’-lish-TEEM o-v’-REEM l’-may-OT v’-la-a-la-FEEM v’-da-VID va-a-na- SHAV o-v’-REEM ba-a-kha-ro-NAH im a-KHEESH ג ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָשׂ ֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָמה ָה ִע ְבִרים The Philistine officers asked, “Who are those 3 ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִכישׁ ֶא ָל־שׂ ֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים Hebrews?” “Why, that’s David, the servant of King ֲה ֶלוֹא־זה ָדִוד ֶע ֶבד שׁ ָ ּאול ֶמ ֶל ְך ִ־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Shaul of Yisrael,” Achish answered the Philistine ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ִא ִּתי ֶזה ָי ִמים ֶאוֹ־זה שׁ ָ ִנים ,officers. “He has been with me for a year or more ְו ָלֹא־מ ָצ ִאתי בוֹ ְמ ּאו ָמה ִמ ּיוֹם ָנ ְפלוֹ ַעד־ and I have found no fault in him from the day he ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ ”.defected until now ד ַוִּי ְק ְצ ּפו ָע ָליו ָשׂ ֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו לוֹ But the Philistine officers were angry with him; and 4 ָשׂ ֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָהשׁ ֵ ב ֶא ָת־ה ִאישׁ ְוָישׁ ֹב the Philistine officers said to him, “Send the man ֶא ְל־מקוֹמוֹ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ְפ ַק ְד ּתוֹ שׁ ָ ם ְו ֵלֹא־יֵרד back; let him go back to the place you assigned ִע ָּמ ּנו ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ִלֹא־י ְהֶי ָּה־ל ּנו ְל ָשׂ ָטן ,him. He shall not march down with us to the battle ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ּו ַב ֶּמה ִי ְתַר ֶּצה ֶזה ֶא ֲל־א ָדֹניו or else he may become our adversary in battle. For ֲהלוֹא ְּבָראשׁ ֵ י ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ָה ֵהם׃ with what could that fellow appease his master if not with the heads of these men? ה ֲה ֶלוֹא־זה ָדִוד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַי ֲע ּנו־לוֹ ַּב ְּמחֹלוֹת Remember, he is the David of whom they sang as 5 ֵלאמֹר ִה ָּכה שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ֲא ָל ָפיו ְו ָדִוד ,they danced: Shaul has slain his thousands; David ברבבתו ְּ]בִר ְב ָבֹתיו׃[ ”.his tens of thousands ו ַוִּי ְקָרא ָא ִכישׁ ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ַחי־ Achish summoned David and said to him, “As 6 ְי ָהֹוה ִּכ ָי־ישׁ ָ ר ַא ָּתה ְוטוֹב ְּב ֵע ַיני ֵצ ְאת ָך Hashem lives, you are an honest man, and I would ּו ֲבֹא ָך ִא ִּתי ַּב ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ִּכי ָלֹא־מ ָצ ִאתי ְב ָך like to have you serve in my forces; for I have found ָר ָעה ִמ ּיוֹם ּב ֲֹא ָך ֵא ַלי ַע ַד־ה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה no fault with you from the day you joined me until ּו ְב ֵע ֵיני ַה ְּסָר ִנים לֹא־טוֹב ָא ָּתה׃ .now. But you are not acceptable to the other lords

29:2 David and his men came marching last, with Eli Cohen. During the 1960’s Cohen managed to Achish It is certainly impossible that David infiltrate the highest echelons of the Syrian army, to would have been willing, as this verse implies, to wage spy on Israel’s behalf. He provided the I.D.F. with critical war against Israel. Though he was fleeing from King information that would assist Israel in the Six Day War Shaul, David remains completely loyal to his people and enable it to liberate the Golan Heights. Though throughout his travails. In this instance, he feigns Cohen was captured and executed by the Syrians, the loyalty to Achish and uses the advantage gained by State and People of Israel continue to benefit from his “Martyrs of the his trust to spy against the Philistines, gaining sacrifice to this very day. The Golan Heights is home struggle for Israeli information which will later helps him defeat this to flourishing communities, and provides great independance.” Eli Cohen (1924- enemy. This is reminiscent of a more recent Israeli spy, strategic value to Israel. 1965), bottom left

94 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק ל Chapter 30

ז ְו ַע ָּתה שׁ ּוב ְו ֵל ְך ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְו ַלֹא־ת ֲע ֶשׂה ָרע So go back in peace, and do nothing to displease 7 ְּב ֵע ֵיני ַסְר ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”.the Philistine lords ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָל־א ִכישׁ ִּכי ֶמה ָע ִשׂ ִיתי David, however, said to Achish, “But what have I 8 ּו ַמ ָּה־מ ָצ ָאת ְב ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִמ ּיוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהִי ִיתי done, what fault have you found in your servant ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ַעד ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ִּכי לֹא ָאבוֹא from the day I appeared before you to this day, that ְו ִנ ְל ַח ְמ ִּתי ְּב ְאֹי ֵבי ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ I should not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” ט ַוַּי ַען ָא ִכישׁ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ִּכי Achish replied to David, “I know; you are as 9 טוֹב ַא ָּתה ְּב ֵע ַיני ְּכ ַמ ְל ַא ְך ֱא ִלֹהים ַא ְך Samuel acceptable to me as an angel of Hashem. But the ָשׂ ֵרי ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָא ְמ ּרו ַלֹא־י ֲע ֶלה ִע ָּמ ּנו Philistine officers have decided that you must not ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ .march out with us to the battle י ְו ַע ָּתה ַהשׁ ְ ֵּכם ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ְו ַע ְב ֵדי ֲא ֶדֹנ ָיך So rise early in the morning, you and your lord’s 10 ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ּאו ִא ָּת ְך ְו ִהשׁ ְ ַּכ ְמ ֶּתם ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ְואוֹר servants who came with you—rise early in the ָל ֶכם ָו ֵל ּכו׃ ”.morning, and leave as soon as it is light יא ַוַּישׁ ְ ֵּכם ָ ּדִוד ּהוא ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ָל ֶל ֶכת ַּב ּב ֶֹקר Accordingly, David and his men rose early in 11 ָלשׁ ּוב ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים the morning to leave, to return to the land of the ָע ּלו ִיְזְר ֶעאל׃ Philistines, while the Philistines marched up to Yizrael. א ַוְי ִהי ְּבבֹא ָדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ִצ ְק ַלג ַּב ּיוֹם ,By the time David and his men arrived in Tziklag 1 30 ל ַהשְּׁ ִלישׁ ִ י ַו ֲע ָמ ֵל ִקי ָפשׁ ְ ּטו ֶא ֶל־נ ֶגב ְו ֶאל־ on the third day, the Amalekites had made a ִצ ְק ַלג ַוַּי ּכ ּו ֶא ִת־צ ְק ַלג ַוִּי ְשׂ ְר ּפו ָאֹת ּה raid into the Negev and against Tziklag; they had ָ ּ ב ֵ א שׁ ׃ .stormed Tziklag and burned it down ב ַוִּישׁ ְ ּב ּו ֶא ַת־ה ָנּשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ּה ִמ ָּקטֹן They had taken the women in it captive, low-born 2 ְו ַע ָּד־גדוֹל לֹא ֵה ִמ ּיתו ִאישׁ ַוִּי ְנ ֲה ּגו ַוֵּי ְל ּכו and high-born alike; they did not kill any, but ְל ַדְר ָּכם׃ .carried them off and went their way ג ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ֶא ָל־ה ִעיר ְו ִה ֵנּה When David and his men came to the town and 3 ְשׂ ּרו ָפה ָּב ֵאשׁ ּו ְנשׁ ֵ ֶיהם ּו ְב ֵנ ֶיהם ּו ְב ֵנֹת ֶיהם found it burned down, and their wives and sons ִ נ שׁ ְ ּ ב ּ ו ׃ ,and daughters taken captive ד ַוִּי ָּשׂא ָדִוד ְו ָה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ֶא ָת־קוֹלם ,David and the troops with him broke into tears 4 ַוִּי ְב ּכ ּו ַעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵא ָּין־ב ֶהם ּכ ַֹח ִל ְב ּכוֹת׃ .until they had no strength left for weeping ה ּושׁ ְ ֵּתי ְנשׁ ֵ ָי־דִוד ִנשׁ ְ ּב ּו ֲא ִח ַינֹעם David’s two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam 5 ַהִּיְזְר ֵע ִלית ַו ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ָנ ָבל ַה ַּכְר ְמ ִלי׃ .of Yizrael and Avigail wife of Naval from Carmel ו ַו ֵּת ֶצר ְל ָדִוד ְמאֹד ִּכ ָי־א ְמ ּרו ָה ָעם ְל ָס ְקלוֹ David was in great danger, for the troops threatened 6 ִּכ ָי־מָרה ֶנ ֶפשׁ ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ִאישׁ ַעל־בנו to stone him; for all the troops were embittered ָּ]ב ָניו[ ְו ַע ְּל־ב ָנֹתיו ַוִּי ְת ַחֵ ּזק ָ ּדִוד ַּב ָיהֹוה on account of their sons and daughters. But David ֱא ָלֹהיו׃ .sought strength in Hashem his God ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֶל־א ְבָי ָתר ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ֶּבן־ ,David said to the Kohen Evyatar son of Achimelech 7 ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ַה ִּגישׁ ָ ָה־נּא ִלי ָה ֵאפֹד ַוַּי ֵּגשׁ Bring the ephod up to me.” When Evyatar brought“ ֶא ְבָי ָתר ֶא ָת־ה ֵאפֹד ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד׃ ,up the ephod to David ח ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ָ ּדִוד ַּב ָיהֹוה ֵלאמֹר ֶאְר ּדֹף ַא ֲחֵרי David inquired of Hashem, “Shall I pursue those 8 ַה ְּג ּדו ַד־הֶ ּזה ַה ַא ִּשׂ ֶג ּנּו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ְרדֹף ִּכי־ ,raiders? Will I overtake them?” And He answered him ַה ֵּשׂג ַּת ִּשׂיג ְו ַה ֵּצל ַּת ִּציל׃ ”.Pursue, for you shall overtake and you shall rescue“

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ט ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ּהוא ְושׁ ֵ שׁ ֵ־מאוֹת ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר So David and the six hundred men with him set 9 ִא ּתוֹ ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַע ַד־נ ַחל ַה ְּבשׂוֹר ְו ַה ָנּוֹתִרים out, and they came to the Wadi Besor, where a halt ָע ָמ ּדו׃ .was made by those who were to be left behind י ַוִּיְר ּדֹף ָ ּדִוד ּהוא ְו ַאְר ַּב ֵע־מאוֹת ִאישׁ David continued the pursuit with four hundred 10 ַוַּי ַע ְמ ּדו ָמ ַאתִים ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּפ ְּג ּרו ֵמ ֲעבֹר men; two hundred men had halted, too faint to ֶא ַת־נ ַחל ַה ְּבשׂוֹר׃ .cross the Wadi Besor יא ַוִּי ְמ ְצ ּאו ִאישׁ ִ־מ ְצִרי ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה ַוִּי ְק ּחו אֹתוֹ They came upon an Egyptian in the open country 11 אל־דוד ו ּיתנו־לוֹ לחם ו ּיֹאכל ו ּי and brought him to David. They gave him food to Samuel ֶ ָ ּ ִ ַ ִ ְּ ּ ֶ ֶ ַ ַ ַ ַשׁ ְ ֻק ּהו ָמִים׃ ;eat and water to drink יב ַוִּי ְּת ּנו־לוֹ ֶפ ַלח ְ ּד ֵב ָלה ּושׁ ְ ֵני ִצ ֻּמ ִקים he was also given a piece of pressed fig cake and 12 ַו ּי ַֹאכל ַו ָּתשׁ ָ ב ּרוחוֹ ֵא ָליו ִּכי ָלֹא־א ַכל two cakes of raisins. He ate and regained his ֶל ֶחם ְולֹא־שׁ ָ ָתה ַמִים שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ָי ִמים strength, for he had eaten no food and drunk no ּושׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ֵלילוֹת׃ .water for three days and three nights יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ָדִוד ְל ִמ ַי־א ָּתה ְו ֵאי ִמֶ ּזה ָא ָּתה ThenDavid asked him, “To whom do you belong 13 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַנ ַער ִמ ְצִרי ָא ִנֹכי ֶע ֶבד ְל ִאישׁ ”,and where are you from?” “I am an Egyptian boy ֲע ָמ ֵל ִקי ַוַּי ַעְז ֵב ִני ֲא ִדֹני ִּכי ָח ִל ִיתי ַה ּיוֹם he answered, “the slave of an Amalekite. My master שׁ ְ ל ֹ שׁ ָ ה ׃ .abandoned me when I fell ill three days ago יד ֲא ַנ ְח ּנו ָּפשׁ ַ ְט ּנו ֶנ ֶגב ַה ְּכֵר ִתי ְו ַע ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר We had raided the Negev of the Cherethites, and 14 ִל ּיהו ָדה ְו ַע ֶל־נ ֶגב ָּכ ֵלב ְו ֶא ִת־צ ְק ַלג the Negev] of Yehuda, and the Negev of Kalev; we] ָשׂ ַר ְפ ּנו ָב ֵאשׁ ׃ ”.also burned down Tziklag טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ָ ּדִוד ֲה ִתוֹר ֵד ִני ֶא ַל־ה ְּג ּדוד And David said to him, “Can you lead me down to 15 ַהֶ ּזה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִהשָּׁ ְב ָעה ִּלי ֵב ִאלֹהים ִאם־ that band?” He replied, “Swear to me by Hashem ְּת ִמ ֵית ִני ְו ִא ַּם־ת ְס ִּגֵר ִני ְּבַי ֲד־א ִדֹני ְו ִאוֹר ְד ָך that you will not kill me or deliver me into my ֶא ַל־ה ְּג ּדוד ַהֶ ּזה׃ master’s hands, and I will lead you down to that band.” טז ַו ּיִֹר ֵד ּהו ְו ִה ֵנּה ְנ ֻטשׁ ִ ים ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ So he led him down, and there they were, scattered 16 ְאֹכ ִלים ְושׁ ִֹתים ְו ְחֹג ִגים ְּבכֹל ַהשָּׁ ָלל all over the ground, eating and drinking and ַה ָּגדוֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָל ְק ּחו ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים making merry because of all the vast spoil they had ּו ֵמ ֶאֶרץ ְי ּהו ָדה׃ taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Yehuda. יז ַוַּי ֵּכם ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ַה ֶנּשׁ ֶ ף ְו ַע ָד־ה ֶעֶרב David attacked them from before dawn until the 17 ְל ָמ ֳחָר ָתם ְו ִלֹא־נ ְמ ַלט ֵמ ֶהם ִאישׁ ִּכי ,evening of the next day; none of them escaped ִא ַם־אְר ַּבע ֵמאוֹת ִאישׁ ַ־נ ַער ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ר ְכ ּבו except four hundred young men who mounted ַע ַל־ה ְּג ַמ ִּלים ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו׃ .camels and got away va-ya-KAYM da-VID may-ha-NE-shef v’-ad ha-E-rev l’-ma-kho-ra-TAM v’-lo nim-LAT may-HEM EESH KEE im ar-BA may-OT eesh NA-ar a-sher ra-kh’-VU al ha-g’-ma- LEEM va-ya-NU-su

30:17 David attacked them from before dawn until the sought to destroy the People of Israel for no particular evening of the next day David successfully defeats reason. In the Torah, Hashem commands the Children the Amalekites and recovers everything they had of Israel to wipe out this evil tribe (Exodus 17:14-16; taken. Amalek represents the epitome of evil, as they Deuteronomy 25:19). Throughout history, there have

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יח ַוַּי ֵּצל ָ ּדִוד ֵאת ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר ָל ְק ּחו ֲע ָמ ֵלק David rescued everything the Amalekites had 18 ְו ֶאת־שׁ ְ ֵּתי ָנשׁ ָ יו ִה ִּציל ָ ּדִוד׃ .taken; David also rescued his two wives יט ְולֹא ֶנ ְע ַ ּד ָר־ל ֶהם ִמ ַן־ה ָּקטֹן ְו ַע ַד־ה ָּגדוֹל Nothing of theirs was missing—young or old, sons 19 ְו ַע ָּד־ב ִנים ּו ָבנוֹת ּו ִמשָּׁ ָלל ְו ַעד ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר or daughters, spoil or anything else that had been ָל ְק ּחו ָל ֶהם ַה ּכֹל ֵהשׁ ִ יב ָ ּדִוד׃ .carried off—David recovered everything כ ַוִּי ַּקח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ּצֹאן ְו ַה ָּב ָקר ָנ ֲה ּגו David took all the flocks and herds, which [the 20 ִל ְפ ֵני ַה ִּמ ְק ֶנה ַה ּהוא ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֶזה שׁ ְ ַלל troops] drove ahead of the other livestock; and they declared, “This isDavid ’s spoil.” ָ ּדִוד׃ Samuel כא ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ֶא ָל־מ ַאתִים ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ When David reached the two hundred men who 21 ִּפ ְּג ּרו ִמ ֶּל ֶכת ַא ֲחֵרי ָדִוד ַו ּיֹשׁ ִ ֻיבם ְּב ַנ ַחל were too faint to follow David and who had been ַה ְּבשׂוֹר ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ִל ְקַראת ָ ּדִוד ְו ִל ְקַראת left at the Wadi Besor, they came out to welcome ָה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ַוִּי ַּגשׁ ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָת־ה ָעם David and the troops with him; David came ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ָל ֶהם ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ .forward with the troops and greeted them כב ַוַּי ַען ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ָ־רע ּו ְב ִלַּי ַעל ֵמ ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים But all the mean and churlish fellows among the 22 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ְל ּכו ִע ָ ּם־דִוד ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַי ַען ֲאשׁ ֶ ר men who had accompanied David spoke up, “Since ָלֹא־ה ְל ּכו ִע ִּמי ִלֹא־נ ֵּתן ָל ֶהם ֵמ ַהשָּׁ ָלל they did not accompany us, we will not give them ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ַּצ ְל ּנו ִּכ ִי־א ִם־אישׁ ֶא ִת־אשׁ ְ ּתוֹ any of the spoil that we seized—except that each ְו ֶא ָּת־ב ָניו ְוִי ְנ ֲה ּגו ְוֵי ֵל ּכו׃ ”.may take his wife and children and go כג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַלֹא־ת ֲע ּשׂו ֵכן ֶא ָחי ֵאת ,David, however, spoke up, “You must not do that 23 ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־נ ַתן ְי ָהֹוה ָל ּנו ַוִּישׁ ְ מֹר ָאֹת ּנו ַוִּי ֵּתן my brothers, in view of what Hashem has granted ֶא ַת־ה ְּג ּדוד ַה ָּבא ָע ֵל ּינו ְּבָי ֵד ּנו׃ us, guarding us and delivering into our hands the band that attacked us. כד ּו ִמי ִישׁ ְ ַמע ָל ֶכם ַל ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ִּכי ְּכ ֵח ֶלק ?How could anyone agree with you in this matter 24 ַה ּיֵֹרד ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ּו ְכ ֵח ֶלק ַה ּיֹשׁ ֵ ב ַעל־ The share of those who remain with the baggage ַה ֵּכ ִלים ַי ְח ָ ּדו ַי ֲח ּלֹקו׃ shall be the same as the share of those who go down to battle; they shall share alike.” כה ַוְי ִהי ֵמ ַה ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָו ָמ ְע ָלה ַוְי ִשׂ ֶמ ָה ְלחֹק So from that day on it was made a fixed rule for 25 ּו ְל ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַעד ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ .Yisrael, continuing to the present day כו ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ֶא ִל־צ ְק ַלג ַוְישׁ ַ ַּלח ֵמ ַהשָּׁ ָלל When David reached Tziklag, he sent some of the 26 ְלִז ְק ֵני ְי ּהו ָדה ְלֵר ֵע ּהו ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ָל ֶכם ,spoil to the elders of Yehuda [and] to his friends ְּבָר ָכה ִמשְּׁ ַלל ְאֹי ֵבי ְי ָהֹוה׃ saying, “This is a present for you from our spoil of the enemies of Hashem.” כז ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ֵב ֵית־אל ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּבָר ֶמוֹת־נ ֶגב -He sent the spoil to the elders] in Beit El, Ramoth] 27 ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּבַי ִּתר׃ ;negeb, and Jattir כח ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּב ֲע ֵרֹער ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ִשׂ ְפמוֹת ;in Aroer, Siphmoth, and Eshtemoa 28 ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ֶאשׁ ְ ְּת ַמֹע׃

been continual battles against Amalek. Often it looks is one of the great lessons of Jewish history. Though like Amalek, or their successors, might be victorious. it may take many years, the Jewish people always However, in the end, God’s people always succeed. This overcome their enemies.

97 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק אל Chapter 31

כט ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּבָר ָכל ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ָעֵרי ַהְּיַר ְח ְמ ֵא ִלי in Racal, in the towns of the Jerahmeelites, and in 29 ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ָעֵרי ַה ֵּק ִיני׃ ;the towns of the Kenites ל ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ָחְר ָמה ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ָבוֹר־עשׁ ָ ן ;in Hormah, Bor-ashan, and Athach 30 ְ ו ַ ל ֲ א שׁ ֶ ר ַ ּב ֲ ע ָ ת ְ ך ׃ לא ְו ַל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ּו ְל ָכ ַל־ה ְּמקֹמוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ and to those in Chevron—all the places where 31 ִה ְת ַה ֶּל ְך־שׁ ָ ם ָ ּדִוד ּהוא ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו׃ .David and his men had roamed א ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִנ ְל ָח ִמים ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו The Philistines attackedYisrael , and the men of 1 31 Samuel לא ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמ ְּפ ֵני ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוִּי ְּפ ּלו Yisrael fled before the Philistines and [many] fell on ֲח ָל ִלים ְּב ַהר ַה ִּג ְל ּב ַֹע׃ .Mount Gilboa ב ַוַּי ְד ְּב ּקו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶא ָּת־ב ָניו The Philistines pursuedShaul and his sons, and the 2 ַוַּי ּכ ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶא ְת־י ָהוֹנ ָתן ְו ֶא ֲת־א ִב ָינ ָדב Philistines struck down Yehonatan, Avinadav, and ְו ֶא ַת־מ ְל ִּכי־שׁ ּו ַע ְּב ֵני שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .Malchishua, sons of Shaul ג ַו ִּת ְכ ַּבד ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ְמ ָצ ֻא ּהו The battle raged aroundShaul , and some of the 3 ַה ּמ ִוֹרים ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ַּב ָּקשׁ ֶ ת ַוָּי ֶחל ְמאֹד archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by ֵמ ַה ּמ ִוֹרים׃ .the archers ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו שׁ ְ לֹף ַחְר ְּב ָך Shaul said to his arms-bearer, “Draw your sword 4 ְו ָד ְקֵר ִני ָב ּה ֶּפ ָן־י ּבוֹאו ָה ֲעֵר ִלים ָה ֵא ֶּלה and run me through, so that the uncircumcised ּו ְד ָקֻר ִני ְו ִה ְת ַע ְּל ּלו ִ־בי ְולֹא ָא ָבה ֵנֹשׂא ”.may not run me through and make sport of me ֵכ ָליו ִּכי ָיֵרא ְמאֹד ַוִּי ַּקח שׁ ָ ּאול ֶאת־ ;But his arms-bearer, in his great awe, refused ַה ֶחֶרב ַוִּי ּפֹל ָע ֶל ָיה׃ whereupon Shaul grasped the sword and fell upon it. va-YO-mer sha-UL l’-no-SAY khay-LAV sh’-LOF khar-b’-KHA v’-dok-RAY-nee VAH pen ya-VO-u ha-a-ray-LEEM ha-AY-leh u-d’-ka-RU-nee v’-hit-a-l’-lu VEE v’-LO a-VAH no-SAY khay-LAV KEE ya-RAY m’-OD va-yi-KAKH sha-UL et ha-KHE-rev va-yi-POL a-LE-ha ה ַוַּיְרא ֵנֹשׂ ֵא־כ ָליו ִּכי ֵמת שׁ ָ ּאול ַוִּי ּפֹל ַּגם־ When his arms-bearer saw that Shaul was dead, he 5 ּהוא ַע ַל־חְר ּבוֹ ַוָּי ָמת ִע ּמוֹ׃ .too fell on his sword and died with him ו ַוָּי ָמת שׁ ָ ּאול ּושׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ָּב ָניו ְו ֵנֹשׂא ֵכ ָליו ,ThusShaul and his three sons and his arms-bearer 6 ַּגם ָּכ ֲל־א ָנשׁ ָ יו ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַי ְח ָ ּדו׃ .as well as all his men, died together on that day

31:4 Whereupon Shaul grasped the sword and fell through his death. True leaders know that they don’t upon it Normally, suicide is absolutely forbidden represent themselves alone; they represent the entire in Jewish law. However, there are rare exceptions. The nation, and are therefore willing to make the necessary Sages teach that King Shaul’s death is even greater than sacrifices. WhileShaul ’s death serves in Jewish law as the his life. Though he knows it will lead to his death, he and model of a rare acceptable form of suicide, the most Yehonatan lead the army into battle. Rather than allow famous such act in Jewish history took place on the himself to be captured and killed, he falls on his sword, mountain of Masada. According to Josephus Flavius in as he is well aware that the capture of a king of Israel The Jewish War, the 960 Jewish inhabitants of the fortress would bring despair to the entire nation. Thus, Jewish law on Masada, the last Jewish stronghold against the views King Shaul as a prime example of self-sacrifice, as Romans after the destruction of the second Temple, killed Masada fortress in the he sanctifies the name ofHashem and the People of Israel themselves rather than surrender to the Roman soldiers. Judean Desert

98 שמואל א Shmuel I/I Samuel פרק אל Chapter 31

ז ַוִּיְר ּאו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ְּר־ב ֵע ֶבר And when the men of Yisrael on the other side of 7 ָה ֵע ֶמק ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ֵע ֶבר ַהַּיְר ֵ ּדן ִּכ ָי־נ ּסו the valley and on the other side of the Yarden saw ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ִכ ֵי־מ ּתו שׁ ָ ּאול ּו ָב ָניו that the men of Yisrael had fled and thatShaul and ַוַּי ַעְז ּבו ֶא ֶת־ה ָעִרים ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו ַוָּי ּבֹאו his sons were dead, they abandoned the towns and ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוֵּישׁ ְ ּבו ָּב ֶהן׃ .fled; the Philistines then came and occupied them ח ַוְי ִהי ִמ ָּמ ֳחָרת ַוָּי ּבֹאו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְל ַפשֵּׁ ט ,The next day the Philistines came to strip the slain 8 ֶא ַת־ה ֲח ָל ִלים ַוִּי ְמ ְצ ּאו ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶאת־ and they found Shaul and his three sons lying on שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ָּב ָניו ְנֹפ ִלים ְּב ַהר ַה ִּג ְל ּב ַֹע׃ .Mount Gilboa Samuel ט ַוִּי ְכְר ּתו ֶאת־רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוַּי ְפשׁ ִ ּיטו ֶא ֵּת־כ ָליו They cut off his head and stripped him of his 9 ַוְישׁ ַ ְּל ּחו ְב ֶאֶר ְּץ־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָס ִביב ְל ַב ֵּשׂר armor, and they sent them throughout the land of ֵּבית ֲע ַצ ֵּב ֶיהם ְו ֶא ָת־ה ָעם׃ the Philistines, to spread the news in the temples of their idols and among the people. י ַוָּי ִשׂ ּמו ֶא ֵּת־כ ָליו ֵּבית ַעשׁ ְ ָּתרוֹת ְו ֶאת־ ,They placed his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth 10 ְּגִוָּיתוֹ ָּת ְק ּעו ְּב ַחוֹמת ֵּבית שׁ ָ ן׃ -and they impaled his body on the wall of Beth shan. יא ַוִּישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ֵא ָליו יֹשׁ ְ ֵבי ָי ֵבישׁ ִּג ְל ָעד ֵאת When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard about 11 ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ּשׂו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְלשׁ ָ ּאול׃ —it—what the Philistines had done to Shaul יב ַוָּי ּקו ּמו ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ַחִיל ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ָכ ַל־ה ַּלְי ָלה ;all their stalwart men set out and marched all night 12 ַוִּי ְק ּחו ֶא ְּת־גִוַּית שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֵאת ְּגִו ּיֹת ָּב ָניו they removed the bodies of Shaul and his sons ֵמ ַחוֹמת ֵּבית שׁ ָ ן ַוָּי ּבֹאו ָי ֵבשׁ ָ ה ַוִּי ְשׂ ְר ּפו from the wall of Beth-shan and came to Jabesh and ָאֹתם שׁ ָ ם׃ .burned them there יג ַוִּי ְק ּחו ֶא ַת־ע ְצ ֵמֹת ֶיהם ַוִּי ְק ְּב ּרו ַת ַחת־ Then they took the bones and buried them under 13 ָה ֶאשׁ ֶ ל ְּבָי ֵבשׁ ָ ה ַוָּי ֻצ ּמו שׁ ִ ְב ַעת ָי ִמים׃ the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

99 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק א Chapter 1

א ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵרי מוֹת שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ָדִוד שׁ ָ ב ֵמ ַה ּכוֹת After the death ofShaul —David had already 1 1 א ֶא ָת־ה ֲע ָמ ֵלק ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ָ ּדִוד ְּב ִצ ְק ָלג ָי ִמים returned from defeating the Amalekites—David שׁ ְ ָ נ ִ י ם ׃ .stayed two days in Tziklag ב ַוְי ִהי ַּב ּיוֹם ַהשְּׁ ִלישׁ ִ י ְו ִה ֵנּה ִאישׁ ָּבא ,On the third day, a man came from Shaul’s camp 2 ִמ ַן־ה ַּמ ֲח ֶנה ֵמ ִעם שׁ ָ ּאול ּו ְב ָג ָדיו ְקֻר ִעים with his clothes rent and earth on his head; and ַו ֲא ָד ָמה ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוְי ִהי ְּבבֹאוֹ ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד as he approached David, he flung himself to the ַוִּי ּפֹל ַאְר ָצה ַוִּישׁ ְ ָּת ּחו׃ .ground and bowed low ג ּ ּ ”?David said to him, “Where are you coming from 3 Samuel ַוי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ָ ּדִוד ֵאי ִמֶ ּזה ָּתבוֹא ַוי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ִמ ַּמ ֲח ֵנה ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִנ ְמ ָל ְט ִּתי׃ He answered, “I have just escaped from the camp of Yisrael.” ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ָ ּדִוד ֶמ ָה־הָיה ַה ָ ּד ָבר What happened?” asked David. “Tell me!” And“ 4 ַה ֶּג ָד־נא ִלי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־נס ָה ָעם ִמן־ ,he told him how the troops had fled the battlefield ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ַג ַם־הְר ֵּבה ָנ ַפל ִמ ָן־ה ָעם and that, moreover, many of the troops had fallen ַוָּי ֻמ ּתו ְו ַגם שׁ ָ ּאול ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ ֵמ ּתו׃ and died; also that Shaul and his son Yehonatan were dead. ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַל־ה ַנּ ַער ַה ַּמ ִּגיד לוֹ ֵא ְיך How do you know,” David asked the young man“ 5 ָי ַד ְע ָּת ִּכ ֵי־מת שׁ ָ ּאול ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ׃ who brought him the news, “that Shaul and his son Yehonatan are dead?” ו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ַנּ ַער ַה ַּמ ִּגיד לוֹ ִנ ְקרֹא ִנ ְקֵר ִיתי The young man who brought him the news 6 ְּב ַהר ַה ִּג ְל ּב ַֹע ְו ִה ֵנּה שׁ ָ ּאול ִנשׁ ְ ָען ַעל־ answered, “I happened to be at Mount Gilboa, and ֲח ִניתוֹ ְו ִה ֵנּה ָהֶר ֶכב ּו ַב ֲע ֵלי ַה ָּפָרשׁ ִ ים I saw Shaul leaning on his spear, and the chariots ִה ְד ִּב ֻק ּהו׃ .and horsemen closing in on him ז ַוִּי ֶפן ַא ֲחָריו ַוִּיְר ֵא ִני ַוִּי ְקָרא ֵא ָלי ָו ַאֹמר .He looked around and saw me, and he called to me 7 ִה ֵנּ ִני׃ ’,When I responded, ‘At your service ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִלי ִמ ָי־א ָּתה ויאמר ָ]ו ַאֹמר[ ֵא ָליו he asked me, ‘Who are you?’ And I told him that I 8 ֲע ָמ ֵל ִקי ָא ִנֹכי׃ .was an Amalekite ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ַלי ֲע ָמ ָד־נא ָע ַלי ּו ְמֹת ֵת ִני ִּכי Then he said to me, ‘Stand over me, and finish me 9 ֲא ָחַז ִני ַהשָּׁ ָבץ ִּכ ָי־כל־עוֹד ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ִּבי׃ ’.off, for I am in agony and am barely alive י ָו ֶא ֱעמֹד ָע ָליו ַו ֲא ְמֹת ֵת ּהו ִּכי ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ִּכי So I stood over him and finished him off, for I 10 לֹא ִי ְחֶיה ַא ֲחֵרי ִנ ְפלוֹ ָו ֶא ַּקח ַה ֵנּ ֶזר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר knew that he would never rise from where he was ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ ְו ֶא ְצ ָע ָדה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַע ְל־זרֹעוֹ lying. Then I took the crown from his head and the ָו ֲא ִב ֵיאם ֶא ֲל־א ִדֹני ֵה ָנּה׃ armlet from his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” יא ַוַּי ֲחֵזק ָ ּדִוד בבגדו ִּ]ב ְב ָג ָדיו[ ַוִּי ְקָר ֵעם David took hold of his clothes and rent them, and 11 ְו ַגם ָּכ ָל־ה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ׃ .so did all the men with him יב ַוִּי ְס ְּפ ּדו ַוִּי ְב ּכ ּו ַוָּי ֻצ ּמו ַע ָד־ה ָעֶרב ַעל־ They lamented and wept, and they fasted until 12 שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ַע ְל־י ָהוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ ְו ַע ַל־עם ְי ָהֹוה evening for Shaul and his son Yehonatan, and for ְו ַע ֵּל־בית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכי ָנ ְפ ּלו ֶּב ָחֶרב׃ the soldiers of Hashem and the House of Yisrael who had fallen by the sword. יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַל־ה ַנּ ַער ַה ַּמ ִּגיד לוֹ ֵאי ִמֶ ּזה David said to the young man who had brought him 13 ָא ָּתה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶּב ִן־אישׁ ֵּגר ֲע ָמ ֵל ִקי ָא ִנֹכי׃ the news, “Where are you from?” He replied, “I am the son of a resident alien, an Amalekite.”

100 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק א Chapter 1

יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ָ ּדִוד ֵא ְיך לֹא ָיֵר ָאת ִלשׁ ְ ַלֹח How did you dare,” David said to him, “to lift your“ 14 ָי ְד ָך ְלשׁ ַ ֵחת ֶא ְת־משׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”?hand and kill Hashem’s anointed טו ַוִּי ְקָרא ָדִוד ְל ַא ַחד ֵמ ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַּגשׁ ThereuponDavid called one of the attendants and 15 ְּפ ַג ּע־בוֹ ַוַּי ֵּכ ּהו ַוָּימֹת׃ said to him, “Come over and strike him!” He struck him down and he died. טז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ָ ּדִוד דמיך ָ ּ]ד ְמ ָך[ ַעל־ And David said to him, “Your blood be on your 16 רֹאשׁ ֶ ָך ִּכי ִפ ָיך ָע ָנה ְב ָך ֵלאמֹר ָא ִנֹכי own head! Your own mouth testified against you ַמֹת ִּתי ֶא ְת־משׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”’.when you said, ‘I put Hashem’s anointed to death Samuel יז ַוְי ֵקֹנן ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ִּק ָינה ַה ּזֹאת ַעל־שׁ ָ ּאול And David intoned this dirge over Shaul and his 17 ְו ַע ְל־י ָהוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ׃ —son Yehonatan יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְל ַל ֵּמד ְּב ֵנ ְי־י ּהו ָדה ָקשׁ ֶ ת ִה ֵנּה He ordered the Judites to be taught [The Song of 18 ְכ ּתו ָבה ַע ֵל־ס ֶפר ַהָּישׁ ָ ר׃ .the] Bow. It is recorded in the Book of Jashar יט ַה ְּצ ִבי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַע ָּל־ב ֶמוֹת ָיך ָח ָלל ֵא ְיך ;Your glory, O Yisrael, Lies slain on your heights 19 ָנ ְפ ּלו ִג ּב ִוֹרים׃ !How have the mighty fallen כ ַא ַּל־ת ִּג ּידו ְב ַגת ַא ְּל־ת ַב ְּשׂ ּרו ְּב ּחוצֹת Tell it not in Gath, Do not proclaim it in the streets 20 ַאשׁ ְ ְקלוֹן ֶּפ ִּן־ת ְשׂ ַמ ְח ָנה ְּבנוֹת ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים of Ashkelon, Lest the daughters of the Philistine ֶּפ ַּן־ת ֲע ְלֹז ָנה ְּבנוֹת ָה ֲעֵר ִלים׃ rejoice, Lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult. כא ָהֵרי ַב ִּג ְל ּב ַֹע ַא ַל־טל ְו ַא ָל־מ ָטר ֲע ֵל ֶיכם O hills of Gilboa—Let there be no dew or rain on 21 ּו ְשׂ ֵדי ְת ּרומֹת ִּכי שׁ ָ ם ִנ ְג ַעל ָמ ֵגן ִּג ּב ִוֹרים you, Or bountiful fields, For there the shield of ָמ ֵגן שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ִלי ָמשׁ ִ ַיח ַּבשָּׁ ֶמן׃ warriors lay rejected, The shield ofShaul , Polished with oil no more. כב ִמ ַ ּדם ֲח ָל ִלים ֵמ ֵח ֶלב ִּג ּב ִוֹרים ֶקשׁ ֶ ת —From the blood of slain, From the fat of warriors 22 ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן לֹא ָנשׂוֹג ָאחוֹר ְו ֶחֶרב שׁ ָ ּאול לֹא The bow ofYehonatan Never turned back; The ָתשׁ ּוב ֵר ָיקם׃ .sword of Shaul Never withdrew empty כג שׁ ָ ּאול ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ַה ֶנּ ֱא ָה ִבים ְו ַה ְנּ ִע ִימם ,Shaul and Yehonatan, Beloved and cherished 23 ְּב ַחֵּי ֶיהם ּו ְב ָמוֹתם לֹא ִנ ְפָר ּדו ִמ ְנּשׁ ָ ִרים Never parted In life or in death! They were swifter ַק ּל ּו ֵמ ֲאָריוֹת ָּג ֵב ּרו׃ !than eagles, They were stronger than lions sha-UL vee-ho-na-TAN ha-ne-e-ha-VEEM v’-ha-n’-ee-MIM b’-kha-yay-HEM uv-mo- TAM LO nif-RA-du mi-n’-sha-REEM KA-lu may-a-ra-YOT ga-VAY-ru כד ְּבנוֹת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ֶכ ָינה Daughters of Yisrael, Weep over Shaul, Who 24 ַה ַּמ ְל ִּבשׁ ְ ֶכם שׁ ָ ִני ִע ֲם־ע ָד ִנים ַה ַּמ ֲע ֶלה clothed you in crimson and finery, Who decked ֲע ִדי ָז ָהב ַעל ְל ּבושׁ ְ ֶכן׃ .your robes with jewels of gold

1:23 Shaul and Yehonatan, beloved and cherished, die in battle, King Shaul and Yehonatan would not never parted in life or in death Though King separate from the People of Israel. They do not flee, but Shaul had tried to kill David, David deeply mourns his rather lead the nation into battle, and they heroically death and that of his close friend Yehonatan, Shaul’s fall together. They serve as powerful role models for the son. In his powerful eulogy, David says that Shaul and soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces, who willingly risk President Reuven Yehonatan are not separated in death. Radak explains their lives every day for the People and State of Rivlin visiting that this means that although they knew they would Israel . IDF soldiers

101 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ב Chapter 2

כה ֵא ְיך ָנ ְפ ּלו ִג ּבִֹרים ְּב ְתוֹך ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה —How have the mighty fallen In the thick of battle 25 ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ַע ָּל־ב ֶמוֹת ָיך ָח ָלל׃ !Yehonatan, slain on your heights כו ַצ ִר־לי ָע ֶל ָיך ָא ִחי ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ָנ ַע ְמ ָּת ִּלי ְמאֹד I grieve for you, My brother Yehonatan, You were 26 ִנ ְפ ְל ַא ָתה ַא ֲה ָב ְת ָך ִלי ֵמ ַא ֲה ַבת ָנשׁ ִ ים׃ most dear to me. Your love was wonderful to me More than the love of women. כז ֵא ְיך ָנ ְפ ּלו ִג ּב ִוֹרים ַו ּי ְֹאב ּדו ְּכ ֵלי ִמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ How have the mighty fallen, The weapons of war 27 perished! א 1 Samuel ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ָ ּדִוד ַּב ָיהֹוה ֵלאמֹר ,Sometime afterward,David inquired of Hashem 2 ב ַה ֶא ֱע ֶלה ְּב ַא ַחת ָעֵרי ְי ּהו ָדה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ”?Shall I go up to one of the towns of Yehuda“ ְי ָהֹוה ֵא ָליו ֲע ֵלה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ָא ָנה ֶא ֱע ֶלה ,Hashem answered, “Yes.” David further asked ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶח ְב ָרֹנה׃ ,Which one shall I go up to?” And Hashem replied“ “To Chevron.” ב ַוַּי ַעל שׁ ָ ם ָ ּדִוד ְו ַגם שׁ ְ ֵּתי ָנשׁ ָ יו ֲא ִח ַינֹעם ,So David went up there, along with his two wives 2 ַהִּיְזְר ֵע ִלית ַו ֲא ִב ַיגִיל ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ָנ ָבל ַה ַּכְר ְמ ִלי׃ Ahinoam of Yizrael and Avigail wife of Naval the Carmelite. ג ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־ע ּמוֹ ֶה ֱע ָלה ָדִוד ִאישׁ David also took the men who were with him, each 3 ּו ֵביתוֹ ַוֵּישׁ ְ ּבו ְּב ָעֵרי ֶח ְברוֹן׃ with his family, and they settled in the towns about Chevron. ד ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ְי ּהו ָדה ַוִּי ְמשׁ ְ ּחו־שׁ ָ ם ֶאת־ The men ofYehuda came and there they anointed 4 ָ ּדִוד ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ֵּל־בית ְי ּהו ָדה ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ְל ָדִוד David king over the House of Yehuda. David was ֵלאמֹר ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָי ֵבישׁ ִּג ְל ָעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָק ְב ּרו told about the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .Shaul va-ya-VO-u an-SHAY y’-hu-DAH va-yim-sh’-khu SHAM et da-VID l’-ME-lekh al BAYT y’-hu-DAH va-ya-GI-du l’-da-VID lay-MOR an-SHAY ya-VAYSH gil-AD a-SHER ka-v’-RU at sha-UL ה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶא ַל־א ְנשׁ ֵ י ָי ֵבישׁ -So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh 5 ִּג ְל ָעד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ְּבֻר ִכים ַא ֶּתם gilead and said to them, “May you be blessed ַל ָיהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲע ִשׂ ֶיתם ַה ֶח ֶסד ַהֶ ּזה ִעם־ of Hashem because you performed this act of ֲא ֵדֹנ ֶיכם ִעם־שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ִּת ְק ְּב ּרו אֹתוֹ׃ .faithfulness to your lord Shaul and buried him ו ְו ַע ָּתה ַי ַע ְשׂ־י ָהֹוה ִע ָּמ ֶכם ֶח ֶסד ֶו ֱא ֶמת ;May Hashem in turn show you true faithfulness 6 ְו ַגם ָא ִנֹכי ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ִא ְּת ֶכם ַה ּט ָוֹבה ַה ּזֹאת and I too will reward you generously because you ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲע ִשׂ ֶיתם ַה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה׃ .performed this act

2:4 The men of Yehuda came and there they one half years (see verse 11). This shows that Chevron is anointed David king over the House of Yehuda At not only the burial site of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs God’s instruction, following the death of King Shaul, Avraham and Sara, Yitzchak and Rivka and Yaakov and David goes to the holy city of Chevron. There, he is Leah; it is also the cradle of Israel’s monarchy. Today’s anointed king by the people of Yehuda. Though the Jewish community of Chevron serves a critical function prophet Shmuel had already anointed him, his anoint- by preserving Jewish sovereignty over this ancient and Ariel view of the ment by the people demonstrates their acceptance of historic city, and the right of all to pray at the Cave of Cave of Machpela his reign. King David rules from Chevron for seven and the Patriarchs. and the city of Chevron

102 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ב Chapter 2

ז ְו ַע ָּתה ֶּת ֱחַז ְק ָנה ְי ֵד ֶיכם ִו ְה ּיו ִל ְב ֵנ ַי־חִיל Now take courage and be brave men; for your lord 7 ִּכ ֵי־מת ֲא ֵדֹנ ֶיכם שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ַג ִם־אֹתי ָמשׁ ְ ּחו Shaul is dead and the House of Yehuda have already ֵב ְית־י ּהו ָדה ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ֲע ֵל ֶיהם׃ ”.anointed me king over them ח ְו ַא ְב ֵנר ֶּב ֵן־נר ַשׂ ָר־צ ָבא ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ,But Avner son of Ner, Shaul’s army commander 8 ָל ַקח ֶא ִת־אישׁ ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ַוַּי ֲע ִבֵר ּהו had taken Ish-boshet son of Shaul and brought him ַמ ֲח ָנִים׃ across to Mahanaim ט ַוַּי ְמ ִל ֵכ ּהו ֶא ַל־ה ִּג ְל ָעד ְו ֶא ָל־ה ֲאשׁ ּוִרי ,and made him king over Gilad, the Assyriaites 9 Yizrael, Efraim, and Binyamin—over all Yisrael.

ְו ֶא ִל־יְזְר ֶעאל ְו ַע ֶל־א ְפַרִים ְו ַע ִּל־ב ְנָי ִמן Samuel ְו ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֻּכ ּלֹה׃ י ֶּב ַן־אְר ָּב ִעים שׁ ָ ָנה ִאישׁ ּ־בֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול Ish-boshet son of Shaul was forty years old when he 10 ְּב ָמ ְלכוֹ ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּושׁ ְ ַּתִים שׁ ָ ִנים ָמ ָל ְך .became king of Yisrael, and he reigned two years ַא ְך ֵּבית ְי ּהו ָדה ָה ּיו ַא ֲחֵרי ָדִוד׃ .But the House of Yehuda supported David יא ַוְי ִהי ִמ ְס ַּפר ַהָּי ִמים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ָדִוד ֶמ ֶל ְך The length of time thatDavid reigned in Chevron 11 ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ַע ֵּל־בית ְי ּהו ָדה שׁ ֶ ַבע שׁ ָ ִנים over the House of Yehuda was seven years and six ְ ו שׁ ִ שׁ ּ ָ ה ֳח ָ ד שׁ ִ י ם ׃ .months יב ַוֵּי ֵצא ַא ְב ֵנר ֶּב ֵן־נר ְו ַע ְב ֵדי ִאישׁ ּ־בֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּבן־ -Once Avner son of Ner and the soldiers of Ish 12 שׁ ָ ּאול ִמ ַּמ ֲח ַנִים ִּג ְב ָעוֹנה׃ boshet son of Shaul marched out from Mahanaim to Givon, יג ְו ָיוֹאב ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה ְו ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ָי ְצ ּאו and Yoav son of Tzeruya and the soldiers of David 13 ַוִּי ְפ ְּגשׁ ּום ַע ְּל־בֵר ַכת ִּג ְבעוֹן ַי ְח ָ ּדו ַוֵּישׁ ְ ּבו also] came out. They confronted one another at] ֵא ֶּלה ַע ַל־ה ְּבֵר ָכה ִמֶ ּזה ְו ֵא ֶּלה ַעל־ the pool of Givon: one group sat on one side of the ַה ְּבֵר ָכה ִמֶ ּזה׃ pool, and the other group on the other side of the pool. יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְב ֵנר ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ָי ּקו ּמו ָנא Avner said to Yoav, “Let the young men come 14 ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ִו ַישׂ ֲח ּקו ְל ָפ ֵנ ּינו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב forward and sport before us.” “Yes, let them,” Yoav ָי ֻק ּמו׃ .answered טו ַוָּי ֻק ּמו ַוַּי ַע ְב ּרו ְב ִמ ְס ָּפר שׁ ְ ֵנים ָע ָשׂר They came forward and were counted off, twelve 15 ְל ִב ְנָי ִמן ּו ְל ִאישׁ ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ּושׁ ְ ֵנים for Binyamin and Ish-boshet son of Shaul, and ָע ָשׂר ֵמ ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד׃ .twelve of David’s soldiers טז ַוַּי ֲחִז ּקו ִאישׁ ְּברֹאשׁ ֵר ֵע ּהו ְו ַחְר ּבוֹ ְּב ַצד [Each one grasped his opponent’s head [and thrust 16 ֵר ֵע ּהו ַוִּי ְּפ ּלו ַי ְח ָ ּדו ַוִּי ְקָרא ַל ָּמקוֹם ַה ּהוא his dagger into his opponent’s side; thus they fell ֶח ְל ַקת ַה ֻּצִרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ִג ְבעוֹן׃ together. That place, which is inGivon , was called Helkath-hazzurim. יז ַו ְּת ִהי ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ָקשׁ ָ ה ַע ְד־מאֹד ַּב ּיוֹם A fierce battle ensued that day, andAvner and the 17 ַה ּהוא ַוִּי ָנּ ֶגף ַא ְב ֵנר ְו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִל ְפ ֵני .men of Yisrael were routed by David’s soldiers ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד׃ יח ַוִּי ְה ּיו־שׁ ָ ם שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ְּב ֵני ְצ ּרוָיה ָיוֹאב ,The three sons ofTzeruya were there—Yoav 18 ַו ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ַו ֲע ָשׂ ֵהאל ַו ֲע ָשׂ ֵהאל ַקל ְּבַר ְג ָליו Avishai, and Asael. Asael was swift of foot, like a ְּכ ַא ַחד ַה ְּצ ָבִים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ .gazelle in the open field יט ַוִּיְר ּדֹף ֲע ָשׂ ֵהאל ַא ֲחֵרי ַא ְב ֵנר ְו ָלֹא־נ ָטה And Asael ran afterAvner , swerving neither right 19 ָל ֶל ֶכת ַע ַל־הָּי ִמין ְו ַע ַל־ה ְּשׂמֹאול ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי . nor left in his pursuit ofAvner ַא ְב ֵנר׃

103 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ב Chapter 2

כ ַוִּי ֶפן ַא ְב ֵנר ַא ֲחָריו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ַא ָּתה ֶזה ,Avner looked back and shouted, “Is that you 20 ֲע ָשׂ ֵהאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִנֹכי׃ .Asael?” “Yes, it is,” he called back כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַא ְב ֵנר ְנ ֵטה ְל ָך ַע ְל־י ִמ ְינ ָך אוֹ ,Avner said to him, “Turn to the right or to the left 21 ַע ְל־שׂ ֶמֹאל ָך ֶו ֱאחֹז ְל ָך ֶא ָחד ֵמ ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ”.and seize one of our boys and strip off his tunic ְו ַק ְח־ל ָך ֶא ֲת־ח ִל ָצתוֹ ְו ָלֹא־א ָבה ֲע ָשׂ ֵהאל .But Asael would not leave off ָל ּסור ֵמ ַא ֲחָריו׃ כב ַו ּי ֶֹסף עוֹד ַא ְב ֵנר ֵלאמֹר ֶא ֲל־ע ָשׂ ֵהאל Avner again begged Asael, “Stop pursuing me, or 22 ּסור ְל ָך ֵמ ַא ֲחָרי ָל ָּמה ַא ֶּכ ָּכה ַאְר ָצה ְו ֵא ְיך I’ll have to strike you down. How will I look your Samuel ֶא ָּשׂא ָפ ַני ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ָא ִח ָיך׃ ”?brother Yoav in the face כג ַוְי ָמ ֵאן ָל ּסור ַוַּי ֵּכ ּהו ַא ְב ֵנר ְּב ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ֲח ִנית When he refused to desist, Avner struck him in the 23 ֶא ַל־ה ֶחֹמשׁ ַו ֵּת ֵצא ַה ֲח ִנית ֵמ ַא ֲחָריו belly with a backward thrust of his spear and the ַוִּי ָּפל־שׁ ָ ם ַוָּי ָמת תחתו ַּ]ת ְח ָּתיו[ ַוְי ִהי spear protruded from his back. He fell there and ָּכ ַל־ה ָּבא ֶא ַל־ה ָּמקוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־נ ַפל שׁ ָ ם died on the spot. And all who came to the place ֲע ָשׂ ֵהאל ַוָּימֹת ַוַּי ֲע ּמֹדו׃ ;where Asael fell and died halted כד ַוִּיְר ְ ּד ּפו ָיוֹאב ַו ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ַא ֲחֵרי ַא ְב ֵנר .but Yoav and Avishai continued to pursue Avner 24 ְו ַהשֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ָּב ָאה ְו ֵה ָּמה ָּב ּאו ַע ִּד־ג ְב ַעת And the sun was setting as they reached the hill ַא ָּמה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַע ְּל־פ ֵנ ִי־ג ַיח ֶ ּדֶר ְך ִמ ְד ַּבר of Ammah, which faces Giah on the road to the ִּג ְבעוֹן׃ .wilderness of Givon כה ַוִּי ְת ַק ְּב ּצו ְב ֵנ ִי־ב ְנָי ִמן ַא ֲחֵרי ַא ְב ֵנר ַוִּי ְה ּיו The Benjaminites rallied behindAvner , forming a 25 ַל ֲא ֻג ָ ּדה ֶא ָחת ַוַּי ַע ְמ ּדו ַעל רֹאשׁ ִּ־ג ְב ָעה single company; and they took up a position on the ֶא ָחת׃ .top of a hill כו ַוִּי ְקָרא ַא ְב ֵנר ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲה ָל ֶנ ַצח Avner then called out to Yoav, “Must the sword 26 ּת ַֹאכל ֶחֶרב ֲהלוֹא ָי ַד ְע ָּתה ִּכ ָי־מָרה devour forever? You know how bitterly it’s going to ִת ְהֶיה ָּב ַא ֲח ָרוֹנה ְו ַע ָד־מ ַתי ַלֹא־תֹאמר end! How long will you delay ordering your troops ָל ָעם ָלשׁ ּוב ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ֲא ֵח ֶיהם׃ ”?to stop the pursuit of their kinsmen כז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ַחי ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ִּכי ּלו ֵלא And Yoav replied, “As Hashem lives, if you hadn’t 27 ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת ִּכי ָאז ֵמ ַה ּב ֶֹקר ַנ ֲע ָלה ָה ָעם ִאישׁ spoken up, the troops would have given up the ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ָא ִחיו׃ ”.pursuit of their kinsmen only the next morning כח ַוִּי ְת ַקע ָיוֹאב ַּבשּׁ ָוֹפר ַוַּי ַע ְמ ּדו ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם Yoav then sounded the shofar, and all the troops 28 ְו ִלֹא־יְר ְ ּד ּפו עוֹד ַא ֲחֵרי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְולֹא־ halted; they ceased their pursuit of Yisrael and ָי ְס ּפו עוֹד ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם׃ .stopped the fighting כט ְו ַא ְב ֵנר ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ָה ְל ּכו ָּב ֲעָר ָבה ּכֹל ַה ַּלְי ָלה Avner and his men marched through the Arabah all 29 ַה ּהוא ַוַּי ַע ְב ּרו ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ָּכל־ that night and, after crossing theYarden , they marched ַה ִּב ְתרוֹן ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַמ ֲח ָנִים׃ .through all of Bithron until they came to Mahanaim ל ְו ָיוֹאב שׁ ָ ב ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ַא ְב ֵנר ַוִּי ְק ּבֹץ ֶא ָּת־כל־ After Yoav gave up the pursuit of Avner, he 30 ָה ָעם ַוִּי ָּפ ְק ּדו ֵמ ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ִּתשׁ ְ ָע ָה־ע ָשׂר assembled all the troops and found nineteen of ִאישׁ ַו ֲע ָשׂ ֵה־אל׃ .David’s soldiers missing, besides Asael לא ְו ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ִה ּכ ּו ִמ ִּב ְנָי ִמן ּו ְב ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ַא ְב ֵנר David’s soldiers, on the other hand, defeated the 31 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֵ־מאוֹת ְושׁ ִ שִּׁ ים ִאישׁ ֵמ ּתו׃ Benjaminites and the men under Avner and killed three hundred and sixty men. לב ַוִּי ְשׂ ּאו ֶא ֲת־ע ָשׂ ֵהאל ַוִּי ְק ְּבֻר ּהו ְּב ֶק ֶבר They boreAsael away and buried him in his father’s 32 ָא ִביו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵּבית ָל ֶחם ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ָכ ַל־ה ַּלְי ָלה tomb in Beit Lechem. ThenYoav and his men ָיוֹאב ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ַוֵּיאֹר ָל ֶהם ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן׃ .marched all night; day broke upon them in Chevron

104 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ג Chapter 3

א ַו ְּת ִהי ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ֲאֻר ָּכה ֵּבין ֵּבית שׁ ָ ּאול The war between the House ofShaul and the 1 3 ג ּו ֵבין ֵּבית ָ ּדִוד ְו ָדִוד ֵהֹל ְך ְו ָחֵזק ּו ֵבית House of David was long-drawn-out; but David שׁ ָ ּאול ְהֹל ִכים ְו ַד ִּלים׃ kept growing stronger, while the House of Shaul grew weaker. ב וילדו ַ]וִּיָּו ְל ּדו[ ְל ָדִוד ָּב ִנים ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ַוְי ִהי Sons were born to David in Chevron: His first-born 2 ְבכוֹרוֹ ַא ְמנוֹן ַל ֲא ִח ַינֹעם ַהִּיְזְר ֵע ִאלת׃ ;was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Yizrael ג ּו ִמשׁ ְ ֵנ ּהו ִכ ְל ָאב לאביגל ַ]ל ֲא ִב ַיגִיל[ his second was Chileab, by Avigail wife of Naval the 3 ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ָנ ָבל ַה ַּכְר ְמ ִלי ְו ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ י ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ,Carmelite; the third was Avshalom son of Maacah ֶּב ַן־מ ֲע ָכה ַּב ַּת־ת ְל ַמי ֶמ ֶל ְך ְּגשׁ ּור׃ ;Samuel daughter of King Talmai of Geshur ד ְו ָהְר ִב ִיעי ֲא ִדֹנָּיה ֶב ַן־ח ִּגית ְו ַה ֲח ִמישׁ ִ י the fourth was Adoniyahu son of Haggith; the fifth 4 שׁ ְ ַפ ְטָיה ֶב ֲן־א ִב ָיטל׃ ;was Shephatiah son of Abital ה ְו ַהשִּׁ שִּׁ י ִי ְתְר ָעם ְל ֶע ְג ָלה ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ָ ּדִוד ֵא ֶּלה .and the sixth was Ithream, by David’s wife Eglah 5 ֻי ְּל ּדו ְל ָדִוד ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן׃ .These were born toDavid in Chevron ו ַוְי ִהי ִּב ְהיוֹת ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ֵּבין ֵּבית שׁ ָ ּאול During the war between the House of Shaul and 6 ּו ֵבין ֵּבית ָ ּדִוד ְו ַא ְב ֵנר ָהָיה ִמ ְת ַחֵ ּזק ְּב ֵבית the House of David, Avner supported the House of שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .Shaul ז ּו ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ִּפ ֶל ֶגשׁ ּושׁ ְ ָמ ּה ִר ְצ ָּפה ַב ַת־אָּיה ,Now Shaul had a concubine named Rizpah 7 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ַל־א ְב ֵנר ַמ ּד ּו ַע ָּב ָאתה ֶאל־ ,daughter of Aiah; and [Ish-boshet] said to Avner ִּפ ֶיל ֶגשׁ ָא ִבי׃ ”?Why have you lain with my father’s concubine“ ח ַוִּי ַחר ְל ַא ְב ֵנר ְמאֹד ַע ִ ּל־ד ְבֵרי ִאישׁ ־ Avner was very upset by what Ish-boshet said, and 8 ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲהרֹאשׁ ֶּכ ֶלב ָא ִנֹכי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר he replied, “Am I a dog’s head from Yehuda? Here I ִל ּיהו ָדה ַה ּיוֹם ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ֶה־ח ֶסד ִע ֵּם־בית have been loyally serving the House of your father שׁ ָ ּאול ָא ִב ָיך ֶא ֶל־א ָחיו ְו ֶא ֵל־מֵר ֵע ּהו Shaul and his kinsfolk and friends, and I have not ְולֹא ִה ְמ ִצ ִית ָך ְּבַי ָ ּד־דִוד ַו ִּת ְפקֹד ָע ַלי ֲעוׂן betrayed you into the hands of David; yet this day ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַה ּיוֹם׃ !you reproach me over a woman ט ּכ ַֹה־י ֲע ֶשׂה ֱא ִלֹהים ְל ַא ְב ֵנר ְוכֹה ִיֹסיף May Hashem do thus and more to Avner if I do not 9 לוֹ ִּכי ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִנשׁ ְ ַּבע ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָדִוד ִּכ ֵי־כן —do for David as Hashem swore to him ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ּה־לוֹ׃ י ְל ַה ֲע ִביר ַה ַּמ ְמ ָל ָכה ִמ ֵּבית שׁ ָ ּאול ,to transfer the kingship from the House of Shaul 10 ּו ְל ָה ִקים ֶא ִּת־כ ֵּסא ָדִוד ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל and to establish the throne of David over Yisrael ְו ַע ְל־י ּהו ָדה ִמ ָ ּדן ְו ַע ְּד־ב ֵאר שׁ ָ ַבע׃ ”.and Yehuda from Dan to Be’er Sheva l’-ha-a-VEER ha-mam-la-KHAH mi-BAYT sha-UL ul-ha-KEEM et ki-SAY da-VID al yis-ra-AYL v’-al y’-hu-DAH mi-DAN v’-ad b’-AYR SHA-va

3:10 From Dan to Be’er Sheva Because the city of Kingdom of Israel are considered the best of times for the Dan was in the north and Be’er Sheva was in the Jewish monarchy. With the division of the kingdom, south, the expression “from Dan to Be’er Sheva” is used to however, things begin to deteriorate, with both military symbolize the expansiveness of the Promised Land. It is defeats and regression to idolatry, until ultimately both this critical unity of the entire nation throughout the land the kingdom of Yisrael and the kingdom of Yehuda are that will allow for a strong and vibrant Kingdom of Israel. destroyed and their inhabitants exiled. This highlights how Indeed, the reigns of David and Shlomo over the united essential unity is for the people and the Land of Israel.

105 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ג Chapter 3

יא ְו ָלֹא־יכֹל עוֹד ְל ָהשׁ ִ יב ֶא ַת־א ְב ֵנר ָ ּד ָבר Ish-boshet] could say nothing more in reply to] 11 ִמִּיְר ָאתוֹ אֹתוֹ׃ .Avner, because he was afraid of him יב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַא ְב ֵנר ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד תחתו ,Avner immediately sent messengers to David 12 ַּ]ת ְח ָּתיו[ ֵלאמֹר ְל ִמ ָי־אֶרץ ֵלאמֹר ָּכְר ָתה saying, “To whom shall the land belong?” and to ְבִר ְית ָך ִא ִּתי ְו ִה ֵנּה ָי ִדי ִע ָּמ ְך ְל ָה ֵסב ֵא ֶל ָיך say [further], “Make a pact with me, and I will help ֶא ָּת־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ”.you and bring all Yisrael over to your side יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר טוֹב ֲא ִני ֶא ְכרֹת ִא ְּת ָך ְּבִרית ַא ְך .He replied, “Good; I will make a pact with you 13 ָ But I make one demand upon you: Do not appear

Samuel ָ ּד ָבר ֶא ָחד ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹאל ֵמ ִא ְּתך ֵלאמֹר לֹא־ ִתְר ֶאה ֶא ָּת־פ ַני ִּכי ִא ִם־ל ְפ ֵני ֱה ִב ֲיא ָך ֵאת before me unless you bring Michal daughter of ִמ ַיכל ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ֲבֹא ָך ִלְראוֹת ֶא ָּת־פ ָני׃ ”.Shaul when you come before me יד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶא ִל־אישׁ ּ־בֹשׁ ֶ ת David also sent messengers to Ish-boshet son of 14 ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵלאמֹר ְּת ָנה ֶא ִת־אשׁ ְ ִּתי ֶאת־ Shaul, to say, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom ִמ ַיכל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵאַר ְשׂ ִּתי ִלי ְּב ֵמ ָאה ָעְרלוֹת I paid the bride-price of one hundred Philistine ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”.foreskins טו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ִאישׁ ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת ַוִּי ָּק ֶח ָה ֵמ ִעם ִאישׁ So Ish-boshet sent and had her taken away from 15 ֵמ ִעם ַּפ ְל ִט ֵיאל ֶּבן־לוש ָ]לִישׁ ׃[ .her] husband, Paltiel son of Laish] טז ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ִא ָּת ּה ִאישׁ ָ ּה ָה ְלוֹך ּו ָבכֹה ַא ֲחֶר ָיה ,Her husband walked with her as far as Bahurim 16 ַע ַּד־ב ֻחִרים ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ַא ְב ֵנר ֵל ְך שׁ ּוב weeping as he followed her; then Avner ordered ַוָּישׁ ֹב׃ .him to turn back, and he went back יז ּו ְד ַב ַר־א ְב ֵנר ָהָיה ִע ִם־ז ְק ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,Avner had conferred with the elders of Yisrael 17 ֵלאמֹר ַּג ְּם־תמוֹל ַּגם־שׁ ִ ְלשׁ ֹם ֱהִי ֶיתם saying, “You have wanted David to be king over ְמ ַב ְקשׁ ִ ים ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ֲע ֵל ֶיכם׃ .you all along יח ְו ַע ָּתה ֲע ּשׂו ִּכי ְי ָהֹוה ָא ַמר ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד Now act! For Hashem has said concerning David: I 18 ֵלאמֹר ְּבַיד ָ ּדִוד ַע ְב ִ ּדי הוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי will deliver My people Yisrael from the hands of the ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמַּיד ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּו ִמַּיד ָּכל־ Philistines and all its other enemies through My ְאֹי ֵב ֶיהם׃ ”.servant David יט ַוְי ַד ֵּבר ַּג ַם־א ְב ֵנר ְּב ָאְז ֵני ִב ְנָי ִמין ַוֵּי ֶל ְך Avner also talked with the Benjaminites; then 19 ַּג ַם־א ְב ֵנר ְל ַד ֵּבר ְּב ָאְז ֵני ָדִוד ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ֵאת Avner went and informed David in Chevron of all ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר־טוֹב ְּב ֵע ֵיני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ְב ֵע ֵיני ָּכל־ the wishes of Yisrael and of the whole House of ֵּבית ִּב ְנָי ִמן׃ .Binyamin כ ַוָּיבֹא ַא ְב ֵנר ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ֶח ְברוֹן ְו ִא ּתוֹ ,When Avner came to David in Chevron 20 ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ַוַּי ַעשׂ ָ ּדִוד ְל ַא ְב ֵנר accompanied by twenty men, David made a feast ְו ַל ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ִמשׁ ְ ֶּתה׃ .for Avner and the men with him כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְב ֵנר ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ָא ּקו ָמה ְו ֵא ֵל ָכה Avner said to David, “Now I will go and rally all 21 ְו ֶא ְק ְּב ָצה ֶא ֲל־א ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָּת־כל־ Yisrael to Your Majesty. They will make a pact with ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְוִי ְכְר ּתו ִא ְּת ָך ְּבִרית ּו ָמ ַל ְכ ָּת ְּבכֹל you, and you can reign over all that your heart ֲאשׁ ֶ ְּר־ת ַאֶּוה ַנ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך ַוְּישׁ ַ ַּלח ָ ּדִוד ֶאת־ desires.” And David dismissed Avner, who went ַא ְב ֵנר ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ .away unharmed כב ְו ִה ֵנּה ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ְו ָיוֹאב ָּבא ֵמ ַה ְּג ּדוד Just then David’s soldiers and Yoav returned from a 22 ְושׁ ָ ָלל ָרב ִע ָּמם ֵה ִב ּיאו ְו ַא ְב ֵנר ֵא ֶינ ּנּו ִעם־ raid, bringing much plunder with them; Avner was ָ ּדִוד ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ִּכי שׁ ִ ְּלחוֹ ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ no longer with David in Chevron, for he had been dismissed and had gone away unharmed.

106 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ג Chapter 3

כג ְו ָיוֹאב ְו ָכ ַל־ה ָּצ ָבא ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ָּב ּאו ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ,When Yoav and the whole force with him arrived 23 ְל ָיוֹאב ֵלאמֹר ָּב ַא־א ְב ֵנר ֶּב ֵן־נר ֶאל־ Yoav was told that Avner son of Ner had come to ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוְישׁ ַ ְּל ֵח ּהו ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ the king, had been dismissed by him, and had gone away unharmed. כד ַוָּיבֹא ָיוֹאב ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶמה Yoav went to the king and said, “What have you 24 ָע ִשׂ ָיתה ִה ֵנּ ָה־בא ַא ְב ֵנר ֵא ֶל ָיך ָל ָּמ ֶ ּה־זה done? Here Avner came to you; why did you let שׁ ִ ַּל ְח ּתוֹ ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָה ְלוֹך׃ !him go? Now he has gotten away כה ָי ַד ְע ָּת ֶא ַת־א ְב ֵנר ֶּב ֵן־נר ִּכי ְל ַפ ּת ְֹת ָך Don’t you know that Avner son of Ner came only to 25 ָּבא ְו ָל ַד ַעת ֶא ָת־מוֹצ ֲא ָך ְו ֶאת־מבואך Samuel deceive you, to learn your comings and goings and ָ]מוֹב ֶא ָך[ ְו ָל ַד ַעת ֵאת ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר ַא ָּתה ”?to find out all that you are planning ֶעֹשׂה׃ כו ַוֵּי ֵצא ָיוֹאב ֵמ ִעם ָ ּדִוד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַמ ְל ָא ִכים , Yoav leftDavid and sent messengers afterAvner 26 ַא ֲחֵרי ַא ְב ֵנר ַוָּישׁ ִ ּבו אֹתוֹ ִמ ּבוֹר ַה ִּסָרה and they brought him back from the cistern of ְו ָדִוד לֹא ָי ָדע׃ .Sirah; but David knew nothing about it כז ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ַא ְב ֵנר ֶח ְברוֹן ַוַּי ֵּט ּהו ָיוֹאב ֶא ּל־ת ְוֹך When Avner returned to Chevron, Yoav took him 27 ַהשַּׁ ַער ְל ַד ֵּבר ִא ּתוֹ ַּבשֶּׁ ִלי ַוַּי ֵּכ ּהו שׁ ָ ם aside within the gate to talk to him privately; there ַה ֶחֹמשׁ ַוָּי ָמת ְּב ַדם ֲע ָשׂ ֵה־אל ָא ִחיו׃ he struck him in the belly. Thus Avner[ ] died for shedding the blood of Asael, Yoav’s brother. כח ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ֵכן ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָנ ִקי ָא ִנֹכי Afterward, whenDavid heard of it, he said, “Both I 28 ּו ַמ ְמ ַל ְכ ִּתי ֵמ ִעם ְי ָהֹוה ַע ָד־עוֹלם ִמ ְ ּד ֵמי and my kingdom are forever innocent before God ַא ְב ֵנר ֶּב ֵן־נר׃ .of shedding the blood of Avner son of Ner כט ָי ֻח ּלו ַעל־רֹאשׁ ָיוֹאב ְו ֶאל ָּכ ֵּל־בית ָא ִביו May [the guilt] fall upon the head of Yoav and all 29 ְו ַא ִל־י ָּכֵרת ִמ ֵּבית ָיוֹאב ָזב ּו ְמ ָצֹרע his father’s house. May the house of Yoav never be ּו ַמ ֲחִזיק ַּב ֶּפ ֶל ְך ְו ֵנֹפל ַּב ֶחֶרב ַו ֲח ַס ָר־ל ֶחם׃ without someone suffering from a discharge or an eruption, or a male who handles the spindle, or one slain by the sword, or one lacking bread.”— ל ְו ָיוֹאב ַו ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ָא ִחיו ָהְר ּגו ְל ַא ְב ֵנר ַעל Now Yoav and his brother Avishai had killed Avner 30 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵה ִמית ֶא ֲת־ע ָשׂ ֵהאל ֲא ִח ֶיהם because he had killed their brother Asael during the ְּב ִג ְבעוֹן ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ —. battle atGivon לא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ְו ֶא ָּל־כ ָל־ה ָעם David then ordered Yoav and all the troops with 31 ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ִקְר ּעו ִב ְג ֵד ֶיכם ְו ִח ְג ּרו ַשׂ ִּקים him to rend their clothes, gird on sackcloth, and ְו ִס ְפ ּדו ִל ְפ ֵני ַא ְב ֵנר ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ֵהֹל ְך make lament before Avner; and King David himself ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ִּמ ָּטה׃ .walked behind the bier לב ַוִּי ְק ְּב ּרו ֶא ַת־א ְב ֵנר ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ַוִי ָּשׂא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך And so they buried Avner at Chevron; the king wept 32 ֶאת־קוֹלוֹ ַוֵּי ְב ְּך ֶא ֶל־ק ֶבר ַא ְב ֵנר ַוִּי ְב ּכ ּו .aloud by Avner’s grave, and all the troops wept ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם׃ לג ַוְי ֵקֹנן ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ַל־א ְב ֵנר ַו ּי ַֹאמר ַה ְּכמוֹת And the king intoned this dirge over Avner, “Should 33 ָנ ָבל ָי ּמות ַא ְב ֵנר׃ ?Avner have died the death of a churl לד ָי ֶד ָך ֲלֹא־א ֻסרוֹת ְוַר ְג ֶל ָיך ִלֹא־ל ְנ ֻחשׁ ְ ַּתִים Your hands were not bound, Your feet were not 34 ֻה ָּגשׁ ּו ִּכ ְנפוֹל ִל ְפ ֵני ְב ֵנ ַי־עְו ָלה ָנ ָפ ְל ָּת put in fetters; But you fell as one falls Before ַו ּי ִֹס ּפו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ִל ְב ּכוֹת ָע ָליו׃ treacherous men!” And all the troops continued to weep over him.

107 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ד Chapter 4

לה ַוָּיבֹא ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְל ַה ְברוֹת ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ֶל ֶחם All the troops came to urge David to eat something 35 ְּבעוֹד ַה ּיוֹם ַוִּישָּׁ ַבע ָ ּדִוד ֵלאמֹר ּכֹה while it was still day; but David swore, “May ַי ֲע ֶשׂ ִּה־לי ֱא ִלֹהים ְוכֹה ִיֹסיף ִּכי ִאם־ Hashem do thus to me and more if I eat bread or ִל ְפ ֵני ַבוֹא־השֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ֶא ְט ַע ֶם־ל ֶחם אוֹ ”.anything else before sundown ָכ ְל־מ ּאו ָמה׃

לו ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ִה ִּכ ּירו ַוִּי ַיטב ְּב ֵע ֵינ ֶיהם ְּככֹל All the troops took note of it and approved, just as 36 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ָשׂה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּב ֵע ֵיני ָכ ָל־ה ָעם טוֹב׃ all the troops approved everything else the king did. Samuel לז ַוֵּי ְד ּעו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא That day all the troops and allYisrael knew that it 37 ִּכי לֹא ָהְי ָתה ֵמ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ָה ִמית ֶא ַת־א ְב ֵנר was not by the king’s will that Avner son of Ner was ֶּב ֵן־נר׃ .killed לח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ֲהלוֹא ֵת ְד ּעו And the king said to his soldiers, “You well know 38 ִּכ ַי־שׂר ְו ָגדוֹל ָנ ַפל ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ that a prince, a great man in Yisrael, has fallen this day. לט ְו ָא ִנֹכי ַה ּיוֹם ַר ְך ּו ָמשׁ ּו ַח ֶמ ֶל ְך ְו ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ;And today I am weak, even though anointed king 39 ָה ֵא ֶּלה ְּב ֵני ְצ ּרוָיה ָקשׁ ִ ים ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ְישׁ ַ ֵּלם those men, the sons of Tzeruya, are too savage ְי ָהֹוה ְל ֵעֹשׂה ָהָר ָעה ְּכָר ָעתוֹ׃ for me. May Hashem requite the wicked for their wickedness!” א ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ִּכי ֵמת ַא ְב ֵנר ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן When [Ish-boshet] son of Shaul heard that Avner 1 4 ד ַוִּיְר ּפ ּו ָי ָדיו ְו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִנ ְב ָה ּלו׃ had died in Chevron, he lost heart and all Yisrael was alarmed. ב ּושׁ ְ ֵני ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ָשׂ ֵר ְי־ג ּדו ִדים ָה ּיו ֶבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ,The son ofShaul [had] two company commanders 2 שׁ ֵ ם ָה ֶא ָחד ַּב ֲע ָנה ְושׁ ֵ ם ַהשֵּׁ ִני ֵר ָכב one named Baanah and the other Rechab, sons ְּב ֵני ִר ּמוֹן ַה ְּב ֶא ִרֹתי ִמ ְּב ֵני ִב ְנָי ִמן ִּכי ַּגם־ of Rimmon the Beerothite—Benjaminites, since ְּב ֵארוֹת ֵּת ָחשׁ ֵ ב ַע ִּל־ב ְנָי ִמן׃ .Beeroth too was considered part of Binyamin ג ַוִּי ְבְר ּחו ַה ְּב ֵא ִרֹתים ִּג ָּתְי ָמה ַוִּי ְה ּיו־שׁ ָ ם The Beerothites had fled to Gittaim, where they 3 ָּגִרים ַעד ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ .have sojourned to this day ד ְו ִל ָיהוֹנ ָתן ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ֵּבן ְנ ֵכה ַר ְג ָלִים ֶּבן־ Yehonatan son of Shaul had a son whose feet were 4 ָח ֵמשׁ שׁ ָ ִנים ָהָיה ְּבבֹא שׁ ְ ֻמ ַעת שׁ ָ ּאול crippled. He was five years old when the news ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ִמִּיְזְר ֶעאל ַו ִּת ָּשׂ ֵא ּהו ַאֹמ ְנ ּתוֹ about Shaul and Yehonatan came from Yizrael, and ַו ָּתנֹס ַוְי ִהי ְּב ָח ְפָז ּה ָל ּנוס ַוִּי ּפֹל ַוִּי ָּפ ֵס ַח his nurse picked him up and fled; but as she was ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת׃ fleeing in haste, he fell and was lamed. His name was Mefiboshet. ה ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ְּב ֵנ ִי־ר ּמוֹן ַה ְּב ֵא ִרֹתי ֵר ָכב ּו ַב ֲע ָנה Rechab and Baanah, sons of Rimmon the 5 ַוָּי ּבֹאו ְּכחֹם ַה ּיוֹם ֶא ֵּל־בית ִאישׁ ּבֹשׁ ֶ ת Beerothite, started out, and they reached the home ְו ּהוא שׁ ֵֹכב ֵאת ִמשׁ ְ ַּכב ַה ָּצ ֳהָרִים׃ of Ish-boshet at the heat of the day, when he was taking his midday rest. ו ְו ֵה ָנּה ָּב ּאו ַע ּד־ת ְוֹך ַה ַּבִית ְלֹק ֵחי ִח ִּטים So they went inside the house, as though fetching 6 ַוַּי ֻּכ ּהו ֶא ַל־ה ֶחֹמשׁ ְוֵר ָכב ּו ַב ֲע ָנה ָא ִחיו wheat, and struck him in the belly. Rechab and his ִנ ְמ ָל ּטו׃ ,brother Baanah slipped by

108 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ה Chapter 5

ז ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַה ַּבִית ְו ּהוא־שׁ ֵֹכב ַע ִל־מ ָּטתוֹ and entered the house while he was asleep on his 7 ַּב ֲח ַדר ִמשׁ ְ ָּכבוֹ ַוַּי ֻּכ ּהו ַוְי ִמ ֻת ּהו ַוָּי ִס ּירו bed in his bed chamber; and they stabbed him to ֶאת־רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוִּי ְק ּחו ֶאת־רֹאשׁ וֹ ַוֵּי ְל ּכו ֶ ּדֶר ְך death. They cut off his head and took his head and ָה ֲעָר ָבה ָּכ ַל־ה ָּלְי ָלה׃ .made their way all night through the Arabah

ח ַוָּי ִב ּאו ֶאת־רֹאשׁ ִאישׁ ּ־בֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד They brought the head ofIsh-boshet to David in 8 ֶח ְברוֹן ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִה ֵנּה־רֹאשׁ Chevron. “Here,” they said to the king, “is the head ִאישׁ ּ־בֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ִאֹי ְב ָך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּב ֵּקשׁ of your enemy, Ish-boshet son of Shaul, who sought ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך ַוִּי ֵּתן ְי ָהֹוה ַל ִאדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך your life. This dayHashem has avenged my lord the ְנ ָקמוֹת ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ִמשָּׁ ּאול ּו ִמַ ּזְרעוֹ׃ ”.Samuel king upon Shaul and his offspring ט ַוַּי ַען ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֵת־ר ָכב ְו ֶא ַּת־ב ֲע ָנה ָא ִחיו ְּב ֵני But David answered Rechab and his brother 9 ִר ּמוֹן ַה ְּב ֵא ִרֹתי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ֶהם ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־פ ָדה ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ִ י ִמ ָּכ ָל־צָרה׃ said to them, “As Hashem lives, who has rescued me from every trouble: י ִּכי ַה ַּמ ִּגיד ִלי ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּ ֵה־מת שׁ ָ ּאול The man who told me inTziklag that Shaul was 10 ְו ּהו ָא־הָיה ִכ ְמ ַב ֵּשׂר ְּב ֵע ָיניו ָו ֲאֹחָזה dead thought he was bringing good news. But בוֹ ָו ֶא ְהְר ֵג ּהו ְּב ִצ ְק ָלג ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְל ִת ִּתי־לוֹ instead of rewarding him for the news, I seized and ְּב ָשֹׂרה׃ .killed him יא ַאף ִּכ ֲי־א ָנשׁ ִ ים ְרשׁ ָ ִעים ָהְר ּגו ֶאת־ How much more, then, when wicked men have 11 ִאישׁ ַ־צ ִ ּדיק ְּב ֵביתוֹ ַע ִל־משׁ ְ ָּכבוֹ ְו ַע ָּתה killed a blameless man in bed in his own house! I ֲהלוֹא ֲא ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ָ ּת־דמוֹ ִמֶּי ְד ֶכם ּו ִב ַעְר ִּתי will certainly avenge his blood on you, and I will ֶא ְת ֶכם ִמ ָן־ה ָאֶרץ׃ ”.rid the earth of you AF kee a-na-SHEEM r’-sha-EEM ha-r’-GU et eesh tza-DEEK b’-vay-TO al mish-ka- VO v’-a-TAH ha-LO a-va-KAYSH et da-MO mi-yed-KHEM u-vi-ar-TEE et-KHEM min ha-A-retz יב ַוְי ַצו ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַת־ה ְנּ ָעִרים ַוַּי ַהְר ּגום ַוְי ַק ְּצ ּצו David gave orders to the young men, who killed 12 ֶא ְת־י ֵד ֶיהם ְו ֶא ַת־ר ְג ֵל ֶיהם ַוִּי ְת ּלו ַעל־ them; they cut off their hands and feet and hung ַה ְּבֵר ָכה ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ְו ֵאת רֹאשׁ ִאישׁ ּ־בֹשׁ ֶ ת them up by the pool in Chevron. And they took ָל ָק ּחו ַוִּי ְק ְּב ּרו ְב ֶק ֶב ַר־א ְב ֵנר ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן׃ the head of Ish-boshet and buried it in the grave of Avner at Chevron. א ַוָּי ּבֹאו ָּכל־שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד All the tribes of Yisrael came to David at Chevron 1 5 ה ֶח ְב ָרוֹנה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֵלאמֹר ִה ְנ ּנו ַע ְצ ְמ ָך .and said, “We are your own flesh and blood ּו ְב ָשׂ ְר ָך ֲא ָנ ְח ּנו׃

4:11 I will certainly avenge his blood on house combat is chosen over safer aerial bombings, you King David helps establish an important in order to minimize the number of civilian casualties. principle of military ethics: One may not wantonly kill, The enemies of Israel are aware of this, and have been even to advance a just cause. While one must kill in known to take advantage of the kindness and moral- self-defense, the murder of innocents is a crime. This ity of the IDF by positioning their weapons and fighters truth is taken to heart by the Israel Defense Forces, near schools, homes and hospitals. But this has not whose soldiers often risk their lives to avoid uninten- deterred the Israeli army from being the world’s most tionally killing civilians. Often, dangerous house-to- moral military forces.

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ב ַּג ֶם־א ְתמוֹל ַּגם־שׁ ִ ְלשׁ וֹם ִּב ְהיוֹת שׁ ָ ּאול Long before now, when Shaul was king over us, it 2 ֶמ ֶל ְך ָע ֵל ּינו ַא ָּתה הייתה ָ]הִי ָית[ מוציא was you who led Yisrael in war; and Hashem said ַ]ה ּמ ִוֹציא[ והמבי ְ]ו ַה ֵּמ ִביא[ ֶאת־ to you: You shall shepherd My people Yisrael; you ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָך ַא ָּתה ִתְר ֶעה ”.shall be ruler of Yisrael ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ַא ָּתה ִּת ְהֶיה ְל ָנ ִגיד ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ג ַוָּי ּבֹאו ָּכ ִל־ז ְק ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ,All the elders of Yisrael came to the king at Chevron 3 ֶח ְב ָרוֹנה ַוִּי ְכרֹת ָל ֶהם ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ְּבִרית and King David made a pact with them in Chevron Samuel ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַוִּי ְמשׁ ְ ּחו ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד before Hashem. And they anointed David king over ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .Yisrael ד ֶּבן־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים שׁ ָ ָנה ָ ּדִוד ְּב ָמ ְלכוֹ ַאְר ָּב ִעים ,David was thirty years old when he became king 4 שׁ ָ ָ נ ה ָמ ָ ל ְ ך ׃ .and he reigned forty years ה ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן ָמ ַל ְך ַע ְל־י ּהו ָדה שׁ ֶ ַבע שׁ ָ ִנים In Chevron he reigned over Yehuda seven years and 5 ְושׁ ִ שָּׁ ה ֳח ָדשׁ ִ ים ּו ִב ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם ָמ ַל ְך six months, and in Yerushalayim he reigned over all שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ְושׁ ָ לֹשׁ שׁ ָ ָנה ַעל ָּכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל .Yisrael and Yehuda thirty-three years ִו ּיהו ָדה׃ ו ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִַלם ֶא ַל־הְי ֻב ִסי The king and his men set out forYerushalayim 6 יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ָה ָאֶרץ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְל ָדִוד ֵלאמֹר לֹא־ .against the Jebusites who inhabited the region ָתבוֹא ֵה ָנּה ִּכי ִא ֱם־ה ִס ְיר ָך ַה ִעְוִרים David was told, “You will never get in here! Even ְו ַה ִּפ ְס ִחים ֵלאמֹר ָלֹא־יבוֹא ָדִוד ֵה ָנּה׃ the blind and the lame will turn you back.” (They meant: David will never enter here.) ז ַוִּי ְל ּכֹד ָ ּדִוד ֵאת ְמ ֻצ ַדת ִצ ּיוֹן ִהיא ִעיר But David captured the stronghold of Tzion; it is 7 ָ ּדִוד׃ .now the City of David va-yil-KOD da-VID AYT m’-tzu-DAT tzi-YON HEE EER da-VID ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָּכ ַל־מ ֵּכה ְי ֻב ִסי On that occasion David said, “Those who attack the 8 ְוִי ַּגע ַּב ִּצנּוֹר ְו ֶא ַת־ה ִּפ ְס ִחים ְו ֶאת־ Jebusites shall reach the water channel and [strike ַה ִעְוִרים שנאו ְ]שׂ ֻנ ֵאי[ ֶנ ֶפשׁ ָ ּדִוד ַע ֵּל־כן down] the lame and the blind, who are hateful to ְיֹאמ ּרו ִעֵּור ּו ִפ ֵּס ַח לֹא ָיבוֹא ֶא ַל־ה ָּבִית׃ David.” That is why they say: “No one who is blind or lame may enter the House.” ט ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ָ ּדִוד ַּב ְּמ ֻצ ָדה ַוִּי ְקָר ָא־ל ּה ִעיר ָ ּדִוד David occupied the stronghold and renamed it the 9 ַוִּי ֶבן ָ ּדִוד ָס ִביב ִמ ַן־ה ִּמ ּלוֹא ָו ָבְי ָתה׃ City of David; David also fortified the surrounding area, from the Millo inward.

5:7 David captured the stronghold of Tzion Once from before the time of King Herod. It protects the the entire Nation of Israel unites behind King Gichon spring where Shlomo is anointed king (I Kings David, he is able to conquer the holy city of Yerushalayim 1:38), making it possible to access the spring only from from the pagan Jebusites, and to rule there for thirty- within the city of Yerushalayim. As this verse describes, three years. His palace is located in the City of David, just when King David enters the city he conquers the outside the present walls of the Old City of Yerushalayim. “stronghold of Tzion” from the Jebusites, quite possibly After fifteen years of archaeological excavations at this referring to this very fortress discovered thousands of Archeological excavations in the site, a Canaanite fortress dating back to the eighteenth years later. Visitors to modern day Yerushalayim can visit City of David century BCE was uncovered. This impressive structure this site and be inspired by seeing first hand evidence is the largest fortress to have been discovered in Israel of the truth of the Bible.

110 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ה Chapter 5

י ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ָה ְלוֹך ְו ָגדוֹל ַו ָיהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי David kept growing stronger, for Hashem, the God 10 ְצ ָבאוֹ ת ִע ּמוֹ ׃ .of Hosts, was with him יא ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ִח ָירם ֶמ ֶל ְך־צֹר ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David with 11 ַו ֲע ֵצי ֲאָרִזים ְו ָחָרשׁ ֵ י ֵעץ ְו ָחָרשׁ ֵ י ֶא ֶבן cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons; and they ִקיר ַוִּי ְב ּנו ַ־בִית ְל ָדִוד׃ .built a palace for David יב ַוֵּי ַדע ָ ּדִוד ִּכ ֱי־ה ִכינוֹ ְי ָהֹוה ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַעל־ ThusDavid knew that Hashem had established him 12 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ִכי ִנ ֵּשׂא ַמ ְמ ַל ְכ ּתוֹ ַּב ֲע ּבור ַע ּמוֹ as king over Yisrael and had exalted his kingship for the sake of His people Yisrael. ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ Samuel יג ַוִּי ַּקח ָ ּדִוד עוֹד ִּפ ַל ְגשׁ ִ ים ְו ָנשׁ ִ ים After he leftChevron , David took more concubines 13 ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם ַא ֲחֵרי ּבֹאוֹ ֵמ ֶח ְברוֹן ַוִּיָּו ְל ּדו and wives in Yerushalayim, and more sons and עוֹד ְל ָדִוד ָּב ִנים ּו ָבנוֹת׃ .daughters were born to David יד ְו ֵא ֶּלה שׁ ְ מוֹת ַהִּי ּל ִֹדים לוֹ ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ִָלם These are the names of the children born to him in 14 שׁ ַ ּמ ּו ַע ְושׁ ָוֹבב ְו ָנ ָתן ּושׁ ְ לֹמֹה׃ ;Yerushalayim: Shammua, Shobab, Natan, and Shlomo טו ְוִי ְב ָחר ֶו ֱא ִלישׁ ּו ַע ְו ֶנ ֶפג ְוָי ִפ ַיע׃ ;Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, and Japhia 15 טז ֶו ֱא ִלישׁ ָ ָמע ְו ֶא ְלָי ָדע ֶו ֱא ִל ָיפ ֶלט׃ .Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet 16 יז ַוִּישׁ ְ ְמ ּעו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִּכ ָי־משׁ ְ ּחו ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד When the Philistines heard that David had been 17 ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ָכ ְּל־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים anointed king over Yisrael, the Philistines marched ְל ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ָ ּדִוד ַוֵּיֶרד ֶאל־ up in search of David; but David heard of it, and he ַה ְּמ ּצו ָדה׃ .went down to the fastness יח ּו ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָּב ּאו ַוִּי ָנּ ְטשׁ ּו ְּב ֵע ֶמק ְר ָפ ִאים׃ The Philistines came and spread out over the Valley 18 of Rephaim. יט ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ָ ּדִוד ַּב ָיהֹוה ֵלאמֹר ַה ֶא ֱע ֶלה David inquired of Hashem, “Shall I go up against 19 ֶא ְּל־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֲה ִת ְּת ֵנם ְּבָי ִדי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ֲע ֵלה ִּכ ָי־נתֹן ֶא ֵּתן ֶאת־ hands?” And Hashem answered David, “Go up, and ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְּבָי ֶד ָך׃ ”.I will deliver the Philistines into your hands כ ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ְּב ַב ַע ְּל־פָר ִצים ַוַּי ֵּכם שׁ ָ ם ָ ּדִוד ThereuponDavid marched to Baal-perazim, and 20 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָּפַרץ ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ְת־אֹי ַבי ְל ָפ ַני ְּכ ֶפֶרץ David defeated them there. And he said, “Hashem ָמִים ַע ֵּל־כן ָקָרא שׁ ֵ ַם־ה ָּמקוֹם ַה ּהוא has broken through my enemies before me as ַּב ַעל ְּפָר ִצים׃ waters break through [a dam].” That is why that place was named Baal-perazim. כא ַוַּי ַעְז ּבו־שׁ ָ ם ֶא ֲת־ע ַצ ֵּב ֶיהם ַוִּי ָּשׂ ֵאם ָ ּדִוד The Philistines abandoned their idols there, and 21 ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו׃ .David and his men carried them off כב ַו ּי ִֹס ּפו עוֹד ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַל ֲעלוֹת ַוִּי ָנּ ְטשׁ ּו Once again the Philistines marched up and spread 22 ְּב ֵע ֶמק ְר ָפ ִאים׃ .out over the Valley of Rephaim כג ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ָ ּדִוד ַּב ָיהֹוה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לֹא ַת ֲע ֶלה David inquired of Hashem, and He answered, “Do 23 ָה ֵסב ֶא ַל־א ֲחֵר ֶיהם ּו ָב ָאת ָל ֶהם ִמ ּמ ּול not go up, but circle around behind them and ְּב ָכ ִאים׃ .confront them at the baca trees כד ִו ִיהי בשמעך ְּ]כשׁ ָ ְמ ֲע ָך[ ֶאת־קוֹל And when you hear the sound of marching in 24 ְצ ָע ָדה ְּבָראשׁ ֵ י ַה ְּב ָכ ִאים ָאז ֶּת ֱחָרץ ִּכי the tops of the baca trees, then go into action, for ָאז ָי ָצא ְי ָהֹוה ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ְל ַה ּכוֹת ְּב ַמ ֲח ֵנה Hashem will be going in front of you to attack the ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ ”.Philistine forces

111 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ו Chapter 6

כה ַוַּי ַעשׂ ָ ּדִוד ֵּכן ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִצָּו ּהו ְי ָהֹוה ַוַּי ְך ֶאת־ David did as Hashem had commanded him; and 25 ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ִמ ֶּג ַבע ַע ּד־ב ֲֹא ָך ָגֶזר׃ he routed the Philistines from Geba all the way to Gezer. א ַו ּי ֶֹסף עוֹד ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָּת־כ ָּל־ב ּחור ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל David again assembled all the picked men of 1 6 ו שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ָא ֶלף׃ .Yisrael, thirty thousand strong ב ַוָּי ָקם ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ ThenDavid and all the troops that were with him 2 ִמ ַּב ֲע ֵלי ְי ּהו ָדה ְל ַה ֲעלוֹת ִמשָּׁ ם ֵאת ֲארוֹן set out from Baalim of Yehuda to bring up from

Samuel ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־נ ְקָרא שׁ ֵ ם שׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה there the Aron of Hashem to which the Name was ְצ ָבאוֹת יֹשׁ ֵ ב ַה ְּכֻר ִבים ָע ָליו׃ attached, the name LORD of Hosts Enthroned on the Keruvim. ג ַוַּיְר ִּכ ּבו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ֶא ֲל־ע ָג ָלה They loaded theAron of Hashem onto a new cart 3 ֲח ָדשׁ ָ ה ַוִּי ָּשׂ ֻא ּהו ִמ ֵּבית ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר and conveyed it from the house of Avinadav, which ַּב ִּג ְב ָעה ְו ֻעָ ּזא ְו ַא ְחיוֹ ְּב ֵני ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב ֲנֹה ִגים was on the hill; and Avinadav’s sons, Uzza and ֶא ָת־ה ֲע ָג ָלה ֲח ָדשׁ ָ ה׃ .Ahio, guided the new cart

ד ַוִּי ָּשׂ ֻא ּהו ִמ ֵּבית ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּב ִּג ְב ָעה ,They conveyed it fromAvinadav ’s house on the hill 4 ִעם ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ְו ַא ְחיוֹ ֵהֹל ְך ִל ְפ ֵני Uzzah walking] alongside the Aron of Hashem and] ָה ָארוֹן׃ .Ahio walking in front of the Aron

ה ְו ָדִוד ְו ָכ ֵּל־בית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְמ ַשׂ ֲח ִקים ִל ְפ ֵני Meanwhile, David and all the House of Yisrael 5 ְי ָהֹוה ְּבכֹל ֲע ֵצי ְברוֹשׁ ִ ים ּו ְב ִכנֹּרוֹת danced before Hashem to [the sound of] all kinds ּו ִב ְנ ָב ִלים ּו ְב ֻת ִּפים ּו ִב ְמ ַנ ַע ְנ ִעים ,of cypress wood [instruments], with lyres, harps ּו ְב ֶצ ְל ֶצ ִלים׃ .timbrels, sistrums, and cymbals ו ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַע ּד־גֶֹרן ָנכוֹן ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ֻעָ ּזא ֶאל־ But when they came to the threshing floor of 6 ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַו ּי ֶֹאחז ּבוֹ ִּכי שׁ ָ ְמ ּטו Nacon, Uzzah reached out for the Aron of Hashem ַה ָּב ָקר׃ .and grasped it, for the oxen had stumbled ז ַוִּי ַח ַר־אף ְי ָהֹוה ְּב ֻעָ ּזה ַוַּי ֵּכ ּהו שׁ ָ ם Hashem was incensed at Uzzah. And Hashem struck 7 ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַע ַל־השַּׁ ל ַוָּי ָמת שׁ ָ ם ִעם ֲארוֹן him down on the spot for his indiscretion, and he ָה ֱא ִלֹהים׃ .died there beside the Aron of Hashem

ח ַוִּי ַחר ְל ָדִוד ַעל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּפַרץ ְי ָהֹוה ֶּפֶרץ David was distressed because Hashem had inflicted 8 ְּב ֻעָ ּזה ַוִּי ְקָרא ַל ָּמקוֹם ַה ּהוא ֶּפֶרץ ֻעָ ּזה a breach upon Uzzah; and that place was named ַעד ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ .Peretz-uzzah, as it is still called ט ַוִּיָרא ָדִוד ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר David was afraid of Hashem that day; he said, “How 9 ֵא ְיך ָיבוֹא ֵא ַלי ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”?can I let the Aron of Hashem come to me י ְו ָלֹא־א ָבה ָדִוד ְל ָה ִסיר ֵא ָליו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן So David would not bring the Aron of Hashem 10 ְי ָהֹוה ַע ִל־עיר ָ ּדִוד ַוַּי ֵּט ּהו ָדִוד ֵּבית ֵעֹבד־ to his place in the City of David; instead, David ֱאדוֹם ַה ִּג ִּתי׃ .diverted it to the house of Oved Edom the Gittite יא ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ֵּבית ֵעֹבד ֱאדֹם ַה ִּג ִּתי TheAron of Hashem remained in the house of 11 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ֳח ָדשׁ ִ ים ַוְי ָבֶר ְך ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ֵת־עֹבד Oved Edom the Gittite three months, andHashem ֱאדֹם ְו ֶא ָּת־כ ֵּל־ביתוֹ׃ .blessed Oved Edom and his whole household

112 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ו Chapter 6

יב ַוֻּי ַּגד ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ֵלאמֹר ֵּבַר ְך ְי ָהֹוה It was reported to King David: “Hashem has 12 ֶא ֵּת־בית ֵעֹבד ֱאדֹם ְו ֶא ָּת־כ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר־לוֹ blessed Oved Edom’s house and all that belongs to ַּב ֲע ּבור ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַוַּי ַעל him because of the Aron of Hashem.” Thereupon ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ִמ ֵּבית ֵעֹבד ֱאדֹם David went and brought up the Aron of Hashem ִעיר ָ ּדִוד ְּב ִשׂ ְמ ָחה׃ ,from the house of Oved Edom to the City of David amid rejoicing. va-yu-GAD la-ME-lekh da-VID lay-MOR bay-RAKH a-do-NAI et BAYT o-VAYD e-DOM v’-et kol a-sher LO ba-a-VUR a-RON ha-e-lo-HEEM va-YAY-lekh da-VID

Samuel va-YA-al et a-RON ha-e-lo-HEEM mi-BAYT o-VAYD e-DOM EER da-VID b’-sim- KHAH יג ַוְי ִהי ִּכי ָצ ֲע ּדו ְנֹשׂ ֵאי ֲא ְרוֹן־י ָהֹוה שׁ ִ שָּׁ ה When the bearers of the Aron of Hashem had 13 ְצ ָע ִדים ַוִּיְז ַּבח שׁ וֹר ּו ְמִריא׃ moved forward six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. יד ְו ָדִוד ְמ ַכְר ֵּכר ְּב ָכל־עֹז ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ְו ָדִוד ;David whirled with all his might before Hashem 14 ָח ּגור ֵאפוֹד ָּבד׃ .David was girt with a linen ephod טו ְו ָדִוד ְו ָכ ֵּל־בית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַמ ֲע ִלים ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ThusDavid and all the House of Yisrael brought up 15 ְי ָהֹוה ִּב ְת ּרו ָעה ּו ְבקוֹל שׁ ָוֹפר׃ the Aron of Hashem with shouts and with blasts of the shofar. טז ְו ָהָיה ֲארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ָּבא ִעיר ָ ּדִוד ּו ִמ ַיכל ,As the Aron of Hashem entered the City of David 16 ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ִנשׁ ְ ְק ָפה ְּב ַעד ַה ַח ּלוֹן ַו ֵּתֶרא Michal daughter of Shaul looked out of the window ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ְמ ַפֵ ּזז ּו ְמ ַכְר ֵּכר ִל ְפ ֵני and saw King David leaping and whirling before ְי ָהֹוה ַו ִּת ֶבז לוֹ ְּב ִל ָּב ּה׃ .Hashem; and she despised him for it יז ַוָּי ִב ּאו ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ְי ָהֹוה ַוַּי ִּצ ּגו אֹתוֹ They brought in theAron of Hashem and set it up 17 ִּב ְמקוֹמוֹ ְּב ְתוֹך ָה ֶאֹהל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָנ ָטה־לוֹ ָ ּדִוד in its place inside the tent which David had pitched ַוַּי ַעל ָ ּדִוד עֹלוֹת ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ּושׁ ְ ָל ִמים׃ for it, and David sacrificed burnt offerings and offerings of well-being beforeHashem . יח ַוְי ַכל ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ַה ֲעלוֹת ָה ָעוֹלה ְו ַהשְּׁ ָל ִמים When David finished sacrificing the burnt offerings 18 ַוְי ָבֶר ְך ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ְּבשׁ ֵ ם ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת׃ and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the lord of Hosts. יט ַוְי ַח ֵּלק ְל ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְל ָכ ֲל־המוֹן ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל And he distributed among all the people—the 19 ְל ֵמ ִאישׁ ְו ַע ִד־אשָּׁ ה ְל ִאישׁ ַח ַּלת ֶל ֶחם —entire multitude of Yisrael, man and woman alike ַא ַחת ְו ֶאשׁ ְ ָּפר ֶא ָחד ַו ֲאשׁ ִ ישׁ ָ ה ֶא ָחת ַוֵּי ֶל ְך to each a loaf of bread, a cake made in a pan, and a ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ִאישׁ ְל ֵביתוֹ׃ .raisin cake. Then all the people left for their homes

6:12 Thereupon David went and brought up the Aron of to political, the capital of the nation. Once the Beit Hashem King David is ready to bring the Holy Ark to the Hamikdash is built, the people will bring their sacrifices City of David, also known as Tzion and Yerushalayim. He to Yerushalayim and be inspired by the Divine Presence does this with great joy, participating personally in the that rests there. Yerushalayim then becomes the eternal festive dancing. Bringing the Holy Ark to Yerushalayim focal point of the Jewish people, and all who seek transforms the city, making it the spiritual, in addition closeness with the Almighty.

113 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ז Chapter 7

כ ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ָ ּדִוד ְל ָבֵר ְך ֶא ֵּת־ביתוֹ ַו ֵּת ֵצא ִמ ַיכל David went home to greet his household. And 20 ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ִל ְקַראת ָ ּדִוד ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ַמה־ Michal daughter of Shaul came out to meet David ִנּ ְכ ַּבד ַה ּיוֹם ֶמ ֶל ְך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִנ ְג ָלה and said, “Didn’t the king of Yisrael do himself ַה ּיוֹם ְל ֵע ֵיני ַא ְמהוֹת ֲע ָב ָדיו ְּכ ִה ָּגלוֹת honor today—exposing himself today in the sight ִנ ְגלוֹת ַא ַחד ָהֵר ִקים׃ of the slavegirls of his subjects, as one of the riffraff might expose himself!” כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ִל־מ ַיכל ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר David answered Michal, “It was before Hashem who 21 ָּב ַח ִּר־בי ֵמ ָא ִב ְיך ּו ִמ ָּכ ֵּל־ביתוֹ ְל ַצ ּוׂת ִאֹתי chose me instead of your father and all his family Samuel ָנ ִגיד ַע ַל־עם ְי ָהֹוה ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ִשׂ ַח ְק ִּתי and appointed me ruler over Hashem’s people ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה׃ Yisrael! I will dance before Hashem כב ּו ְנ ַק ּל ִֹתי עוֹד ִמ ּזֹאת ְו ָהִי ִיתי שׁ ָ ָפל ְּב ֵע ָיני and dishonor myself even more, and be low in my 22 ְו ִע ָם־ה ֲא ָמהוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ַמְר ְּת ִע ָּמם own esteem; but among the slavegirls that you ִא ָּכ ֵב ָדה׃ ”.speak of I will be honored כג ּו ְל ִמ ַיכל ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ָלֹא־הָיה ָל ּה ָי ֶלד ַעד So to her dying day Michal daughter of Shaul had 23 יוֹם ָמוֹת ּה׃ .no children א ַוְי ִהי ִּכ ָי־ישׁ ַ ב ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּב ֵביתוֹ ַו ָיהֹוה ֵה ִנ ַיח־ When the king was settled in his palace and 1 7 ז לוֹ ִמ ָּס ִביב ִמ ָּכ ְל־אֹי ָביו׃ Hashem had granted him safety from all the enemies around him, ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָל־נ ָתן ַה ָנּ ִביא ְר ֵאה ָנא the king said to the Navi Natan: “Here I am 2 ָא ִנֹכי יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ְּב ֵבית ֲאָרִזים ַו ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים dwelling in a house of cedar, while the Aron of יֹשׁ ֵ ב ְּב ְתוֹך ַהְיִר ָיעה׃ ”!Hashem abides in a tent ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָנ ָתן ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּב ְל ָב ְב ָך Natan said to the king, “Go and do whatever you 3 ֵל ְך ֲע ֵשׂה ִּכי ְי ָהֹוה ִע ָּמ ְך׃ ”.have in mind, for Hashem is with you ד ַוְי ִהי ַּב ַּלְי ָלה ַה ּהוא ַוְי ִהי ְ ּד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ֶאל־ But that same night the word of Hashem came to 4 ָנ ָתן ֵלאמֹר׃ :Natan ה ֵל ְך ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ֶא ַל־ע ְב ִ ּדי ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ּכֹה ָא ַמר Go and say to My servant David: Thus said“ 5 ְי ָהֹוה ַה ַא ָּתה ִּת ְב ֶנ ִּה־לי ַבִית ְלשׁ ִ ְב ִּתי׃ Hashem: Are you the one to build a house for Me to dwell in? ו ִּכי לֹא ָישׁ ַ ְב ִּתי ְּב ַבִית ְל ִמ ּיוֹם ַה ֲע ִלֹתי From the day that I brought the people of Yisrael 6 ֶא ְּת־ב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמ ִּמ ְצַרִים ְו ַעד ַה ּיוֹם ,out of Egypt to this day I have not dwelt in a house ַהֶ ּזה ָו ֶא ְהֶיה ִמ ְת ַה ֵּל ְך ְּב ֶאֹהל ּו ְב ִמשׁ ְ ָּכן׃ .but have moved about in Tent and Mishkan ז ְּבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־ה ְת ַה ַּל ְכ ִּתי ְּב ָכ ְּל־ב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל As I moved about wherever the Israelites went, did 7 ֲה ָד ָבר ִ ּד ַּבְר ִּתי ֶא ַת־א ַחד שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל I ever reproach any of the tribal leaders whom I ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִצִּו ִיתי ִלְרעוֹת ֶא ַת־ע ִּמי ֶאת־ appointed to care for My people Yisrael: Why have ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵלאמֹר ָל ָּמה ְלֹא־ב ִנ ֶיתם ִלי ֵּבית ?you not built Me a house of cedar ֲאָרִזים׃ ח ְו ַע ָּתה ּכ ַֹה־תֹאמר ְל ַע ְב ִ ּדי ְל ָדִוד ּכֹה ָא ַמר Further, say thus to My servant David: Thus said“ 8 ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֲא ִני ְל ַק ְח ִּת ָיך ִמ ַן־ה ָנּ ֶוה ,the lord of Hosts: I took you from the pasture ֵמ ַא ַחר ַה ּצֹאן ִל ְהיוֹת ָנ ִגיד ַע ַל־ע ִּמי ַעל־ from following the flock, to be ruler of My people ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ,Yisrael

114 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ז Chapter 7

ט ָו ֶא ְהֶיה ִע ְּמ ָך ְּבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ַל ְכ ָּת ָו ַא ְכִר ָתה ,and I have been with you wherever you went 9 ֶא ָּת־כ ְל־אֹי ֶב ָיך ִמ ָּפ ֶנ ָיך ְו ָע ִשׂ ִתי ְל ָך שׁ ֵ ם .and have cut down all your enemies before you ָּגדוֹל ְּכשׁ ֵ ם ַה ְּג ִדֹלים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּב ָאֶרץ׃ Moreover, I will give you great renown like that of the greatest men on earth. י ְו ַשׂ ְמ ִּתי ָמקוֹם ְל ַע ִּמי ְלִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ְנ ַט ְע ִּתיו I will establish a home for My people Yisrael and 10 ְושׁ ָ ַכן ַּת ְח ָּתיו ְולֹא ִיְר ַּגז עוֹד ְו ִלֹא־יֹס ּיפו will plant them firm, so that they shall dwell secure ְב ֵנ ַי־עְו ָלה ְל ַענּוֹתוֹ ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּבִראשׁ ָוֹנה׃ and shall tremble no more. Evil men shall not oppress them any more as in the past, יא ּו ְל ִמ ַן־ה ּיוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִצִּו ִיתי שׁ ְֹפ ִטים ַעל־ Samuel 11 ever since I appointed chieftains over My people ַע ִּמי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַו ֲה ִנ ִיחֹתי ְל ָך ִמ ָּכ ְל־אֹי ֶב ָיך .Yisrael. I will give you safety from all your enemies ְו ִה ִּגיד ְל ָך ְי ָהֹוה ִּכ ַי־בִית ַי ֲע ֶשׂ ְּה־ל ָך ְי ָהֹוה׃ Hashem declares to you that He, Hashem, will“ establish a house for you. יב ִּכי ִי ְמ ְל ּאו ָי ֶמ ָיך ְושׁ ָ ַכ ְב ָּת ֶא ֲת־א ֶבֹת ָיך When your days are done and you lie with your 12 ַו ֲה ִק ִימֹתי ֶא ַת־זְר ֲע ָך ַא ֲחֶר ָיך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵי ֵצא fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, one ִמ ֵּמ ֶע ָיך ַו ֲה ִכ ִינֹתי ֶא ַת־מ ְמ ַל ְכ ּתוֹ׃ .of your own issue, and I will establish his kingship יג ּהוא ִי ְב ֶנ ַּה־בִית ִלשׁ ְ ִמי ְו ַכֹנ ְנ ִּתי ֶא ִּת־כ ֵּסא He shall build a house for My name, and I will 13 ַמ ְמ ַל ְכ ּתוֹ ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ .establish his royal throne forever HU yiv-neh BA-yit lish-MEE v’-kho-nan-TEE et ki-SAY mam-lakh-TO ad o-LAM יד ֲא ִני ֶא ְהֶי ּה־לוֹ ְל ָאב ְו ּהוא ִי ְהֶי ִּה־לי ְל ֵבן I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to 14 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ַה ֲעוׂתוֹ ְו ַהֹכ ְח ִּתיו ְּבשׁ ֵ ֶבט ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים Me. When he does wrong, I will chastise him with ּו ְב ִנ ְג ֵעי ְּב ֵני ָא ָדם׃ ;the rod of men and the affliction of mortals טו ְו ַח ְס ִ ּדי ָלֹא־י ּסור ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲה ִס ִרֹתי but I will never withdraw My favor from him as I 15 ֵמ ִעם שׁ ָ ּאול ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲה ִס ִרֹתי ִמ ְּל ָפ ֶנ ָיך׃ withdrew it from Shaul, whom I removed to make room for you. טז ְו ֶנ ְא ַמן ֵּב ְית ָך ּו ַמ ְמ ַל ְכ ְּת ָך ַע ָד־עוֹלם ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך Your house and your kingship shall ever be secure 16 ִּכ ְס ֲא ָך ִי ְהֶיה ָנכוֹן ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ before you; your throne shall be established forever.” יז ְּככֹל ַה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה ּו ְככֹל ַה ִחָ ּזיוֹן ַהֶ ּזה Natan spoke to David in accordance with all these 17 ֵּכן ִ ּד ֶּבר ָנ ָתן ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד׃ .words and all this prophecy יח ַוָּיבֹא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה Then KingDavid came and sat before Hashem, and 18 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִמי ָא ִנֹכי ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ּו ִמי ֵב ִיתי ִּכי he said, “What am I, O Hashem, and what is my ֲה ִב ַיאֹת ִני ַע ֲד־הלֹם׃ ?family, that You have brought me thus far

7:13 He shall build a house for My name King David the Holy Temple, which is intended to promote peace wants to build the Beit Hamikdash for Hashem. However, and harmony among Israel and all the nations of the Hashem tells him that his son, not he, will build it. As world. Additionally, as the service in the Beit Hamikdash the king who helps conquer the Land of Israel, fights brings people closer to God and helps atone for their Amalek and solidifies the monarchy, King David plays sins and prolongs life, it cannot be built by a warrior, an important part in the process of establishing who shortens the lives of others. Therefore, David’s role the Israelites in their land. He is even able to make ends after defeating Amalek, and his son Shlomo, a man preparations for the building of the Beit Hamikdash. of peace, becomes God’s choice to build of the world’s However, as a warrior, he cannot be the one to build holiest site, the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim.

115 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ח Chapter 8

יט ַו ִּת ְק ַטן עוֹד זֹאת ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה Yet even this, O Hashem, has seemed too little to 19 ַו ְּת ַד ֵּבר ַּגם ֶא ֵּל־ב ַית־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך ְל ֵמָרחוֹק You; for You have spoken of Your servant’s house ְוזֹאת ּת ַוֹרת ָה ָא ָדם ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה׃ also for the future. May that be the law for the people, O Hashem. כ ּו ַמ ּה־י ִוֹסיף ָ ּדִוד עוֹד ְל ַד ֵּבר ֵא ֶל ָיך ְו ַא ָּתה What more can David say to You? You know Your 20 ָי ַד ְע ָּת ֶא ַת־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה׃ .servant, O Hashem כא ַּב ֲע ּבור ְ ּד ָבְר ָך ּו ְכ ִל ְּב ָך ָע ִשׂ ָית ֵאת ָּכל־ For Your word’s sake and of Your own accord You 21 ַה ְּג ּדו ָּלה ַה ּזֹאת ְל ִהוֹד ַיע ֶא ַת־ע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ have wrought this great thing, and made it known to Your servant. Samuel כב ַע ֵּל־כן ָּג ַד ְל ָּת ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ִּכ ֵי־אין ָּכ ָמוֹך You are great indeed, O Hashem! There is none like 22 ְו ֵאין ֱא ִלֹהים ּזו ָל ֶת ָך ְּבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־שׁ ָ ַמ ְע ּנו You and there is no other God but You, as we have ְּב ָאְז ֵנ ּינו׃ .always heard כג ּו ִמי ְכ ַע ְּמ ָך ְּכִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּגוֹי ֶא ָחד ָּב ָאֶרץ And who is like Your people Yisrael, a unique 23 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ְל ּכו ֱ־א ִלֹהים ִל ְפ ּדוֹת־לוֹ ְל ָעם nation on earth, whom Hashem went and ְו ָל ּשׂום לוֹ שׁ ֵ ם ְו ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ָל ֶכם ַה ְּג ּדו ָּלה redeemed as His people, winning renown for ְו ָנֹראוֹת ְל ַאְר ֶצ ָך ִמ ְּפ ֵני ַע ְּמ ָך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּפ ִד ָית Himself and doing great and marvelous deeds for ְּל ָך ִמ ִּמ ְצַרִים ּג ִוֹים ֵו ָאלֹהיו׃ them [and] for Your land—[driving out] nations and their gods before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt. כד ַו ְּת ֵכוֹנן ְל ָך ֶא ַת־ע ְּמ ָך ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְל ָך ְל ָעם You have established Your people Yisrael as Your 24 ַע ָד־עוֹלם ְו ַא ָּתה ְי ָהֹוה ָהִי ָית ָל ֶהם very own people forever; and You, Hashem, have ֵל ִאלֹהים׃ .become their God כה ְו ַע ָּתה ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ִלֹהים ַה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת And now, O Hashem, fulfill Your promise to Your“ 25 ַע ַל־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך ְו ַע ֵּל־ביתוֹ ָה ֵקם ַע ָד־עוֹלם servant and his house forever; and do as You have ַו ֲע ֵשׂה ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת׃ .promised כו ְוִי ְג ַ ּדל שׁ ִ ְמ ָך ַע ָד־עוֹלם ֵלאמֹר ְי ָהֹוה And may Your name be glorified forever, in that 26 ְצ ָבאוֹת ֱא ִלֹהים ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ֵבית ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך men will say, ‘the lord of Hosts is God over ָדִוד ִי ְהֶיה ָנכוֹן ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך׃ Yisrael’; and may the house of Your servant David be established before You. כז ִּכ ַי־א ָּתה ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ָבאוֹת ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,Because You, lord of Hosts, the God of Yisrael 27 ָּג ִל ָיתה ֶא ֶת־אֹזן ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֵלאמֹר ַּבִית have revealed to Your servant that You will build a ֶא ְב ֶנ ָּה־ל ְך ַע ֵּל־כן ָמ ָצא ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֶא ִת־ל ּבוֹ house for him, Your servant has ventured to offer ְל ִה ְת ַּפ ֵּלל ֵא ֶל ָיך ֶא ַת־ה ְּת ִפ ָּלה ַה ּזֹאת׃ .this prayer to You כח ְו ַע ָּתה ֲא ָדֹני ְי ִהוה ַא ָּת ּה־הוא ָה ֱא ִלֹהים And now, O Hashem, You are Hashem and Your 28 ּו ְד ָבֶר ָיך ִי ְה ּיו ֱא ֶמת ַו ְּת ַד ֵּבר ֶא ַל־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך words will surely come true, and You have made ֶא ַת־ה ּט ָוֹבה ַה ּזֹאת׃ .this gracious promise to Your servant כט ְו ַע ָּתה ֵהוֹאל ּו ָבֵר ְך ֶא ֵּת־בית ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך Be pleased, therefore, to bless Your servant’s 29 ִל ְהיוֹת ְל ָעוֹלם ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ִּכ ַי־א ָּתה ֲא ָדֹני house, that it abide before You forever; for You, O ְי ִהוה ִ ּד ַּבְר ָּת ּו ִמ ִּבְר ָכ ְת ָך ְי ַבֹר ְך ֵּב ַית־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך Hashem, have spoken. May Your servant’s house be ְל ָעוֹלם׃ ”.blessed forever by Your blessing א ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ַוַּי ְך ָ ּדִוד ֶא ְּת־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים Some time afterward,David attacked the 1 8 ח ַוַּי ְכ ִנ ֵיעם ַוִּי ַּקח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֶת־מ ֶתג ָה ַא ָּמה Philistines and subdued them; and David took ִמַּיד ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ .Metheg-ammah from the Philistines

116 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ח Chapter 8

ב ַוַּי ְך ֶא ָת־מוֹאב ַוְי ַמ ְ ּד ֵדם ַּב ֶח ֶבל ַהשׁ ְ ֵּכב He also defeated the Moabites. He made them lie 2 ָאוֹתם ַאְר ָצה ַוְי ַמ ֵ ּדד שׁ ְ ֵנ ֲי־ח ָב ִלים down on the ground and he measured them off ְל ָה ִמית ּו ְמלֹא ַה ֶח ֶבל ְל ַה ֲחיוֹת ַו ְּת ִהי with a cord; he measured out two lengths of cord ָמוֹאב ְל ָדִוד ַל ֲע ָב ִדים ְנֹשׂ ֵאי ִמ ְנ ָחה׃ for those who were to be put to death, and one length for those to be spared. And the Moabites became tributary vassals of David. ג ַוַּי ְך ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֲת־ה ַד ְד ֶעֶזר ֶּב ְן־רחֹב ֶמ ֶל ְך David defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of 3 ָצוֹבה ְּב ֶל ְכ ּתוֹ ְל ָהשׁ ִ יב ָידוֹ ִּב ְנ ַה ְּר־]פָרת׃[ Zobah, who was then on his way to restore his

Samuel monument at the Euphrates River. ד ַוִּי ְל ּכֹד ָ ּדִוד ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ֶא ֶלף ּושׁ ְ ַב ֵע־מאוֹת David captured 1,700 horsemen and 20,000 foot 4 ָּפָרשׁ ִ ים ְו ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ַר ְג ִלי ַוְי ַע ֵּקר soldiers of his force; and David hamstrung all the ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָּת־כ ָל־הֶר ֶכב ַו ּי ֵוֹתר ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ֵמ ָאה .chariot horses, except for 100 which he retained ָר ֶכב׃ ה ַו ָּתבֹא ֲאַרם ַ ּד ֶּמ ֶשׂק ַל ְעזֹר ַל ֲה ַד ְד ֶעֶזר And when the Arameans of Damascus came to 5 ֶמ ֶל ְך ָצוֹבה ַוַּי ְך ָ ּדִוד ַּב ֲאָרם ֶע ְשׂ ִרים־ the aid of King Hadadezer of Zobah, David struck ּושׁ ְ ַנִים ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ׃ .down 22,000 of the Arameans ו ַוָּי ֶשׂם ָ ּדִוד ְנ ִצ ִבים ַּב ֲאַרם ַ ּד ֶּמ ֶשׂק ַו ְּת ִהי David stationed garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and 6 ֲאָרם ְל ָדִוד ַל ֲע ָב ִדים ְנוֹשׂ ֵאי ִמ ְנ ָחה ַו ּיֹשׁ ַ ע .the Arameans became tributary vassals of David ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ְּבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ָל ְך׃ .Hashem gave David victory wherever he went ז ַוִּי ַּקח ָ ּדִוד ֵאת שׁ ִ ְל ֵטי ַהָ ּז ָהב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ּיו David took the gold shields carried by Hadadezer’s 7 ֶאל ַע ְב ֵדי ֲה ַד ְד ָעֶזר ַוְי ִב ֵיאם ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ ;retinue and brought them to Yerushalayim ח ּו ִמ ֶּב ַטח ּו ִמ ֵּב ַרֹתי ָעֵרי ֲה ַד ְד ָעֶזר ָל ַקח ,and from Betah and Berothai, towns of Hadadezer 8 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת ַהְר ֵּבה ְמאֹד׃ .King David took a vast amount of copper ט ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ּת ִֹעי ֶמ ֶל ְך ֲח ָמת ִּכי ִה ָּכה ָדִוד ֵאת When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had 9 ָּכ ֵל־חיל ֲה ַד ְד ָעֶזר׃ ,defeated the entire army of Hadadezer י ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ּת ִֹעי ֶא ָת־יוֹר ְּם־בנוֹ ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך־ Toi sent his son Joram to King David to greet him 10 ָ ּדִוד ִלשׁ ְ ָאל־לוֹ ְלשׁ ָ לוֹם ּו ְל ָבֲרכוֹ ַעל and to congratulate him on his military victory ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִנ ְל ַחם ַּב ֲה ַד ְד ֶעֶזר ַוַּי ֵּכ ּהו ִּכ ִי־אישׁ over Hadadezer—for Hadadezer had been at war ִמ ְל ֲחמוֹת ּת ִֹעי ָהָיה ֲה ַד ְד ָעֶזר ּו ְבָידוֹ ָה ּיו with Toi. [Yoram] brought with him objects of ְּכ ֵל ֶי־כ ֶסף ּו ְכ ֵל ָי־ז ָהב ּו ְכ ֵלי ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת׃ .silver, gold, and copper יא ַּג ָם־אֹתם ִה ְק ִ ּדישׁ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַל ָיהֹוה King David dedicated these to Hashem, along with 11 ִע ַם־ה ֶּכ ֶסף ְו ַהָ ּז ָהב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ְק ִ ּדישׁ ִמ ָּכל־ [the other silver and gold that he dedicated, [taken ַ ה ּ ג ֹ ו ִי ם ֲא שׁ ֶ ר ִ ּכ ֵ ּ ב שׁ ׃ :from all the nations he had conquered יב ֵמ ֲאָרם ּו ִמ ּמ ָוֹאב ּו ִמ ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן from Edom, Moab, and Ammon; from the 12 ּו ִמ ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ּו ֵמ ֲע ָמ ֵלק ּו ִמשְּׁ ַלל ֲה ַד ְד ֶעֶזר Philistines and the Amalekites, and from the ֶּב ְן־רחֹב ֶמ ֶל ְך ָצוֹבה׃ .plunder of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah יג ַוַּי ַעשׂ ָ ּדִוד שׁ ֵ ם ְּבשׁ ֻ בוֹ ֵמ ַה ּכוֹתוֹ ֶא ֲת־אָרם David gained fame when he returned from 13 ְּב ֵג ֶיא־מ ַלח שׁ ְ ָמוֹנה ָע ָשׂר ָא ֶלף׃ .defeating Edom in the Valley of Salt, 18,000 in all יד ַוָּי ֶשׂם ֶּב ֱאדוֹם ְנ ִצ ִבים ְּב ָכ ֱל־אדוֹם ָשׂם He stationed garrisons in Edom—he stationed 14 ְנ ִצ ִבים ַוְי ִהי ָכ ֱל־אדוֹם ֲע ָב ִדים ְל ָדִוד garrisons in all of Edom—and all the Edomites ַו ּיוֹשׁ ַ ע ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ְּבכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָה ָל ְך׃ became vassals of David. Hashem gave David victory wherever he went.

117 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ט Chapter 9

טו ַוִּי ְמ ְלֹך ָ ּדִוד ַע ָּל־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוְי ִהי ָדִוד David reigned over all Yisrael, and David executed 15 ֶעֹשׂה ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ּו ְצ ָד ָקה ְל ָכ ַל־ע ּמוֹ׃ .true justice among all his people va-yim-LOKH da-VID al kol yis-ra-AYL vai-HEE da-VID o-SEH mish-PAT utz-da- KAH l’-khol a-MO טז ְו ָיוֹאב ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה ַע ַל־ה ָּצ ָבא ִויהוֹשׁ ָ ָפט ;Yoav son of Tzeruya was commander of the army 16 ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ּילוד ַמְז ִּכיר׃ ;Yehoshafat son of Achilud was recorder יז ְו ָצדוֹק ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ּיטוב ַו ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך ֶּב ֶן־א ְבָי ָתר Tzadok son of Achituv and Achimelech son of 17 Samuel ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ּו ְשׂ ָרָיה ֵסוֹפר׃ ;Evyatar were Kohanim; Seraya was scribe יח ּו ְב ָנָי ּהו ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹי ָדע ְו ַה ְּכֵר ִתי ְו ַה ְּפ ֵל ִתי ּו ְב ֵני Benaiah son of Yehoyada was commander of the 18 ָדִוד ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ָה ּיו׃ Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were Kohanim. א ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֲה ִכי ֶישׁ ־עוֹד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַנוֹתר David inquired, “Is there anyone still left of the 1 9 ט ְל ֵבית שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ִע ּמוֹ ֶח ֶסד ַּב ֲע ּבור House of Shaul with whom I can keep faith for the ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן׃ ”?sake of Yehonatan ב ּו ְל ֵבית שׁ ָ ּאול ֶע ֶבד ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ִצ ָיבא ַוִּי ְקְר ּאו־ There was a servant of the House ofShaul named 2 לוֹ ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵא ָליו ַה ַא ָּתה Ziba, and they summoned him to David. “Are you ִצ ָיבא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ .Ziba?” the king asked him. “Yes, sir,” he replied ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ֶא ֶפס עוֹד ִאישׁ ְל ֵבית The king continued, “Is there anyone at all left of 3 שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ִע ּמוֹ ֶח ֶסד ֱא ִלֹהים the House of Shaul with whom I can keep faith as ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִצ ָיבא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך עוֹד ֵּבן ִל ָיהוֹנ ָתן ,pledged before Hashem?” Ziba answered the king ְנ ֵכה ַר ְג ָלִים׃ Yes, there is still a son of Yehonatan whose feet are“ crippled.” ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר־לוֹ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵאיפֹה ּהוא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר Where is he?” the king asked, and Ziba said to the“ 4 ִצ ָיבא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִה ֵנּ ּה־הוא ֵּבית ָמ ִכיר ,king, “He is in the house of Machir son of Ammiel ֶּב ַן־ע ִּמ ֵיאל ְּבלוֹ ְד ָבר׃ ”.in Lo-debar ה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַוִּי ָּק ֵח ּהו ִמ ֵּבית ָמ ִכיר King David had him brought from the house of 5 ֶּב ַן־ע ִּמ ֵיאל ִמ ּלוֹ ְד ָבר׃ ;Machir son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar

ו ַוָּיבֹא ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול and when Mefiboshet son of Yehonatan son of Shaul 6 ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַוִּי ּפֹל ַע ָּל־פ ָניו ַוִּישׁ ְ ָּת ּחו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר came to David, he flung himself on his face and ָ ּדִוד ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ prostrated himself. David said, “Mefiboshet!” and he replied, “At your service, sir.”

8:15 David executed true justice among all his indicates that King David does not rule only with pure people King David was an ideal king, not only justice, which always follows the “letter of the law.” He because of his military prowess, and not even because goes beyond that, practicing righteousness to make of the beautiful Psalms he wrote, but because he ruled sure that everyone gets not only that to which they are the nation with “true justice among all his people.” The legally entitled, but whatever they need. This medieval commentator Ralbag, also known as commitment to the highest level of ethics epitomizes Gersonides, notes that the emphasis on “true justice” the righteous reign of King David in the eyes of God.

118 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק ט Chapter 9

ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ָדִוד ַא ִּל־ת ָירא ִּכי ָעשֹׂה David said to him, “Don’t be afraid, for I will keep 7 ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ִע ְּמ ָך ֶח ֶסד ַּב ֲע ּבור ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ָא ִב ָיך .faith with you for the sake of your father Yehonatan ַו ֲהשׁ ִ ִבֹתי ְל ָך ֶא ָּת־כ ְל־שׂ ֵדה שׁ ָ ּאול ָא ִב ָיך I will give you back all the land of your grandfather ְו ַא ָּתה ּת ַֹאכל ֶל ֶחם ַעל־שׁ ֻ ְל ָח ִני ָּת ִמיד׃ ”.Shaul; moreover, you shall always eat at my table ח ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶמה ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ִּכי ָפ ִנ ָית ֶאל־ ,Mefiboshet] prostrated himself again, and said] 8 ַה ֶּכ ֶלב ַה ֵּמת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּכ ִמוֹני׃ What is your servant, that you should show regard“ for a dead dog like me?” ט ַוִּי ְקָרא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ִל־צ ָיבא ַנ ַער שׁ ָ ּאול The king summoned Ziba,Shaul ’s steward, and 9 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָיה ְלשׁ ָ ּאול Samuel said to him, “I give to your master’s grandson ּו ְל ָכ ֵּל־ביתוֹ ָנ ַת ִּתי ְל ֶב ֲן־א ֶדֹנ ָיך׃ everything that belonged to Shaul and to his entire family. י ְו ָע ַב ְד ָּת ּלוֹ ֶא ָת־ה ֲא ָד ָמה ַא ָּתה ּו ָב ֶנ ָיך You and your sons and your slaves shall farm the 10 ַו ֲע ָב ֶד ָיך ְו ֵה ֵב ָאת ְו ָהָיה ְל ֶב ֲן־א ֶדֹנ ָיך ֶּל ֶחם land for him and shall bring in [its yield] to provide ַו ֲא ָכלוֹ ּו ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּב ֲן־א ֶדֹנ ָיך ַיֹאכל ָּת ִמיד food for your master’s grandson to live on; but ֶל ֶחם ַעל־שׁ ֻ ְל ָח ִני ּו ְל ִצ ָיבא ֲח ִמשָּׁ ה ָע ָשׂר Mefiboshet, your master’s grandson, shall always ָּב ִנים ְו ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ֲע ָב ִדים׃ eat at my table.”—Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty slaves.— יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִצ ָיבא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּככֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְי ַצֶּוה Ziba said to the king, “Your servant will do just as 11 ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ַת־ע ְב ּדוֹ ֵּכן ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך my lord the king has commanded him.” “Mefiboshet ּו ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֵאֹכל ַעל־שׁ ֻ ְל ָח ִני ְּכ ַא ַחד ִמ ְּב ֵני ”.shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ יב ְו ִל ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֵּב ָן־ק ָטן ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ִמ ָיכא ְוכֹל Mefiboshet had a young son named Mica; and 12 מוֹשׁ ַ ב ֵּב ִית־צ ָיבא ֲע ָב ִדים ִל ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת׃ all the members of Ziba’s household worked for Mefiboshet. יג ּו ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת יֹשׁ ֵ ב ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם ִּכי ַעל־ Mefiboshet lived in Yerushalayim, for he ate 13 שׁ ֻ ְל ַחן ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָּת ִמיד ּהוא ֵאֹכל ְו ּהוא regularly at the king’s table. He was lame in both ִּפ ֵּס ַח שׁ ְ ֵּתי ַר ְג ָליו׃ .feet um-fee-VO-shet yo-SHAYV bee-ru-sha-LA-yim KEE al shul-KHAN ha-ME-lekh ta- MEED HU o-KHAYL v’-HU fi-SAY-akh sh’-TAY rag-LAV

9:13 Mefiboshet lived in Yerushalayim For the the city of Jerusalem is rooted in the past. Three sake of his beloved friend Yehonatan, King thousand years ago, the Land of Israel was divided into David gives Mefibosheta place at his table in the royal allotments for each of the twelve tribes — except for palace in Yerushalayim. As Yerushalayim is the city of the city of Jerusalem. Instead, Jerusalem was desig peace, it stands to reason that this is the place where nated as a city for all; it was to remain an open, uniting King David made such a peaceful gesture. Hashem and united capital. Jerusalem became the center of Jerusalem Mayor intends for Yerushalayim to be a place where all of Israel the world, with leadership, innovation and inspiration Nir Barkat will be content with one another. To that end, the holy emanating from the city....Forty-nine years ago, the (b. 1959) capital city is not the property of any one tribe. Rather, capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel it belongs to the entire nation, and is the eternal were reunited, allowing the city to live up to its religious and political center of the entire Jewish promise as a center for all people, with respect toward people. Nir Barkat, mayor of Jerusalem, emphasized all religions....A united Jerusalem is the only viable this idea in an article he published in honor of option for a vibrant and thriving Jerusalem. This is our Jerusalem Day. He wrote, “My vision for the future of future. This is Jerusalem.”

119 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק י Chapter 10

א ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ַוָּי ָמת ֶמ ֶל ְך ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן Some time afterward, the king of Ammon died, and 1 10 י ַוִּי ְמ ְלֹך ָח ּנון ְּבנוֹ ַּת ְח ָּתיו׃ .his son Hanun succeeded him as king ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ֶה־ח ֶסד ִע ָם־ח ּנון ֶּבן־ David said, “I will keep faith with Hanun son of 2 ָנ ָחשׁ ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ָשׂה ָא ִביו ִע ָּמ ִדי ֶח ֶסד Nahash, just as his father kept faith with me.” He ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ְל ַנ ֲחמוֹ ְּבַי ֲד־ע ָב ָדיו ֶא ָל־א ִביו sent his courtiers with a message of condolence ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ֶאֶרץ ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן׃ to him over his father. But when David’s courtiers came to the land of Ammon, 3 Samuel ג ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ָשׂ ֵרי ְב ֵנ ַי־ע ּמוֹן ֶא ָל־ח ּנון ֲא ֵדֹנ ֶיהם ,the Ammonite officials said to their lord Hanun ַה ְמ ַכ ֵּבד ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָת־א ִב ָיך ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ִּכי־שׁ ָ ַלח Do you think David is really honoring your father“ ְל ָך ְמ ַנ ֲח ִמים ֲהלוֹא ַּב ֲע ּבור ֲחקוֹר ֶאת־ ?just because he sent you men with condolences ָה ִעיר ּו ְלַר ְּג ָל ּה ּו ְל ָה ְפ ָכ ּה שׁ ָ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ֶאת־ Why, David has sent his courtiers to you to explore ֲע ָב ָדיו ֵא ֶל ָיך׃ ”.and spy out the city, and to overthrow it ד ַוִּי ַּקח ָח ּנון ֶא ַת־ע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ַוְי ַג ַּלח ֶאת־ So Hanun seized David’s courtiers, clipped off 4 ֲח ִצי ְז ָק ָנם ַוִּי ְכרֹת ֶא ַת־מ ְדֵו ֶיהם ַּב ֵח ִצי one side of their beards and cut away half of their ַעד שׁ ְ ֵתוֹת ֶיהם ַוְישׁ ַ ְּל ֵחם׃ .garments at the buttocks, and sent them off ה ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ְל ָדִוד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ִל ְקָר ָאתם ִּכ ָי־ה ּיו When David was told of it, he dispatched men to 5 ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִנ ְכ ָל ִמים ְמאֹד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך .meet them, for the men were greatly embarrassed שׁ ְ ּבו ִב ֵירחוֹ ַע ְד־י ַצ ַּמח ְז ַק ְנ ֶכם ְושׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם׃ And the king gave orders: “Stop in Yericho until your beards grow back; then you can return.” ו ַו ִּיְר ּאו ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן ִּכי ִנ ְב ֲאשׁ ּו ְּב ָדִוד ַו ִּישׁ ְ ְל ּחו The Ammonites realized that they had incurred 6 ְב ֵנ ַי־ע ּמוֹן ַוִּי ְשׂ ְּכ ּרו ֶא ֲת־אַרם ֵּב ְית־רחוֹב the wrath of David; so the Ammonites sent agents ְו ֶא ֲת־אַרם ָצוֹבא ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ֶא ֶלף ַר ְג ִלי and hired Arameans of Bethrehob and Arameans of ְו ֶא ֶת־מ ֶל ְך ַמ ֲע ָכה ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ְו ִאישׁ טוֹב Zobah—20,000 foot soldiers—the king of Maacah שׁ ְ ֵנ ָים־ע ָשׂר ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ׃ .with] 1,000 men, and 12,000 men from Tob] ז ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ָ ּדִוד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ֶא ָת־יוֹאב ְו ֵאת ָּכל־ On learning this, David sent out Yoav and the 7 ַה ָּצ ָבא ַה ִּג ּבִֹרים׃ .whole army—[including] the professional fighters ח ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן ַוַּי ַעְר ּכו ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ֶּפ ַתח The Ammonites marched out and took up their 8 ַהשָּׁ ַער ַו ֲאַרם ָצוֹבא ּוְרחוֹב ְו ִאישׁ ־טוֹב battle position at the entrance of the gate, while ּו ַמ ֲע ָכה ְל ַב ָ ּדם ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ the Arameans of Zobah and Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah took their stand separately in the open. ט ַוַּיְרא ָיוֹאב ִּכ ָי־הְי ָתה ֵא ָליו ְּפ ֵני ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה Yoav saw that there was a battle line against him 9 ִמ ָּפ ִנים ּו ֵמ ָאחוֹר ַוִּי ְב ַחר ִמ ּכֹל ְּב ּחוֵרי both front and rear. So he made a selection from all בישראל ִ]י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל[ ַוַּי ֲע ְרֹך ִל ְקַראת the picked men of Yisrael and arrayed them against ֲאָרם׃ ,the Arameans י ְו ֵאת ֶי ֶתר ָה ָעם ָנ ַתן ְּבַיד ַא ְבשׁ ַ י ָא ִחיו and the rest of the troops he put under the 10 ַוַּי ֲע ְרֹך ִל ְקַראת ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן׃ command of his brother Avishai and arrayed them against the Ammonites. יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִא ֶּם־ת ֱחַזק ֲאָרם ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ְו ָהִי ָתה Yoav] said, “If the Arameans prove too strong for] 11 ִּלי ִלישׁ ּו ָעה ְו ִא ְּם־ב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן ֶי ֱחְז ּקו ִמ ְּמ ָך me, you come to my aid; and if the Ammonites ְו ָה ַל ְכ ִּתי ְלהוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ָל ְך׃ .prove too strong for you, I will come to your aid

120 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק אי Chapter 11

יב ֲחַזק ְו ִנ ְת ַחַ ּזק ְּב ַע ַד־ע ֵּמ ּנו ּו ְב ַעד ָעֵרי Let us be strong and resolute for the sake of our 12 ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו ַו ָיהֹוה ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ַה ּטוֹב ְּב ֵע ָיניו׃ people and the land of our God; and Hashem will do what He deems right.” kha-ZAK v’-nit-kha-ZAK b’-AD a-MAY-nu uv-AD a-RAY e-lo-HAY-nu va-do-NAI ya-a-SEH ha-TOV b’-ay-NAV יג ַוִּי ַּגשׁ ָיוֹאב ְו ָה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִע ּמוֹ ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה Yoav and the troops with him marched into battle 13 ַּב ֲאָרם ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו ִמ ָּפ ָניו׃ .against the Arameans, who fled before him 14 יד ּו ְב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן ָר ּאו ִּכ ָי־נס ֲאָרם ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו ִמ ְּפ ֵני Samuel And when the Ammonites saw that the Arameans ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ַוָּי ּבֹאו ָה ִעיר ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ָיוֹאב ֵמ ַעל had fled, they fled beforeAvishai and withdrew into ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן ַוָּיבֹא ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ the city. So Yoav broke off the attack against the Ammonites, and went to Yerushalayim. טו ַוַּיְרא ֲאָרם ִּכי ִנ ַּגף ִל ְפ ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוֵּי ָא ְס ּפו When the Arameans saw that they had been routed 15 ָי ַחד׃ .by Yisrael, they regrouped their forces טז ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ֲה ַד ְד ֶעֶזר ַו ּי ֵֹצא ֶא ֲת־אָרם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Hadadezer sent for and brought out the Arameans 16 ֵמ ֵע ֶבר ַה ָנּ ָהר ַוָּי ּבֹאו ֵח ָילם ְושׁ ַוֹב ְך ַשׂר־ ,from across the Euphrates; they came to Helam ְצ ָבא ֲה ַד ְד ֶעֶזר ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם׃ .led by Shobach, Hadadezer’s army commander יז ַוֻּי ַּגד ְל ָדִוד ַוֶּי ֱאסֹף ֶא ָּת־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,David was informed of it; he assembled all Yisrael 17 ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ַוָּיבֹא ֵח ָל ָאמה ַוַּי ַעְר ּכו crossed the Yarden, and came to Helam. The ֲאָרם ִל ְקַראת ָ ּדִוד ַוִּי ָּל ֲח ּמו ִע ּמוֹ׃ Arameans drew up their forces against David and attacked him; יח ַוָּי ָנס ֲאָרם ִמ ְּפ ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּי ֲהרֹג ָ ּדִוד . but the Arameans were put to flight byYisrael 18 ֵמ ֲאָרם שׁ ְ ַבע ֵמאוֹת ֶר ֶכב ְו ַאְר ָּב ִעים ֶא ֶלף David killed 700 Aramean charioteers and 40,000 ָּפָרשׁ ִ ים ְו ֵאת שׁ ַוֹב ְך ַשׂ ְר־צ ָבאוֹ ִה ָּכה -horsemen; he also struck down Shobach, Hadad ַוָּי ָמת שׁ ָ ם׃ .ezer’s army commander, who died there יט ַוִּיְר ּאו ָכ ַל־ה ְּמ ָל ִכים ַע ְב ֵדי ֲה ַד ְד ֶעֶזר ִּכי And when all the vassal kings of Hadadezer 19 ִנ ְּג ּפו ִל ְפ ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּישׁ ְ ִל ּמו ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל saw that they had been routed by Yisrael, they ַוַּי ַע ְב ּדום ַוִּיְר ּאו ֲאָרם ְלהוֹשׁ ִ ַיע עוֹד ֶאת־ submitted toYisrael and became their vassals. And ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן׃ the Arameans were afraid to help the Ammonites any more. א ַוְי ִהי ִל ְתשׁ ּו ַבת ַהשָּׁ ָנה ְל ֵעת ֵצאת At the turn of the year, the season when kings go 1 11 יא ַה ַּמ ְל ִאכים ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָת־יוֹאב ְו ֶאת־ out [to battle],David sent Yoav with his officers ֲע ָב ָדיו ִע ּמוֹ ְו ֶא ָּת־כ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּישׁ ְ ִח ּתו and all Yisrael with him, and they devastated ֶא ְּת־ב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן ַוָּי ֻצ ּרו ַע ַל־ר ָּבה ְו ָדִוד יוֹשׁ ֵ ב Ammon and besieged Rabbah; David remained in ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ .Yerushalayim

10:12 Let us be strong and resolute for the sake Ralbag notes that in most cases, God expects of humans of our people and the land of our God Yoav to do their part and not to rely on a miracle. Once people instructs his soldiers in much the same way as today’s do what is expected, Hashem may choose to provide soldiers of Israel are instructed. The soldiers must miracles and redemption. Nowadays, this is a daily strengthen themselves to go into battle, fighting to occurrence for the soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces, protect the People of Israel and the cities of God. who strengthen themselves for battle and have often Hashem will respond by doing what is right in His eyes. been rewarded by God with miracles.

121 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק אי Chapter 11

ב ַוְי ִהי ְל ֵעת ָה ֶעֶרב ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ַעל Late one afternoon,David rose from his couch and 2 ִמשׁ ְ ָּכבוֹ ַוִּי ְת ַה ֵּל ְך ַע ַּל־גג ֵּב ַית־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוַּיְרא strolled on the roof of the royal palace; and from ִאשָּׁ ה ֶרֹח ֶצת ֵמ ַעל ַה ָּגג ְו ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַטוֹבת the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was ַמְר ֶאה ְמאֹד׃ ,very beautiful

ג ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ַוִּי ְדרֹשׁ ָל ִאשָּׁ ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר and the king sent someone to make inquiries about 3 ֲהלוֹא־זֹאת ַּבת־שׁ ֶ ַבע ַּב ֱת־א ִל ָיעם ֵאשׁ ֶ ת the woman. He reported, “She is Batsheva daughter ּאוִרָּיה ַה ִח ִּתי׃ ”.of Eliam [and] wife of Uriya the Hittite

Samuel ד ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ַוִּי ָּק ֶח ָה ַו ָּתבוֹא David sent messengers to fetch her; she came to 4 ֵא ָליו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב ִע ָּמ ּה ְו ִהיא ִמ ְת ַק ֶ ּדשׁ ֶ ת him and he lay with her—she had just purified ִמ ֻּט ְמ ָא ָת ּה ַו ָּתשׁ ָ ב ֶא ֵּל־ב ָית ּה׃ .herself after her period—and she went back home va-yish-LAKH da-VID mal-a-KHEEM va-yi-ka-KHE-ha va-ta-VO ay-LAV va-yish- KAV i-MAH v’-HEE mit-ka-DE-shet mi-tum-a-TAH va-TA-shov el bay-TAH ה ַו ַּת ַהר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ַלח ַו ַּת ֵּגד ְל ָדִוד , The woman conceived, and she sent word toDavid 5 ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָהָרה ָא ִנֹכי׃ ”.I am pregnant“ ו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָל־יוֹאב שׁ ְ ַלח ֵא ַלי ֶאת־ ThereuponDavid sent a message to Yoav, “Send 6 ּאוִרָּיה ַה ִח ִּתי ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָיוֹאב ֶא ּת־אוִרָּיה Uriya the Hittite to me”; andYoav sent Uriya to ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד׃ .David

ז ַוָּיבֹא ּאוִרָּיה ֵא ָליו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ָ ּדִוד ִלשׁ ְ לוֹם When Uriya came to him, David asked him how 7 ָיוֹאב ְו ִלשׁ ְ לוֹם ָה ָעם ְו ִלשׁ ְ לוֹם ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ Yoav and the troops were faring and how the war was going. ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ְל ּאוִרָּיה ֵרד ְל ֵב ְית ָך ּוְר ַחץ ThenDavid said to Uriya, “Go down to your house 8 ַר ְג ֶל ָיך ַוֵּי ֵצא ּאוִרָּיה ִמ ֵּבית ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ֵּת ֵצא and bathe your feet.” When Uriya left the royal ַא ֲחָריו ַמ ְשׂ ַאת ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ .palace, a present from the king followed him

ט ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב ּאוִרָּיה ֶּפ ַתח ֵּבית ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵאת ָּכל־ ,But Uriya slept at the entrance of the royal palace 9 ַע ְב ֵדי ֲא ָדֹניו ְולֹא ָיַרד ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ׃ along with the other officers of his lord, and did not go down to his house. י ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ְל ָדִוד ֵלאמֹר ָלֹא־יַרד ּאוִרָּיה When David was told that Uriya had not gone 10 ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ּל־אוִרָּיה ֲהלוֹא down to his house, he said to Uriya, “You just came ִמ ֶ ּדֶר ְך ַא ָּתה ָבא ַמ ּד ּו ַע ָלֹא־יַר ְד ָּת ֶאל־ from a journey; why didn’t you go down to your ֵּב ֶית ָך׃ ”?house

11:4 David sent messengers to fetch her The divorce prior to going to battle, so that if they were incident of David and Batsheva is quite difficult captured or went missing, their wives could remarry. to understand. How could such a righteous king Therefore, at the time of the sin, Batsheva was technically seemingly succumb to such behavior? The Sages of the not married. Yet, despite this technicality, the prophet Talmud (Shabbat 56a) teach that while his actions were Natan tells King David he has sinned, and King David wrong, technically speaking, King David did not commit indeed repents. We are all expected to rise above what adultery. The soldiers of ancient Israel’s army were may be technically permitted, and live completely moral accustomed to grant their wives a conditional bill of lives.

122 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק אי Chapter 11

יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּאוִרָּיה ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ָה ָארוֹן ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Uriya answered David, “TheAron and Yisrael and 11 ִו ּיהו ָדה יֹשׁ ְ ִבים ַּב ֻּס ּכוֹת ַו ִאדֹני ָיוֹאב Yehuda are located at Succoth, and my master Yoav ְו ַע ְב ֵדי ֲא ִדֹני ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ִחֹנים ַו ֲא ִני ;and Your Majesty’s men are camped in the open ָאבוֹא ֶא ֵּל־ב ִיתי ֶל ֱאכֹל ְו ִלשׁ ְ ּתוֹת ְו ִלשׁ ְ ַּכב how can I go home and eat and drink and sleep ִע ִם־אשׁ ְ ִּתי ַחֶּי ָך ְו ֵחי ַנ ְפשׁ ֶ ָך ִא ֶם־א ֱע ֶשׂה with my wife? As you live, by your very life, I will ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה׃ ”!not do this יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ּל־אוִרָּיה שׁ ֵ ב ָּבֶזה ַּגם־ David said to Uriya, “Stay here today also, and 12 ַה ּיוֹם ּו ָמ ָחר ֲאשׁ ַ ְּל ֶח ָּך ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ּאוִרָּיה tomorrow I will send you off.” SoUriya remained in

ִב ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ּו ִמ ָּמ ֳחָרת׃ ,Samuel Yerushalayim that day. The next day יג ַוִּי ְקָרא־לוֹ ָדִוד ַו ּי ַֹאכל ְל ָפ ָניו ַוֵּישׁ ְ ְּת David summoned him, and he ate and drank with 13 ַוְישׁ ַ ְּכֵר ּהו ַוֵּי ֵצא ָב ֶעֶרב ִלשׁ ְ ַּכב ְּב ִמשׁ ְ ָּכבוֹ ,him until he got him drunk; but in the evening ִע ַם־ע ְב ֵדי ֲא ָדֹניו ְו ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ לֹא ָיָרד׃ Uriya] went out to sleep in the same place, with] his lord’s officers; he did not go down to his home. יד ַוְי ִהי ַב ּב ֶֹקר ַוִּי ְכ ּתֹב ָ ּדִוד ֵס ֶפר ֶא ָל־יוֹאב In the morning, David wrote a letter toYoav , which 14 ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ְּבַיד ּאוִרָּיה׃ .he sent with Uriya טו ַוִּי ְכ ּתֹב ַּב ֵּס ֶפר ֵלאמֹר ָה ּבו ֶא ּת־אוִרָּיה He wrote in the letter as follows: “PlaceUriya in 15 ֶא ּל־מול ְּפ ֵני ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ַה ֲחָז ָקה ְושׁ ַ ְב ֶּתם the front line where the fighting is fiercest; then fall ֵמ ַא ֲחָריו ְו ִנ ָּכה ָו ֵמת׃ ”.back so that he may be killed טז ַוְי ִהי ִּבשׁ ְ מוֹר ָיוֹאב ֶא ָל־ה ִעיר ַוִּי ֵּתן ֶאת־ So when Yoav was besieging the city, he stationed 16 ּאוִרָּיה ֶא ַל־ה ָּמקוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ַדע ִּכי ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י־ Uriya at the point where he knew that there were ַחִיל שׁ ָ ם׃ .able warriors יז ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָה ִעיר ַוִּי ָּל ֲח ּמו ֶא ָת־יוֹאב , The men of the city sallied out and attackedYoav 17 ַוִּי ּפֹל ִמ ָן־ה ָעם ֵמ ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ַוָּי ָמת ַּגם ;and some of David’s officers among the troops fell ּאוִרָּיה ַה ִח ִּתי׃ .Uriya the Hittite was among those who died יח ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָיוֹאב ַוַּי ֵּגד ְל ָדִוד ֶא ָּת־כ ִ ּל־ד ְבֵרי . Yoav sent a full report of the battle toDavid 18 ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ יט ַוְי ַצו ֶא ַת־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ֵלאמֹר ְּכ ַכ ּל ְוֹת ָך ֵאת He instructed the messenger as follows: “When 19 ָּכ ִ ּל־ד ְבֵרי ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְל ַד ֵּבר ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ,you finish reporting to the king all about the battle כ ְו ָהָיה ִא ַּם־ת ֲע ֶלה ֲח ַמת ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָא ַמר ְל ָך the king may get angry and say to you, ‘Why did 20 ַמ ּד ּו ַע ִנ ַּגשׁ ְ ֶּתם ֶא ָל־ה ִעיר ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם ֲהלוֹא you come so close to the city to attack it? Didn’t ְי ַד ְע ֶּתם ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ּר־יֹרו ֵמ ַעל ַה ָחוֹמה׃ ?you know that they would shoot from the wall כא ִמ ִי־ה ָּכה ֶא ֲת־א ִב ֶימ ֶל ְך ֶּב ְן־יֻר ֶּבשׁ ֶ ת ?Who struck down Avimelech son of Jerubbesheth 21 ֲה ִלוֹא־אשָּׁ ה ִהשׁ ְ ִל ָיכה ָע ָליו ֶּפ ַלח ֶר ֶכב Was it not a woman who dropped an upper ֵמ ַעל ַה ָחוֹמה ַוָּי ָמת ְּב ֵת ֵבץ ָל ָּמה ִנ ַּגשׁ ְ ֶּתם millstone on him from the wall at Thebez, from ֶא ַל־ה ָחוֹמה ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ַּגם ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ּאוִרָּיה which he died? Why did you come so close to the ַה ִח ִּתי ֵמת׃ wall?’ Then say: ‘Your servantUriya the Hittite was among those killed.’” כב ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַוָּיבֹא ַוַּי ֵּגד ְל ָדִוד ֵאת ָּכל־ The messenger set out; he came and toldDavid all 22 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר שׁ ְ ָלחוֹ ָיוֹאב׃ .that Yoav had sent him to say כג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ִּכ ָי־ג ְב ּרו ָע ֵל ּינו The messenger said toDavid , “First the men 23 ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ֵא ֵל ּינו ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ַו ִנּ ְהֶיה prevailed against us and sallied out against us ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ַע ֶּד־פ ַתח ַהשָּׁ ַער׃ into the open; then we drove them back up to the entrance to the gate.

123 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק בי Chapter 12

כד ויראו ַ]ו ּי ֹּרו[ המוראים ַ]ה ּמ ִוֹרים[ But the archers shot at your men from the wall 24 ֶא ֲל־ע ָב ֶד ָך ֵמ ַעל ַה ָחוֹמה ַוָּי ּמו ּתו ֵמ ַע ְב ֵדי and some of Your Majesty’s men fell; your servant ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ַגם ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ּאוִרָּיה ַה ִח ִּתי ֵמת׃ ”.Uriya the Hittite also fell כה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַל־ה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ּכ ַֹה־תֹאמר Whereupon David said to the messenger, “Give 25 ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ַא ֵל־יַרע ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר Yoav this message: ‘Do not be distressed about the ַהֶ ּזה ִּכ ָי־כזֹה ְו ָכֶזה ּת ַֹאכל ֶה ָחֶרב ַה ֲחֵזק matter. The sword always takes its toll. Press your ִמ ְל ַח ְמ ְּת ָך ֶא ָל־ה ִעיר ְו ָהְר ָס ּה ְו ַחְ ּז ֵק ּהו׃ ”!attack on the city and destroy it!’ Encourage him כו ּ ּ When Uriya’s wife heard that her husband Uriya 26

Samuel ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ַמע ֵאשׁ ֶ ת ּאוִרָיה ִּכ ֵי־מת ּאוִרָיה ִאישׁ ָ ּה ַו ִּת ְס ּפֹד ַע ַּל־ב ְע ָל ּה׃ .was dead, she lamented over her husband כז ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ָה ֵא ֶבל ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ַוַּי ַא ְס ָפ ּה ֶאל־ After the period of mourning was over,David sent 27 ֵּביתוֹ ַו ְּת ִהי־לוֹ ְל ִאשָּׁ ה ַו ֵּת ֶלד לוֹ ֵּבן ַוֵּיַרע and had her brought into his palace; she became ַה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ָשׂה ָדִוד ְּב ֵע ֵיני ְי ָהֹוה׃ .his wife and she bore him a son א ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָת־נ ָתן ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַוָּיבֹא But Hashem was displeased with what David had 1 12 יב ֵא ָליו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ שׁ ְ ֵני ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ָה ּיו ְּב ִעיר done, 1 and Hashem sent Natan to David. He came ֶא ָחת ֶא ָחד ָעשׁ ִ יר ְו ֶא ָחד ָראשׁ ׃ to him and said, “There were two men in the same city, one rich and one poor. ב ְל ָעשׁ ִ יר ָהָיה צֹאן ּו ָב ָקר ַהְר ֵּבה ְמאֹד׃ ,The rich man had very large flocks and herds 2 ג ְו ָלָרשׁ ֵא ּין־כֹל ִּכי ִא ִּם־כ ְב ָשׂה ַא ַחת but the poor man had only one little ewe lamb 3 ְק ַט ָנּה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָק ָנה ַוְי ַחֶּי ָה ַו ִּת ְג ַ ּדל ִע ּמוֹ that he had bought. He tended it and it grew up ְו ִע ָּם־ב ָניו ַי ְח ָ ּדו ִמ ִּפ ּתוֹ ַתֹאכל ּו ִמ ּכֹסוֹ together with him and his children: it used to share ִתשׁ ְ ֶּתה ּו ְב ֵחיקוֹ ִתשׁ ְ ָּכב ַו ְּת ִהי־לוֹ ְּכ ַבת׃ his morsel of bread, drink from his cup, and nestle in his bosom; it was like a daughter to him. ד ַוָּיבֹא ֵה ֶל ְך ְל ִאישׁ ֶה ָעשׁ ִ יר ַוַּי ְחמֹל ָל ַק ַחת One day, a traveler came to the rich man, but he 4 ִמ ּצֹאנוֹ ּו ִמ ְּב ָקרוֹ ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ָל ֵאֹר ַח ַה ָּבא־לוֹ was loath to take anything from his own flocks ַוִּי ַּקח ֶא ִּת־כ ְב ַשׂת ָה ִאישׁ ָהָראשׁ ַוַּי ֲע ֶשׂ ָה or herds to prepare a meal for the guest who had ָל ִאישׁ ַה ָּבא ֵא ָליו׃ come to him; so he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” ה ַוִּי ַח ַר־אף ָ ּדִוד ָּב ִאישׁ ְמאֹד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶאל־ David flew into a rage against the man, and said 5 ָנ ָתן ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ִּכי ֶב ָן־מֶות ָה ִאישׁ ָה ֶעֹשׂה to Natan, “As Hashem lives, the man who did this זֹאת׃ !deserves to die ו ְו ֶא ַת־ה ִּכ ְב ָשׂה ְישׁ ַ ֵּלם ַאְר ַּב ְע ָּתִים ֵע ֶקב He shall pay for the lamb four times over, because 6 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ָשׂה ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ְו ַעל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ”.he did such a thing and showed no pity ָלֹא־ח ָמל׃ ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָנ ָתן ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַא ָּתה ָה ִאישׁ And Natan said to David, “That man is you! Thus 7 ּכ ָֹה־א ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָא ִנֹכי said Hashem, the God of Yisrael: ‘It was I who ְמשׁ ַ ְח ִּת ָיך ְל ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ָא ִנֹכי anointed you king over Yisrael and it was I who ִה ַּצ ְל ִּת ָיך ִמַּיד שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .rescued you from the hand of Shaul ח ָו ֶא ְּת ָנה ְל ָך ֶא ֵּת־בית ֲא ֶדֹנ ָיך ְו ֶא ְת־נשׁ ֵ י I gave you your master’s house and possession of 8 ֲא ֶדֹנ ָיך ְּב ֵח ֶיק ָך ָו ֶא ְּת ָנה ְל ָך ֶא ֵּת־בית your master’s wives; and I gave you the House of ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִו ּיהו ָדה ְו ִא ְם־מ ָעט ְו ִאֹס ָפה ְּל ָך Yisrael and Yehuda; and if that were not enough, I ָּכ ֵה ָנּ ה ְו ָכ ֵה ָנּ ה׃ .would give you twice as much more

124 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק בי Chapter 12

ט ַמ ּד ּו ַע ָּבִז ָית ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַבר ְי ָהֹוה ַל ֲעשׂוֹת Why then have you flouted the command of 9 ָהַרע בעינו ְּ]ב ֵע ַיני[ ֵאת ּאוִרָּיה ַה ִח ִּתי Hashem and done what displeases Him? You have ִה ִּכ ָית ַב ֶחֶרב ְו ֶא ִת־אשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ָל ַק ְח ָּת ְּל ָך put Uriya the Hittite to the sword; you took his ְל ִאשָּׁ ה ְואֹתוֹ ָהַר ְג ָּת ְּב ֶחֶרב ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן׃ wife and made her your wife and had him killed by the sword of the Ammonites. י ְו ַע ָּתה ָלֹא־ת ּסור ֶחֶרב ִמ ֵּב ְית ָך ַע ָד־עוֹלם Therefore the sword shall never depart from your 10 ֵע ֶקב ִּכי ְבִז ָת ִני ַו ִּת ַּקח ֶא ֵת־אשׁ ֶ ת ּאוִרָּיה House—because you spurned Me by taking the ַה ִח ִּתי ִל ְהיוֹת ְל ָך ְל ִאשָּׁ ה׃ ’.wife of Uriya the Hittite and making her your wife Samuel יא ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה ִה ְנ ִני ֵמ ִקים ָע ֶל ָיך ָר ָעה Thus saidHashem : ‘I will make a calamity rise 11 ִמ ֵּב ֶית ָך ְו ָל ַק ְח ִּתי ֶא ָת־נשׁ ֶ ָיך ְל ֵע ֶינ ָיך against you from within your own house; I will take ְו ָנ ַת ִּתי ְלֵר ֶע ָיך ְושׁ ָ ַכב ִע ָם־נשׁ ֶ ָיך ְל ֵע ֵיני your wives and give them to another man before ַהשֶּׁ ֶמשׁ ַה ּזֹאת׃ your very eyes and he shall sleep with your wives under this very sun. יב ִּכי ַא ָּתה ָע ִשׂ ָית ַב ָּס ֶתר ַו ֲא ִני ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה You acted in secret, but I will make this happen in 12 ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ֶנ ֶגד ָּכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ֶנ ֶגד ”’.the sight of all Yisrael and in broad daylight ַ ה שׁ ּ ָ ֶ מ שׁ ׃ יג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָל־נ ָתן ָח ָט ִאתי ַל ָיהֹוה David said to Natan, “I stand guilty before 13 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָנ ָתן ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַּג ְם־י ָהֹוה ֶה ֱע ִביר Hashem!” And Natan replied to David, “Hashem ַח ָּט ְאת ָך לֹא ָת ּמות׃ .has remitted your sin; you shall not die יד ֶא ֶפס ִּכ ִי־נ ֵאץ ִנ ַא ְצ ָּת ֶא ְת־אֹי ֵבי ְי ָהֹוה However, since you have spurned the enemies of 14 ַּב ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ַּגם ַה ֵּבן ַהִּי ּלוֹד ְל ָך מוֹת Hashem by this deed, even the child about to be ָי ּמות׃ ”.born to you shall die טו ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָנ ָתן ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ַוִּי ּגֹף ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ַת־הֶּי ֶלד Natan went home, and Hashem afflicted the child 15 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ְל ָדה ֵאשׁ ֶ ּת־אוִרָּיה ְל ָדִוד ַוֵּי ָא ַנשׁ ׃ that Uriya’s wife had borne to David, and it became critically ill. טז ַוְי ַב ֵּקשׁ ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָת־ה ֱא ִלֹהים ְּב ַעד ַה ָנּ ַער ,David entreated Hashem for the boy; David fasted 16 ַוָּי ָצם ָ ּדִוד צוֹם ּו ָבא ְו ָלן ְושׁ ָ ַכב ָאְר ָצה׃ and he went in and spent the night lying on the ground. יז ַוָּי ֻק ּמו ִז ְק ֵני ֵביתוֹ ָע ָליו ַל ֲה ִקימוֹ ִמן־ The senior servants of his household tried to 17 ָה ָאֶרץ ְולֹא ָא ָבה ְו ָלֹא־בָרא ִא ָּתם ָל ֶחם׃ induce him to get up from the ground; but he refused, nor would he partake of food with them. יח ַוְי ִהי ַּב ּיוֹם ַהשְּׁ ִב ִיעי ַוָּי ָמת ַהָּי ֶלד ַוִּיְר ּאו On the seventh day the child died. David’s servants 18 ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד ְל ַה ִּגיד לוֹ ִּכ ֵי־מת ַהֶּי ֶלד ִּכי ;were afraid to tell David that the child was dead ָא ְמ ּרו ִה ֵנּה ִב ְהיוֹת ַהֶּי ֶלד ַחי ִ ּד ַּבְר ּנו ֵא ָליו for they said, “We spoke to him when the child was ְולֹא־שׁ ָ ַמע ְּב ֵקוֹל ּנו ְו ֵא ְיך ַנֹאמר ֵא ָליו ֵמת alive and he wouldn’t listen to us; how can we tell ַהֶּי ֶלד ְו ָע ָשׂה ָר ָעה׃ him that the child is dead? He might do something terrible.” יט ַוַּיְרא ָ ּדִוד ִּכי ֲע ָב ָדיו ִמ ְת ַל ֲחשׁ ִ ים ַוָּי ֶבן ,When David saw his servants talking in whispers 19 ָ ּדִוד ִּכי ֵמת ַהָּי ֶלד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו David understood that the child was dead; David ֲה ֵמת ַהֶּי ֶלד ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֵמת׃ asked his servants, “Is the child dead?” “Yes,” they replied.

125 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק בי Chapter 12

כ ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ָה ָאֶרץ ַוִּיְר ַחץ ַוָּי ֶס ְך ַוְי ַח ֵּלף ThereuponDavid rose from the ground; he bathed 20 שמלתו ִ]שׂ ְמ ָלֹתיו[ ַוָּיבֹא ֵב ְית־י ָהֹוה .and anointed himself, and he changed his clothes ַוִּישׁ ְ ָּת ּחו ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ַוִּישׁ ְ ַאל ַוָּי ִשׂ ּימו He went into the House of Hashem and prostrated לוֹ ֶל ֶחם ַו ּי ַֹאכל׃ ,himself. Then he went home and asked for food which they set before him, and he ate. כא ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֲע ָב ָדיו ֵא ָליו ָמ ַה־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה His courtiers asked him, “Why have you acted in 21 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ִשׂ ָיתה ַּב ֲע ּבור ַהֶּי ֶלד ַחי ַצ ְמ ָּת this manner? While the child was alive, you fasted ַו ֵּת ְב ְּך ְו ַכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵמת ַהֶּי ֶלד ַק ְמ ָּת ַו ּת ַֹאכל and wept; but now that the child is dead, you rise

Samuel ָל ֶחם׃ ”!and take food כב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְּבעוֹד ַהֶּי ֶלד ַחי ַצ ְמ ִּתי ָו ֶא ְב ֶּכה He replied, “While the child was still alive, I fasted 22 ִּכי ָא ַמְר ִּתי ִמי ֵיוֹד ַע יחנני ְ]ו ַח ַנּ ִני[ ְי ָהֹוה and wept because I thought: ‘Who knows? Hashem ְו ַחי ַהָּי ֶלד׃ ’.may have pity on me, and the child may live כג ְו ַע ָּתה ֵמת ָל ָּמה ֶ ּזה ֲא ִני ָצם ַה ּאו ַכל But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I 23 ַל ֲהשׁ ִ יבוֹ עוֹד ֲא ִני ֵהֹל ְך ֵא ָליו ְו ּהוא לֹא־ bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will ָישׁ ּוב ֵא ָלי׃ ”.never come back to me כד ַוְי ַנ ֵחם ָ ּדִוד ֵאת ַּבת־שׁ ֶ ַבע ִאשׁ ְ ּתוֹ ַוָּיבֹא David consoled his wife Batsheva; he went to her 24 ֵא ֶל ָיה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב ִע ָּמ ּה ַו ֵּת ֶלד ֵּבן ויקרא and lay with her. She bore a son and she named ַ]ו ִּת ְקָרא[ ֶאת־שׁ ְ מוֹ שׁ ְ לֹמֹה ַו ָיהֹוה ,him Shlomo. Hashem favored him ֲא ֵהבוֹ ׃ vai-na-KHAYM da-VID AYT bat SHE-va ish-TO va-ya-VO ay-LE-ha va-yish-KAV i-MAH va-TAY-led BAYN va-tik-RA et sh’-MO sh’-lo-MOH va-do-NAI a-hay-VO כה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ְּבַיד ָנ ָתן ַה ָנּ ִביא ַוִּי ְקָרא ֶאת־שׁ ְ מוֹ and He sent a message through the Navi Natan; and 25 ְי ִד ְידָי ּה ַּב ֲע ּבור ְי ָהֹוה׃ .he was named Jedidiah at the instance of Hashem כו ַוִּי ָּל ֶחם ָיוֹאב ְּבַר ַּבת ְּב ֵני ַע ּמוֹן ַוִּי ְל ּכֹד ֶאת־ Yoav attacked Rabbah of Ammon and captured the 26 ִעיר ַה ְּמ ּלו ָכה׃ .royal city כז ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָיוֹאב ַמ ְל ָא ִכים ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר Yoav sent messengers to David and said, “I have 27 ִנ ְל ַח ְמ ִּתי ְבַר ָּבה ַּג ָם־ל ַכ ְד ִּתי ֶא ִת־עיר attacked Rabbah and I have already captured the ַה ָּמִים׃ .water city כח ְו ַע ָּתה ֱאסֹף ֶא ֶת־י ֶתר ָה ָעם ַו ֲח ֵנה ַעל־ Now muster the rest of the troops and besiege the 28 ָה ִעיר ְו ָל ְכ ָד ּה ֶּפ ֶן־א ְל ּכֹד ֲא ִני ֶא ָת־ה ִעיר city and capture it; otherwise I will capture the city ְו ִנ ְקָרא שׁ ְ ִמי ָע ֶל ָיה׃ ”.myself, and my name will be connected with it כט ַוֶּי ֱאסֹף ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָּת־כ ָל־ה ָעם ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ַר ָּב ָתה David mustered all the troops and marched on 29 ַוִּי ָּל ֶחם ָּב ּה ַוִּי ְל ְּכ ָד ּה׃ .Rabbah, and he attacked it and captured it

12:24 She bore a son and she named him Shlomo the next king of Israel, and during his rule God would שלמה King David repents for what he did, and he and bless him and the People of Israel with peace. But שלום Batsheva are blessed with a son. The son is known as Shlomo is also called Yedidya, as he is truly the beloved which comes of God. During his reign, the Nation of Israel achieves,(שלמה) Solomon, or in Hebrew, Shlomo peace.’ Additionally, he is the greatest heights of peace in the Land of Israel, peace‘ ,(שלום) from the word shalom also called by the name Jedidiah, in Hebrew, Yedidya among the People of Israel, and service to Hashem in .meaning ‘beloved of God.’ Radak suggests that the Beit Hamikdash ,(ידידיה) Hashem wants his name to be Shlomo, as he would be

126 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק גי Chapter 13

ל ַוִּי ַּקח ֶא ֲת־ע ֶטֶר ַת־מ ְל ָּכם ֵמ ַעל רֹאשׁ וֹ The crown was taken from the head of their king 30 ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָק ָל ּה ִּכ ַּכר ָז ָהב ְו ֶא ֶבן ְי ָקָרה ַו ְּת ִהי and it was placed on David’s head—it weighed a ַעל־רֹאשׁ ָ ּדִוד ּושׁ ְ ַלל ָה ִעיר ִהוֹציא kikar of gold, and [on it] were precious stones. He ַהְר ֵּבה ְמאֹד׃ also carried off a vast amount of booty from the city. לא ְו ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ּה ִהוֹציא ַוָּי ֶשׂם He led out the people who lived there and set them 31 ַּב ְּמ ֵגָרה ּו ַב ֲחִר ֵצי ַה ַּבְרֶזל ּו ְב ַמ ְגְזרֹת to work with saws, iron threshing boards, and iron ַה ַּבְרֶזל ְו ֶה ֱע ִביר ָאוֹתם במלכן ַּ]ב ַּמ ְל ֵּבן[ axes, or assigned them to brickmaking; David did

ְו ֵכן ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ְלכֹל ָעֵרי ְב ֵנ ַי־ע ּמוֹן ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ָ ּדִוד Samuel this to all the towns of Ammon. ThenDavid and all ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ .the troops returned to Yerushalayim א ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ּו ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶּב ָ ּן־דִוד ָאחוֹת This happened sometime afterward:Avshalom son 1 13 יג ָי ָפה ּושׁ ְ ָמ ּה ָּת ָמר ַוֶּי ֱא ָה ֶב ָה ַא ְמנוֹן ֶּבן־ of David had a beautiful sister named Tamar, and ָ ּדִוד׃ .Amnon son of David became infatuated with her ב ַוֵּי ֶצר ְל ַא ְמנוֹן ְל ִה ְת ַח ּלוֹת ַּב ֲע ּבור ָּת ָמר [-Amnon was so distraught because of his [half 2 ֲאחֹתוֹ ִּכי ְב ּתו ָלה ִהיא ַוִּי ָּפ ֵלא ְּב ֵע ֵיני sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a ַא ְמנוֹן ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ָל ּה ְמ ּאו ָמה׃ virgin, and it seemed impossible to Amnon to do anything to her. ג ּו ְל ַא ְמנוֹן ֵר ַע ּושׁ ְ מוֹ ָיוֹנ ָדב ֶּבן־שׁ ִ ְמ ָעה Amnon had a friend named Yonadav, the son of 3 ֲא ִחי ָדִוד ְו ָיוֹנ ָדב ִאישׁ ָח ָכם ְמאֹד׃ David’s brother Shimah; Yonadav was a very clever man. ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַמ ּד ּו ַע ַא ָּתה ָּכ ָכה ַ ּדל ֶּבן־ ,He asked him, “Why are you so dejected, O prince 4 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ֲהלוֹא ַּת ִּגיד ִלי ,morning after morning? Tell me!”Amnon replied ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַא ְמנוֹן ֶא ָּת־ת ָמר ֲאחוֹת I am in love with Tamar, the sister of my brother“ ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ָא ִחי ֲא ִני ֵאֹהב׃ ”!Avshalom ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ְי ָהוֹנ ָדב שׁ ְ ַכב ַע ִל־משׁ ְ ָּכ ְב ָך Yonadav said to him, “Lie down in your bed and 5 ְו ִה ְת ָחל ּו ָבא ָא ִב ָיך ִלְר ֶאוֹת ָך ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת pretend you are sick. When your father comes to ֵא ָליו ָּתבֹא ָנא ָת ָמר ֲא ִחוֹתי ְו ַת ְבֵר ִני see you, say to him, ‘Let my sister Tamar come and ֶל ֶחם ְו ָע ְשׂ ָתה ְל ֵע ַיני ֶא ַת־ה ִּבְרָיה ְל ַמ ַען give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֶאְר ֶאה ְו ָא ַכ ְל ִּתי ִמָּי ָד ּה׃ in front of me, so that I may look on, and let her serve it to me.’” ו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב ַא ְמנוֹן ַוִּי ְת ָחל ַוָּיבֹא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך Amnon lay down and pretended to be sick. The 6 ִלְראֹתוֹ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְמנוֹן ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָּתבוֹא־ ,king came to see him, and Amnon said to the king ָנא ָּת ָמר ֲא ִחֹתי ּו ְת ַל ֵּבב ְל ֵע ַיני שׁ ְ ֵּתי Let my sister Tamar come and prepare a couple of“ ְל ִבבוֹת ְו ֶא ְבֶרה ִמָּי ָד ּה׃ ”.cakes in front of me, and let her bring them to me ז ַו ִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָּל־ת ָמר ַה ַּב ְי ָתה ֵלאמֹר ְל ִכי ,David sent a message to Tamar in the palace 7 ָנא ֵּבית ַא ְמנוֹן ָא ִח ְיך ַו ֲע ִשׂי־לוֹ ַה ִּבְרָיה׃ Please go to the house of your brother Amnon and“ prepare some food for him.” ח ַו ֵּת ֶל ְך ָּת ָמר ֵּבית ַא ְמנוֹן ָא ִח ָיה ְו ּהוא ,Tamar went to the house of her brother Amnon 8 שׁ ֵֹכב ַו ִּת ַּקח ֶא ַת־ה ָּב ֵצק ותלוש ַ]ו ָּת ָלשׁ [ who was in bed. She took dough and kneaded it ַו ְּת ַל ֵּבב ְל ֵע ָיניו ַו ְּת ַבשֵּׁ ל ֶא ַת־ה ְּל ִבבוֹת׃ .into cakes in front of him, and cooked the cakes ט ַו ִּת ַּקח ֶא ַת־ה ַּמ ְשׂ ֵרת ַו ִּתצֹק ְל ָפ ָניו ַוְי ָמ ֵאן She took the pan and set out [the cakes], but 9 ֶל ֱאכוֹל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְמנוֹן ִהוֹצ ּיאו ָכ ִל־אישׁ Amnon refused to eat and ordered everyone to ֵמ ָע ַלי ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ָכ ִל־אישׁ ֵמ ָע ָליו׃ ,withdraw. After everyone had withdrawn

127 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק גי Chapter 13

י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְמנוֹן ֶא ָּל־ת ָמר ָה ִב ִיאי ַה ִּבְרָיה Amnon said to Tamar, “Bring the food inside and 10 ַה ֶח ֶדר ְו ֶא ְבֶרה ִמָּי ֵד ְך ַו ִּת ַּקח ָּת ָמר ֶאת־ feed me.” Tamar took the cakes she had made and ַה ְּל ִבבוֹת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ָשׂ ָתה ַו ָּת ֵבא ְל ַא ְמנוֹן .brought them to her brother inside ָא ִח ָיה ֶה ָח ְדָרה׃

יא ַו ַּת ֵּגשׁ ֵא ָליו ֶל ֱאכֹל ַוַּי ֲחֶז ָּק־ב ּה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָל ּה But when she served them to him, he caught hold 11 ּב ִוֹאי שׁ ִ ְכ ִבי ִע ִּמי ֲא ִחוֹתי׃ ”.of her and said to her, “Come lie with me, sister יב ַו ּת ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַא ָל־א ִחי ַא ְּל־ת ַע ֵנּ ִני ִּכי לֹא־ But she said to him, “Don’t, brother. Don’t force 12 Samuel ֵי ָע ֶשׂה ֵכן ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ַּל־ת ֲע ֵשׂה ֶאת־ me. Such things are not done in Yisrael! Don’t do ַה ְנּ ָב ָלה ַה ּזֹאת׃ !such a vile thing יג ַו ֲא ִני ָא ָנה ִאוֹל ְיך ֶא ֶת־חְר ָּפ ִתי ְו ַא ָּתה Where will I carry my shame? And you, you will be 13 ִּת ְהֶיה ְּכ ַא ַחד ַה ְנּ ָב ִלים ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ַע ָּתה like any of the scoundrels in Yisrael! Please, speak ַ ּד ֶּב ָר־נא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי לֹא ִי ְמ ָנ ֵע ִני ִמ ֶּמ ָּך׃ ”.to the king; he will not refuse me to you יד ְולֹא ָא ָבה ִלשׁ ְ ַמֹע ְּב ָקוֹל ּה ַוֶּי ֱחַזק ִמ ֶּמ ָנּה But he would not listen to her; he overpowered her 14 ַוְי ַע ֶנּ ָה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב ָאֹת ּה׃ .and lay with her by force טו ַוִּי ְשׂ ָנ ֶא ָה ַא ְמנוֹן ִשׂ ְנ ָאה ְּג ָדוֹלה ְמאֹד ִּכי ;ThenAmnon felt a very great loathing for her 15 ְג ָדוֹלה ַה ִּשׂ ְנ ָאה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְשׂ ֵנ ָא ּה ֵמ ַא ֲה ָבה indeed, his loathing for her was greater than the ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֲא ֵה ָב ּה ַו ּי ֶֹאמ ָר־ל ּה ַא ְמנוֹן ּקו ִמי ,passion he had felt for her. And Amnon said to her ֵל ִכי׃ ”!Get out“

טז ַו ּת ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַאל־אוֹדֹת ָהָר ָעה ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה She pleaded with him, “Please don’t commit this 16 ַה ּזֹאת ֵמ ַא ֶחֶרת ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ִשׂ ָית ִע ִּמי wrong; to send me away would be even worse than ְלשׁ ַ ְּל ֵח ִני ְולֹא ָא ָבה ִלשׁ ְ ַמֹע ָל ּה׃ the first wrong you committed against me.” But he would not listen to her. יז ַוִּי ְקָרא ֶא ַת־נ ֲערוֹ ְמשׁ ָ ְרתוֹ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ִ ְל ּחו־ He summoned his young attendant and said, “Get 17 ָנא ֶאת־זֹאת ֵמ ָע ַלי ַה ּחו ָצה ּו ְנעֹל ַה ֶ ּד ֶלת that woman out of my presence, and bar the door ַא ֲחֶר ָיה׃ —”.behind her יח ְו ָע ֶל ָיה ְּכ ֶתֹנת ַּפ ִּסים ִּכי ֵכן ִּת ְל ַּבשׁ ְ ןָ ְבנוֹת־ She was wearing an ornamented tunic, for maiden 18 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ְּב ּתולֹת ְמ ִע ִילים ַו ּי ֵֹצא ָאוֹת ּה princesses were customarily dressed in such ְמשׁ ָ ְרתוֹ ַה ּחוץ ְו ָנ ַעל ַה ֶ ּד ֶלת ַא ֲחֶר ָיה׃ garments.—His attendant took her outside and barred the door after her. יט ַו ִּת ַּקח ָּת ָמר ֵא ֶפר ַעל־רֹאשׁ ָ ּה ּו ְכ ֶתֹנת Tamar put dust on her head and rent the 19 ַה ַּפ ִּסים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ֶל ָיה ָקָר ָעה ַו ָּת ֶשׂם ָי ָד ּה ornamented tunic she was wearing; she put her ַעל־רֹאשׁ ָ ּה ַו ֵּת ֶל ְך ָה ְלוֹך ְוָז ָע ָקה׃ hands on her head, and walked away, screaming loudly as she went. כ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ֶל ָיה ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָא ִח ָיה ַה ֲא ִמינוֹן Her brother Avshalom said to her, “Was it your 20 ָא ִח ְיך ָהָיה ִע ָּמ ְך ְו ַע ָּתה ֲא ִחוֹתי ַה ֲחִרישׁ ִ י brother Amnon who did this to you? For the ָא ִח ְיך ּהוא ַא ָּל־תשׁ ִ ִיתי ֶא ִת־ל ֵּב ְך ַל ָ ּד ָבר present, sister, keep quiet about it; he is your ַהֶ ּזה ַו ֵּתשׁ ֶ ב ָּת ָמר ְושׁ ֵֹמ ָמה ֵּבית ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם brother. Don’t brood over the matter.” AndTamar ָא ִח ָיה׃ .remained in her brother Avshalom’s house, forlorn

128 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק גי Chapter 13

כא ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד שׁ ָ ַמע ֵאת ָּכ ַל־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים When King David heard about all this, he was 21 ָה ֵא ֶּלה ַוִּי ַחר לוֹ ְמאֹד׃ .greatly upset v’-ha-ME-lekh da-VID sha-MA AYT kol ha-d’-va-REEM ha-AY-leh va-yi-KHAR LO m’-OD כב ְו ִלֹא־ד ֶּבר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ִע ַם־א ְמנוֹן ְל ֵמָרע Avshalom didn’t utter a word toAmnon , good or 22 ְו ַעד־טוֹב ִּכ ָי־שׂ ֵנא ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ַת־א ְמנוֹן bad; but Avshalom hated Amnon because he had ַע ְ ּל־ד ַבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִע ָנּה ֵאת ָּת ָמר ֲאחֹתוֹ׃ .violated his sister Tamar

כג ַוְי ִהי ִלשׁ ְ ָנ ַתִים ָי ִמים ַוִּי ְה ּיו ְגֹזִזים Samuel 23 Two years later, when Avshalom was having his ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְּב ַב ַעל ָחצוֹר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִעם־ flocks sheared at Baal-hazor nearEfraim , Avshalom ֶא ְפָרִים ַוִּי ְקָרא ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְל ָכ ְּל־ב ֵני .invited all the king’s sons ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ כד ַוָּיבֹא ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה־ And Avshalom came to the king and said, “Your 24 ָנא ְגֹזִזים ְל ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ֵי ֶל ְך ָ־נא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ֲע ָב ָדיו servant is having his flocks sheared. Would ִע ַם־ע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ Your Majesty and your retinue accompany your servant?” כה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַא ְּל־ב ִני ַאל־ But the king answered Avshalom, “No, my son. We 25 ָנא ֵנ ֵל ְך ֻּכ ָּל ּנו ְולֹא ִנ ְכ ַּבד ָע ֶל ָיך ַוִּי ְפָר ּץ־בוֹ must not all come, or we’ll be a burden to you.” He ְו ָלֹא־א ָבה ָל ֶל ֶכת ַוְי ָבֲר ֵכ ּהו׃ -urged him, but he would not go, and he said good bye to him. כו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָולֹא ֵי ֶל ְך ָ־נא ִא ָּת ּנו ThereuponAvshalom said, “In that case, let my 26 ַא ְמנוֹן ָא ִחי ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָל ָּמה ֵי ֵל ְך brother Amnon come with us,” to which the king ִע ָּמ ְך׃ ”.replied, “He shall not go with you כז ַוִּי ְפָר ּץ־בוֹ ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ִא ּתוֹ ֶאת־ But Avshalom urged him, and he sent with him 27 ַא ְמנוֹן ְו ֵאת ָּכ ְּל־ב ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ .Amnon and all the other princes כח ַוְי ַצו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ְת־נ ָעָריו ֵלאמֹר ְר ּאו ָנא :Now Avshalom gave his attendants these orders 28 ְּכטוֹב ֵל ַב־א ְמנוֹן ַּבַּיִין ְו ָא ַמְר ִּתי ֲא ֵל ֶיכם Watch, and when Amnon is merry with wine and“ ַה ּכ ּו ֶא ַת־א ְמנוֹן ַו ֲה ִמ ֶּתם אֹתוֹ ַא ִּל־ת ָיר ּאו I tell you to strike down Amnon, kill him! Don’t be ֲהלוֹא ִּכי ָא ִנֹכי ִצִּו ִיתי ֶא ְת ֶכם ִחְז ּקו ִו ְה ּיו afraid, for it is I who give you the order. Act with ִל ְב ֵנ ָי־חִיל׃ ”!determination, like brave men כט ַוַּי ֲע ּשׂו ַנ ֲעֵרי ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְל ַא ְמנוֹן ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Avshalom’s attendants did toAmnon as Avshalom 29 ִצָּוה ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַוָּי ֻק ּמו ָּכ ְּל־ב ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך had ordered; whereupon all the other princes ַוִּיְר ְּכ ּבו ִאישׁ ַע ִּל־פְר ּדוֹ ַוָּי ֻנ ּסו׃ .mounted their mules and fled

13:21 When King David heard about all this, he was Leviticus, chapters 18 and 20). In addition to the spiritual greatly upset One of the Bible’s many gifts to the world benefits of these laws, they serve to protect women is its emphasis on sexual morality. Hashem commands from physical and sexual abuse. Therefore, the debased the observance of strict standards that elevate sexuality actions of Amnon are a violation of every biblical norm from mere physicality to the realm of holiness (see and greatly anger his father, King David.

129 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

ל ַוְי ִהי ֵה ָּמה ַב ֶ ּדֶר ְך ְו ַהשְּׁ ֻמ ָעה ָב ָאה ֶאל־ They were still on the road when a rumor reached 30 ָ ּדִוד ֵלאמֹר ִה ָּכה ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ָּת־כ ְּל־ב ֵני David that Avshalom had killed all the princes, and ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ַלֹא־נוֹתר ֵמ ֶהם ֶא ָחד׃ .that not one of them had survived לא ַוָּי ָקם ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוִּי ְקַרע ֶא ְּת־ב ָג ָדיו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּכב At this, David rent his garment and lay down on 31 ָאְר ָצה ְו ָכ ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ִנ ָּצ ִבים ְקֻר ֵעי ְב ָג ִדים׃ the ground, and all his courtiers stood by with their clothes rent. לב ַוַּי ַען ָיוֹנ ָדב ֶּבן־שׁ ִ ְמ ָעה ֲא ִח ָי־דִוד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ,But Yonadav, the son of David’s brother Shimah 32 ַא ַל־יֹאמר ֲא ִדֹני ֵאת ָּכ ַל־ה ְנּ ָעִרים ְּב ֵני־ said, “My lord must not think that all the young

Samuel ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵה ִמ ּיתו ִּכ ַי־א ְמנוֹן ְל ַב ּדוֹ ֵמת princes have been killed. Only Amnon is dead; for ִּכ ַי־ע ִּל־פי ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָהְי ָתה ּשׂו ָמה ִמ ּיוֹם this has been decided by Avshalom ever since his ַענֹּתוֹ ֵאת ָּת ָמר ֲאחֹתוֹ׃ .sister Tamar was violated לג ְו ַע ָּתה ַא ָל־י ֵשׂם ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ִל־ל ּבוֹ So my lord the king must not think for a moment 33 ָ ּד ָבר ֵלאמֹר ָּכ ְּל־ב ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵמ ּתו ִּכ ִי־אם־ ”.that all the princes are dead; Amnon alone is dead ַא ְמנוֹן ְל ַב ּדוֹ ֵמת׃ לד ַוִּי ְבַרח ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַוִּי ָּשׂא ַה ַנּ ַער ַה ּצ ֶֹפה Meanwhile Avshalom had fled. The watchman on 34 ֶאת־עינו ֵ]ע ָיניו[ ַוַּיְרא ְו ִה ֵנּה ַע ַם־רב duty looked up and saw a large crowd coming from ְהֹל ִכים ִמ ֶ ּדֶר ְך ַא ֲחָריו ִמ ַּצד ָה ָהר׃ .the road to his rear, from the side of the hill לה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹנ ָדב ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִה ֵנּה ְב ֵנ ַי־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך Yonadav said to the king, “See, the princes have 35 ָּב ּאו ִּכ ְד ַבר ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֵּכן ָהָיה׃ ”.come! It is just as your servant said לו ַוְי ִהי ְּכ ַכ ּלֹתוֹ ְל ַד ֵּבר ְו ִה ֵנּה ְב ֵנ ַי־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָּב ּאו As he finished speaking, the princes came in and 36 ַוִּי ְשׂ ּאו ָקוֹלם ַוִּי ְב ּכ ּו ְו ַג ַם־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָכל־ broke into weeping; and David and all his courtiers ֲע ָב ָדיו ָּב ּכו ְּב ִכי ָּגדוֹל ְמאֹד׃ .wept bitterly, too לז ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָּבַרח ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ַּל־ת ְל ַמי ֶּבן־ Avshalom had fled, and he came to Talmai son 37 עמיחור ַ]ע ִּמ ּיהוד[ ֶמ ֶל ְך ְּגשׁ ּור ַוִּי ְת ַא ֵּבל [of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And [King David ַע ְּל־בנוֹ ָּכ ַל־הָּי ִמים׃ .mourned over his son a long time לח ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָּבַרח ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ְּגשׁ ּור ַוְי ִהי־שׁ ָ ם Avshalom, who had fled to Geshur, remained there 38 שׁ ָ ל ֹ שׁ שׁ ָ ִ נ י ם ׃ .three years לט ַו ְּת ַכל ָ ּדִוד ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָל ֵצאת ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם And King David was pining away for Avshalom, for 39 ִּכ ִי־נ ַחם ַע ַל־א ְמנוֹן ִּכ ֵי־מת׃ .the king] had gotten overAmnon ’s death] א ַוֵּי ַדע ָיוֹאב ֶּב ְן־צֻרָיה ִּכ ֵי־לב ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַעל־ Yoav son of Tzeruya could see that the king’s mind 1 14 יד ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ ;was on Avshalom ב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָיוֹאב ְּת ָקוֹעה ַוִּי ַּקח ִמשָּׁ ם ִאשָּׁ ה so Yoav sent to Tekoa and brought a clever woman 2 ֲח ָכ ָמה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ֶל ָיה ִה ְת ַא ְּב ִל ָי־נא from there. He said to her, “Pretend you are in ְו ִל ְבשׁ ִ ָי־נא ִב ְג ֵד ֵי־א ֶבל ְו ַא ָּל־ת ּסו ִכי שׁ ֶ ֶמן mourning; put on mourning clothes and don’t ְו ָהִיית ְּכ ִאשָּׁ ה ֶזה ָי ִמים ַר ִּבים ִמ ְת ַא ֶּב ֶלת anoint yourself with oil; and act like a woman who ַע ֵל־מת׃ .has grieved a long time over a departed one va-yish-LAKH yo-AV t’-KO-ah va-yi-KAKH mi-SHAM i-SHAH kha-kha-MAH va- YO-mer ay-LE-ha hit-a-b’-lee NA v’-liv-shee NA vig-day AY-vel v’-al ta-SU-khee SHE- men v’-ha-YEET k’-i-SHAH ZEH ya-MEEM ra-BEEM mit-a-BE-let al MAYT

14:2 So Yoav sent to Tekoa According to Rashi, abundance of both olive oil and wisdom. Today, the the biblical town of Tekoa, located near both modern community of Tekoa is an important part of the Yerushalayim and Chevron, was well known for its Gush Etzion region of Judea. It is home to over 750 Ariel view of Tekoa

130 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

ג ּו ָבאת ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ִד ַּבְר ְּת ֵא ָליו ַּכ ָ ּד ָבר Go to the king and say to him thus and thus.” And 3 ַהֶ ּזה ַוָּי ֶשׂם ָיוֹאב ֶא ַת־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ְּב ִפ ָיה׃ .Yoav told her what to say ד ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַה ְּת ִקֹעית ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך The woman ofTekoa came to the king, flung herself 4 ַו ִּת ּפֹל ַע ַל־א ֶּפ ָיה ַאְר ָצה ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ָּת ּחו .face down to the ground, and prostrated herself ַו ּת ֶֹאמר הוֹשׁ ִ ָעה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”!She cried out, “Help, O king ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמ ָר־ל ּה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַמ ָּה־ל ְך ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ֲא ָבל The king asked her, “What troubles you?” And she 5 ִאשָּׁ ַה־א ְל ָמ ָנה ָא ִני ַוָּי ָמת ִאישׁ ִ י׃ .answered, “Alas, I am a widow, my husband is dead

ו ּו ְלשׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך שׁ ְ ֵני ָב ִנים ַוִּי ָנּ ּצו שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם Samuel 6 Your maidservant had two sons. The two of them ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה ְו ֵאין ַמ ִּציל ֵּב ֵינ ֶיהם ַוַּי ּכוֹ ָה ֶא ָחד came to blows out in the fields where there was no ֶא ָת־ה ֶא ָחד ַוָּי ֶמת אֹתוֹ׃ one to stop them, and one of them struck the other and killed him. ז ְו ִה ֵנּה ָק ָמה ָכ ַל־ה ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפ ָחה ַעל־שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ֶת ָך Then the whole clan confronted your maidservant 7 ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ְּת ִני ֶא ַת־מ ֵּכה ָא ִחיו ּו ְנ ִמ ֵת ּהו and said, ‘Hand over the one who killed his ְּב ֶנ ֶפשׁ ָא ִחיו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהָרג ְו ַנשׁ ְ ִמ ָידה ַּגם brother, that we may put him to death for the ֶא ַת־ה ּי ֵוֹרשׁ ְו ִכ ּב ּו ֶא ַּת־ג ַח ְל ִּתי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר slaying of his brother, even though we wipe out ִנשׁ ְ ָאָרה ְל ִב ְל ִּתי ִשום־]שׂים־[ ְל ִאישׁ ִ י the heir.’ Thus they would quench the last ember שׁ ֵ ם ּושׁ ְ ֵאִרית ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ָה ֲא ָד ָמה׃ remaining to me, and leave my husband without name or remnant upon the earth.” ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָל־ה ִאשָּׁ ה ְל ִכי ְל ֵב ֵית ְך The king said to the woman, “Go home. I will issue 8 ַו ֲא ִני ֲא ַצֶּוה ָע ָלִי ְך׃ ”.an order in your behalf ט ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַה ְּת ִקוֹעית ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך And the woman of Tekoa said to the king, “My lord 9 ָע ַלי ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶה ָעוׂן ְו ַע ֵּל־בית ָא ִבי king, may the guilt be on me and on my ancestral ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ִכ ְסאוֹ ָנ ִקי׃ ”.house; Your Majesty and his throne are guiltless י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ְמ ַד ֵּבר ֵא ַלִי ְך ַו ֲה ֵבאתוֹ The king said, “If anyone says anything more to 10 ֵא ַלי ְו ִלֹא־יֹסיף עוֹד ָל ַג ַעת ָּב ְך׃ you, have him brought to me, and he will never trouble you again.” יא ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ִיְז ָּכ ָר־נא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה She replied, “Let Your Majesty be mindful of 11 ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך מהרבית ֵ]מ ַהְר ַּבת[ ּג ֵֹאל ַה ָ ּדם Hashem your God and restrain the blood avenger ְלשׁ ַ ֵחת ְולֹא ַישׁ ְ ִמ ּידו ֶא ְּת־ב ִני ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַחי־ bent on destruction, so that my son may not be ְי ָהֹוה ִא ִם־י ּפֹל ִמ ַּשׂ ֲעַרת ְּב ֵנ ְך ָאְר ָצה׃ killed.” And he said, “As Hashem lives, not a hair of your son shall fall to the ground.” יב ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ְּת ַד ֶּב ָר־נא שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך ֶאל־ Then the woman said, “Please let your maidservant 12 ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּד ָבר ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַ ּד ֵּבִרי׃ ”,say another word to my lord the king.” “Speak on said the king.

Jewish families, and is known throughout Israel as a known for its efforts to forge peaceful ties with community where Orthodox and secular Jews live neighboring Arab villages. together in mutual respect and harmony. It is also

131 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

יג ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ְו ָל ָּמה ָחשׁ ַ ְב ָּתה ָּכזֹאת And the woman said, “Why then have you planned 13 ַע ַל־עם ֱא ִלֹהים ּו ִמ ַ ּד ֵּבר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ָ ּד ָבר the like against Hashem’s people? In making this ַהֶ ּזה ְּכ ָאשׁ ֵ ם ְל ִב ְל ִּתי ָהשׁ ִ יב ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶאת־ pronouncement, Your Majesty condemns himself ִנ ְ ּדחוֹ ׃ in that Your Majesty does not bring back his own banished one. יד ִּכי־מוֹת ָנ ּמות ְו ַכ ַּמִים ַה ִנּ ָּגִרים ַאְר ָצה We must all die; we are like water that is poured out 14 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר לֹא ֵי ָא ֵס ּפו ְו ִלֹא־י ָּשׂא ֱא ִלֹהים ֶנ ֶפשׁ on the ground and cannot be gathered up. Hashem ְו ָחשׁ ַ ב ַמ ֲחשׁ ָ בוֹת ְל ִב ְל ִּתי ִי ַ ּדח ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו ִנ ָ ּדח׃ will not take away the life of one who makes plans so that no one may be kept banished. Samuel טו ְו ַע ָּתה ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ִאתי ְל ַד ֵּבר ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך And the reason I have come to say these things to 15 ֲא ִדֹני ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ִּכי ֵיְר ֻא ִני ָה ָעם the king, my lord, is that the people have frightened ַו ּת ֶֹאמר שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך ֲא ַד ְּבָר ָה־נּא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך me. Your maidservant thought I would speak to ּאו ַלי ַי ֲע ֶשׂה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַבר ֲא ָמתוֹ׃ Your Majesty; perhaps Your Majesty would act on his handmaid’s plea. טז ִּכי ִישׁ ְ ַמע ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ַה ִּציל ֶא ֲת־א ָמתוֹ ִמ ַּכף For Your Majesty would surely agree to deliver his 16 ָה ִאישׁ ְל ַהשׁ ְ ִמיד ִאֹתי ְו ֶא ְּת־ב ִני ַי ַחד handmaid from the hands of anyone [who would ִמ ַנּ ֲח ַלת ֱא ִלֹהים׃ seek to] cut off both me and my son from the heritage of Hashem. יז ַו ּת ֶֹאמר שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך ִי ְהֶי ָה־נּא ְ ּד ַב ֲר־א ִדֹני Your maidservant thought, ‘Let the word of my 17 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִל ְמ ּנו ָחה ִּכי ְּכ ַמ ְל ַא ְך ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ֵּכן lord the king provide comfort; for my lord the ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִלשׁ ְ ַמֹע ַה ּטוֹב ְו ָהָרע ַו ָיהֹוה king is like an angel of Hashem, understanding ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ְי ִהי ִע ָּמ ְך׃ everything, good and bad.’ May Hashem your God be with you.” יח ַוַּי ַען ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ָל־ה ִאשָּׁ ה ַא ָל־נא In reply, the king said to the woman, “Do not 18 ְת ַכ ֲח ִדי ִמ ֶּמ ִנּי ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹאל withhold from me anything I ask you!” The woman ָאֹת ְך ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ְי ַד ֶּב ָר־נא ֲא ִדֹני ”.answered, “Let my lord the king speak ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃

יט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲהַיד ָיוֹאב ִא ָּת ְך ְּב ָכל־זֹאת The king asked, “IsYoav in league with you in all 19 ַו ַּת ַען ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ֵח ַי־נ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ֲא ִדֹני this?” The woman replied, “As you live, my lord the ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִא ִם־אשׁ ְל ֵה ִמין ּו ְל ַה ְשׂ ִמיל ִמ ּכֹל king, it is just as my lord the king says. Yes, your ֲאשׁ ֶ ִ ּר־ד ֶּבר ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכ ַי־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך ָיוֹאב servant Yoav was the one who instructed me, and it ּהוא ִצָּו ִני ְו ּהוא ָשׂם ְּב ִפי שׁ ִ ְפ ָח ְת ָך ֵאת was he who told your maidservant everything she ָּכ ַל־ה ְ ּד ָבִרים ָה ֵא ֶּלה׃ .was to say

כ ְל ַב ֲע ּבור ַס ֵּבב ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ַה ָ ּד ָבר ָע ָשׂה It was to conceal the real purpose of the matter that 20 ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ָיוֹאב ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ַו ִאדֹני ָח ָכם your servant Yoav did this thing. My lord is as wise ְּכ ָח ְכ ַמת ַמ ְל ַא ְך ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ָל ַד ַעת ֶאת־ as an angel of Hashem, and he knows all that goes ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר ָּב ָאֶרץ׃ ”.on in the land

כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ִה ֵנּ ָה־נא ָע ִשׂ ִיתי Then the king said toYoav , “I will do this thing. Go 21 ֶא ַת־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ְו ֵל ְך ָהשׁ ֵ ב ֶא ַת־ה ַנּ ַער ”.and bring back my boy Avshalom ֶא ַת־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃

132 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק די Chapter 14

כב ַוִּי ּפֹל ָיוֹאב ֶא ָּל־פ ָניו ַאְר ָצה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו Yoav flung himself face down on the ground and 22 ַוְי ָבֶר ְך ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ַה ּיוֹם ,prostrated himself. Yoav blessed the king and said ָי ַדע ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִּכ ָי־מ ָצ ִאתי ֵחן ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ֲא ִדֹני Today your servant knows that he has found“ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ָשׂה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ְ ּת־ד ַבר favor with you, my lord king, for Your Majesty has עבדו ַ]ע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃[ ”.granted his servant’s request כג ַוָּי ָקם ָיוֹאב ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ְּגשׁ ּוָרה ַוָּי ֵבא ֶאת־ And Yoav went at once to Geshur and brought 23 ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ .Avshalom to Yerushalayim כד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִי ּסֹב ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ּו ָפ ַני לֹא But the king said, “Let him go directly to his house 24 ִיְר ֶאה ַוִּי ּסֹב ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ּו ְפ ֵני Samuel and not present himself to me.” So Avshalom went ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך לֹא ָר ָאה׃ directly to his house and did not present himself to the king. כה ּו ְכ ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָלֹא־הָיה ִאישׁ ָ־י ֶפה ְּב ָכל־ No one in all Yisrael was so admired for his beauty 25 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְל ַה ֵּלל ְמאֹד ִמ ַּכף ַר ְגלוֹ ְו ַעד as Avshalom; from the sole of his foot to the crown ָק ְד ֳקדוֹ ָלֹא־הָיה בוֹ ּמום׃ .of his head he was without blemish כו ּו ְב ַג ְּלחוֹ ֶאת־רֹאשׁ וֹ ְו ָהָיה ִמ ֵּקץ ָי ִמים When he cut his hair—he had to have it cut every 26 ַלָּי ִמים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְי ַג ֵּל ַח ִּכ ָי־כ ֵבד ָע ָליו ְו ִג ְּלחוֹ year, for it grew too heavy for him—the hair of his ְושׁ ָ ַקל ֶא ְת־שׂ ַער רֹאשׁ וֹ ָמ ַאתִים שׁ ְ ָק ִלים head weighed two hundred shekalim by the royal ְּב ֶא ֶבן ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ .weight כז ַוִּיָּו ְל ּדו ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם שׁ ְ לוֹשׁ ָ ה ָב ִנים ּו ַבת Avshalom had three sons and a daughter whose 27 ַא ַחת ּושׁ ְ ָמ ּה ָּת ָמר ִהיא ָהְי ָתה ִאשָּׁ ה .name was Tamar; she was a beautiful woman ְי ַפת ַמְר ֶאה׃ כח ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם שׁ ְ ָנ ַתִים ָי ִמים Avshalom lived in Yerushalayim two years without 28 ּו ְפ ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך לֹא ָר ָאה׃ .appearing before the king כט ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ִלשׁ ְ ַלֹח אֹתוֹ ThenAvshalom sent for Yoav, in order to send him 29 ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְולֹא ָא ָבה ָלבוֹא ֵא ָליו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח to the king; but Yoav would not come to him. He עוֹד שׁ ֵ ִנית ְולֹא ָא ָבה ָלבוֹא׃ .sent for him a second time, but he would not come ל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ְר ּאו ֶח ְל ַקת ָיוֹאב So [Avshalom] said to his servants, “Look, Yoav’s 30 ֶא ָל־י ִדי ְולוֹ־שׁ ָ ם ְשׂ ִעֹרים ְל ּכו והוצתיה field is next to mine, and he has barley there. Go ְ]ו ַה ִּצ ּיתו ָה[ ָב ֵאשׁ ַוַּי ִּצ ּתו ַע ְב ֵדי ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם and set it on fire.” AndAvshalom ’s servants set the ֶא ַת־ה ֶח ְל ָקה ָּב ֵאשׁ ׃ .field on fire לא ַוָּי ָקם ָיוֹאב ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַה ָּבְי ָתה Yoav came at once to Avshalom’s house and said to 31 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ָל ָּמה ִה ִּצ ּיתו ֲע ָב ֶד ָך ֶאת־ ”?him, “Why did your servants set fire to my field ַה ֶח ְל ָקה ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־לי ָּב ֵאשׁ ׃ לב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ִה ֵנּה שׁ ָ ַל ְח ִּתי Avshalom replied to Yoav, “I sent for you to come 32 ֵא ֶל ָיך ֵלאמֹר ּבֹא ֵה ָנּה ְו ֶאשׁ ְ ְל ָחה ְאֹת ָך here; I wanted to send you to the king to say [on ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵלאמֹר ָל ָּמה ָּב ִאתי ִמ ְּגשׁ ּור my behalf]: ‘Why did I leave Geshur? I would be טוֹב ִלי עֹד ֲא ִני־שׁ ָ ם ְו ַע ָּתה ֶאְר ֶאה ְּפ ֵני better off if I were still there. Now let me appear ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ִא ֶם־ישׁ ִּ־בי ָעוׂן ֶו ֱה ִמ ָת ִני׃ before the king; and if I am guilty of anything, let him put me to death!’” לג ַוָּיבֹא ָיוֹאב ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוַּי ֶּגד־לוֹ ַוִּי ְקָרא ;Yoav went to the king and reported to him 33 ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַוָּיבֹא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו whereupon he summoned Avshalom. He came to לוֹ ַע ַל־א ָּפיו ַאְר ָצה ִל ְפ ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוִּישַּׁ ק the king and flung himself face down to the ground ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ .before the king. And the king kissed Avshalom

133 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק וט Chapter 15

א ַוְי ִהי ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ֵכן ַוַּי ַעשׂ לוֹ ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם Sometime afterward,Avshalom provided himself 1 15 טו ֶמְר ָּכ ָבה ְו ֻס ִסים ַו ֲח ִמשִּׁ ים ִאישׁ ָר ִצים .with a chariot, horses, and fifty outrunners ְל ָפ ָניו׃ ב ְו ִהשׁ ְ ִּכים ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְו ָע ַמד ַע ַל־יד ֶ ּדֶר ְך Avshalom used to rise early and stand by the road 2 ַהשָּׁ ַער ַוְי ִהי ָּכ ָל־ה ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־י ְהֶי ּה־לוֹ־ to the city gates; and whenever a man had a case ִריב ָלבוֹא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַל ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפט ַוִּי ְקָרא ,that was to come before the king for judgment ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֵא ָליו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ִי־מֶ ּזה ִעיר Avshalom would call out to him, “What town are ַא ָּתה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵמ ַא ַחד שׁ ִ ְב ֵט ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל you from?” And when he answered, “Your servant Samuel ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ ”,is from such and such a tribe in Yisrael ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָליו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְר ֵאה ְד ָבֶר ָך Avshalom would say to him, “It is clear that your 3 ִטוֹבים ּו ְנ ִכֹחים ְושׁ ֵֹמ ַע ֵא ְין־ל ָך ֵמ ֵאת claim is right and just, but there is no one assigned ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.to you by the king to hear it ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ִמ ְי־י ִשׂ ֵמ ִני שׁ ֵֹפט ָּב ָאֶרץ And Avshalom went on, “If only I were appointed 4 ְו ָע ַלי ָיבוֹא ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־י ְהֶי ּה־ל ִוֹ־ריב judge in the land and everyone with a legal dispute ּו ִמשׁ ְ ָּפט ְו ִה ְצ ַ ּד ְק ִּתיו׃ ”.came before me, I would see that he got his rights ה ְו ָהָיה ִּב ְקָר ִב־אישׁ ְל ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחוׂת לוֹ ְושׁ ָ ַלח ,And if a man approached to bow to him 5 ֶא ָת־ידוֹ ְו ֶה ֱחִזיק לוֹ ְו ָנשׁ ַ ק לוֹ׃ Avshalom] would extend his hand and take hold of] him and kiss him. ו ַוַּי ַעשׂ ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַּכ ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ְל ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Avshalom did this to every Israelite who came to 6 ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־י ּבֹאו ַל ִּמשׁ ְ ָּפט ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוְי ַג ֵנּב the king for judgment. ThusAvshalom won away ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ֵת־לב ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .the hearts of the men of Yisrael ז ַוְי ִהי ִמ ֵּקץ ַאְר ָּב ִעים שׁ ָ ָנה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר After a period of forty years had gone by,Avshalom 7 ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵא ֲל ָכה ָנּא ַו ֲאשׁ ַ ֵּלם said to the king, “Let me go to Chevron and fulfill a ֶא ִת־נ ְדִרי ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־נ ַדְר ִּתי ַל ָיהֹוה ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן׃ .vow that I made to Hashem ח ִּכ ֵי־נ ֶדר ָנ ַדר ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ְּבשׁ ִ ְב ִּתי ִב ְגשׁ ּור For your servant made a vow when I lived in 8 ַּב ֲאָרם ֵלאמֹר ִאם־ישיב ָ]ישׁ וֹב[ ְישׁ ִ ֵיב ִני Geshur of Aram: If Hashem ever brings me back to ְי ָהֹוה ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִַלם ְו ָע ַב ְד ִּתי ֶא ְת־י ָהֹוה׃ ”.Yerushalayim, I will worship Hashem ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר־לוֹ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵל ְך ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַוָּי ָקם ַוֵּי ֶל ְך The king said to him, “Go in peace”; and so he set 9 ֶח ְב ָרוֹנה׃ .out for Chevron י ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְמַר ְּג ִלים ְּב ָכל־שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי But Avshalom sent agents to all the tribes of Yisrael 10 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵלאמֹר ְּכשׁ ָ ְמ ֲע ֶכם ֶאת־קוֹל ,to say, “When you hear the blast of the horn ַהשּׁ ָֹפר ַו ֲא ַמְר ֶּתם ָמ ַל ְך ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם announce that Avshalom has become king in ְּב ֶח ְברוֹן׃ ”.Chevron יא ְו ֶא ַת־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָה ְל ּכו ָמ ַאתִים ִאישׁ Two hundred men of Yerushalayim accompanied 11 ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם ְקֻר ִאים ְו ְהֹל ִכים ְל ֻת ָּמם ְולֹא ,Avshalom; they were invited and went in good faith ָי ְד ּעו ָּכ ָ ּל־ד ָבר׃ .suspecting nothing יב ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ֲת־א ִח ֶיתֹפל ַה ִּג ִילֹני ,Avshalom also sent [to fetch] Achitofel the Gilonite 12 ֵיוֹעץ ָ ּדִוד ֵמ ִעירוֹ ִמ ִּגלֹה ְּבָז ְבחוֹ ֶאת־ David’s counselor, from his town, Giloh, when the ַהְ ּז ָב ִחים ַוְי ִהי ַה ֶּקשׁ ֶ ר ַא ִּמץ ְו ָה ָעם ֵהוֹל ְך sacrifices were to be offered. The conspiracy gained ָוָרב ֶא ַת־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ strength, and the people supported Avshalom in increasing numbers.

134 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק וט Chapter 15

יג ַוָּיבֹא ַה ַּמ ִּגיד ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ֵלאמֹר ָהָיה ֶלב־ Someone came and told David, “The loyalty of the 13 ִאישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ֲחֵרי ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ ”.men of Yisrael has veered toward Avshalom יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ְל ָכ ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ Whereupon David said to all the courtiers who 14 ִב ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם ּקו ּמו ְו ִנ ְבָר ָחה ִּכי ִלֹא־ת ְהֶיה־ ,were with him in Yerushalayim, “Let us flee at once ָּל ּנו ְפ ֵל ָיטה ִמ ְּפ ֵני ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַמ ֲה ּרו ָל ֶל ֶכת or none of us will escape from Avshalom. We must ֶּפ ְן־י ַמ ֵהר ְו ִה ִּשׂ ָג ּנו ְו ִה ִ ּד ַיח ָע ֵל ּינו ֶאת־ get away quickly, or he will soon overtake us and ָהָר ָעה ְו ִה ָּכה ָה ִעיר ְל ִפ ָי־חֶרב׃ bring down disaster upon us and put the city to the sword.” Samuel טו ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַע ְב ֵד ַי־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּככֹל The king’s courtiers said to the king, “Whatever 15 ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־י ְב ַחר ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִה ֵנּה ֲע ָב ֶד ָיך׃ ”.our lord the king decides, your servants are ready טז ַוֵּי ֵצא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָכ ֵּל־ביתוֹ ְּבַר ְג ָליו ַוַּי ֲעזֹב ,So the king left, followed by his entire household 16 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵאת ֶע ֶשׂר ָנשׁ ִ ים ִּפ ַל ְגשׁ ִ ים ִלשׁ ְ מֹר except for ten concubines whom the king left to ַה ָּבִית׃ .mind the palace יז ַוֵּי ֵצא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְּבַר ְג ָליו ַוַּי ַע ְמ ּדו The king left, followed by all the people, and they 17 ֵּבית ַה ֶּמְר ָחק׃ .stopped at the last house יח ְו ָכ ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ְעֹבִרים ַע ָל־ידוֹ ְו ָכ ַל־ה ְּכֵר ִתי All his followers marched past him, including all 18 ְו ָכ ַל־ה ְּפ ֵל ִתי ְו ָכ ַל־ה ִּג ִּתים שׁ ֵ שׁ ֵ־מאוֹת the Cherethites and all the Pelethites; and all the ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ּאו ְבַר ְגלוֹ ִמ ַּגת ְעֹבִרים ַעל־ Gittites, six hundred men who had accompanied ְּפ ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ .him from Gath, also marched by the king יט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ִל־א ַּתי ַה ִּג ִּתי ָל ָּמה ֵת ֵל ְך And the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why should 19 ַּג ַם־א ָּתה ִא ָּת ּנו שׁ ּוב ְושׁ ֵ ב ִע ַם־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי־ you too go with us? Go back and stay with the ָנ ְכִרי ַא ָּתה ְו ַג ּם־ג ֶֹלה ַא ָּתה ִל ְמ ֶקוֹמ ָך׃ new] king, for you are a foreigner and you are also] an exile from your country. כ ְּתמוֹל ּב ֶוֹא ָך ְו ַה ּיוֹם אנועך ֲ]א ִנ ֲיע ָך[ You came only yesterday; should I make you 20 ִע ָּמ ּנו ָל ֶל ֶכת ַו ֲא ִני ֵהוֹל ְך ַעל ֲאשׁ ֶ ֲר־א ִני wander about with us today, when I myself must go ֵהוֹל ְך שׁ ּוב ְו ָהשׁ ֵ ב ֶא ַת־א ֶח ָיך ִע ָּמ ְך ֶח ֶסד wherever I can? Go back, and take your kinsmen ֶו ֱא ֶמת׃ ”.with you, [in] true faithfulness כא ַוַּי ַען ִא ַּתי ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ַֹאמר ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה Ittai replied to the king, “AsHashem lives and as my 21 ְו ֵחי ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי ִא ִּם־ב ְמקוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may ִי ְהֶיה־שָּׁ ם ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִא ְם־ל ָמֶות ִאם־ be, there your servant will be, whether for death or ְל ַחִּיים ִּכי־שׁ ָ ם ִי ְהֶיה ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ ”!for life כב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ִל־א ַּתי ֵל ְך ַו ֲעבֹר ַוַּי ֲעבֹר And David said to Ittai, “Then march by.” And Ittai 22 ִא ַּתי ַה ִּג ִּתי ְו ָכ ֲל־א ָנשׁ ָ יו ְו ָכ ַל־ה ַּטף ֲאשׁ ֶ ר the Gittite and all his men and all the children who ִא ּתוֹ ׃ .were with him marched by כג ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ּב ִוֹכים קוֹל ָּגדוֹל ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם The whole countryside wept aloud as the troops 23 ְעֹבִרים ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵעֹבר ְּב ַנ ַחל ִק ְדרוֹן ְו ָכל־ ,marched by. The king crossed the Kidron Valley ָה ָעם ְעֹבִרים ַע ְּל־פ ֵנ ֶי־דֶר ְך ֶא ַת־ה ִּמ ְד ָּבר׃ and all the troops crossed by the road to the wilderness. כד ְו ִה ֵנּה ַג ָם־צדוֹק ְו ָכ ַל־ה ְלִוִּים ִא ּתוֹ ְנֹשׂ ִאים ThenTzadok appeared, with all the Leviim carrying 24 ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ְּבִרית ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַוַּי ִּצ ּקו ֶאת־ the Aron Brit Hashem; and they set down the ֲארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַוַּי ַעל ֶא ְבָי ָתר ַע ּד־תֹם Aron of Hashem until all the people had finished ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ַל ֲעבוֹר ִמ ָן־ה ִעיר׃ .marching out of the city. Evyatar also came up

135 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק וט Chapter 15

כה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ָצדוֹק ָהשׁ ֵ ב ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן But the king said to Tzadok, “Take the Aron 25 ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ָה ִעיר ִא ֶם־א ְמ ָצא ֵחן ְּב ֵע ֵיני of Hashem back to the city. If I find favor with ְי ָהֹוה ֶו ֱהשׁ ִ ַב ִני ְו ִהְר ַא ִני אֹתוֹ ְו ֶא ָת־נֵו ּהו׃ Hashem, He will bring me back and let me see it and its abode. כו ְו ִאם ּכֹה ַיֹאמר לֹא ָח ַפ ְצ ִּתי ָּב ְך ִה ְנ ִני And if He should say, ‘I do not want you,’ I am 26 ַי ֲע ֶשׂ ִּה־לי ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר טוֹב ְּב ֵע ָיניו׃ ”.ready; let Him do with me as He pleases כז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָל־צדוֹק ַה ּכ ֵֹהן ֲה ֶרוֹאה And the king said to the Kohen Tzadok, “Do you 27 ַא ָּתה שׁ ֻ ָבה ָה ִעיר ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַו ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ understand? You return to the safety of the city Samuel ִּב ְנ ָך ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ֶּב ֶן־א ְבָי ָתר שׁ ְ ֵני ְב ֵנ ֶיכם with your two sons, your own son Ahimaaz and ִא ְּת ֶכם׃ .Evyatar’s son Yehonatan כח ְר ּאו ָא ִנֹכי ִמ ְת ַמ ְה ֵמ ַּה בעברות Look, I shall linger in the steppes of the wilderness 28 ְּ]ב ַעְרבוֹת[ ַה ִּמ ְד ָּבר ַעד ּבוֹא ָד ָבר ”.until word comes from you to inform me ֵמ ִע ָּמ ֶכם ְל ַה ִּגיד ִלי׃ כט ַוָּישׁ ֶ ב ָצדוֹק ְו ֶא ְבָי ָתר ֶא ֲת־ארוֹן ָה ֱא ִלֹהים Tzadok and Evyatar brought the Aron of Hashem 29 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם ַוֵּישׁ ְ ּבו שׁ ָ ם׃ .back to Yerushalayim, and they stayed there ל ְו ָדִוד ֶעֹלה ְב ַמ ֲע ֵלה ַהֵ ּז ִיתים ֶעֹלה ּו ֶבוֹכה David meanwhile went up the slope of the [Mount 30 ְורֹאשׁ לוֹ ָח ּפוי ְו ּהוא ֵהֹל ְך ָי ֵחף ְו ָכל־ of] Olives, weeping as he went; his head was ָה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ָח ּפו ִאישׁ רֹאשׁ וֹ ְו ָע ּלו covered and he walked barefoot. And all the ָעלֹה ּו ָבכֹה׃ people who were with him covered their heads and wept as they went up. v’-da-VID o-LEH v’-ma-a-LAY ha-zay-TEEM o-LEH u-vo-KHEH v’-ROSH LO kha- FUY v’-HU ho-LAYKH ya-KHAYF v’-khol ha-AM a-sher i-TO kha-FU EESH ro-SHO v’-a-LU a-LOH u-va-KHOH לא ְו ָדִוד ִה ִּגיד ֵלאמֹר ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ַּב ּקֹשׁ ְ ִרים David [was] told that Achitofel was among the 31 ִע ַם־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַס ֶּכ ָל־נא ֶאת־ ,conspirators with Avshalom, and he prayed, “Please ֲע ַצת ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”!Hashem, frustrate Achitofel’s counsel לב ַוְי ִהי ָדִוד ָּבא ַע ָד־הרֹאשׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־ישׁ ְ ַּת ֲחֶוה When David reached the top, where people would 32 שׁ ָ ם ֵל ִאלֹהים ְו ִה ֵנּה ִל ְקָראתוֹ ּחושׁ ַ י prostrate themselves to Hashem, Hushai the ָה ַאְר ִּכי ָק ּרו ַע ֻּכ ָּת ְנ ּתוֹ ַו ֲא ָד ָמה ַעל־רֹאשׁ וֹ׃ Archite was there to meet him, with his robe torn and with earth on his head. לג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ָ ּדִוד ִאם ָע ַבְר ָּת ִא ִּתי ְו ָהִי ָת David said to him, “If you march on with me, you 33 ָע ַלי ְל ַמ ָּשׂא׃ .will be a burden to me

15:30 David meanwhile went up the slope of the most important Jewish cemetery in Israel, due to its [Mount of] Olives In distress, King David ascends proximity to the Temple Mount. In fact, there is a the tradition, based on a verse in Zecharya (14:4), that those ,(הר הזיתים) the Mount of Olives, Har HaZeitim mountain just east of the Temple Mount that later who are buried on Har HaZeitim will be the first to be becomes a very significant location for the Jewish resurrected in the times of Mashiah. Har HaZeitim gets people. During the time of the Beit Hamikdash, the red its name from the many olive trees that once grew there. heifer, whose ashes are needed for complete ritual According the Sages, the olive branch brought back to Mount of Olives purification, is to be slaughtered on Har HaZeitim, in Noach in the mouth of the dove was taken from an olive view of the Temple. Har HaZeitim is also home to the tree on Har HaZeitim.

136 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק זט Chapter 16

לד ְו ִא ָם־ה ִעיר ָּתשׁ ּוב ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ,But if you go back to the city and say to Avshalom 34 ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֲא ִני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ְהֶיה ֶע ֶבד ָא ִב ָיך ַו ֲא ִני I will be your servant, O king; I was your father’s‘ ֵמ ָאז ְו ַע ָּתה ַו ֲא ִני ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ְו ֵה ַפְר ָּתה ִלי ֵאת servant formerly, and now I will be yours,’ then you ֲע ַצת ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל׃ .can nullify Achitofel’s counsel for me לה ַו ֲהלוֹא ִע ְּמ ָך שׁ ָ ם ָצדוֹק ְו ֶא ְבָי ָתר ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים You will have the Kohanim Tzadok and Evyatar 35 ְו ָהָיה ָּכ ַל־ה ָ ּד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּתשׁ ְ ַמע ִמ ֵּבית there, and you can report everything that you hear ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַּת ִּגיד ְל ָצדוֹק ּו ְל ֶא ְבָי ָתר ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים׃ in the king’s palace to the Kohanim Tzadok and Evyatar. Samuel לו ִה ֵנּה־שׁ ָ ם ִע ָּמם שׁ ְ ֵני ְב ֵנ ֶיהם ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ Also, their two sons are there with them, Tzadok’s 36 ְל ָצדוֹק ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ְל ֶא ְבָי ָתר ּושׁ ְ ַל ְח ֶּתם son Ahimaaz and Evyatar’s son Yehonatan; and ְּבָי ָדם ֵא ַלי ָּכ ָ ּל־ד ָבר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּתשׁ ְ ָמ ּעו׃ through them you can report to me everything you hear.” לז ַוָּיבֹא ּחושׁ ַ י ֵר ֶעה ָדִוד ָה ִעיר ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם And so Hushai, the friend of David, reached the 37 ָיבֹא ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ .city as Avshalom was entering Yerushalayim א ְו ָדִוד ָע ַבר ְמ ַעט ֵמ ָהרֹאשׁ ְו ִה ֵנּה ִצ ָיבא David had passed a little beyond the summit when 1 16 טז ַנ ַער ְמ ִפי־בֹשׁ ֶ ת ִל ְקָראתוֹ ְו ֶצ ֶמד ֲח ִמֹרים Ziba the servant of Mefiboshet came toward him ֲח ֻבשׁ ִ ים ַו ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ָמ ַאתִים ֶל ֶחם ּו ֵמ ָאה with a pair of saddled asses carrying two hundred ִצ ּמ ּו ִקים ּו ֵמ ָאה ַקִיץ ְו ֵנ ֶבל ָיִין׃ loaves of bread, one hundred cakes of raisin, one hundred cakes of figs, and a jar of wine. ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ִל־צ ָיבא ָמ ֵה־א ֶּלה ָּל ְך The king asked Ziba, “What are you doing with 2 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִצ ָיבא ַה ֲח ִמוֹרים ְל ֵב ַית־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך these?” Ziba answered, “The asses are for Your ִלְר ּכֹב ולהלחם ְ]ו ַה ֶּל ֶחם[ ְו ַה ַּקִיץ ֶל ֱאכוֹל Majesty’s family to ride on, the bread and figs are ַה ְנּ ָעִרים ְו ַהַּיִין ִלשׁ ְ ּתוֹת ַהָּי ֵעף ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר׃ for the attendants to eat, and the wine is to be drunk by any who are exhausted in the wilderness.” ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ַאֵּיה ֶּב ֲן־א ֶדֹנ ָיך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר .And where is your master’s son?” the king asked“ 3 ִצ ָיבא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִה ֵנּה יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם He is staying in Yerushalayim,” Ziba replied to the“ ִּכי ָא ַמר ַה ּיוֹם ָישׁ ִ ּיבו ִלי ֵּבית ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל king, “for he thinks that the House of Yisrael will ֵאת ַמ ְמ ְל ּכות ָא ִבי׃ ”.now give him back the throne of his grandfather va-YO-mer ha-ME-lekh v’-a-YAY ben a-do-NE-kha va-YO-mer tzee-VA el ha-ME-lekh hi-NAY yo-SHAYV bee-ru-sha-LA-yim KEE a-MAR ha-YOM ya-SHEE-vu LEE BAYT yis-ra-AYL AYT mam-l’-KHUT a-VEE ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ִצ ָבא ִה ֵנּה ְל ָך ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר The king said to Ziba, “Then all that belongs to 4 ִל ְמ ִפי־בֹשׁ ֶ ת ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִצ ָיבא ִהשׁ ְ ַּת ֲחֵו ִיתי Mefiboshet is now yours!” And Ziba replied, “I bow ֶא ְמ ָצ ֵא־חן ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.low. Your Majesty is most gracious to me

16:3 He is staying in Yerushalayim Yerushalayim The prophet Yeshayahu (2:3) expresses this when he is to be both the political and spiritual capital of says, “For instruction shall come forth from Tzion, the Israel. It is to be the seat of the monarchy, from where word of Hashem from Yerushalayim.” Rabbi Abraham the king and his officers will rule the nation. But it is also Isaac Kook explained that the name Tzion refers to the to be the location of the Holy Temple and the Supreme political and national aspects of the city, while Thus, Yerusha Yerushalayim refers to its spiritual aspects. Both are .(סנהדרין) Court known as the Sanhedrin layim serves a double function, which allows the People essential elements of Yerushalayim; together, they allow of Israel to be a free and holy nation in the Land of Israel. the Jewish people to fulfill its holy mission.

137 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק זט Chapter 16

ה ּו ָבא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַע ַּד־ב ּחוִרים ְו ִה ֵנּה ִמשָּׁ ם As King David was approaching Bahurim, a 5 ִאישׁ ֵיוֹצא ִמ ִּמשׁ ְ ַּפ ַחת ֵּבית־שׁ ָ ּאול ּושׁ ְ מוֹ member of Shaul’s clan—a man named Shim’i son שׁ ִ ְמ ִעי ֶב ֵּן־גָרא ֵיֹצא ָיצוֹא ּו ְמ ַק ֵּלל׃ of Gera—came out from there, hurling insults as he came. ו ַוְי ַס ֵּקל ָּב ֲא ָב ִנים ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ְו ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ע ְב ֵדי He threw stones at David and all King David’s 6 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ְו ָכ ַל־ה ִּג ּבִֹרים courtiers, while all the troops and all the warriors ִמ ִימינוֹ ּו ִמ ְּשׂמֹאלוֹ׃ .were at his right and his left ז ְו ָכֹה־א ַמר שׁ ִ ְמ ִעי ְּב ַק ְללוֹ ֵצא ֵצא ִאישׁ And these are the insults that Shim’i hurled: “Get 7 Samuel ַה ָ ּד ִמים ְו ִאישׁ ַה ְּב ִלָּי ַעל׃ !out, get out, you criminal, you villain ח ֵהשׁ ִ יב ָע ֶל ָיך ְי ָהֹוה ּכֹל ְ ּד ֵמי ֵבית־שׁ ָ ּאול Hashem is paying you back for all your crimes 8 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָמ ַל ְכ ָּת תחתו ַּ]ת ְח ָּתיו[ ַוִּי ֵּתן ְי ָהֹוה against the family of Shaul, whose throne you ֶא ַת־ה ְּמ ּלו ָכה ְּבַיד ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְּב ֶנ ָך ְו ִה ְנּ ָך seized. Hashem is handing over the throne to your ְּבָר ָע ֶת ָך ִּכי ִאישׁ ָ ּד ִמים ָא ָּתה׃ son Avshalom; you are in trouble because you are a criminal!” ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך Avishai son of Tzeruya said to the king, “Why let 9 ָל ָּמה ְי ַק ֵּלל ַה ֶּכ ֶלב ַה ֵּמת ַהֶ ּזה ֶא ֲת־א ִדֹני that dead dog abuse my lord the king? Let me go ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ְע ְּבָר ָה־נּא ְו ָא ִס ָירה ֶאת־רֹאשׁ וֹ׃ ”!over and cut off his head י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַמ ִּה־לי ְו ָל ֶכם ְּב ֵני ְצֻרָיה כי ,But the king said, “What has this to do with you 10 ּ]כֹה[ ְי ַק ֵּלל וכי ִּ]כי[ ְי ָהֹוה ָא ַמר לוֹ ַק ֵּלל you sons of Tzeruya? He is abusing [me] only ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ּו ִמי ַיֹאמר ַמ ּד ּו ַע ָע ִשׂ ָיתה ֵּכן׃ because Hashem told him to abuse David; and who is to say, ‘Why did You do that?’” יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֲל־א ִבישׁ ַ י ְו ֶא ָּל־כ ֲל־ע ָב ָדיו ,David said further to Avishai and all the courtiers 11 ִה ֵנּה ְב ִני ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־י ָצא ִמ ֵּמ ַעי ְמ ַב ֵּקשׁ ֶאת־ If my son, my own issue, seeks to kill me, how“ ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י ְו ַאף ִּכ ַי־ע ָּתה ֶּב ַן־הְי ִמ ִיני ַה ִנּ ּחו לוֹ much more the Benjaminite! Let him go on hurling ִו ַיק ֵּלל ִּכי ָא ַמר־לוֹ ְי ָהֹוה׃ .abuse, for Hashem has told him to יב ּאו ַלי ִיְר ֶאה ְי ָהֹוה בעוני ְּ]ב ֵע ִיני[ ְו ֵהשׁ ִ יב Perhaps Hashem will look upon my punishment 12 ְי ָהֹוה ִלי ָטוֹבה ַּת ַחת ִק ְל ָלתוֹ ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ and recompense me for the abuse [Shim’i] has uttered today.” יג ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַו ֲא ָנשׁ ָ יו ַּב ָ ּדֶר ְך ְושׁ ִ ְמ ִעי ֵהֹל ְך David and his men continued on their way, while 13 ְּב ֵצ ַלע ָה ָהר ְל ֻע ָּמתוֹ ָה ְלוֹך ַוְי ַק ֵּלל ַוְי ַס ֵּקל ,Shim’i walked alongside on the slope of the hill ָּב ֲא ָב ִנים ְל ֻע ָּמתוֹ ְו ִע ַּפר ֶּב ָע ָפר׃ insulting him as he walked, and throwing stones at him and flinging dirt. יד ַוָּיבֹא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ The king and all who accompanied him arrived 14 ֲעֵי ִפים ַוִּי ָנּ ֵפשׁ שׁ ָ ם׃ .exhausted, and he rested there טו ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ִאישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָּב ּאו Meanwhile Avshalom and all the people, the men 15 ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם ַו ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ִא ּתוֹ׃ of Yisrael, arrived in Yerushalayim, together with Achitofel. טז ַוְי ִהי ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־בא ּחושׁ ַ י ָה ַאְר ִּכי ֵר ֶעה ָדִוד When Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came 16 ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּחושׁ ַ י ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לֹם before Avshalom, Hushai said to Avshalom, “Long ְי ִחי ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְי ִחי ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”!live the king! Long live the king יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ּל־חושׁ ַ י ֶזה ַח ְס ְ ּד ָך But Avshalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to 17 ֶא ֵת־ר ֶע ָך ָל ָּמה ָלֹא־ה ַל ְכ ָּת ֶא ֵת־ר ֶע ָך׃ ”?your friend? Why didn’t you go with your friend

138 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

יח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּחושׁ ַ י ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לֹם לֹא ִּכי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר Not at all!” Hushai replied. “I am for the one“ 18 ָּב ַחר ְי ָהֹוה ְו ָה ָעם ַהֶ ּזה ְו ָכ ִל־אישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל whom Hashem and this people and all the men of לא ]לוֹ[ ֶא ְהֶיה ְו ִא ּתוֹ ֵאשׁ ֵ ב׃ .Yisrael have chosen, and I will stay with him יט ְו ַהשֵּׁ ִנית ְל ִמי ֲא ִני ֶא ֱעבֹד ֲהלוֹא ִל ְפ ֵני Furthermore, whom should I serve, if not David’s 19 ְבנוֹ ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ַב ְד ִּתי ִל ְפ ֵני ָא ִב ָיך ֵּכן ֶא ְהֶיה son? As I was in your father’s service, so I will be in ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך׃ ”.yours כ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ֲל־א ִח ֶיתֹפל ָה ּבו ָל ֶכם Avshalom then said to Achitofel, “What do you 20

ֵע ָצה ַמ ַה־נּ ֲע ֶשׂה׃ ”?Samuel advise us to do כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ּבוֹא ֶאל־ And Achitofel said to Avshalom, “Have intercourse 21 ִּפ ַל ְגשׁ ֵ י ָא ִב ָיך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִה ִנּ ַיח ִלשׁ ְ מוֹר ַה ָּבִית with your father’s concubines, whom he left to ְושׁ ָ ַמע ָּכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ִי־נ ְב ַאשׁ ְ ָּת ֶאת־ mind the palace; and when all Yisrael hears that ָא ִב ָיך ְו ָחְז ּקו ְי ֵדי ָּכ ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ר ִא ָּת ְך׃ you have dared the wrath of your father, all who support you will be encouraged.” כב ַוַּי ּט ּו ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָה ֶאֹהל ַע ַל־ה ָּגג ַוָּיבֹא ,So they pitched a tent for Avshalom on the roof 22 ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ִּל־פ ַל ְגשׁ ֵ י ָא ִביו ְל ֵע ֵיני ָּכל־ and Avshalom lay with his father’s concubines with ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ —.the full knowledge of all Yisrael כג ַו ֲע ַצת ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ַעץ ַּבָּי ִמים ָה ֵהם In those days, the advice which Achitofel gave was 23 ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִישׁ ְ ַא ִל־]אישׁ [ ִּב ְד ַבר ָה ֱא ִלֹהים accepted like an oracle sought from Hashem; that ֵּכן ָּכ ֲל־ע ַצת ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ַּג ְם־ל ָדִוד ַּגם is how all the advice of Achitofel was esteemed both ְ ל ַ א ְ ב שׁ ָ לֹ ם ׃ .by David and by Avshalom א ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ֶא ְב ֲחָרה And Achitofel said to Avshalom, “Let me pick twelve 1 17 יז ָנּא שׁ ְ ֵנ ָים־ע ָשׂר ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ְו ָא ּקו ָמה thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of ְו ֶאְר ְ ּד ָפה ַא ֲחֵר ָי־דִוד ַה ָּלְי ָלה׃ .David ב ְו ָאבוֹא ָע ָליו ְו ּהוא ָי ֵג ַע ּוְר ֵפה ָי ַדִים I will come upon him when he is weary and 2 ְו ַה ֲחַר ְד ִּתי אֹתוֹ ְו ָנס ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ;disheartened, and I will throw him into a panic ְו ִה ֵּכ ִיתי ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ַב ּדוֹ׃ and when all the troops with him flee, I will kill the king alone. ג ְו ָאשׁ ִ ָיבה ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ֵא ֶל ָיך ְּכשׁ ּוב ַה ּכֹל And I will bring back all the people to you; when 3 ָה ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַא ָּתה ְמ ַב ֵּקשׁ ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ,all have come back [except] the man you are after ִי ְהֶיה שׁ ָ לוֹם׃ ”.all the people will be at peace ד ַוִּיישׁ ַ ר ַה ָ ּד ָבר ְּב ֵע ֵיני ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ּו ְב ֵע ֵיני ָּכל־ The advice pleasedAvshalom and all the elders of 4 ִז ְק ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .Yisrael ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְקָרא ָנא ַּגם ְל ּחושׁ ַ י But Avshalom said, “Summon Hushai the Archite as 5 ָה ַאְר ִּכי ְו ִנשׁ ְ ְמ ָעה ַמ ְּה־ב ִפיו ַּג ּם־הוא׃ ”.well, so we can hear what he too has to say ו ַוָּיבֹא ּחושׁ ַ י ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר Hushai came to Avshalom, and Avshalom said to 6 ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֵא ָליו ֵלאמֹר ַּכ ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ִ ּד ֶּבר him, “This is whatAchitofel has advised. Shall we ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ֲה ַנ ֲע ֶשׂה ֶא ְ ּת־ד ָברוֹ ִא ַם־אִין ”?follow his advice? If not, what do you say ַא ָּתה ַד ֵּבר׃ ז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּחושׁ ַ י ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ָלֹא־טוֹבה Hushai said to Avshalom, “This time the advice that 7 ָה ֵע ָצה ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־י ַעץ ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ַּב ַּפ ַעם .Achitofel has given is not good ַה ּזֹאת׃

139 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

ח ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּחושׁ ַ י ַא ָּתה ָי ַד ְע ָּת ֶא ָת־א ִב ָיך You know,” Hushai continued, “that your father 8 ְו ֶא ֲת־א ָנשׁ ָ יו ִּכי ִג ּבִֹרים ֵה ָּמה ּו ָמֵרי ֶנ ֶפשׁ and his men are courageous fighters, and they are ֵה ָּמה ְּכדֹב שׁ ַ ּכ ּול ַּב ָּשׂ ֶדה ְו ָא ִב ָיך ִאישׁ as desperate as a bear in the wild robbed of her ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ְולֹא ָי ִלין ֶא ָת־ה ָעם׃ whelps. Your father is an experienced soldier, and he will not spend the night with the troops; ט ִה ֵנּה ַע ָּתה ּהו ֶא־נ ְח ָּבא ְּב ַא ַחת ַה ְּפ ָח ִתים even now he must be hiding in one of the pits or in 9 אוֹ ְּב ַא ַחד ַה ְּמקוֹמֹת ְו ָהָיה ִּכ ְנפֹל ָּב ֶהם some other place. And if any of them fall at the first ַּב ְּת ִח ָּלה ְושׁ ָ ַמע ַהשּׁ ֵֹמ ַע ְו ָא ַמר ָהְי ָתה attack, whoever hears of it will say, ‘A disaster has

Samuel ַמ ֵּג ָפה ָּב ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַא ֲחֵרי ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם׃ ;’struck the troops that follow Avshalom י ְו ּהוא ַג ֶּם־ב ַן־חִיל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִל ּבוֹ ְּכ ֵלב ָה ַאְרֵיה and even if he is a brave man with the heart of 10 ִה ֵּמס ִי ָּמס ִּכ ֵי־יֹד ַע ָּכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ִי־ג ּבוֹר a lion, he will be shaken—for all Yisrael knows ָא ִב ָיך ּו ְב ֵנ ַי־חִיל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ׃ that your father and the soldiers with him are courageous fighters. יא ִּכי ָי ַע ְצ ִּתי ֵה ָאסֹף ֵי ָא ֵסף ָע ֶל ָיך ָכל־ So I advise that all Yisrael from Dan to Be’er 11 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִמ ָ ּדן ְו ַע ְּד־ב ֵאר שׁ ֶ ַבע ַּכחוֹל Sheva—as numerous as the sands of the sea—be ֲאשׁ ֶ ַר־ע ַל־הָּים ָלרֹב ּו ָפ ֶנ ָיך ְהֹל ִכים called up to join you, and that you yourself march ַּב ְקָרב׃ .into battle יב ּו ָב ּאנו ֵא ָליו באחת ְּ]ב ַא ַחד[ ַה ְּמקוֹמֹת When we come upon him in whatever place he 12 ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִנ ְמ ָצא שׁ ָ ם ְו ַנ ְח ּנו ָע ָליו ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִי ּפֹל may be, we’ll descend on him [as thick] as dew ַה ַּטל ַע ָל־ה ֲא ָד ָמה ְו ַלֹא־נוֹתר ּבוֹ ּו ְב ָכל־ ,falling on the ground; and no one will survive ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ַּג ֶם־א ָחד׃ .neither he nor any of the men with him יג ְו ִא ֶם־א ִל־עיר ֵי ָא ֵסף ְו ִה ִּשׂ ּיאו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל And if he withdraws into a city, all Yisrael will bring 13 ֶא ָל־ה ִעיר ַה ִהיא ֲח ָב ִלים ְו ָס ַח ְב ּנו אֹתוֹ ropes to that city and drag its stones as far as the ַע ַד־ה ַנּ ַחל ַעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־לֹא־נ ְמ ָצא שׁ ָ ם ”.riverbed, until not even a pebble of it is left ַּג ְם־צרוֹר׃ יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְו ָכ ִל־אישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Avshalom and all Yisrael agreed that the advice 14 ָטוֹבה ֲע ַצת ּחושׁ ַ י ָה ַאְר ִּכי ֵמ ֲע ַצת of Hushai the Archite was better than that of ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ַו ָיהֹוה ִצָּוה ְל ָה ֵפר ֶא ֲת־ע ַצת Achitofel.—Hashem had decreed that Achitofel’s ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ַה ּט ָוֹבה ְל ַב ֲע ּבור ָה ִביא ְי ָהֹוה sound advice be nullified, in order thatHashem ֶא ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ָת־הָר ָעה׃ .might bring ruin upon Avshalom טו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ּחושׁ ַ י ֶא ָל־צדוֹק ְו ֶא ֶל־א ְבָי ָתר ,Then Hushai told theKohanim Tzadok and Evyatar 15 ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ָּכזֹאת ְו ָכזֹאת ָי ַעץ ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל This is whatAchitofel advised Avshalom and the“ ֶא ַת־א ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ְו ֵאת ִז ְק ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ָכזֹאת .elders of Yisrael; this is what I advised ְו ָכזֹאת ָי ַע ְצ ִּתי ָא ִני׃ טז ְו ַע ָּתה שׁ ִ ְל ּחו ְמ ֵהָרה ְו ַה ִּג ּידו ְל ָדִוד ֵלאמֹר Now send at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the 16 ַא ָּל־ת ֶלן ַה ַּלְי ָלה ְּב ַעְרבוֹת ַה ִּמ ְד ָּבר ְו ַגם night at the fords of the wilderness, but cross over ָעבוֹר ַּת ֲעבוֹר ֶּפן ְי ֻב ַּלע ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ּו ְל ָכל־ at once; otherwise the king and all the troops with ָה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ׃ ”’.him will be annihilated יז ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן ַו ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ְעֹמ ִדים ְּב ֵע ֵין־רֹגל ,Yehonatan and Ahimaaz were staying at Enrogel 17 ְו ָה ְל ָכה ַהשִּׁ ְפ ָחה ְו ִה ִּג ָידה ָל ֶהם ְו ֵהם ֵי ְל ּכו and a slave girl would go and bring them word and ְו ִה ִּג ּידו ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ִּכי לֹא ּיו ְכ ּלו ְל ֵהָראוֹת they in turn would go and inform King David. For ָלבוֹא ָה ִע ָירה׃ .they themselves dared not be seen entering the city

140 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק זי Chapter 17

יח ַוַּיְרא ָאֹתם ַנ ַער ַוַּי ֵּגד ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ַוֵּי ְל ּכו But a boy saw them and informed Avshalom. They 18 שׁ ְ ֵנ ֶיהם ְמ ֵהָרה ַוָּי ּבֹאו ֶא ֵּל־ב ִית־אישׁ left at once and came to the house of a man in ְּב ַב ּחוִרים ְולוֹ ְב ֵאר ַּב ֲח ֵצרוֹ ַוֵּיְר ּדו שׁ ָ ם׃ Bahurim who had a well in his courtyard. They got down into it, יט ַו ִּת ַּקח ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַו ִּת ְפרֹשׂ ֶא ַת־ה ָּמ ָס ְך ַעל־ and the wife took a cloth, spread it over the mouth 19 ְּפ ֵני ַה ְּב ֵאר ַו ִּתשׁ ְ ַטח ָע ָליו ָהִרפוֹת ְולֹא of the well, and scattered groats on top of it, so that ַנוֹדע ָ ּד ָבר׃ .nothing would be noticed כ ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַע ְב ֵדי ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ָל־ה ִאשָּׁ ה When Avshalom’s servants came to the woman at 20 ַה ַּבְי ָתה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ַאֵּיה ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ִו ָיהוֹנ ָתן Samuel the house and asked where Ahimaaz and Yehonatan ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָל ֶהם ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ָע ְב ּרו ִמ ַיכל ַה ָּמִים were, the woman told them that they had crossed ַוְי ַב ְקשׁ ּו ְולֹא ָמ ָצ ּאו ַוָּישׁ ֻ ּבו ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ a bit beyond the water. They searched, but found nothing; and they returned to Yerushalayim. כא ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵרי ֶל ְכ ָּתם ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ֵמ ַה ְּב ֵאר ַוֵּי ְל ּכו [ After they were gone, [Ahimaaz andYehonatan 21 ַוַּי ִּג ּדו ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ּקו ּמו came up from the well and went and informed ְו ִע ְב ּרו ְמ ֵהָרה ֶא ַת־ה ַּמִים ִּכ ָי־כ ָכה ָי ַעץ King David. They said toDavid , “Go and cross the ֲע ֵל ֶיכם ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל׃ water quickly, for Achitofel has advised thus and thus concerning you.” כב ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ ַוַּי ַע ְב ּרו David and all the troops with him promptly 22 ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ַעד־אוֹר ַה ּב ֶֹקר ַע ַד־א ַחד crossed the Yarden, and by daybreak not one was לֹא ֶנ ְע ָ ּדר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָלֹא־ע ַבר ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן׃ . left who had not crossed theYarden va-ya-KOM da-VID v’-khol ha-AM a-SHER i-TO va-ya-av-RU et ha-yar-DAYN ad OR ha-BO-ker ad a-KHAD LO ne-DAR a-SHER lo a-VAR et ha-yar-DAYN כג ַו ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל ָר ָאה ִּכי לֹא ֶנ ֶע ְשׂ ָתה ֲע ָצתוֹ When Achitofel saw that his advice had not been 23 ַוַּי ֲחבֹשׁ ֶא ַת־ה ֲחמוֹר ַוָּי ָקם ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ followed, he saddled his ass and went home to his ֶא ִל־עירוֹ ַוְי ַצו ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ַוֵּי ָח ַנק ַוָּי ָמת native town. He set his affairs in order, and then ַוִּי ָּק ֵבר ְּב ֶק ֶבר ָא ִביו׃ he hanged himself. He was buried in his ancestral tomb. כד ְו ָדִוד ָּבא ַמ ֲח ָנְי ָמה ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ָע ַבר ֶאת־ David had reached Mahanaim when Avshalom and 24 ַהַּיְר ֵ ּדן ּהוא ְו ָכ ִל־אישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִע ּמוֹ׃ .all the men of Yisrael with him crossed the Yarden כה ְו ֶא ֲת־ע ָמ ָשׂא ָשׂם ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ַּת ַחת ָיוֹאב Avshalom had appointed Amasa army commander 25 ַע ַל־ה ָּצ ָבא ַו ֲע ָמ ָשׂא ֶב ִן־אישׁ ּושׁ ְ מוֹ in place of Yoav; Amasa was the son of a man ִי ְתָרא ַהִּי ְשׂ ְר ֵא ִלי ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־בא ֶא ֲל־א ִב ַיגל ,named Ithra the Israelite, who had married Abigal ַּב ָת־נ ָחשׁ ֲאחוֹת ְצ ּרוָיה ֵאם ָיוֹאב׃ daughter of Nahash and sister of Yoav’s mother Tzeruya. כו ַוִּי ַחן ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ֶאֶרץ ַה ִּג ְל ָעד׃ The Israelites andAvshalom encamped in the 26 district of Gilad.

17:22 David and all the troops with him promptly the length of the country from north to south, starting ירדן crossed the Yarden The Hebrew name for the near Dan at the foot of Mount Chermon, and ending at a word formed from the the Dead Sea. In its 250 km course, the Yarden descends ,(ירדן) Jordan river is Yarden which means from a height of over 2800 km above sea level to more ,(יורד דן) Hebrew words yorayd Dan ‘descends [from] Dan.’ The territory of Dan is the than 350 km below, making it the river with the lowest northernmost part of Eretz Yisrael. The Jordan river flows elevation in the world. Jordan River

141 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק חי Chapter 18

כז ַוְי ִהי ְּכבוֹא ָדִוד ַמ ֲח ָנְי ָמה ְושׁ ִֹבי ֶב ָן־נ ָחשׁ When David reached Mahanaim, Shobi son of 27 ֵמַר ַּבת ְּב ֵנ ַי־ע ּמוֹן ּו ָמ ִכיר ֶּב ַן־ע ִּמ ֵיאל ִמ ּלֹא Nahash from Rabbath-ammon, Machir son of ְד ָבר ּו ַבְרִז ַּלי ַה ִּג ְל ָע ִדי ֵמ ְרֹג ִלים׃ Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzilai the Giladite from Rogelim כח ִמשׁ ְ ָּכב ְו ַס ּפוֹת ּו ְכ ִלי ֵיוֹצר ְו ִח ִּטים presented* couches, basins, and earthenware; also 28 ּו ְשׂ ִעֹרים ְו ֶק ַמח ְו ָק ִלי ּופוֹל ַו ֲע ָדשׁ ִ ים ,wheat, barley, flour, parched grain, beans, lentils ְו ָק ִלי׃ ,parched grain כט ּו ְד ַבשׁ ְו ֶח ְמ ָאה ְוצֹאן ּושׁ ְ פוֹת ָּב ָקר ִה ִּגישׁ ּו honey, curds, a flock, and cheese from the herd 29 Samuel ְל ָדִוד ְו ָל ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ ֶל ֱאכוֹל ִּכי ָא ְמ ּרו for David and the troops with him to eat. For they ָה ָעם ָר ֵעב ְו ָעֵיף ְו ָצ ֵמא ַּב ִּמ ְד ָּבר׃ ,knew that the troops must have grown hungry faint, and thirsty in the wilderness. א ַוִּי ְפקֹד ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִא ּתוֹ ַוָּי ֶשׂם David mustered the troops who were with him and 1 18 יח ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ָשׂ ֵרי ֲא ָל ִפים ְו ָשׂ ֵרי ֵמאוֹת׃ set over them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds. ב ַוְישׁ ַ ַּלח ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ית ְּבַיד־ David sent out the troops, one-third under the 2 ָיוֹאב ְו ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ית ְּבַיד ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה command of Yoav, one-third under the command ֲא ִחי ָיוֹאב ְו ַהשְּׁ ִלשׁ ִ ת ְּבַיד ִא ַּתי ַה ִּג ִּתי -of Yoav’s brother Avishai son of Tzeruya, and one ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ָיצֹא ֵא ֵצא ַּגם־ third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And ֲא ִני ִע ָּמ ֶכם׃ David said to the troops, “I myself will march out with you.” ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָה ָעם לֹא ֵת ֵצא ִּכי ִאם־נֹס ָנ ּנוס ,But the troops replied, “No! For if some of us flee 3 ָלֹא־י ִשׂ ּימו ֵא ֵל ּינו ֵלב ְו ִא ָם־י ֻמ ּתו ֶח ְצֵי ּנו the rest will not be concerned about us; even if half ָלֹא־י ִשׂ ּימו ֵא ֵל ּינו ֵלב ִּכ ַי־ע ָּתה ָכ ּמֹנו of us should die, the others will not be concerned ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ֲא ָל ִפים ְו ַע ָּתה טוֹב ִּכ ִי־ת ְהֶי ָּה־ל ּנו .about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us ֵמ ִעיר לעזיר ַ]ל ְעזוֹר׃[ Therefore, it is better for you to support us from the town.” ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־י ַיטב And the king said to them, “I will do whatever you 4 ְּב ֵע ֵינ ֶיכם ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ַוַּי ֲעמֹד ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶאל־ think best.” So the king stood beside the gate as ַיד ַהשַּׁ ַער ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ָי ְצ ּאו ְל ֵמאוֹת all the troops marched out by their hundreds and ְו ַל ֲא ָל ִפים׃ .thousands ה ַוְי ַצו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָת־יוֹאב ְו ֶא ֲת־א ִבישׁ ַ י :The king gave orders toYoav , Avishai, and Ittai 5 ְו ֶא ִת־א ַּתי ֵלאמֹר ְל ַא ִט־לי ַל ַנּ ַער ”.Deal gently with my boy Avshalom, for my sake“ ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם שׁ ָ ְמ ּעו ְּב ַצ ּוׂת All the troops heard the king give the order about ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָּת־כ ַל־ה ָּשׂ ִרים ַע ְ ּל־ד ַבר .Avshalom to all the officers ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ vai-TZAV ha-ME-lekh et yo-AV v’-et a-vee-SHAI v’-et i-TAI lay-MOR l’-at LEE la-NA- ar l’-av-sha-LOM v’-khol ha-AM sha-m’-U b’-tza-VOT ha-ME-lekh et kol ha-sa-REEM al d’-VAR av-sha-LOM

* “presented” brought up from verse 29 for clarity

18:5 Deal gently with my boy Avshalom, for my father. Rabbi Shlomo Aviner notes that throughout David’s sake King David orders that his rebellious son struggles, he retains his attribute of mercy. Thus, though Avshalom be captured unharmed. On the surface, this he has no intention of surrendering to King Shaul who seems shocking, as Avshalom was attempting to kill his wants to kill him, David nevertheless respects him (see I Rabbi Shlomo Aviner (b. 1943)

142 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק חי Chapter 18

ו ַוֵּי ֵצא ָה ָעם ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ִל ְקַראת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל The troops marched out into the open to confront 6 ַו ְּת ִהי ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְּבַי ַער ֶא ְפָרִים׃ the Israelites, and the battle was fought in the forest of Efraim. ז ַוִּי ָנּ ְג ּפו שׁ ָ ם ַעם ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִל ְפ ֵני ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד The Israelite troops were routed byDavid ’s 7 ַו ְּת ִהי־שׁ ָ ם ַה ַּמ ֵּג ָפה ְג ָדוֹלה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא followers, and a great slaughter took place there ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ָא ֶלף׃ .that day—twenty thousand men ח ַו ְּת ִהי־שׁ ָ ם ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה נפצית ָ]נ ֶפֹצת[ The battle spread out over that whole region, and 8 ַע ְּל־פ ֵני ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ַוֶּיֶרב ַהַּי ַער ֶל ֱאכֹל the forest devoured more troops that day than the ָּב ָעם ֵמ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָא ְכ ָלה ַה ֶחֶרב ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא׃ .Samuel sword ט ַוִּי ָּקֵרא ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ִל ְפ ֵני ַע ְב ֵדי ָדִוד .Avshalom encountered some of David’s followers 9 ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֵרֹכב ַע ַל־ה ֶּפֶרד ַוָּיבֹא ַה ֶּפֶרד Avshalom was riding on a mule, and as the mule ַּת ַחת ֶשׂוֹב ְך ָה ֵא ָלה ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ַוֶּי ֱחַזק passed under the tangled branches of a great רֹאשׁ וֹ ָב ֵא ָלה ַוֻּי ַּתן ֵּבין ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ּו ֵבין terebinth, his hair got caught in the terebinth; he ָה ָאֶרץ ְו ַה ֶּפֶרד ֲאשׁ ֶ ַּר־ת ְח ָּתיו ָע ָבר׃ was held between heaven and earth as the mule under him kept going. י ַוַּיְרא ִאישׁ ֶא ָחד ַוַּי ֵּגד ְל ָיוֹאב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה One of the men saw it and told Yoav, “I have just 10 ָר ִא ִיתי ֶא ַת־א ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ָּת ּלוי ָּב ֵא ָלה׃ ”.seen Avshalom hanging from a terebinth יא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ָל ִאישׁ ַה ַּמ ִּגיד לוֹ ְו ִה ֵנּה !Yoav said to the man who told him, “You saw it 11 ָר ִא ָית ּו ַמ ּד ּו ַע ִלֹא־ה ִּכיתוֹ שׁ ָ ם ָאְר ָצה Why didn’t you kill him then and there? I would ְו ָע ַלי ָל ֶתת ְל ָך ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ֶכ ֶסף ַו ֲח ָגֹרה ”.have owed you ten shekalim of silver and a belt ֶא ָחת׃ יב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָה ִאישׁ ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ולא ְ]ו ּלוא[ But the man answered Yoav, “Even if I had a 12 ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ֵֹקל ַע ַּל־כ ַּפי ֶא ֶלף ֶּכ ֶסף לֹא־ thousand shekalim of silver in my hands, I would ֶאשׁ ְ ַלח ָי ִדי ֶא ֶּל־ב ַן־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי ְב ָאְז ֵנ ּינו not raise a hand against the king’s son. For the king ִצָּוה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְאֹת ָך ְו ֶא ֲת־א ִבישׁ ַ י ְו ֶא ִת־א ַּתי ,charged you and Avishai and Ittai in our hearing ֵלאמֹר שׁ ִ ְמ ּרו ִ־מי ַּב ַנּ ַער ְּב ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ ’.Watch over my boy Avshalom, for my sake‘ יג ָאוֹ־ע ִשׂ ִיתי בנפשו ְ]ב ַנ ְפשׁ ִ י[ שׁ ֶ ֶקר ְו ָכל־ If I betrayed myself—and nothing is hidden from 13 ָ ּד ָבר ִלֹא־י ָּכ ֵחד ִמ ַן־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ַא ָּתה ִּת ְתַי ֵּצב ”.the king—you would have stood aloof ִמ ֶנּ ֶגד׃ יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ֵלֹא־כן ִאֹח ָילה ְל ָפ ֶנ ָיך ַוִּי ַּקח Yoav replied, “Then I will not wait for you.” He 14 שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה שׁ ְ ָב ִטים ְּב ַכ ּפוֹ ַוִּי ְת ָק ֵעם ְּב ֵלב took three darts in his hand and drove them into ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶעוֹד ּנּו ַחי ְּב ֵלב ָה ֵא ָלה׃ Avshalom’s chest. [Avshalom] was still alive in the thick growth of the terebinth, טו ַוָּי ּסֹב ּו ֲע ָשׂ ָרה ְנ ָעִרים ְנֹשׂ ֵאי ְּכ ֵלי ָיוֹאב when ten of Yoav’s young arms-bearers closed in 15 ַוַּי ּכ ּו ֶא ַת־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַוְי ִמ ֻית ּהו׃ .and struck at Avshalom until he died

Samuel 24). Similarly, he also still loves his son Avshalom, mercy is cause for punishment and even exile from the though Avshalom wants to murder him. The Sages Land of Israel, as it says in Hoshea (4:1-3), “Because there (Yevamot 79a) consider the attribute of mercy to be one is no honesty and no goodness and no obedience to of the hallmarks of the Children of Israel. Failing to act with Hashem in the land... For that, the earth is withered...”

143 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק חי Chapter 18

טז ַוִּי ְת ַקע ָיוֹאב ַּבשּׁ ָֹפר ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ָה ָעם ִמְרדֹף ThenYoav sounded the horn, and the troops gave 16 ַא ֲחֵרי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכ ָי־ח ַשׂ ְך ָיוֹאב ֶא ָת־ה ָעם׃ up their pursuit of the Israelites; for Yoav held the troops in check. יז ַוִּי ְק ּחו ֶא ַת־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַוַּישׁ ְ ִל ּיכו אֹתוֹ They tookAvshalom and flung him into a large pit 17 ַבַּי ַער ֶא ַל־ה ַּפ ַחת ַה ָּגדוֹל ַוַּי ִּצ ּבו ָע ָליו ַּגל־ in the forest, and they piled up a very great heap ֲא ָב ִנים ָּגדוֹל ְמאֹד ְו ָכ ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָנ ּסו ִאישׁ of stones over it. Then all the Israelites fled to their לאהלו ְ]ל ָאֹה ָליו׃[ —.homes יח ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ָל ַקח ַוַּי ֶּצב־לוֹ בחיו ְ]ב ַחָּייו[ Now Avshalom, in his lifetime, had taken the pillar 18 Samuel ֶא ַת־מ ֶּצ ֶבת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ֵע ֶמ ַק־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי which is in the Valley of the King and set it up for ָא ַמר ֵא ִין־לי ֵבן ַּב ֲע ּבור ַהְז ִּכיר שׁ ְ ִמי himself; for he said, “I have no son to keep my ַוִּי ְקָרא ַל ַּמ ֶּצ ֶבת ַעל־שׁ ְ מוֹ ַוִּי ָּקֵרא ָל ּה ַיד ,name alive.” He had named the pillar after himself ַא ְבשׁ ָ לֹם ַעד ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה׃ and it has been called Avshalom’s Monument to this day. יט ַו ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ֶּב ָן־צדוֹק ָא ַמר ָא ּרו ָצה ָנּא Ahimaaz son of Tzadok said, “Let me run and 19 ַו ֲא ַב ְּשׂ ָרה ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי־שׁ ְ ָפטוֹ ְי ָהֹוה report to the king that Hashem has vindicated him ִמַּיד ְאֹי ָביו׃ ”.against his enemies כ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ָיוֹאב לֹא ִאישׁ ְּב ָשֹׂרה ַא ָּתה But Yoav said to him, “You shall not be the one to 20 ַה ּיוֹם ַהֶ ּזה ּו ִב ַּשׂ ְר ָּת ְּביוֹם ַא ֵחר ְו ַה ּיוֹם bring tidings today. You may bring tidings some ַהֶ ּזה לֹא ְת ַב ֵּשׂר ִּכי־על ַ]על־[ ֵּ]כן[ ֶּבן־ other day, but you’ll not bring any today; for the ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵמת׃ ”!king’s son is dead כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ַל ּכ ּושׁ ִ י ֵל ְך ַה ֵּגד ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר And Yoav said to a Cushite, “Go tell the king what 21 ָר ִא ָיתה ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו ּכושׁ ִ י ְל ָיוֹאב ַוָּירֹץ׃ you have seen.” The Cushite bowed toYoav and ran off. כב ַו ּי ֶֹסף עוֹד ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ֶּב ָן־צדוֹק ַו ּי ֶֹאמר But Ahimaaz son of Tzadok again said to Yoav, “No 22 ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ִו ִיהי ָמה ָאֻר ָצ ָה־נּא ַג ָם־א ִני ”.matter what, let me run, too, behind the Cushite ַא ֲחֵרי ַה ּכ ּושׁ ִ י ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ָל ָּמ ֶ ּה־זה Yoav asked, “Why should you run, my boy, when ַא ָּתה ָרץ ְּב ִני ּו ְל ָכה ֵא ְּין־ב ָשׂוֹרה ֵמֹצאת׃ ”?you have no news worth telling כג ִו ִיה ָי־מה ָא ּרוץ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ּרוץ ַוָּיָרץ I am going to run anyway.” “Then run,” he said. So“ 23 ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ֶ ּדֶר ְך ַה ִּכ ָּכר ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ֶא ַת־ה ּכ ּושׁ ִ י׃ Ahimaaz ran by way of the Plain, and he passed the Cushite. כד ְו ָדִוד יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ֵּבין־שׁ ְ ֵני ַהשְּׁ ָעִרים ַוֵּי ֶל ְך David was sitting between the two gates. The 24 ַה ּצ ֶֹפה ֶא ַּל־גג ַהשַּׁ ַער ֶא ַל־ה ָחוֹמה ַוִּי ָּשׂא watchman on the roof of the gate walked over to ֶא ֵת־ע ָיניו ַוַּיְרא ְו ִה ֵנּ ִה־אישׁ ָרץ ְל ַב ּדוֹ׃ the city wall. He looked up and saw a man running alone. כה ַוִּי ְקָרא ַה ּצ ֶֹפה ַוַּי ֵּגד ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך The watchman called down and told the king; and 25 ִא ְם־ל ַב ּדוֹ ְּב ָשׂוֹרה ְּב ִפיו ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָה ְלוֹך ”.the king said, “If he is alone, he has news to report ְו ָקֵרב׃ ,As he was coming nearer כו ַוַּיְרא ַה ּצ ֶֹפה ִאישׁ ַ־א ֵחר ָרץ ַוִּי ְקָרא the watchman saw another man running; and he 26 ַה ּצ ֶֹפה ֶא ַל־השּׁ ֵֹער ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּ ִה־אישׁ ָרץ called out to the gatekeeper, “There is another man ְל ַב ּדוֹ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַּג ֶם־זה ְמ ַב ֵּשׂר׃ ,running alone.” And the king said, “That one, too brings news.”

144 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק טי Chapter 19

כז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ּצ ֶֹפה ֲא ִני ֶרֹאה ֶא ְת־מ ּרו ַצת The watchman said, “I can see that the first one 27 ָהִראשׁ וֹן ִּכ ְמֻר ַצת ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ֶּב ָן־צדוֹק runs like Ahimaaz son of Tzadok”; to which the ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִאישׁ ־טוֹב ֶזה ְו ֶא ְּל־ב ָשׂוֹרה king replied, “He is a good man, and he comes with ָטוֹבה ָיבוֹא׃ ”.good news כח ַוִּי ְקָרא ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, “All is 28 שׁ ָ לוֹם ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ַא ָּפיו ָאְר ָצה well!” He bowed low with his face to the ground ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָּב ּרו ְך ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִס ַּגר and said, “Praised be Hashem your God, who has ֶא ָת־ה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־נ ְשׂ ּאו ֶא ָת־י ָדם delivered up the men who raised their hand against ַּב ִאדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.Samuel my lord the king כט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך שׁ ָ לוֹם ַל ַנּ ַער ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם The king asked, “Is my boyAvshalom safe?” And 29 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ִח ַימ ַעץ ָר ִא ִיתי ֶה ָהמוֹן ַה ָּגדוֹל Ahimaaz answered, “I saw a large crowd when Your ִלשׁ ְ ַלֹח ֶא ֶת־ע ֶבד ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָיוֹאב ְו ֶאת־ Majesty’s servant Yoav was sending your servant ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך ְולֹא ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ָמה׃ ”.off, but I don’t know what it was about ל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך סֹב ִה ְתַי ֵּצב ּכֹה ַוִּי ּסֹב The king said, “Step aside and stand over there”; he 30 ַוַּי ֲעמֹד׃ .stepped aside and waited לא ְו ִה ֵנּה ַה ּכ ּושׁ ִ י ָּבא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ּכ ּושׁ ִ י ִי ְת ַּב ֵּשׂר Just then the Cushite came up; and the Cushite 31 ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי־שׁ ְ ָפ ְט ָך ְי ָהֹוה ַה ּיוֹם ִמַּיד said, “Let my lord the king be informed that ָּכ ַל־ה ָּק ִמים ָע ֶל ָיך׃ Hashem has vindicated you today against all who rebelled against you!” לב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ַל־ה ּכ ּושׁ ִ י ֲהשׁ ָ לוֹם ַל ַנּ ַער The king asked the Cushite, “Is my boyAvshalom 32 ְל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ּכ ּושׁ ִ י ִי ְה ּיו ַכ ַנּ ַער safe?” And the Cushite replied, “May the enemies ְאֹי ֵבי ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְוכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ק ּמו ָע ֶל ָיך of my lord the king and all who rose against you to ְלָר ָעה׃ ”!do you harm fare like that young man א ַוִּיְר ַּגז ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוַּי ַעל ַע ֲל־ע ִלַּית ַהשַּׁ ַער The king was shaken. He went up to the upper 1 19 יט ַוֵּי ְב ְּך ְוכֹה ָא ַמר ְּב ֶל ְכ ּתוֹ ְּב ִני ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְּב ִני chamber of the gateway and wept, moaning these ְב ִני ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ִמ ִי־י ֵּתן ּמו ִתי ֲא ִני ַת ְח ֶּת ָיך ,words as he went, “My son Avshalom! O my son ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְּב ִני ְב ִני׃ !my son Avshalom! If only I had died instead of you O Avshalom, my son, my son!” ב ַוֻּי ַּגד ְל ָיוֹאב ִה ֵנּה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ּב ֶֹכה ַוִּי ְת ַא ֵּבל Yoav was told that the king was weeping and 2 ַע ַל־א ְבשׁ ָ לֹם׃ .mourning over Avshalom ג ַו ְּת ִהי ַה ְּתשׁ ֻ ָעה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְל ֵא ֶבל ְל ָכל־ And the victory that day was turned into mourning 3 ָה ָעם ִּכי־שׁ ָ ַמע ָה ָעם ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ֵלאמֹר for all the troops, for that day the troops heard that ֶנ ֱע ַצב ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַע ְּל־בנוֹ׃ .the king was grieving over his son ד ַוִּי ְת ַּג ֵנּב ָה ָעם ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ָלבוֹא ָה ִעיר The troops stole into town that day like troops 4 ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִי ְת ַּג ֵנּב ָה ָעם ַה ִנּ ְכ ָל ִמים ְּב ּנו ָסם .ashamed after running away in battle ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה׃ ה ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָל ַאט ֶא ָּת־פ ָניו ַוִּיְז ַעק ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך קוֹל The king covered his face and the king kept crying 5 ָּגדוֹל ְּב ִני ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ְּב ִני ְב ִני׃ ,aloud, “O my son Avshalom! O Avshalom, my son my son!”

145 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק טי Chapter 19

ו ַוָּיבֹא ָיוֹאב ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ָּבִית ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ,Yoav came to the king in his quarters and said 6 ַהֹבשׁ ְ ָּת ַה ּיוֹם ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ָכ ֲל־ע ָב ֶד ָיך ,Today you have humiliated all your followers“ ַה ְמ ַמ ְּל ִטים ֶא ַת־נ ְפשׁ ְ ָך ַה ּיוֹם ְו ֵאת who this day saved your life, and the lives of your ֶנ ֶפשׁ ָּב ֶנ ָיך ּו ְב ֶנֹת ָיך ְו ֶנ ֶפשׁ ָנשׁ ֶ ָיך ְו ֶנ ֶפשׁ sons and daughters, and the lives of your wives ּ ִ פ ַ ל ְ ג שׁ ֶ י ָך ׃ ,and concubines va-ya-VO yo-AV el ha-ME-lekh ha-BA-yit va-YO-mer ho-VASH-ta ha-YOM et p’-NAY khol a-va-DE-kha ha-m’-ma-l’-TEEM et naf-sh’-KHA ha-YOM v’-AYT NE-fesh ba- NE-kha u-v’-no-TE-kha v’-NE-fesh na-SHE-kha v’-NE-fesh pi-lag-SHE-kha

Samuel ז ְל ַא ֲה ָבה ֶא ְת־שֹׂנ ֶא ָיך ְו ִל ְשׂנֹא ֶאת־ by showing love for those who hate you and hate 7 ֲאֹה ֶב ָיך ִּכי ִה ַּג ְד ָּת ַה ּיוֹם ִּכי ֵאין ְל ָך ָשׂ ִרים for those who love you. For you have made clear ַו ֲע ָב ִדים ִּכי ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ַה ּיוֹם ִּכי לא ּ]לו[ today that the officers and men mean nothing to ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַחי ְו ֻכ ָּל ּנו ַה ּיוֹם ֵמ ִתים ִּכ ָי־אז you. I am sure that if Avshalom were alive today and ָישׁ ָ ר ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך׃ .the rest of us dead, you would have preferred it ח ְו ַע ָּתה ּקום ֵצא ְו ַד ֵּבר ַע ֵל־לב ֲע ָב ֶד ָיך !Now arise, come out and placate your followers 8 ִּכי ַב ָיהֹוה ִנשׁ ְ ַּב ְע ִּתי ִּכ ֵי־א ְינ ָך ֵיוֹצא ִאם־ ,For I swear by Hashem that if you do not come out ָי ִלין ִאישׁ ִא ְּת ָך ַה ַּלְי ָלה ְוָר ָעה ְל ָך זֹאת ;not a single man will remain with you overnight ִמ ָּכ ָל־הָר ָעה ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־ב ָאה ָע ֶל ָיך ִמ ְנּ ֻעֶר ָיך and that would be a greater disaster for you than ַע ָד־ע ָּתה׃ any disaster that has befallen you from your youth until now.” ט ַוָּי ָקם ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוֵּישׁ ֶ ב ַּבשָּׁ ַער ּו ְל ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ;So the king arose and sat down in the gateway 9 ִה ִּג ּידו ֵלאמֹר ִה ֵנּה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך יוֹשׁ ֵ ב ַּבשַּׁ ַער and when all the troops were told that the king ַוָּיבֹא ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ִל ְפ ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְוִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָנס was sitting in the gateway, all the troops presented ִאישׁ ְל ָאֹה ָליו׃ themselves to the king. Now the Israelites had fled to their homes. י ַוְי ִהי ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ָנדוֹן ְּב ָכל־שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל All the people throughout the tribes of Yisrael were 10 ֵלאמֹר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִה ִּצ ָיל ּנו ִמ ַּכף ְאֹי ֵב ּינו ְו ּהוא arguing: Some said, “The king saved us from the ִמ ְּל ָט ּנו ִמ ַּכף ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ְו ַע ָּתה ָּבַרח ִמן־ hands of our enemies, and he delivered us from the ָה ָאֶרץ ֵמ ַעל ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ hands of the Philistines; and just now he had to flee the country because of Avshalom. יא ְו ַא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָמשׁ ַ ְח ּנו ָע ֵל ּינו ֵמת But Avshalom, whom we anointed over us, has 11 ַּב ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ַע ָּתה ָל ָמה ַא ֶּתם ַמ ֲחִרשׁ ִ ים died in battle; why then do you sit idle instead of ְל ָהשׁ ִ יב ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”?escorting the king back

19:6 Today you have humiliated all your followers Yoav and thus needs Yoav to remain as his leading general. is upset that King David mourned his rebellious son However, before his death, King David instructs his son Avshalom. Yoav had killed Avshalom, though King David Shlomo to punish Yoav for having killed Avner, Amasa (II had commanded that he be captured unharmed. King Kings 2:5) and, according to Radak, Avshalom. Shlomo David is extremely angry that Yoav has disobeyed him. tries Yoav for the murders and convicts him of violating Rabbi Shlomo Aviner points out that in Jewish Law, any the will of the king (Sanhedrin 49a), an act which itself is act of disobedience to the king can be punished by death. a danger to the People of Israel. Obeying the dictates of However, King David is more concerned with ensuring just rulers and governments is itself a religious act, as it that the Kingdom of Israel remains secure and strong, allows for a strong, cohesive and just nation.

146 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק טי Chapter 19

יב ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד שׁ ָ ַלח ֶא ָל־צדוֹק ְו ֶאל־ The talk of allYisrael reached the king in his 12 ֶא ְבָי ָתר ַה ּכ ֲֹה ִנים ֵלאמֹר ַ ּד ְּב ּרו ֶא ִל־ז ְק ֵני quarters. So King David sent this message to the ְי ּהו ָדה ֵלאמֹר ָל ָּמה ִת ְה ּיו ַא ֲח ִרֹנים Kohanim Tzadok and Evyatar: “Speak to the elders ְל ָהשׁ ִ יב ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ּו ְד ַבר ָּכל־ of Yehuda and say, ‘Why should you be the last to ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָּבא ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ׃ ?bring the king back to his palace יג ַא ַחי ַא ֶּתם ַע ְצ ִמי ּו ְב ָשׂ ִרי ַא ֶּתם ְו ָל ָּמה You are my kinsmen, my own flesh and blood! Why 13 ִת ְה ּיו ַא ֲח ִרֹנים ְל ָהשׁ ִ יב ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ’?should you be the last to escort the king back יד And to Amasa say this, ‘You are my own flesh and 14

ְו ַל ֲע ָמ ָשׂא ּת ְֹמ ּרו ֲהלוֹא ַע ְצ ִמי ּו ְב ָשׂ ִרי Samuel ָא ָּתה ּכֹה ַי ֲע ֶשׂ ִּה־לי ֱא ִלֹהים ְוכֹה ִיוֹסיף blood. May Hashem do thus and more to me if you ִאם־לֹא ַשׂ ָר־צ ָבא ִּת ְהֶיה ְל ָפ ַני ָּכל־ do not become my army commander permanently ַהָּי ִמים ַּת ַחת ָיוֹאב׃ ”’!in place of Yoav טו ַוַּיט ֶא ְת־ל ַבב ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ְ־י ּהו ָדה ְּכ ִאישׁ So [Amasa] swayed the hearts of all the Judites 15 ֶא ָחד ַוִּישׁ ְ ְל ּחו ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך שׁ ּוב ַא ָּתה :as one man; and they sent a message to the king ְו ָכ ֲל־ע ָב ֶד ָיך׃ ”.Come back with all your followers“ טז ַוָּישׁ ָ ב ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוָּיבֹא ַע ַד־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ִו ּיהו ָדה ָּבא ; The king started back and arrived at theYarden 16 ַה ִּג ְל ָּג ָלה ָל ֶל ֶכת ִל ְקַראת ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ַה ֲע ִביר and the Judites went to Gilgal to meet the king and ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן׃ .to conduct the king across the Yarden יז ַוְי ַמ ֵהר שׁ ִ ְמ ִעי ֶב ֵּן־גָרא ֶּב ַן־הְי ִמ ִיני ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ,Shim’i son of Gera, the Benjaminite from Bahurim 17 ִמ ַּב ּחוִרים ַוֵּיֶרד ִע ִם־אישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה ִל ְקַראת ,hurried down with the Judites to meet King David ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד׃ יח ְו ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ִע ּמוֹ ִמ ִּב ְנָי ִמן ְו ִצ ָיבא ַנ ַער accompanied by a thousand Benjaminites. And 18 ֵּבית שׁ ָ ּאול ַו ֲח ֵמשׁ ֶ ת ָע ָשׂר ָּב ָניו ְו ֶע ְשׂ ִרים Ziba, the servant of the House of Shaul, together ֲע ָב ָדיו ִא ּתוֹ ְו ָצ ְל ּחו ַהַּיְר ֵ ּדן ִל ְפ ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ with his fifteen sons and twenty slaves, rushed down to the Yarden ahead of the king יט ְו ָע ְבָרה ָה ֲע ָבָרה ַל ֲע ִביר ֶא ֵּת־בית ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך while the crossing was being made, to escort the 19 ְו ַל ֲעשׂוֹת ַה ּטוֹב בעינו ְּ]ב ֵע ָיניו[ ְושׁ ִ ְמ ִעי .king’s family over, and to do whatever he wished ֶב ֵּן־גָרא ָנ ַפל ִל ְפ ֵני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּב ָע ְברוֹ ַּבַּיְר ֵ ּדן׃ Shim’i son of Gera flung himself before the king as he was about to cross the Yarden. כ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַא ַל־י ֲחשׁ ָ ִב־לי ֲא ִדֹני He said to the king, “Let not my lord hold me 20 ָעוׂן ְו ַא ִּל־תְז ּכֹר ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֶה ֱעָוה ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך guilty, and do not remember the wrong your ַּב ּיוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־י ָצא ֲא ִדֹנ ַי־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ִָלם servant committed on the day my lord the king left ָל ּשׂום ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ִל־ל ּבוֹ׃ .Yerushalayim; let Your Majesty give it no thought כא ִּכי ָי ַדע ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִּכי ֲא ִני ָח ָט ִאתי ְו ִה ֵנּה־ For your servant knows that he has sinned; so here 21 ָב ִאתי ַה ּיוֹם ִראשׁ וֹן ְל ָכ ֵּל־בית ֵיוֹסף I have come down today, the first of all the House ָלֶר ֶדת ִל ְקַראת ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”.of Yosef, to meet my lord the king כב ַוַּי ַען ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲה ַת ַחת ,ThereuponAvishai son of Tzeruya spoke up 22 זֹאת לֹא ּיו ַמת שׁ ִ ְמ ִעי ִּכי ִק ֵּלל ֶאת־ —Shouldn’t Shim’i be put to death for that“ ְמשׁ ִ ַיח ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”?insulting Hashem’s anointed כג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ַמ ִּה־לי ְו ָל ֶכם ְּב ֵני ְצ ּרוָיה ִּכי־ But David said, “What has this to do with you, you 23 ִת ְה ּיו ִ־לי ַה ּיוֹם ְל ָשׂ ָטן ַה ּיוֹם ּיו ַמת ִאישׁ ?sons of Tzeruya, that you should cross me today ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִּכי ֲהלוֹא ָי ַד ְע ִּתי ִּכי ַה ּיוֹם ֲא ִני־ ?Should a single Israelite be put to death today ֶמ ֶל ְך ַע ִל־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ Don’t I know that today I am again king over Yisrael?” 147 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק טי Chapter 19

כד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶאל־שׁ ִ ְמ ִעי לֹא ָת ּמות ;”Then the king said toShim’i , “You shall not die 24 ַוִּישָּׁ ַבע לוֹ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ .and the king gave him his oath כה ּו ְמ ִפבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ָיַרד ִל ְקַראת ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך Mefiboshet, the grandson of Shaul, also came down 25 ְו ָלֹא־ע ָשׂה ַר ְג ָליו ְו ָלֹא־ע ָשׂה ְשׂ ָפמוֹ to meet the king. He had not pared his toenails, or ְו ֶא ְּת־ב ָג ָדיו לֹא ִכ ֵּבס ְל ִמ ַן־ה ּיוֹם ֶל ֶכת trimmed his mustache, or washed his clothes from the ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַע ַד־ה ּיוֹם ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־בא ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם׃ .day that the king left until the day he returned safe כו ַוְי ִהי ִּכ ָי־בא ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִַלם ִל ְקַראת ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך When he came [from] Yerushalayim to meet the 26 ּ ְ king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you come

Samuel ַוי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַה ֶּמ ֶלך ָל ָּמה ָלֹא־ה ַל ְכ ָּת ִע ִּמי ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת׃ ”?with me, Mefiboshet כז ַו ּי ַֹאמר ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַע ְב ִ ּדי ִר ָּמ ִני ִּכ ָי־א ַמר He replied, “My lord the king, my own servant 27 ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֶא ְח ְּבשׁ ָ ִּה־לי ַה ֲחמוֹר ְו ֶאְר ַּכב ָע ֶל ָיה deceived me. Your servant planned to saddle his ass ְו ֵא ֵל ְך ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִּכי ִפ ֵּס ַח ַע ְב ֶ ּד ָך׃ and ride on it and go with Your Majesty—for your servant is lame. כח ַוְיַר ֵּגל ְּב ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֶא ֲל־א ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ִאדֹני Ziba] has slandered your servant to my lord] 28 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּכ ַמ ְל ַא ְך ָה ֱא ִלֹהים ַו ֲע ֵשׂה ַה ּטוֹב the king. But my lord the king is like an angel of ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך׃ .Hashem; do as you see fit כט ִּכי לֹא ָהָיה ָּכ ֵּל־בית ָא ִבי ִּכי ִא ַם־א ְנשׁ ֵ י־ For all the members of my father’s family deserved 29 ָמֶות ַל ִאדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ָּתשׁ ֶ ת ֶא ַת־ע ְב ְ ּד ָך only death from my lord the king; yet you set your ְּב ְאֹכ ֵלי שׁ ֻ ְל ָח ֶנ ָך ּו ַמ ֶּה־ישׁ ִ־לי עוֹד ְצ ָד ָקה servant among those who ate at your table. What ְו ִלְזעֹק עוֹד ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ”?right have I to appeal further to Your Majesty ל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָל ָּמה ְּת ַד ֵּבר עוֹד The king said to him, “You need not speak further. I 30 ְ ּד ָבֶר ָיך ָא ַמְר ִּתי ַא ָּתה ְו ִצ ָיבא ַּת ְח ְל ּקו ”.decree that you and Ziba shall divide the property ֶא ַת־ה ָּשׂ ֶדה׃ לא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְמ ִפיבֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַּגם ֶאת־ ,And Mefiboshet said to the king, “Let him take it all 31 ַה ּכֹל ִי ָּקח ַא ֲחֵרי ֲאשׁ ֶ ָּר־בא ֲא ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶלך ”.as long as my lord the king has come home safe ְּבשׁ ָ לוֹם ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ׃ לב ּו ַבְרִז ַּלי ַה ִּג ְל ָע ִדי ָיַרד ֵמ ְרֹג ִלים ַוַּי ֲעבֹר Barzilai the Giladite had come down from Rogelin 32 ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַהַּיְר ֵ ּדן ְלשׁ ַ ְּלחוֹ ֶאת־בירדן and passed on to the Yarden with the king, to see ַ]הַּיְר ֵ ּדן׃[ . him off at theYarden לג ּו ַבְרִז ַּלי ָז ֵקן ְמאֹד ֶּבן־שׁ ְ ִמֹנים שׁ ָ ָנה ְו ּהוא־ Barzilai was very old, eighty years of age; and he 33 ִכ ְל ַּכל ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְּבשׁ ִ ָיבתוֹ ְב ַמ ֲח ַנִים ִּכי־ had provided the king with food during his stay at ִאישׁ ָּגדוֹל ּהוא ְמאֹד׃ .Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man לד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ַּל־בְרִז ָּלי ַא ָּתה ֲעבֹר ִא ִּתי The king said toBarzilai , “Cross over with me, and 34 ְו ִכ ְל ַּכ ְל ִּתי ְאֹת ָך ִע ָּמ ִדי ִּב ּירושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ ”.I will provide for you in Yerushalayim at my side לה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַּבְרִז ַּלי ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַּכ ָּמה ְי ֵמי שׁ ְ ֵני But Barzilai said to the king, “How many years are 35 ַחַּיי ִּכ ֶי־א ֱע ֶלה ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ left to me that I should go up with Your Majesty to Yerushalayim? לו ֶּבן־שׁ ְ ִמֹנים שׁ ָ ָנה ָא ִנֹכי ַה ּיוֹם ַה ֵא ַדע ֵּבין־ I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference 36 טוֹב ְלָרע ִא ִם־י ְט ַעם ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֶא ֲת־אשׁ ֶ ר between good and bad? Can your servant taste what ַאֹכל ְו ֶא ֲת־אשׁ ֶ ר ֶאשׁ ְ ֶּתה ִא ֶם־אשׁ ְ ַמע he eats and drinks? Can I still listen to the singing עוֹד ְּבקוֹל שׁ ָ ִרים ְושׁ ָ רוֹת ְו ָל ָּמה ִי ְהֶיה of men and women? Why then should your servant ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך עוֹד ְל ַמ ָּשׂא ֶא ֲל־א ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ ?continue to be a burden to my lord the king

148 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק כ Chapter 20

לז ִּכ ְמ ַעט ַי ֲעבֹר ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ֶאת־ Your servant could barely cross the Yarden with 37 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָל ָּמה ִי ְג ְמ ֵל ִני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ְּג ּמו ָלה your Majesty! Why should Your Majesty reward ַה ּזֹאת׃ ?me so generously לח ָישׁ ָ ָב־נא ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ְו ָא ֻמת ְּב ִע ִירי ִעם ֶק ֶבר Let your servant go back, and let me die in my own 38 ָא ִבי ְו ִא ִּמי ְו ִה ֵנּה ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִכ ְמ ָהם ַי ֲעבֹר town, near the graves of my father and mother. But ִע ֲם־א ִדֹני ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ֲע ֵשׂה־לוֹ ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ here is your servant Chimham; let him cross with טוֹב ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך׃ ”.my lord the king, and do for him as you see fit לט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִא ִּתי ַי ֲעבֹר ִּכ ְמ ָהם ַו ֲא ִני ,And the king said, “Chimham shall cross with me 39 ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ּה־לוֹ ֶא ַת־ה ּטוֹב ְּב ֵע ֶינ ָיך ְוכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ר־ Samuel and I will do for him as you see fit; and anything ִּת ְב ַחר ָע ַלי ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ָּה־ל ְך׃ ”.you want me to do, I will do for you מ ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָע ָבר All the troops crossed the Yarden; and when the 40 ַוִּישַּׁ ק ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְל ַבְרִז ַּלי ַוְי ָבֲר ֵכ ּהו ַוָּישׁ ָ ב king was ready to cross, the king kissed Barzilai and ִל ְמקֹמוֹ׃ bade him farewell; and [Barzilai] returned to his home. מא ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ִּג ְל ָּג ָלה ְו ִכ ְמ ָהן ָע ַבר ִע ּמוֹ The king passed on toGilgal , with Chimham 41 ְו ָכ ַל־עם ְי ּהו ָדה ויעברו ֶ]ה ֱע ִב ּירו[ ֶאת־ accompanying him; and all the Judite soldiers and ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ַגם ֲח ִצי ַעם ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .part of the Israelite army escorted the king across מב ְו ִה ֵנּה ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָּב ִאים ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך Then all the men ofYisrael came to the king and 42 ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַמ ּד ּו ַע ְּג ָנ ּבו ָך ַא ֵח ּינו said to the king, “Why did our kinsmen, the men ִאישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה ַוַּי ֲע ִב ּרו ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ֶאת־ of Yehuda, steal you away and escort the king and ֵּביתוֹ ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ְו ָכ ַל־א ְנשׁ ֵ י ָדִוד ִע ּמוֹ׃ his family across the Yarden, along with all David’s men?” מג ַוַּי ַען ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה ַע ִל־אישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ,All the men of Yehuda replied to the men of Yisrael 43 ִּכ ָי־קרוֹב ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵא ַלי ְו ָל ָּמה ֶ ּזה ָחָרה ְל ָך Because the king is our relative! Why should“ ַע ַל־ה ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה ֶה ָאכוֹל ָא ַכ ְל ּנו ִמ ַן־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך this upset you? Have we consumed anything that ִא ִם־נ ֵּשׂאת ִנ ָּשׂא ָל ּנו׃ ”?belongs to the king? Has he given us any gifts מד ַוַּי ַען ִאישׁ ִ־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֶא ִת־אישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה ,But the men of Yisrael answered the men of Yehuda 44 ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֶע ֶשׂ ָר־ידוֹת ִלי ַב ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ַג ְּם־ב ָדִוד ,We have ten shares in the king, and in David“ ֲא ִני ִמ ְּמ ָך ּו ַמ ּד ּו ַע ֱה ִק ּל ַֹת ִני ְו ָלֹא־הָיה too, we have more than you. Why then have you ְד ָבִרי ִראשׁ וֹן ִלי ְל ָהשׁ ִ יב ֶא ַת־מ ְל ִּכי slighted us? Were we not the first to propose that ַוִּי ֶקשׁ ְ ּד ַב ִר־אישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה ִמ ְ ּד ַבר ִאישׁ our king be brought back?” However, the men of ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ .Yehuda prevailed over the men of Yisrael א ְושׁ ָ ם ִנ ְקָרא ִאישׁ ְּב ִלַּי ַעל ּושׁ ְ מוֹ שׁ ֶ ַבע A scoundrel named Sheba son of Bichri, a 1 20 כ ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי ִאישׁ ְי ִמ ִיני ַוִּי ְת ַקע ַּבשּׁ ָֹפר Benjaminite, happened to be there. He sounded ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֵא ָין־ל ּנו ֵח ֶלק ְּב ָדִוד ְולֹא ַנ ֲח ָלה־ the shofar and proclaimed: “We have no portion in ָל ּנו ְּב ֶב ִן־ישׁ ַ י ִאישׁ ְל ָאֹה ָליו ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ David, No share in Yishai’s son! Every man to his tent, O Yisrael!” v’-SHAM nik-RA EESH b’-li-YA-al u-sh’-MO SHE-va ben bikh-REE EESH y’-mee- NEE va-yit-KA ba-sho-FAR va-YO-mer ayn LA-nu KHAY-lek b’-da-VID v’-LO na-kha- lah LA-nu b’-ven yi-SHAI EESH l’-o-ha-LAV yis-ra-AYL

20:1 He sounded the shofar The ram’s horn, Hashem commands the Jewish people to listen to the has a critical place in Judaism. sounds of the shofar on Rosh Hashana, and there are ,(שופר) shofar

149 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק כ Chapter 20

ב ַוַּי ַעל ָּכ ִל־אישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵמ ַא ֲחֵרי ָדִוד All the men of Yisrael leftDavid and followed Sheba 2 ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ֶ ַבע ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי ְו ִאישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה ָ ּד ְב ּקו son of Bichri; but the men of Yehuda accompanied ְב ַמ ְל ָּכם ִמ ַן־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ְו ַע ְד־י ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ .their king from the Yarden to Yerushalayim ג ַוָּיבֹא ָדִוד ֶא ֵּל־ביתוֹ ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִַלם ַוִּי ַּקח David went to his palace in Yerushalayim, and the 3 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֵאת ֶע ֶשׂ ָר־נשׁ ִ ים ִּפ ַל ְגשׁ ִ ים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר king took the ten concubines he had left to mind ִה ִנּ ַיח ִלשׁ ְ מֹר ַה ַּבִית ַוִּי ְּת ֵנם ֵּב ִית־משׁ ְ ֶמֶרת the palace and put them in a guarded place; he ַוְי ַכ ְל ְּכ ֵלם ַו ֲא ֵל ֶיהם ָלֹא־בא ַו ִּת ְהֶי ָינה provided for them, but he did not cohabit with ְצֻררוֹת ַעד־יוֹם ֻמ ָתן ַא ְל ְמ ּנות ַח ּי ּות׃ them. They remained in seclusion until the day they died, in living widowhood. Samuel ד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ֲל־ע ָמ ָשׂא ַהְז ֶע ִק־לי The king said toAmasa , “Call up the men of Yehuda 4 ֶא ִת־אישׁ ְ־י ּהו ָדה שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ָי ִמים ְו ַא ָּתה to my standard, and report here three days from ּפֹה ֲעמֹד׃ ”.now ה ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ֲע ָמ ָשׂא ְל ַהְז ִעיק ֶא ְת־י ּהו ָדה וייחר Amasa went to call up Yehuda, but he took longer 5 ַ]ו ּי ֶוֹחר[ ִמ ַן־ה ּמ ֵוֹעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְי ָעדוֹ׃ .than the time set for him ו ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ֲל־א ִבישׁ ַ י ַע ָּתה ֵיַרע ָל ּנו And David said to Avishai, “Now Sheba son of 6 שׁ ֶ ַבע ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי ִמ ַן־א ְבשׁ ָ לוֹם ַא ָּתה ַקח .Bichri will cause us more trouble than Avshalom ֶא ַת־ע ְב ֵדי ֲא ֶדֹנ ָיך ּוְרדֹף ַא ֲחָריו ֶּפ ָן־מ ָצא So take your lord’s servants and pursue him, before לוֹ ָעִרים ְּב ֻצרוֹת ְו ִה ִּציל ֵע ֵינ ּנו׃ ”.he finds fortified towns and eludes us ז ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ַא ֲחָריו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י ָיוֹאב ְו ַה ְּכֵר ִתי Yoav’s men, the Cherethites and Pelethites, and all 7 ְו ַה ְּפ ֵל ִתי ְו ָכ ַל־ה ִּג ּבִֹרים ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ִמ ּירושׁ ָ ִַלם the warriors, marched out behind him. They left ִלְר ּדֹף ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ֶ ַבע ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי׃ .Yerushalayim in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri ח ֵהם ִע ָם־ה ֶא ֶבן ַה ְּג ָדוֹלה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ִג ְבעוֹן They were near the great stone inGivon when 8 ַו ֲע ָמ ָשׂא ָּבא ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם ְו ָיוֹאב ָח ּגור ִמ ּדוֹ Amasa appeared before them. Yoav was wearing ְל ֻבשׁ ּו ועלו ְ]ו ָע ָליו[ ֲחגוֹר ֶחֶרב ְמ ֻצ ֶּמ ֶדת his military dress, with his sword girded over it and ַע ָל־מ ְת ָניו ְּב ַת ְעָר ּה ְו ּהוא ָי ָצא ַו ִּת ּפֹל׃ fastened around his waist in its sheath; and, as he stepped forward, it fell out. ט ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ַל ֲע ָמ ָשׂא ֲהשׁ ָ לוֹם ַא ָּתה Yoav said to Amasa, “How are you, brother?” and 9 ָא ִחי ַו ּת ֶֹחז ַי ְד־י ִמין ָיוֹאב ִּבְז ַקן ֲע ָמ ָשׂא with his right hand Yoav took hold of Amasa’s beard ִל ְנשׁ ָ ק־לוֹ׃ .as if to kiss him י ַו ֲע ָמ ָשׂא ִלֹא־נשׁ ְ ַמר ַּב ֶחֶרב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּבַיד־ Amasa was not on his guard against the sword in 10 ָיוֹאב ַוַּי ֵּכ ּהו ָב ּה ֶא ַל־ה ֶחֹמשׁ ַוִּישׁ ְ ּפ ְֹך ֵמ ָעיו Yoav’s [left] hand, and Yoav[ ] drove it into his belly ַאְר ָצה ְולֹא־שׁ ָ ָנה לוֹ ַוָּימֹת ְו ָיוֹאב ַו ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י so that his entrails poured out on the ground and ָא ִחיו ָר ַדף ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ֶ ַבע ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי׃ he died; he did not need to strike him a second time. Yoav and his brother Avishai then set off in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri,

times that it is to be blown in the Beit Hamikdash, such and of sounding a warning call. The common feature as on public fasts. It is also to be sounded at the end is that in all these cases, the shofar is sounded to get of the yovel, the Jubilee year. But in addition to these everyone’s attention to fulfill their particular mission. spiritual functions, it also has military usages. The It serves to awaken those who are slumbering, either shofar serves as the method of assembling soldiers physically or spiritually. Blowing the shofar at the Western

150 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק כ Chapter 20

יא ְו ִאישׁ ָע ַמד ָע ָליו ִמ ַנּ ֲעֵרי ָיוֹאב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר while one of Yoav’s henchmen stood by the corpse 11 ִמי ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָח ֵפץ ְּב ָיוֹאב ּו ִמי ֲאשׁ ֶ ְר־ל ָדִוד and called out, “Whoever favors Yoav, and whoever ַא ֲחֵרי ָיוֹאב׃ ”!is on David’s side, follow Yoav יב ַו ֲע ָמ ָשׂא ִמ ְת ּג ֵֹלל ַּב ָ ּדם ְּב ְתוֹך ַה ְמ ִּס ָּלה Amasa lay in the middle of the road, drenched in 12 ַוַּיְרא ָה ִאישׁ ִּכ ָי־ע ַמד ָּכ ָל־ה ָעם ַוַּי ֵּסב .his blood; and the man saw that everyone stopped ֶא ֲת־ע ָמ ָשׂא ִמ ַן־ה ְמ ִס ָּלה ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ַוַּישׁ ְ ֵל ְך ,And when he saw that all the people were stopping ָע ָליו ֶּב ֶגד ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָר ָאה ָּכ ַל־ה ָּבא ָע ָליו he dragged Amasa from the road into the field and ְו ָע ָמד׃ .covered him with a garment Samuel יג ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָהֹגה ִמ ַן־ה ְמ ִס ָּלה ָע ַבר ָּכ ִל־אישׁ Once he was removed from the road, everybody 13 ַא ֲחֵרי ָיוֹאב ִלְר ּדֹף ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ֶ ַבע ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי׃ continued to follow Yoav in pursuit of Sheba son of Bichri. יד ַוַּי ֲעבֹר ְּב ָכל־שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָא ֵב ָלה ּו ֵבית Sheba] had passed through all the tribes of Yisrael] 14 ַמ ֲע ָכה ְו ָכ ַל־ה ֵּבִרים ויקלהו ַ]וִּי ָּק ֲה ּלו[ up to Abel of Beth-maacah; and all the B’erites ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַא ַף־א ֲחָריו׃ .assembled and followed him inside טו ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַוָּי ֻצ ּרו ָע ָליו ְּב ָא ֵב ָלה ֵּבית ַה ַּמ ֲע ָכה Yoav’s men] came and besieged him in Abel of] 15 ַוִּישׁ ְ ְּפ ּכו ְסֹל ָלה ֶא ָל־ה ִעיר ַו ַּת ֲעמֹד ַּב ֵחל Beth-maacah; they threw up a siegemound against ְו ָכ ָל־ה ָעם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֶא ָת־יוֹאב ַמשׁ ְ ִח ִיתם the city and it stood against the rampart. All the ְל ַה ִּפיל ַה ָחוֹמה׃ troops with Yoav were engaged in battering the wall, טז ַו ִּת ְקָרא ִאשָּׁ ה ֲח ָכ ָמה ִמ ָן־ה ִעיר שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ,when a clever woman shouted from the city 16 שׁ ִ ְמ ּעו ִא ְמ ּרו ָ־נא ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ְקַרב ַע ֵד־ה ָנּה Listen! Listen! Tell Yoav to come over here so I“ ַו ֲא ַד ְּבָרה ֵא ֶל ָיך׃ ”.can talk to him יז ַוִּי ְקַרב ֵא ֶל ָיה ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ַה ַא ָּתה He approached her, and the woman asked, “Are 17 ָיוֹאב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָא ִני ַו ּת ֶֹאמר לוֹ שׁ ְ ַמע ִ ּד ְבֵרי ,you Yoav?” “Yes,” he answered; and she said to him ֲא ָמ ֶת ָך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר שׁ ֵֹמ ַע ָא ִנֹכי׃ Listen to what your handmaid has to say.” “I’m“ listening,” he replied. יח ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ֵלאמֹר ַ ּד ֵּבר ְי ַד ְּב ּרו ָבִראשׁ ָֹנה And she continued, “In olden times people used to 18 ֵלאמֹר שׁ ָ אֹל ְישׁ ָ ֲא ּלו ְּב ָא ֵבל ְו ֵכן ֵה ַת ּמ ּו׃ say, ‘Let them inquire of Abel,’ and that was the end of the matter. יט ָא ִנֹכי שׁ ְ ֻל ֵמי ֱא ּמו ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַא ָּתה ְמ ַב ֵּקשׁ I am one of those who seek the welfare of the 19 ְל ָה ִמית ִעיר ְו ֵאם ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ָל ָּמה ְת ַב ַּלע faithful in Yisrael. But you seek to bring death upon ַנ ֲח ַלת ְי ָהֹוה׃ a mother city in Yisrael! Why should you destroy Hashem’s possession?” כ ַוַּי ַען ָיוֹאב ַו ּי ַֹאמר ָח ִל ָילה ָח ִל ָילה ִלי ִאם־ Yoav replied, “Far be it, far be it from me to destroy 20 ֲא ַב ַּלע ְו ִא ַם־אשׁ ְ ִחית׃ !or to ruin כא ֵלֹא־כן ַה ָ ּד ָבר ִּכי ִאישׁ ֵמ ַהר ֶא ְפַרִים Not at all! But a certain man from the hill country 21 שׁ ֶ ַבע ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי שׁ ְ מוֹ ָנ ָשׂא ָידוֹ ַּב ֶּמ ֶל ְך of Efraim, named Sheba son of Bichri, has rebelled ְּב ָדִוד ְּת ּנו־אֹתוֹ ְל ַב ּדוֹ ְו ֵא ְל ָכה ֵמ ַעל ָה ִעיר against King David. Just hand him alone over to ַו ּת ֶֹאמר ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ִה ֵנּה רֹאשׁ וֹ us, and I will withdraw from the city.” The woman ֻמשׁ ְ ָל ְך ֵא ֶל ָיך ְּב ַעד ַה ָחוֹמה׃ assured Yoav, “His head shall be thrown over the wall to you.”

151 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק אכ Chapter 21

כב ַו ָּתבוֹא ָה ִאשָּׁ ה ֶא ָּל־כ ָל־ה ָעם ְּב ָח ְכ ָמ ָת ּה The woman came to all the people with her clever 22 ַוִּי ְכְר ּתו ֶאת־רֹאשׁ שׁ ֶ ַבע ֶּב ִּן־ב ְכִרי plan; and they cut off the head of Sheba son of ַוַּישׁ ְ ִל ּכו ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ַוִּי ְת ַקע ַּבשּׁ ָוֹפר ַוָּי ֻפ ּצו Bichri and threw it down to Yoav. He then sounded ֵמ ַע ָל־ה ִעיר ִאישׁ ְל ָאֹה ָליו ְו ָיוֹאב שׁ ָ ב ,the shofar; all the men dispersed to their homes ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִַלם ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך׃ .and Yoav returned to the king in Yerushalayim כג ְו ָיוֹאב ֶאל ָּכ ַל־ה ָּצ ָבא ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ּו ְב ָנָיה [Yoav was commander of the whole army [of 23 ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹי ָדע ַעל־הכרי ַ]ה ְּכֵר ִתי[ ְו ַעל־ Yisrael; Benaiah son of Yehoyada was commander ַה ְּפ ֵל ִתי׃ ;of the Cherethites and the Pelethites Samuel כד ַו ֲא ָדֹרם ַע ַל־ה ַּמס ִויהוֹשׁ ָ ָפט ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ּילוד Adoram was in charge of forced labor; Yehoshafat 24 ַה ַּמְז ִּכיר׃ ;son of Achilud was recorder כה ושיא ּ]ושׁ ְ ָוא[ ֵסֹפר ְו ָצדוֹק ְו ֶא ְבָי ָתר Sheva was scribe; and Tzadok and Evyatar were 25 ּכ ֲֹה ִנים׃ .Kohanim כו ְו ַגם ִע ָירא ַהָּי ִאִרי ָהָיה ֵכֹהן ְל ָדִוד׃ .Ira the Yairite also served David as Kohen 26 א ַוְי ִהי ָר ָעב ִּב ֵימי ָדִוד שׁ ָ לֹשׁ שׁ ָ ִנים שׁ ָ ָנה , There was a famine during the reign ofDavid 1 21 כא ַא ֲחֵרי שׁ ָ ָנה ַוְי ַב ֵּקשׁ ָ ּדִוד ֶא ְּת־פ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה year after year for three years.David inquired of ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ֶאל־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶא ֵּל־בית Hashem, and Hashem replied, “It is because of the ַה ָ ּד ִמים ַע ֲל־אשׁ ֶ ֵר־ה ִמית ֶא ַת־ה ִּג ְב ִעֹנים׃ bloodguilt of Shaul and [his] house, for he put some Givonites to death.” ב ַוִּי ְקָרא ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַל ִּג ְב ִעֹנים ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲא ֵל ֶיהם The king summoned the Givonites and spoke to 2 ְו ַה ִּג ְב ִעֹנים לֹא ִמ ְּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵה ָּמה ִּכי them.—Now the Givonites were not of Israelite ִא ִם־מֶּי ֶתר ָה ֱא ִמֹרי ּו ְב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִנשׁ ְ ְּב ּעו stock, but a remnant of the Amorites, to whom the ָל ֶהם ַוְי ַב ֵּקשׁ שׁ ָ ּאול ְל ַה ּכ ָֹתם ְּב ַקנֹּאתוֹ Israelites had given an oath; and Shaul had tried to ִל ְב ֵנ ִי־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִו ּיהו ָדה׃ wipe them out in his zeal for the people of Yisrael and Yehuda. ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ַל־ה ִּג ְב ִעֹנים ָמה ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה David asked the Givonites, “What shall I do for 3 ָל ֶכם ּו ַב ָּמה ֲא ַכ ֵּפר ּו ָבְר ּכו ֶא ַת־נ ֲח ַלת you? How shall I make expiation, so that you may ְי ָהֹוה׃ ”?bless Hashem’s own people ד ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו לוֹ ַה ִּג ְב ִעֹנים ֵאין־לי ָ]ל ּנו[ ֶּכ ֶסף The Givonites answered him, “We have no claim 4 ְוָז ָהב ִעם־שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ִע ֵּם־ביתוֹ ְו ֵא ָין־ל ּנו ;for silver or gold against Shaul and his household ִאישׁ ְל ָה ִמית ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָמ ַה־א ֶּתם and we have no claim on the life of any other man ְאֹמִרים ֶא ֱע ֶשׂה ָל ֶכם׃ in Yisrael.” And [David] responded, “Whatever you say I will do for you.” ה ַו ּי ְֹאמ ּרו ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָה ִאישׁ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּכ ָּל ּנו Thereupon they said to the king, “The man who 5 ַו ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִ ּד ָּמ ָה־ל ּנו ִנשׁ ְ ַמ ְד ּנו ֵמ ִה ְתַי ֵּצב ְּב ָכל־ massacred us and planned to exterminate us, so ְּג ֻבל ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ that we should not survive in all the territory of Yisrael ו ֻינתן־]י ַּתן־[ ָל ּנו שׁ ִ ְב ָעה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ִמ ָּב ָניו ,let seven of his male issue be handed over to us 6 ְו ַהוֹק ֲע ּנום ַל ָיהֹוה ְּב ִג ְב ַעת שׁ ָ ּאול ְּב ִחיר and we will impale them before Hashem in Giva of ְי ָהֹוה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֲא ִני ֶא ֵּתן׃ ,Shaul, the chosen of Hashem.” And the king replied “I will do so.” ז ַוַּי ְחמֹל ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַע ְל־מ ִפי־בֹשׁ ֶ ת ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹנ ָתן The king sparedMefiboshet son of Yehonatan son of 7 ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול ַעל־שׁ ְ ֻב ַעת ְי ָהֹוה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ֵּב ָינֹתם Shaul, because of the oath before Hashem between ֵּבין ָ ּדִוד ּו ֵבין ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .the two, between David and Yehonatan son of Shaul

152 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק אכ Chapter 21

ח ַוִּי ַּקח ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶאת־שׁ ְ ֵני ְּב ֵני ִר ְצ ָּפה ַבת־ ,Instead, the king took Armoni and Mefiboshet 8 ַאָּיה ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ְל ָדה ְלשׁ ָ ּאול ֶא ַת־אְר ִמֹני the two sons that Rizpah daughter of Aiah bore ְו ֶא ְת־מ ִפבֹשׁ ֶ ת ְו ֶא ֲת־ח ֵמשׁ ֶ ת ְּב ֵני ִמ ַיכל to Shaul, and the five sons that Merab daughter ַּבת־שׁ ָ ּאול ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָי ְל ָדה ְל ַע ְדִר ֵיאל ֶּבן־ of Shaul bore to Adriel son of Barzilai the ַּבְרִז ַּלי ַה ְּמ ָחֹל ִתי׃ ,Meholathite ט ַוִּי ְּת ֵנם ְּבַיד ַה ִּג ְב ִעֹנים ַו ּי ִֹק ֻיעם ָּב ָהר and he handed them over to the Givonites. They 9 ִל ְפ ֵני ְי ָהֹוה ַוִּי ְּפ ּלו שבעתים ]שׁ ְ ַב ְע ָּתם[ impaled them on the mountain before Hashem; all ָי ַחד והם ְ]ו ֵה ָּמה[ ֻה ְמ ּתו ִּב ֵימי ָק ִציר seven of them perished at the same time. They were ָּבִראשׁ ִֹנים תחלת ִּ]ב ְת ִח ַּלת[ ְק ִציר Samuel put to death in the first days of the harvest, the ְשׂ ִעֹרים׃ .beginning of the barley harvest י ַו ִּת ַּקח ִר ְצ ָּפה ַב ַת־אָּיה ֶא ַת־ה ַּשׂק ַו ַּת ֵּט ּהו Then Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and 10 ָל ּה ֶא ַל־ה ּצ ּור ִמ ְּת ִח ַּלת ָק ִציר ַעד ִנ ַּת ְך־ spread it on a rock for herself, and she stayed there ַמִים ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ִמ ַן־השָּׁ ָמִים ְו ָלֹא־נ ְת ָנה עוֹף from the beginning of the harvest until rain from ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ָל ּנו ַח ֲע ֵל ֶיהם ָיוֹמם ְו ֶא ַת־חַּית the sky fell on the bodies; she did not let the birds ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ָלְי ָלה׃ of the sky settle on them by day or the wild beasts [approach] by night. יא ַוֻּי ַּגד ְל ָדִוד ֵאת ֲאשׁ ֶ ָר־ע ְשׂ ָתה ִר ְצ ָּפה ַבת־ David was told what Shaul’s concubine Rizpah 11 ַאָּיה ִּפ ֶל ֶגשׁ שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .daughter of Aiah had done יב ַוֵּי ֶל ְך ָ ּדִוד ַוִּי ַּקח ֶא ַת־ע ְצמוֹת שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶאת־ And David went and took the bones of Shaul and 12 ַע ְצמוֹת ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ ֵמ ֵאת ַּב ֲע ֵלי ָי ֵבישׁ -of his son Yehonatan from the citizens of Jabesh ִּג ְל ָעד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָּג ְנ ּבו ָאֹתם ֵמְרחֹב ֵּבית־שׁ ַ ן gilead, who had made off with them from the ֲאשׁ ֶ ר תלום ְּ]ת ָל ּאום[ שם הפלשתים public square of Beth-shan, where the Philistines ]שׁ ָ ָּמה[ ְּ]פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים[ ְּביוֹם ַה ּכוֹת had hung them up on the day the Philistines killed ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶאת־שׁ ָ ּאול ַּב ִּג ְל ּב ַֹע׃ .Shaul at Gilboa יג ַוַּי ַעל ִמשָּׁ ם ֶא ַת־ע ְצמוֹת שׁ ָ ּאול ְו ֶאת־ He brought up the bones of Shaul and of his son 13 ַע ְצמוֹת ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ְּבנוֹ ַוַּי ַא ְס ּפו ֶא ַת־ע ְצמוֹת Yehonatan from there; and he gathered the bones of ַה ּמ ּו ָק ִעים׃ .those who had been impaled יד ַוִּי ְק ְּב ּרו ֶא ַת־ע ְצמוֹת־שׁ ָ ּאול ִו ָיהוֹנ ָת ְּן־בנוֹ And they buried the bones of Shaul and of his son 14 ְּב ֶאֶרץ ִּב ְנָי ִמן ְּב ֵצ ָלע ְּב ֶק ֶבר ִקישׁ ָא ִביו ,Yehonatan in Zela, in the territory of Binyamin ַוַּי ֲע ּשׂו ּכֹל ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־צָּוה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַוֵּי ָע ֵתר in the tomb of his father Keesh. And when all ֱא ִלֹהים ָל ָאֶרץ ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן׃ that the king had commanded was done, Hashem responded to the plea of the land thereafter. va-yik-b’-RU et atz-MOT sha-UL vee-ho-na-tan b’-NO b’-E-retz bin-ya-MIN b’-tzay- LA b’-KE-ver KEESH a-VEEV va-ya-a-SU KOL a-sher tzi-VAH ha-ME-lekh va-yay-a- TAYR e-lo-HEEM la-A-retz a-kha-ray KHAYN

21:14 And they buried the bones of Shaul King everyone be provided a proper burial has been a core David buries the remains of King Shaul and value from antiquity until today. For example, following Yonatan in their ancestral burial area within the territory Israel’s War for Independence, the army’s Chief Rabbi, of the tribe of Binyamin. Metzudat David adds that David Shlomo Goren, worked day and night to bring the remains also makes sure that they are properly eulogized of fallen Israeli fighters to proper burial. He risked his life throughout the land, with King David himself giving one by walking through minefields, and often dug through of the eulogies. Though this was particularly important the earth with his own hands, to ensure that every soldier due to the honor given to a king, the concern that killed in action would receive a proper burial.

153 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק בכ Chapter 22

טו ַו ְּת ִהי־עוֹד ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ַל ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶאת־ Again war broke out between the Philistines and 15 ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוֵּיֶרד ָ ּדִוד ַו ֲע ָב ָדיו ִע ּמוֹ ַוִּי ָּל ֲח ּמו Yisrael, and David and the men with him went ֶא ְּת־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוָּי ַעף ָ ּדִוד׃ ,down and fought the Philistines; David grew weary טז וישבו ְ]וִישׁ ְ ִּבי[ ְּבנֹב ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּב ִיל ֵידי ָהָר ָפה and Ishbi-benob tried to kill David.—He was 16 ּו ִמשׁ ְ ַקל ֵקינוֹ שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֵמאוֹת ִמשׁ ְ ַקל a descendant of the Raphah; his bronze spear ְנחֹשׁ ֶ ת ְו ּהוא ָח ּגור ֲח ָדשׁ ָ ה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר weighed three hundred shekalim and he wore new ְל ַה ּכוֹת ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד׃ .armor יז ּ ּ ְ But Avishai son of Tzeruya came to his aid; he 17

Samuel ַוַי ֲעָזר־לוֹ ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה ַוַיך ֶאת־ ַה ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתי ַוְי ִמ ֵית ּהו ָאז ִנשׁ ְ ְּב ּעו ַא ְנשׁ ֵ י־ attacked the Philistine and killed him. It was then ָדִוד לוֹ ֵלאמֹר ֵלֹא־ת ֵצא עוֹד ִא ָּת ּנו that David’s men declared to him on oath, “You ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְולֹא ְת ַכ ֶּבה ֶא ֵת־נר ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ shall not go with us into battle any more, lest you extinguish the lamp of Yisrael!” יח ַוְי ִהי ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ַו ְּת ִהי־עוֹד ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְּבגוֹב After this, fighting broke out again with the 18 ִע ְּם־פ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָאז ִה ָּכה ִס ְּב ַכי ַה ֻחשׁ ָ ִתי Philistines, at Gob; that was when Sibbecai the ֶא ַת־סף ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִּב ִיל ֵדי ָהָר ָפה׃ .Hushathite killed Saph, a descendant of the Raphah יט ַו ְּת ִהי־עוֹד ַה ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְּבגוֹב ִעם־ Again there was fighting with the Philistines 19 ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוַּי ְך ֶא ְל ָח ָנן ֶּב ַן־י ְעֵרי ְאֹר ִגים at Gob; and Elchanan son of Jaareoregim the ֵּבית ַה ַּל ְח ִמי ֵאת ָּג ְלָית ַה ִּג ִּתי ְו ֵעץ ֲח ִניתוֹ Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, whose ִּכ ְמנוֹר ְאֹר ִגים׃ .spear had a shaft like a weaver’s bar כ ַו ְּת ִהי־עוֹד ִמ ְל ָח ָמה ְּב ַגת ַוְי ִהי ִאישׁ מדין Once again there was fighting, at Gath. There was 20 ָ]מדוֹן[ ְו ֶא ְצ ְּבעֹת ָי ָדיו ְו ֶא ְצ ְּבעֹת ַר ְג ָליו a giant of a man, who had six fingers on each hand שׁ ֵ שׁ ָושׁ ֵ שׁ ֶע ְשׂ ִרים ְו ַאְר ַּבע ִמ ְס ָּפר ְו ַגם־ and six toes on each foot, twenty-four in all; he too ּהוא ֻי ַּלד ְל ָהָר ָפה׃ .was descended from the Raphah כא ַוְי ָחֵרף ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוַּי ֵּכ ּהו ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן ֶּבן־ When he taunted Yisrael, Yehonatan, the son of 21 שמעי ]שׁ ִ ְמ ָעה[ ֲא ִחי ָדִוד׃ .David’s brother Shim’i, killed him כב ֶא ַת־אְר ַּב ַעת ֵא ֶּלה ֻי ְּל ּדו ְל ָהָר ָפה ְּב ַגת Those four were descended from the Raphah in 22 ַוִּי ְּפ ּלו ְבַי ָ ּד־דִוד ּו ְבַיד ֲע ָב ָדיו׃ Gath, and they fell by the hands of David and his men. א ַוְי ַד ֵּבר ָ ּדִוד ַל ָיהֹוה ֶא ִ ּת־ד ְבֵרי ַהשִּׁ ָירה ,David addressed the words of this song to Hashem 1 22 כב ַה ּזֹאת ְּביוֹם ִה ִּציל ְי ָהֹוה אֹתוֹ ִמ ַּכף ָּכל־ after Hashem had saved him from the hands of all ְאֹי ָביו ּו ִמ ַּכף שׁ ָ ּאול׃ .his enemies and from the hands of Shaul ב ַו ּי ַֹאמר ְי ָהֹוה ַס ְל ִעי ּו ְמ ֻצ ָד ִתי ּו ְמ ַפ ְל ִט ִי־לי׃ !He said: Hashem, my crag, my fastness, my deliverer 2 ג ֱא ֵלֹהי ּצוִרי ֶא ֱח ֶס ּה־בוֹ ָמ ִג ִנּי ְו ֶקֶרן ִישׁ ְ ִעי O Hashem, the rock wherein I take shelter: My 3 ִמ ְשׂ ַּג ִּבי ּו ְמ ּנו ִסי מֹשׁ ִ ִעי ֵמ ָח ָמס ּתֹשׁ ִ ֵע ִני׃ !shield, my mighty champion, my fortress and refuge My savior, You who rescue me from violence! e-lo-HAY tzu-REE e-khe-seh BO ma-gi-NEE v’-KE-ren yish-EE mis-ga-BEE um-nu- SEE mo-shi-EE may-kha-MAS to-shi-AY-nee

22:3 O Hashem, the rock wherein I take shelter At travelers from the wind and rain. It is interesting to note various points in this chapter, King David refers that the State of Israel’s Declaration of Independence to Hashem as “my rock.” Rashi notes that a rock represents invokes divine protection by use of the phrase, “placing both strength and protection, as rocks can protect our trust in the Rock of Israel.” Hashem’s help would Signing the Declaration of Independence

154 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק בכ Chapter 22

ד ְמ ֻה ָּלל ֶא ְקָרא ְי ָהֹוה ּו ֵמ ְאֹי ַבי ִאָּושׁ ֵ ַע׃ All praise! I called on Hashem, And I was delivered 4 from my enemies. ה ִּכי ֲא ָפ ֻפ ִני ִמשׁ ְ ְּבֵר ָי־מֶות ַנ ֲח ֵלי ְב ִלַּי ַעל For the breakers of Death encompassed me, The 5 ְי ַב ֲע ֻת ִני׃ ;torrents of Belial terrified me ו ֶח ְב ֵלי שׁ ְ אוֹל ַס ֻּב ִני ִק ְ ּד ֻמ ִני ְמֹקשׁ ֵ ָי־מֶות׃ The snares of Sheol encircled me, The coils of 6 Death engulfed me. ז ַּב ַּצ ִר־לי ֶא ְקָרא ְי ָהֹוה ְו ֶא ֱל־א ַלֹהי ֶא ְקָרא In my anguish I called on Hashem, Cried out to 7 ַוִּישׁ ְ ַמע ֵמ ֵה ָיכלוֹ ִקוֹלי ְושׁ ַ ְו ָע ִתי ְּב ָאְז ָניו׃ Samuel my God; In His Abode He heard my voice, My cry entered His ears. ח ותגעש ַ]וִּי ְת ָּג ַעשׁ [ ַו ִּתְר ַעשׁ ָה ָאֶרץ Then the earth rocked and quaked, The 8 ְמוֹסדוֹת ַהשָּׁ ַמִים ִיְר ָּג ּזו ַוִּי ְת ָּג ֲעשׁ ּו ִּכי־ foundations of heaven shook Rocked by His ָחָרה לוֹ׃ .indignation

ט ָע ָלה ָעשׁ ָ ן ְּב ַא ּפוֹ ְו ֵאשׁ ִמ ִּפיו ּת ֵֹאכל Smoke went up from His nostrils, From His mouth 9 ֶּג ָח ִלים ָּב ֲע ּרו ִמ ֶּמ ּנּו׃ came devouring fire; Live coals blazed forth from Him. י ַוֵּיט שׁ ָ ַמִים ַוֵּיַרד ַו ֲעָר ֶפל ַּת ַחת ַר ְג ָליו׃ He bent the sky and came down, Thick cloud 10 beneath His feet. יא ַוִּיְר ַּכב ַע ְּל־כ ּרוב ַוָּיעֹף ַוֵּיָרא ַע ַּל־כ ְנ ֵפי־ He mounted a cherub and flew; He was seen on 11 ּרו ַח׃ .the wings of the wind

יב ַוָּישׁ ֶ ת חֹשׁ ֶ ְך ְס ִב ָיבֹתיו ֻס ּכוֹת ַחשׁ ְ ַר ַת־מִים ,He made pavilions of darkness about Him 12 ָע ֵבי שׁ ְ ָח ִקים׃ ;Dripping clouds, huge thunderheads יג ִמ ַנֹּג ּה ֶנ ְג ּדוֹ ָּב ֲע ּרו ַּג ֲח ֵל ֵי־אשׁ ׃ .In the brilliance before Him Blazed fiery coals 13 יד ַיְר ֵעם ִמן־שׁ ָ ַמִים ְי ָהֹוה ְו ֶע ְליוֹן ִי ֵּתן קוֹלוֹ׃ Hashem thundered forth from heaven, The Most 14 High sent forth His voice; טו ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ִח ִּצים ַוְי ִפ ֵיצם ָּבָרק ויהמם ,He let loose bolts, and scattered them; Lightning 15 ַ]וָּיהֹם׃[ .and put them to rout טז ַוֵּיָר ּאו ֲא ִפ ֵקי ָים ִי ָּג ּלו ְמֹסדוֹת ֵּת ֵבל The bed of the sea was exposed, The foundations 16 ְּב ַג ֲעַרת ְי ָהֹוה ִמ ִנּשׁ ְ ַמת ּרו ַח ַא ּפוֹ׃ of the world were laid bare By the mighty roaring of Hashem, At the blast of the breath of His nostrils. יז ִישׁ ְ ַלח ִמ ָּמרוֹם ִי ָּק ֵח ִני ַי ְמשׁ ֵ ִני ִמ ַּמִים He reached down from on high, He took me, Drew 17 ַר ִּבים׃ ;me out of the mighty waters יח ַי ִּצ ֵיל ִני ֵמ ְאֹי ִבי ָעז ִמ ּשׂ ְֹנ ַאי ִּכי ָא ְמ ּצו He rescued me from my enemy so strong, From 18 ִמ ֶּמ ִנּ י׃ .foes too mighty for me

indeed be necessary to establish an independent, free, Thankfully, the Rock of Israel continues to strengthen democratic Jewish State in the Land of Israel that would and protect the State of Israel. be able to absorb Jews from around the world.

155 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק בכ Chapter 22

יט ְי ַק ְ ּד ֻמ ִני ְּביוֹם ֵא ִידי ַוְי ִהי ְי ָהֹוה ִמשׁ ְ ָען ִלי׃ They attacked me on my day of calamity, But 19 Hashem was my stay. כ ַו ּי ֵֹצא ַל ֶּמְר ָחב ִאֹתי ְי ַח ְּל ֵצ ִני ִּכ ָי־ח ֵפץ ִּבי׃ He brought me out to freedom, He rescued me 20 because He was pleased with me. כא ִי ְג ְמ ֵל ִני ְי ָהֹוה ְּכ ִצ ְד ָק ִתי ְּכבֹר ָי ַדי ָישׁ ִ יב ִלי׃ Hashem rewarded me according to my merit, He 21 requited the cleanness of my hands. כב ִּכי שׁ ָ ַמְר ִּתי ַ ּדְר ֵכי ְי ָהֹוה ְולֹא ָרשׁ ַ ְע ִּתי For I have kept the ways of Hashem And have not 22 ֵמ ֱא ָלֹהי׃ ;been guilty before my God Samuel כג ִּכי ָכל־משפטו ִ]משׁ ְ ָּפ ָטיו[ ְל ֶנ ְג ִ ּדי I am mindful of all His rules And have not departed 23 ְו ֻח ּק ָֹתיו ָלֹא־א ּסור ִמ ֶּמ ָנּה׃ .from His laws כד ָו ֶא ְהֶיה ָת ִמים לוֹ ָו ֶאשׁ ְ ַּת ְּמָרה ֵמ ֲע ִוׂני׃ I have been blameless before Him, And have 24 guarded myself against sinning— כה ַוָּישׁ ֶ ב ְי ָהֹוה ִלי ְּכ ִצ ְד ָק ִתי ְּכ ִבֹרי ְל ֶנ ֶגד And Hashem has requited my merit, According to 25 ֵע ָיניו׃ .my purity in His sight כו ִע ָם־ח ִסיד ִּת ְת ַח ָּסד ִע ִּם־ג ּבוֹר ָּת ִמים With the loyal You deal loyally; With the blameless 26 ִּת ַּת ָּמם׃ .hero, blamelessly כז ִע ָם־נ ָבר ִּת ָּת ָבר ְו ִע ִם־ע ֵּקשׁ ִּת ַּת ָּפל׃ With the pure You act in purity, And with the 27 perverse You are wily. כח ְו ֶא ַת־עם ָע ִני ּתוֹשׁ ִ ַיע ְו ֵע ֶינ ָיך ַע ָל־ר ִמים To humble folk You give victory, And You look 28 ַּתשׁ ְ ִּפיל׃ .with scorn on the haughty כט ִּכ ַי־א ָּתה ֵנ ִירי ְי ָהֹוה ַו ָיהֹוה ַי ִּג ַּיה ָחשׁ ְ ִּכי׃ You, Hashem, are my lamp; Hashem lights up my 29 darkness. ל ִּכי ְב ָכה ָא ּרוץ ְּג ּדוד ֵּב ַאלֹהי ֲא ַד ֶּלג־שׁ ּור׃ With You, I can rush a barrier, With my God, I can 30 scale a wall. לא ָה ֵאל ָּת ִמים ַ ּדְר ּכוֹ ִא ְמַרת ְי ָהֹוה ְצ ּרו ָפה The way ofHashem is perfect, The word ofHashem 31 ָמ ֵגן ּהוא ְלכֹל ַה ִחֹסים ּבוֹ׃ .is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him לב ִּכי ִמ ֵי־אל ִמ ַּב ְל ֲע ֵדי ְי ָהֹוה ּו ִמי ּצור Yea, who is a god except Hashem, Who is a rock 32 ִמ ַּב ְל ֲע ֵדי ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו׃ —except Hashem לג ָה ֵאל ָמ ּעוִ ּזי ָחִיל ַוַּי ֵּתר ָּת ִמים דרכו TheHashem , my mighty stronghold, Who kept my 33 ַ ּ]דְר ִּכי׃[ ;path secure לד ְמשׁ ַ ֶּוה רגליו ַ]ר ְג ַלי[ ָּכ ַאָּילוֹת ְו ַעל Who made my legs like a deer’s, And set me firm 34 ָּב ַמוֹתי ַי ֲע ִמ ֵד ִני׃ ;on the heights לה ְמ ַל ֵּמד ָי ַדי ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ְו ִנ ַחת ֶקשׁ ֶ ת־ Who trained my hands for battle, So that my arms 35 ְנ ּחושׁ ָ ה ְז ָרֹעֹתי׃ !can bend a bow of bronze לו ַו ִּת ֶּת ִן־לי ָמ ֵגן ִישׁ ְ ֶע ָך ַו ֲע ְנֹת ָך ַּתְר ֵּב ִני׃ You have granted me the shield of Your protection 36 And Your providence has made me great. לז ַּתְר ִחיב ַצ ֲע ִדי ַּת ְח ֵּת ִני ְולֹא ָמ ֲע ּדו You have let me stride on freely, And my feet have 37 ַקְר ֻס ָּלי׃ .not slipped לח ֶאְר ְ ּד ָפה ְאֹי ַבי ָו ַאשׁ ְ ִמ ֵידם ְולֹא ָאשׁ ּוב I pursued my enemies and wiped them out, I did 38 ַע ַּד־כ ּל ָוֹתם׃ .not turn back till I destroyed them

156 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק גכ Chapter 23

לט ָו ֲא ַכ ֵּלם ָו ֶא ְמ ָח ֵצם ְולֹא ְי ּקו ּמון ַוִּי ְּפ ּלו I destroyed them, I struck them down; They rose 39 ַּת ַחת ַר ְג ָלי׃ .no more, they lay at my feet מ ַו ַּתְזֵר ִני ַחִיל ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ַּת ְכִר ַיע ָק ַמי You have girt me with strength for battle, Brought 40 ַּת ְח ֵּת ִני׃ ,low my foes before me מא ְו ְאֹי ַבי ַּת ָּתה ִּלי ֶעֹרף ְמ ַשׂ ְנ ַאי ָו ַא ְצ ִמ ֵיתם׃ —Made my enemies turn tail before me, My foes 41 and I wiped them out. מב ִישׁ ְ ּעו ְו ֵאין מֹשׁ ִ ַיע ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ְולֹא ָע ָנם׃ They looked, but there was none to deliver; To 42

Samuel Hashem, but He answered them not. מג ְו ֶאשׁ ְ ָח ֵקם ַּכ ֲע ַפ ָר־אֶרץ ְּכ ִט ּיט־חוצוֹת ,I pounded them like dust of the earth, Stamped 43 ֲא ִד ֵּקם ֶאְר ָק ֵעם׃ .crushed them like dirt of the streets מד ַו ְּת ַפ ְּל ֵט ִני ֵמִר ֵיבי ַע ִּמי ִּתשׁ ְ ְמֵר ִני ְלרֹאשׁ ,You have rescued me from the strife of peoples 44 ּג ִוֹים ַעם ָלֹא־י ַד ְע ִּתי ַי ַע ְב ֻד ִני׃ Kept me to be a ruler of nations; Peoples I knew not must serve me. מה ְּב ֵני ֵנ ָכר ִי ְת ַּכ ֲחשׁ ּו ִ־לי ִלשׁ ְ ַמוֹע ֶאֹזן Aliens have cringed before me, Paid me homage at 45 ִישָּׁ ְמ ּעו ִלי׃ .the mere report of me מו ְּב ֵני ֵנ ָכר ִי ּב ֹּלו ְוַי ְח ְּג ּרו ִמ ִּמ ְס ְּג ָרוֹתם׃ Aliens have lost courage And come trembling out 46 of their fastnesses. מז ַח ְי־י ָהֹוה ּו ָב ּרו ְך ּצוִרי ְוָיֻרם ֱא ֵלֹהי ּצור Hashem lives! Blessed is my rock! Exalted be 47 ִ י שׁ ְ ִ ע י ׃ ;Hashem, the rock Who gives me victory מח ָה ֵאל ַה ֵנֹּתן ְנ ָקמֹת ִלי ּו ִמוֹריד ַע ִּמים TheHashem who has vindicated me And made 48 ַּת ְח ֵּת ִני׃ ,peoples subject to me מט ּו ִמוֹצ ִיאי ֵמ ְאֹי ָבי ּו ִמ ָּק ַמי ְּת ְרוֹמ ֵמ ִני Rescued me from my enemies, Raised me clear of 49 ֵמ ִאישׁ ֲח ָמ ִסים ַּת ִּצ ֵיל ִני׃ !my foes, Saved me from lawless men נ ַע ֵּל־כן ְאוֹד ָך ְי ָהֹוה ַּב ּג ִוֹים ּו ְלשׁ ִ ְמ ָך ֲאַז ֵּמר׃ For this I sing Your praise among the nations And 50 hymn Your name: נא מגדיל ִ]מ ְג ּדוֹל[ ְישׁ ּועוֹת ַמ ְל ּכוֹ ְו ֶעֹשׂה־ Tower of victory to His king, Who deals graciously 51 ֶח ֶסד ִל ְמשׁ ִ יחוֹ ְל ָדִוד ּו ְלַזְרעוֹ ַע ָד־עוֹלם׃ with His anointed, With David and his offspring evermore. א ְו ֵא ֶּלה ִ ּד ְבֵרי ָדִוד ָה ַא ֲח ִרֹנים ְנ ֻאם ָ ּדִוד These are the last words ofDavid : The utterance of 1 23 כג ֶּב ִן־ישׁ ַ י ּו ְנ ֻאם ַה ֶּג ֶבר ֻה ַקם ָעל ְמשׁ ִ ַיח David son of Yishai, The utterance of the man set ֱא ֵלֹהי ַי ֲעקֹב ּו ְנ ִעים ְז ִמרוֹת ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ on high, The anointed of the God ofYaakov , The favorite of the songs of Yisrael: v’-AY-leh div-RAY da-VID ha-a-kha-ro-NEEM n’-UM da-VID ben yi-SHAI un-UM ha-GE-ver hu-KAM AL m’-SHEE-akh e-lo-HAY ya-a-KOV u-n’-EEM z’-mi-ROT yis- ra-AYL

23:1 The favorite of the songs of Yisrael The plishments, King David is an intensely spiritual person who strives with every ounce of his being to serve נעים זמרות) Hebrew words n’eem zemirot yisrael the favorite of the songs of Yisrael’ or ‘ the sweet Hashem. According to the Sages (Sanhedrin 16b), King ‘,(ישראל singer of Israel,’ are a reference to King David. Though David had a harp hanging by his bed which would wake much of this chapter focuses on his worldly accom him when the wind blew its strings in the middle of the

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ב ּרו ַח ְי ָהֹוה ִ ּד ֶּב ִּר־בי ּו ִמ ָּלתוֹ ַע ְל־לשׁ ִוֹני׃ The spirit ofHashem has spoken through me, His 2 message is on my tongue; ג ָא ַמר ֱא ֵלֹהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ִלי ִד ֶּבר ּצור ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל The God ofYisrael has spoken, The Rock ofYisrael 3 מוֹשׁ ֵ ל ָּב ָא ָדם ַצ ִ ּדיק מוֹשׁ ֵ ל ִיְר ַאת said concerning me: “He who rules men justly, He ֱא ִלֹהים׃ who rules in awe of Hashem ד ּו ְכאוֹר ּב ֶֹקר ִיְזַרח־שׁ ָ ֶמשׁ ּב ֶֹקר לֹא ָעבוֹת Is like the light of morning at sunrise, A morning 4 ִמ ַנֹּג ּה ִמ ָּמ ָטר ֶ ּדשׁ ֶ א ֵמ ָאֶרץ׃ without clouds— Through sunshine and rain [Bringing] vegetation out of the earth.” Samuel ה ִּכ ֵי־לֹא־כן ֵּב ִיתי ִע ֵם־אל ִּכי ְבִרית ָעוֹלם Is not my House established before Hashem? For 5 ָשׂם ִלי ֲע ּרו ָכה ַב ּכֹל ּושׁ ְ ֻמָרה ִּכ ָי־כל־ He has granted me an eternal pact, Drawn up in full ִישׁ ְ ִעי ְו ָכ ֵל־ח ֶפץ ִּכי־לֹא ַי ְצ ִמ ַיח׃ and secured. Will He not cause all my success And [my] every desire to blossom? ו ּו ְב ִלַּי ַעל ְּכקוֹץ ֻמ ָנד ֻּכ ָּל ַהם ִּכי־לֹא ְבָיד ;But the wicked shall all Be raked aside like thorns 6 ִי ָּק ּחו׃ .For no one will take them in his hand ז ְו ִאישׁ ִי ַּגע ָּב ֶהם ִי ָּמ ֵלא ַבְרֶזל ְו ֵעץ ֲח ִנית Whoever touches them Must arm himself with iron 7 ּו ָב ֵאשׁ ָשׂרוֹף ִי ָּשׂ ְר ּפו ַּבשָּׁ ֶבת׃ And the shaft of a spear; And they must be burned up on the spot. ח ֵא ֶּלה שׁ ְ מוֹת ַה ִּג ּבִֹרים ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְל ָדִוד יֹשׁ ֵ ב -These are the names ofDavid ’s warriors: Josheb 8 ַּבשֶּׁ ֶבת ַּת ְח ְּכ ִמֹני רֹאשׁ ַהשָּׁ ִלשׁ ִ י ּהוא basshebeth, a Tahchemonite, the chief officer—he ֲע ִדינוֹ העצנו ָ]ה ֶע ְצ ִני[ ַעל־שׁ ְ ֶמֹנה is Adino the Eznite; [he wielded his spear] against ֵמאוֹת ָח ָלל ְּב ַפ ַעם אחד ֶ]א ָחת׃[ .eight hundred and slew them on one occasion ט ואחרו ְ]ו ַא ֲחָריו[ ֶא ְל ָעָזר ֶּבן־דדי ּ]דֹדוֹ[ .Next to him was Elazar son of Dodo son of Ahohi 9 ֶּב ֲן־א ִחֹחי ִּבשׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה גברים ַ]ה ִּג ּבִֹרים[ He was one of the three warriors with David when ִע ָ ּם־דִוד ְּב ָחְר ָפם ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ֶנ ֶא ְס ּפו־שׁ ָ ם .they defied the Philistines gathered there for battle ַל ִּמ ְל ָח ָמה ַוַּי ֲע ּלו ִאישׁ ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ,The Israelite soldiers retreated י ּהוא ָקם ַוַּי ְך ַּב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַעד ִּכ ָי־י ְג ָעה but he held his ground. He struck down Philistines 10 ָידוֹ ַו ִּת ְד ַּבק ָידוֹ ֶא ַל־ה ֶחֶרב ַוַּי ַעשׂ ְי ָהֹוה until his arm grew tired and his hand stuck to his ְּתשׁ ּו ָעה ְג ָדוֹלה ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ְו ָה ָעם ָישׁ ֻ ּבו sword; and Hashem wrought a great victory that ַא ֲחָריו ַא ְך ְ־ל ַפשֵּׁ ט׃ day. Then the troops came back to him—but only to strip [the slain]. יא ְו ַא ֲחָריו שׁ ַ ָּמא ֶב ָן־א ֵגא ָהָרִרי ַוֵּי ָא ְס ּפו .Next to him was Shammah son of Age the Ararite 11 ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַל ַחָּיה ַו ְּת ִהי־שׁ ָ ם ֶח ְל ַקת The Philistines had gathered in force where there ַה ָּשׂ ֶדה ְמ ֵל ָאה ֲע ָדשׁ ִ ים ְו ָה ָעם ָנס ִמ ְּפ ֵני was a plot of ground full of lentils; and the troops ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים׃ .fled from the Philistines יב ַוִּי ְתַי ֵּצב ְּב ְתוֹך ַ־ה ֶח ְל ָקה ַוַּי ִּצ ֶיל ָה ַוַּי ְך ֶאת־ But [Shammah] took his stand in the middle of the 12 ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוַּי ַעשׂ ְי ָהֹוה ְּתשׁ ּו ָעה ְג ָדוֹלה׃ .plot and defended it, and he routed the Philistines ThusHashem wrought a great victory.

night. He would then arise and spend the rest of the broken heart. Though his wish to build God’s Holy night in study and praying. In addition to being a scholar, Temple is not granted, he is able to make many of its King David is the author of most of Sefer Tehillim, the preparations. King David serves as the quintessential Book of Psalms, excelling not only in Torah study but leader who uses all of his talents, and all aspects of his also in prayer. And when he sins, he repents with a personality, to serve Hashem and His people.

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יג ַוֵּיְר ּדו שלשים ]שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה[ ֵמ ַהשְּׁ לֹשׁ ִ ים Once, during the harvest, three of the thirty chiefs 13 רֹאשׁ ַוָּי ּבֹאו ֶא ָל־ק ִציר ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ֶאל־ went down to David at the cave of Adulam, while a ְמ ָעַרת ֲע ֻד ָּלם ְו ַחַּית ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָחֹנה force of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of ְּב ֵע ֶמק ְר ָפ ִאים׃ .Rephaim יד ְו ָדִוד ָאז ַּב ְּמ ּצו ָדה ּו ַמ ַּצב ְּפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ָאז David was then in the stronghold, and a Philistine 14 ֵּבית ָל ֶחם׃ .garrison was then at Beit Lechem טו ַוִּי ְת ַאֶּוה ָדִוד ַו ּי ַֹאמר ִמי ַישׁ ְ ֵק ִני ַמִים David felt a craving and said, “If only I could get a 15 ּ drink of water from the cistern which is by the gate ִמ ּבֹאר ֵּב ֶית־ל ֶחם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּבשׁ ָ ַער׃ Samuel of Beit Lechem!” טז ַוִּי ְב ְק ּעו שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ַה ִּג ּבִֹרים ְּב ַמ ֲח ֵנה So the three warriors got through the Philistine 16 ְפ ִלשׁ ְ ִּתים ַוִּישׁ ְ ֲא ּבו ַ־מִים ִמ ּבֹאר ֵּבית־ camp and drew water from the cistern which is ֶל ֶחם ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ַּבשַּׁ ַער ַוִּי ְשׂ ּאו ַוָּי ִב ּאו ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד by the gate of Beit Lechem, and they carried it ְולֹא ָא ָבה ִלשׁ ְ ּת ָוֹתם ַוַּי ֵּס ְך ָאֹתם ַל ָיהֹוה׃ back. But when they brought it to David he would not drink it, and he poured it out as a libation to Hashem. יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָח ִל ָילה ִּלי ְי ָהֹוה ֵמ ֲע ִשֹׂתי זֹאת !For he said, “Hashem forbid that I should do this 17 ֲה ַדם ָה ֲא ָנשׁ ִ ים ַה ְהֹל ִכים ְּב ַנ ְפשׁ ָוֹתם Can [I drink] the blood of the men who went at ְולֹא ָא ָבה ִלשׁ ְ ּת ָוֹתם ֵא ֶּלה ָע ּשׂו שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת .the risk of their lives?” So he would not drink it ַה ִּג ּבִֹרים׃ .Such were the exploits of the three warriors יח ַו ֲא ִבישׁ ַ י ֲא ִחי ָיוֹאב ֶּב ְן־צ ּרוָיה ּהוא רֹאשׁ Avishai, the brother of Yoav son of Tzeruya, was 18 השלשי ַ]השְּׁ לֹשׁ ָ ה[ ְו ּהוא ֵעוֹרר ֶאת־ head of another three. He once wielded his spear ֲח ִניתוֹ ַעל־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֵמאוֹת ָח ָלל ְולוֹ־שׁ ֵ ם .against three hundred and slew them ַ ּ ב שׁ ּ ְ ל ֹ שׁ ָ ה ׃ יט ִמ ַן־השְּׁ לֹשׁ ָ ה ֲה ִכי ִנ ְכ ָּבד ַוְי ִהי ָל ֶהם ְל ָשׂר He won a name among the three; since he was the 19 ְו ַע ַד־השְּׁ לֹשׁ ָ ה ָלֹא־בא׃ most highly regarded among the three, he became their leader. However, he did not attain to the three. כ ּו ְב ָנָי ּהו ֶב ְן־י ָהוֹי ָדע ֶּב ִן־אישׁ ־חי ַ]חִיל[ Benaiah son of Yehoyada, from Kabzeel, was a brave 20 ַר ְּב־פ ָע ִלים ִמ ַּק ְב ְצ ֵאל ּהוא ִה ָּכה ֵאת soldier who performed great deeds. He killed the שׁ ְ ֵני ֲאִר ֵאל ָמוֹאב ְו ּהוא ָיַרד ְו ִה ָּכה ,two [sons] of Ariel of Moab. Once, on a snowy day ֶאת־האריה ָ]ה ֲאִרי[ ְּב ְתוֹך ַה ּבֹאר ְּביוֹם .he went down into a pit and killed a lion ַ ה שׁ ּ ָ ֶ ל ג ׃ כא ְו ּהו ִא־ה ָּכה ֶא ִת־אישׁ ִמ ְצִרי אשר ִ]אישׁ [ He also killed an Egyptian, a huge man. The 21 ַמְר ֶאה ּו ְבַיד ַה ִּמ ְצִרי ֲח ִנית ַוֵּיֶרד ֵא ָליו [Egyptian had a spear in his hand, yet [Benaiah ַּבשָּׁ ֶבט ַוִּי ְגזֹל ֶא ַת־ה ֲח ִנית ִמַּיד ַה ִּמ ְצִרי went down against him with a club, wrenched the ַוַּי ַהְר ֵג ּהו ַּב ֲח ִניתוֹ׃ spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear. כב ֵא ֶּלה ָע ָשׂה ְּב ָנָי ּהו ֶּב ְן־י ָהוֹי ָדע ְולוֹ־שׁ ֵ ם ;Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Yehoyada 22 ִּבשׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ַה ִּג ּבִֹרים׃ .and he won a name among the three warriors כג ִמ ַן־השְּׁ לֹשׁ ִ ים ִנ ְכ ָּבד ְו ֶא ַל־השְּׁ לֹשׁ ָ ה לֹא־ He was highly regarded among the thirty, but he 23 ָבא ַוְי ִשׂ ֵמ ּהו ָדִוד ֶא ִל־משׁ ְ ַמ ְע ּתוֹ׃ did not attain to the three.David put him in charge of his bodyguard. כד ֲע ָשׂ ֵה־אל ֲא ִח ָי־יוֹאב ַּבשְּׁ לֹשׁ ִ ים ֶא ְל ָח ָנן ;Among the thirty were Asael, the brother of Yoav 24 ֶּב ּן־דֹדוֹ ֵּבית ָל ֶחם׃ ,Elhacnan son of Dodo [from] Beit Lechem

159 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק דכ Chapter 24

כה שׁ ַ ָּמה ַה ֲח ִרֹדי ֱא ִל ָיקא ַה ֲח ִרֹדי׃ ,Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite 25 כו ֶח ֶלץ ַה ַּפ ְל ִטי ִע ָירא ֶב ִן־ע ֵּקשׁ ַה ְּת ִקוֹעי׃ ,Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa 26 כז ֲא ִב ֶיעֶזר ָה ַע ְנּ ִתֹתי ְמ ֻב ַנּי ַה ֻחשׁ ָ ִתי׃ ,Abiezer of Anatot, Mebunnai the Hushathite 27 כח ַצ ְלמוֹן ָה ֲא ִחֹחי ַמ ְהַרי ַה ְנּ ָטֹפ ִתי׃ ,Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite 28 כט ֵח ֶלב ֶּב ַּן־ב ֲע ָנה ַה ְנּ ָטֹפ ִתי ִא ַּתי ֶּב ִן־ר ַיבי Heleb son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ittai son of 29 ִמ ִּג ְב ַעת ְּב ֵני ִב ְנָי ִמן׃ ,Ribai from Giva of the Benjaminites

Samuel ל ְּב ָנָי ּהו ִּפְר ָע ִתֹני ִה ַ ּדי ִמ ַנּ ֲח ֵלי ָג ַעשׁ ׃ ,Benaiah of Pirathon, Hiddai of Nahale-gaash 30 לא ֲא ִב ַי־ע ְלבוֹן ָה ַעְר ָב ִתי ַעְז ָמֶות ַה ַּבְר ֻח ִמי׃ ,Abi-albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite 31 לב ֶא ְלַי ְח ָּבא ַהשַּׁ ַע ְל ִבֹני ְּב ֵני ָישׁ ֵ ן ְי ָהוֹנ ָתן׃ ,Eliahba of Shaalbon, sons of Jashen, Yehonatan 32 לג שׁ ַ ָּמה ַה ֲהָרִרי ֲא ִח ָיאם ֶּבן־שׁ ָ ָרר ָה ָארִרי׃ Shammah the Ararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the 33 Ararite, לד ֱא ִל ֶיפ ֶלט ֶּב ֲן־א ַח ְס ַּבי ֶּב ַן־ה ַּמ ֲע ָכ ִתי ,Eliphelet son of Ahasbai son of the Maacathite 34 ֱא ִל ָיעם ֶּב ֲן־א ִח ֶיתֹפל ַה ִּג ִלֹני׃ ,Eliam son of Achitofel the Gilonite לה חצרו ֶ]ח ְצַרי[ ַה ַּכְר ְמ ִלי ַּפ ֲעַרי ָה ַאְר ִּבי׃ ,Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite 35 לו ִי ְג ָאל ֶּב ָן־נ ָתן ִמ ּצ ָֹבה ָּב ִני ַה ָּג ִדי׃ ,Igal son of Natan from Zobah, Bani the Gadite 36 לז ֶצ ֶלק ָה ַע ּמ ִֹני ַנ ְחַרי ַה ְּב ֵא ִרֹתי נשאי Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite—the 37 ֵ]נֹשׂא[ ְּכ ֵלי ָיוֹאב ֶּב ְן־צֻרָיה׃ arms-bearer of Yoav son of Tzeruya לח ִע ָירא ַהִּי ְתִרי ָּגֵרב ַהִּי ְתִרי׃ ,Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite 38 לט ּאוִרָּיה ַה ִח ִּתי ּכֹל שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ִ ים ְושׁ ִ ְב ָעה׃ .Uriya the Hittite: thirty-seven in all 39 א ַו ּי ֶֹסף ַא ְף־י ָהֹוה ַל ֲחרוֹת ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ַוָּי ֶסת ; The anger ofHashem again flared up againstYisrael 1 24 כד ֶא ָ ּת־דִוד ָּב ֶהם ֵלאמֹר ֵל ְך ְמ ֵנה ֶאת־ and He incited David against them, saying, “Go and ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ְו ֶא ְת־י ּהו ָדה׃ ”.number Yisrael and Yehuda ב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ַשׂ ַר־ה ַחִיל The king said toYoav , his army commander, “Make 2 ֲאשׁ ֶ ִר־א ּתוֹ שׁ ּו ָט־נא ְּב ָכל־שׁ ִ ְב ֵטי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל the rounds of all the tribes of Yisrael, from Dan to ִמ ָ ּדן ְו ַע ְּד־ב ֵאר שׁ ֶ ַבע ּו ִפ ְק ּדו ֶא ָת־ה ָעם Be’er Sheva, and take a census of the people, so that ְוָי ַד ְע ִּתי ֵאת ִמ ְס ַּפר ָה ָעם׃ ”.I may know the size of the population ג ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָיוֹאב ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ֵיוֹסף ְי ָהֹוה Yoav answered the king, “May Hashem your God 3 ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ֶא ָל־ה ָעם ָּכ ֵהם ְו ָכ ֵהם ֵמ ָאה ,increase the number of the people a hundredfold ְפ ָע ִמים ְו ֵע ֵיני ֲא ִדֹנ ַי־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך רֹאוֹת ַו ִאדֹני while your own eyes see it! But why should my lord ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ָל ָּמה ָח ֵפץ ַּב ָ ּד ָבר ַהֶ ּזה׃ ”?king want this ד ַוֶּי ֱחַזק ְ ּד ַב ַר־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ָל־יוֹאב ְו ַעל ָשׂ ֵרי However, the king’s command to Yoav and to the 4 ֶה ָחִיל ַוֵּי ֵצא ָיוֹאב ְו ָשׂ ֵרי ַה ַחִיל ִל ְפ ֵני officers of the army remained firm; andYoav and ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ִל ְפקֹד ֶא ָת־ה ָעם ֶא ִת־י ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ the officers of the army set out, at the instance of the king, to take a census of the people of Yisrael. ה ַוַּי ַע ְב ּרו ֶא ַת־הַּיְר ֵ ּדן ַוַּי ֲח ּנו ַב ֲע ֵרוֹער ְי ִמין ,They crossed theYarden and encamped at Aroer 5 ָה ִעיר ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ְּב ְתוֹך ַ־ה ַנּ ַחל ַה ָּגד ְו ֶא ַל־י ְעֵזר׃ on the right side of the town, which is in the middle of the wadi of Gad, and [went on] to Jazer.

160 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק דכ Chapter 24

ו ַוָּי ּבֹאו ַה ִּג ְל ָע ָדה ְו ֶא ֶל־אֶרץ ַּת ְח ִּתים They continued toGilad and to the region of 6 ָח ְדשׁ ִ י ַוָּי ּבֹאו ָ ּד ָנה ַּי ַען ְו ָס ִביב ֶא ִל־צידוֹן׃ Tahtim-hodshi, and they came to Dan-jaan and around to Sidon. ז ַוָּי ּבֹאו ִמ ְב ַצר־צֹר ְו ָכ ָל־עֵרי ַה ִחִּוי ְו ַה ְּכ ַנ ֲע ִני They went onto the fortress of Tyre and all the 7 ַוֵּי ְצ ּאו ֶא ֶל־נ ֶגב ְי ּהו ָדה ְּב ֵאר שׁ ָ ַבע׃ towns of the Hivites and Canaanites, and finished at Be’er Sheva in southern Yehuda. ח ַוָּישׁ ֻ ּטו ְּב ָכ ָל־ה ָאֶרץ ַוָּי ּבֹאו ִמ ְק ֵצה ִתשׁ ְ ָעה They traversed the whole country, and then they 8 ֳח ָדשׁ ִ ים ְו ֶע ְשׂ ִרים יוֹם ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלם׃ came back to Yerushalayim at the end of nine Samuel months and twenty days. ט ַוִּי ֵּתן ָיוֹאב ֶא ִת־מ ְס ַּפר ִמ ְפ ַק ָד־ה ָעם Yoav reported to the king the number of the people 9 ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ְּת ִהי ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל שׁ ְ ֶמֹנה ֵמאוֹת that had been recorded: in Yisrael there were ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ַ־חִיל שׁ ֵֹלף ֶחֶרב ְו ִאישׁ ְי ּהו ָדה soldiers ready to draw the sword, and the 800,000 ֲח ֵמשׁ ֵ־מאוֹת ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ׃ .men of Yehuda numbered 500,000 י ַוַּי ְך ֵל ָ ּב־דִוד אֹתוֹ ַא ֲחֵר ֵי־כן ָס ַפר ֶאת־ But afterwardDavid reproached himself for having 10 ָה ָעם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ָח ָט ִאתי ,numbered the people. And David said to Hashem ְמאֹד ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ָע ִשׂ ִיתי ְו ַע ָּתה ְי ָהֹוה ַה ֲע ֶבר־ .I have sinned grievously in what I have done“ ָנא ֶא ֲת־עוׂן ַע ְב ְ ּד ָך ִּכי ִנ ְס ַּכ ְל ִּתי ְמאֹד׃ Please, Hashem, remit the guilt of Your servant, for I have acted foolishly.” יא ַוָּי ָקם ָ ּדִוד ַּב ּב ֶֹקר ּו ְד ַב ְר־י ָהֹוה ָהָיה ֶא ָּל־גד When David rose in the morning, the word of 11 ַה ָנּ ִביא ֵחֹזה ָדִוד ֵלאמֹר׃ :Hashem had come to the Navi Gad, David’s seer יב ָה ְלוֹך ְו ִד ַּבְר ָּת ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ּכֹה ָא ַמר ְי ָהֹוה Go and tell David, ‘Thus saidHashem : I hold three“ 12 שׁ ָ לֹשׁ ָא ִנֹכי ֵנוֹטל ָע ֶל ָיך ְּב ַח ְר־ל ָך ַא ַחת־ things over you; choose one of them, and I will ֵמ ֶהם ְו ֶא ֱע ֶשׂ ָּה־ל ְך׃ ”’.bring it upon you יג ַוָּי ָבֹא־גד ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַוַּי ֶּגד־לוֹ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ Gad came to David and told him; he asked, “Shall 13 ֲה ָתבוֹא ְל ָך שׁ ֶ ַבע שׁ ָ ִנים ָר ָעב ְּב ַאְר ֶצ ָך ,a seven-year famine come upon you in the land ִאם־שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ָ ה ֳח ָדשׁ ִ ים ֻנ ְס ָך ִל ְפ ֵנ ָי־צֶר ָיך or shall you be in flight from your adversaries for ְו ּהוא ְרֹד ֶפ ָך ְו ִא ֱם־היוֹת שׁ ְ לֹשׁ ֶ ת ָי ִמים three months while they pursue you, or shall there ֶ ּד ֶבר ְּב ַאְר ֶצ ָך ַע ָּתה ַ ּדע ּוְר ֵאה ָמ ָה־אשׁ ִ יב be three days of pestilence in your land? Now שׁ ְֹל ִחי ָ ּד ָבר׃ consider carefully what reply I shall take back to Him who sent me.” יד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ָּל־גד ַצ ִר־לי ְמאֹד ִנ ְּפ ָלה־ David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Let us fall 14 ָנּא ְבַי ְד־י ָהֹוה ִּכ ַי־ר ִּבים רחמו ַ]ר ֲח ָמיו[ into the hands of Hashem, for His compassion is ּו ְבַי ָד־א ָדם ַא ֶל־א ּפ ָֹלה׃ ”.great; and let me not fall into the hands of men טו ַוִּי ֵּתן ְי ָהֹוה ֶ ּד ֶבר ְּבִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל ֵמ ַה ּב ֶֹקר ְו ַעד־ Hashem sent a pestilence upon Yisrael from 15 ֵעת ֵמוֹעד ַוָּי ָמת ִמ ָן־ה ָעם ִמ ָ ּדן ְו ַע ְּד־ב ֵאר morning until the set time; and 70,000 of the שׁ ֶ ַבע שׁ ִ ְב ִעים ֶא ֶלף ִאישׁ ׃ .people died, from Dan to Be’er Sheva טז ַוִּישׁ ְ ַלח ָידוֹ ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִַלם ְלשׁ ַ ֲח ָת ּה But when the angel extended his hand against 16 ַוִּי ָנּ ֶחם ְי ָהֹוה ֶא ָל־הָר ָעה ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַל ַּמ ְל ָא ְך Yerushalayim to destroy it, Hashem renounced ַה ַּמשׁ ְ ִחית ָּב ָעם ַרב ַע ָּתה ֶהֶרף ָי ֶד ָך further punishment and said to the angel who was ּו ַמ ְל ַא ְך ְי ָהֹוה ָהָיה ִע ּם־גֶֹרן האורנה ”!destroying the people, “Enough! Stay your hand ָ]ה ֲאַרְו ָנה[ ַהְי ֻב ִסי׃ The angel ofHashem was then by the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.

161 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק דכ Chapter 24

יז ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ֶא ְל־י ָהֹוה ִּבְראֹתוֹ ֶאת־ When David saw the angel who was striking down 17 ַה ַּמ ְל ָא ְך ַה ַּמ ֶּכה ָב ָעם ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ִה ֵנּה ָא ִנֹכי the people, he said to Hashem, “I alone am guilty, I ָח ָט ִאתי ְו ָא ִנֹכי ֶה ֱעֵו ִיתי ְו ֵא ֶּלה ַה ּצֹאן ֶמה alone have done wrong; but these poor sheep, what ָע ּשׂו ְּת ִהי ָנא ָי ְד ָך ִּבי ּו ְב ֵבית ָא ִבי׃ have they done? Let Your hand fall upon me and my father’s house!” יח ַוָּי ָבֹא־גד ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ַּב ּיוֹם ַה ּהוא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר לוֹ ,Gad came to David the same day and said to him 18 ֲע ֵלה ָה ֵקם ַל ָיהֹוה ִמְז ֵּב ַח ְּב ֶגֹרן ארניה Go and set up a mizbayach to Hashem on the“ ֲ]אַרְו ָנה[ ַהְי ֻב ִסי׃ ”.threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite Samuel יט ַוַּי ַעל ָ ּדִוד ִּכ ְד ַב ָּר־גד ַּכ ֲאשׁ ֶ ר ִצָּוה ְי ָהֹוה׃ David went up, following Gad’s instructions, as 19 Hashem had commanded. כ ַוַּישׁ ְ ֵקף ֲאַרְו ָנה ַוַּיְרא ֶא ַת־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ֶאת־ Araunah looked out and saw the king and his 20 ֲע ָב ָדיו ְעֹבִרים ָע ָליו ַוֵּי ֵצא ֲאַרְו ָנה courtiers approaching him. So Araunah went out ַוִּישׁ ְ ַּת ּחו ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַא ָּפיו ָאְר ָצה׃ and bowed low to the king, with his face to the ground. כא ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲאַרְו ָנה ַמ ּד ּו ַע ָּבא ֲא ִדֹנ ַי־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך And Araunah asked, “Why has my lord the king 21 ֶא ַל־ע ְב ּדוֹ ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ָ ּדִוד ִל ְקנוֹת ֵמ ִע ְּמ ָך come to his servant?” David replied, “To buy ֶא ַת־ה ּגֶֹרן ִל ְבנוֹת ִמְז ֵּב ַח ַל ָיהֹוה ְו ֵת ָע ַצר the threshing floor from you, that I may build a ַה ַּמ ֵּג ָפה ֵמ ַעל ָה ָעם׃ mizbayach to Hashem and that the plague against the people may be checked.” כב ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ֲאַרְו ָנה ֶא ָ ּל־דִוד ִי ַּקח ְוַי ַעל ֲא ִדֹני And Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king 22 ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַה ּטוֹב בעינו ְּ]ב ֵע ָיניו[ ְר ֵאה take it and offer up whatever he sees fit. Here are ַה ָּב ָקר ָל ָעֹלה ְו ַה ּמִֹר ִּגים ּו ְכ ֵלי ַה ָּב ָקר oxen for a burnt offering, and the threshing boards ָל ֵע ִצים׃ .and the gear of the oxen for wood כג ַה ּכֹל ָנ ַתן ֲאַרְו ָנה ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַל ֶּמ ֶל ְך ַו ּי ֶֹאמר .All this, O king, Araunah gives to Your Majesty 23 ֲאַרְו ָנה ֶא ַל־ה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְי ָהֹוה ֱא ֶלֹה ָיך ִיְר ֶצ ָך׃ ,And may Hashem your God,” Araunah added “respond to you with favor!” כד ַו ּי ֶֹאמר ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ֶא ֲל־אַרְו ָנה לֹא ִּכ ָי־קנוֹ But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I will buy 24 ֶא ְק ֶנה ֵמ ְאוֹת ָך ִּב ְמ ִחיר ְולֹא ַא ֲע ֶלה them from you at a price. I cannot sacrifice to ַל ָיהֹוה ֱא ַלֹהי עֹלוֹת ִח ָנּם ַוִּי ֶקן ָ ּדִוד Hashem my God burnt offerings that have cost me ֶא ַת־ה ּגֶֹרן ְו ֶא ַת־ה ָּב ָקר ְּב ֶכ ֶסף שׁ ְ ָק ִלים nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and ֲח ִמשִּׁ ים׃ .the oxen for fiftyshekalim of silver va-YO-mer ha-ME-lekh el a-RAV-nah LO kee ka-NO ek-NEH may-o-t’-KHA bim- KHEER v’-LO a-a-LEH la-do-NAI e-lo-HAI o-LOT KHI-nam va-YI-ken da-VID et ha-GO-ren v’-et ha-ba-KAR b’-KHE-sef sh’-ka-LEEM kha-mi-SHEEM

24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I will cave of Machpelah in Chevron for a great sum of money buy them from you at a price” King David and in front of witnesses (Genesis 23). Although, like purchases the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite Avraham, David was offered the site as a gift, he does not and, according to one classic rabbinic opinion, the entire want any future generations to claim that it was stolen Ancient Israelite coin city of Yerushalayim. That threshing floor, the place where by the Children of Israel. Since the sale of each is recorded from approximately he intends to offer sacrifices, is now called the Temple in the Bible, the Sages of the Midrash teach that 68 CE Mount in Yerushalayim. As this site would later become Yerushalayim, Chevron and Shechem (which was similarly the location of the Beit Hamikdash, David purchases the purchased by Jacob, see Genesis 33:19) are the three land publicly, just as Avraham did when he purchased the places that indisputably belong to the Jewish people.

162 שמואל ב Shmuel II/II Samuel פרק דכ Chapter 24

כה ַוִּי ֶבן שׁ ָ ם ָ ּדִוד ִמְז ֵּב ַח ַל ָיהֹוה ַוַּי ַעל עֹלוֹת And David built there a mizbayach to Hashem and 25 ּושׁ ְ ָל ִמים ַוֵּי ָע ֵתר ְי ָהֹוה ָל ָאֶרץ ַו ֵּת ָע ַצר -sacrificed burnt offerings and offerings of well ַה ַּמ ֵּג ָפה ֵמ ַעל ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל׃ ,being. Hashem responded to the plea for the land and the plague against Yisrael was checked. Samuel

163

Biographies of The Israel BibleScholars

Ahuva Balofsky — Ahuva grew up in Toronto, Canada and obtained her B.A. Hons. and B.Ed. at York University. She taught Bible, Rabbinics and English at the Community Hebrew Academy of Toronto. After moving to Israel in 2004 with her family, she completed a Master’s degree in Bible at Bar Ilan University. Rabbi Avi Baumol — Rabbi Baumol, a pulpit Rabbi and Jewish educator, is currently serving the Jewish community of Krakow, Poland. He earned a B.A. from Yeshiva University and an M.A. in Jewish History from the Bernard Revel Graduate School. Rabbi Baumol is an alumnus of Yeshivat Har Etzion and received Rabbinic Ordination from Yeshiva University. He is the author of “The Poetry of Prayer; Tehillim in Tefillah,” Gefen Publishing, Jerusalem 2009. Rabbi Yaakov Beasley — Rabbi Beasley has been lecturing passionately on Bible in different venues in Israel and abroad for almost twenty years. His essays and articles on Bible study appear regularly in leading magazines. Rabbi Beasley is also the editor of the groundbreaking series on the Pentateuch, Torah MiEtzion, and is completing advanced Bible studies at Bar Ilan University. When not teaching, he enjoys the company of his family in their home in the Judean mountains. Josh Even-Chen — Josh is a native of North Carolina, but has called Israel his home ever since immigrating to Israel with his family in 1978. Josh graduated from Bar-Ilan University and completed a teaching degree. He now works as a tour guide who is popular with diverse groups of varied ages and backgrounds. He lives in Ma’aleh Adumim with his wife Chana and their six children. Rabbi Shmuel Jablon — Rabbi Jablon is a highly experienced Jewish educator, having served as an administrator and teacher in American Jewish day schools for over two decades. He is a rabbinic graduate of the Hebrew Theological College (“Skokie Yeshiva”), holds a Masters Degree in Education and is a member of the Rabbinical Council of America. In the summer of 5774 (2014), he fulfilled a life-long dream by making aliyah to Israel with his family.

165 Batya Markowitz — Batya is a two-time National Bible Contest winner. Growing up in Toronto, her dream was to make aliyah to Israel and become a Bible teacher. Today, Batya lives with her husband in the heart of Jerusalem, fulfilling both of those goals. Since receiving a degree in Jewish Education at Michlalah Jerusalem College, she has been teaching Jewish studies at the elementary, junior high and post high school levels. Shira Schechter – Shira graduated from Stern College with a BA in Judaic studies and received masters’ degrees in education and Bible from the Azrieli and the Bernard Revel graduate schools of Yeshiva University. Shira also studied at the Yeshiva University Graduate Program for women in Advanced Talmudic Studies, and was a teaching fellow at the Rabbi Soloveitchik Institute in Boston. Prior to making aliyah in 2013, Shira taught Bible to high school students in New Jersey. Rabbi Noam Shapiro — Rabbi Shapiro studied at Yeshivat Har Etzion and has rabbinic ordination from Yeshiva University’s Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. Originally from Boston, Massachusetts, Rabbi Shapiro has taught Torah topics at high schools and Seminaries in the United States and Israel. Rabbi Shapiro also served as an editor for the Koren Talmud Bavli with commentary by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz. He currently lives with his family in Gush Etzion, Israel. Alexander Jacob Tsykin –Born in Melbourne, Rabbi Tsykin studied in Mount Scopus Memorial College for thirteen years before spending three years at Yeshivat Har Etzion pursuing advanced studies in Jewish law. He studied for two years in Monash University, Australia, and two years in Yeshiva University, New York, where he completed a degree in Jewish Studies focusing on Modern Jewish History. Alexander lives in Alon Shevut, Israel, with his wife and son. Rabbi Naphtali (“Tuly”) Weisz — Rabbi Weisz attended Yeshiva University (BA), the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (Rabbinic Ordination) and the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law (JD). He served as the Rabbi of the Beth Jacob Congregation in Columbus, Ohio before making Aliyah. Rabbi Weisz founded Israel365 and the Yeshiva for the Nations and serves as the publisher of Breaking Israel News. He is also the editor of The Israel Bible.

166 Bibliography

This bibliography contains a short biography of the scholars and historical figures mentioned in the commentary ofThe Israel Bible.

Aaronsohn, Sarah (1890–1917) — Born in Zichron Yaakov, Aaronsohn and her siblings co-founded Nili, a Jewish, pro-British espionage group, established to help liberate Palestine from Ottoman rule. Aaronsohn was captured and tortured by the Turks, and killed herself before revealing anything to her torturers. Abrabanel, Rabbi Yitzchak (1437–1508) — Born in Portugal, Abrabanel fled to Spain in 1483. He was a statesman, philosopher and Bible commentator. He tried to convince King Ferdinand to revoke the edict expelling the Jews from Spain in 1492 but was unsuccessful. Agnon, Shmuel Yosef (1888–1970) — Born in Buczacz, Galicia, Agnon immigrated to Israel in 1908. An Israeli writer, his works are published under .(שי) his initials S.Y. Agnon, and he is known in Hebrew by his acronym Shai One of the most admired Israeli authors of the 20th century, Agnon was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1966. Albo, Rabbi Joseph (1380–1444) — Born in Spain, Albo was a Jewish rabbi and philosopher during the 15th century. He is best known for his philosophical work, Book of the Principles, in which he discusses the fundamental beliefs of Judaism. Allon, Yigal (1918–1980) — Born in Kfar Tavor, Israel, Allon was a commander of the Palmach, a general in the IDF and an Israeli politician. He briefly served as interim Prime Minister of the State of Israel in 1969, following the death of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol. Altschuler, Rabbi David (18th century) — Commonly known by the name of his commentary, Metzudat David, he lived in Galicia where he died a martyr’s death. The Metzudat David commentary is considered basic for understanding the books of the prophets. Aviner, Rabbi Shlomo (b. 1943) – Born in France, Aviner immigrated to Israel at age 23. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces and studied under

167 Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook. He is the Rabbi of Beit El and head of the Ateret Yerushalayim seminary in the Old City of Jerusalem. He is the author of many books, including a commentary on the Book of Judges. Barak, Ehud (b. 1942) — Born in Kibbutz Mishmar Hasharon, Barak is an Israeli politician who served as Israel’s tenth Prime Minister from 1999–2001. He served in the IDF for 35 years and, along with two others, is the most decorated soldier in Israel’s history. Barbivai, Orna (b. 1962) — Born in Afula, Barbivai is a Major-General in the IDF and former head of its manpower directorate. She is the first woman to have been promoted to the rank of Major-General in the Israel Defense Forces. Bar-Ilan, Rabbi Meir (1880–1949) — Born in Russia, Bar-Ilan moved to the United States in 1915 where he became an important leader of the Mizrachi Religious Zionist Movement. He moved to Israel in 1926 where he continued to lead Mizrachi and the struggle for a Jewish state. Bar Ilan University is named in his memory. Barkat, Nir (b. 1959) — Born in Jerusalem, Barkat is an Israeli businessman and politician who has served as the mayor of Jerusalem since 2008. Bazak, Rabbi Amnon (b. 1966) – Born in Jerusalem, Bazak is a teacher of Talmud at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shevut. He is an expert in the Bible, and teaches Bible classes at the Herzog teacher’s college. He has published a number of books on the Bible. Begin, Menachem (1913–1992) — Born in Belarus, Begin became an Israeli politician, founder of the Israeli political party Likud and 6th Prime Minister of the State of Israel. Before the establishment of the State, he headed the Zionist paramilitary organization called the Irgun. As Prime Minister, Begin signed a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979, for which he and Anwar Sadat were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Ben-Gurion, David (1886–1973) — Born in Poland, Ben-Gurion immigrated to Israel in 1906. He is considered Israel’s “founding father,” as he formally declared the establishment of the State on May 14, 1948, and was the first to sign the Israeli Declaration of Independence which he helped write. Ben-Gurion served as the first Prime Minister of Israel. Ben-Zvi, Yitzchak (1884–1963) — Born in the Ukraine, Ben-Zvi immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1907. He was a historian and a leader of

168 the Labor Zionist movement. He served as the second president of the State of Israel from 1952 until his death in 1963. Berlin, Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda (1816–1893) — Born in Belarus, Berlin is commonly known by his acronym Netziv. He was a Torah scholar and served as dean of the esteemed talmudical college of Volozhin from 1854 until it closed in 1892. Berlin authored a number of works on rabbinic literature as well as a commentary on the Bible. Bialik, Chaim Nachman (1873–1934) — Born in the Ukraine, Bialik moved to Tel Aviv in 1924. He was one of the pioneers of Hebrew poetry and his works contributed to the revival of the Hebrew language. He became known as Israel’s national poet. Blech, Rabbi Benjamin (b. 1933) — Born in Zurich, Blech is a professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University in New York. He served as Rabbi of the Young Israel of Oceanside and has authored numerous books including The Secrets of Hebrew Words. Braverman, Sarah (1919–2013) — Born in Romania, Braverman immigrated to Israel at a young age. She was a member of the Palmach, parachuted into Europe with the Jewish heroine Chana Senesh, and established the IDF Women’s Corps. She is affectionately known as the “first lady of the IDF.” Carlebach, Rabbi Shlomo (1925–1994) — Born in Berlin, Carlebach moved to New York in 1939. He was a rabbi, religious teacher, composer and singer. He is known as one of the foremost Jewish religious songwriters of the century as well as a pioneer of the “baal teshuva movement,” working to draw unaffiliated Jews back to Judaism. Clorfene, Rabbi Chaim (b. 1939) — Born in Chicago, Illinois, Clorfene resides in Safed, Israel. He is a recognized authority on the Third Temple and the Messianic era, has authored numerous books, and produced multiple audio dramas and video presentations on the Third Temple and other Jewish topics. Dayan, Moshe (1915–1981) — Born on Kibbutz Degania Alef, Dayan was the second child born on the first Israeli kibbutz. He was an Israeli military leader and politician, known for his role as Israeli Defense Minister during the 1967 Six-Day War as well as for his signature eye patch. Eban, Abba (1915–2002) — Born in South Africa, Eban immigrated to Israel in 1940. He was a scholar of both Arabic and Hebrew as well as an

169 Israeli diplomat and politician. Some of his different positions included Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister, Education Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Ambassador to the United States and to the United Nations. Eshkol, Levi (1895–1969) — Born in the Ukraine, Eshkol immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1914. He served as Israel’s fourth Prime Minister from 1963 until his death in 1969. Ginsberg, Asher (1856–1927) — Born in Russia, Ginsberg moved to Israel in 1922. He was a Hebrew essayist and is considered the founder of cultural Zionism. He is primarily known by his Hebrew pen name Achad Ha’am. Glazerson, Rabbi Matityahu (b. 1937) — Born in K’far Saba, Glazerson is a rabbi, teacher, musician and composer. In his teaching, he focuses on the meaning behind the Hebrew letters and their numerical value. He has authored over 30 books. Hakham, Rabbi Amos (1921–2012) — Born in Jerusalem, Hakham was a master of the Hebrew Bible and a scholar. He was the winner of the first International Bible Contest held in Israel in 1958. Hakham authored the commentary on a number of books for the Da’at Mikra Bible series, including the commentary on the Book of Psalms. Halevi, Rabbi Judah (c. 1080 — c. 1145) – Born in Spain, Halevi was a physician, poet and philosopher. He wrote The Kuzari in defense of the teachings of Judaism. His is known to have had an intense yearning for the Holy land, and is famous for writing “My heart is in the east, and I in the uttermost west.” He died shortly after arriving in Israel. Hertz, Rabbi Joseph Herman (1872–1946) — Born in Hungary, Hertz was a rabbi and Bible scholar, and edited a notable commentary on the Pentateuch. He was the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom from 1913– 1946. Hirsch, Rabbi Samson Raphael (1808–1888) — Born in France, Hirsch was a rabbi in Frankfurt-Main and the leader of modern German-Jewish Orthodoxy. He wrote a six-volume commentary on the Pentateuch. Horowitz, Rabbi Yeshaya (1565–1630) — Born in Prague, Horowitz immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1621. He was a prominent rabbi and kabbalist and is also known as the Shelah ha-Kadosh (the holy Shelah). Ibn Ezra, Rabbi Abraham (1089–1164) — Born in Tuleda, Navarre, Ibn Ezra was a philosopher, poet, mathematician, astronomer, linguist and

170 biblical exegete. His commentary is included in most common editions of the Hebrew Bible that contain rabbinic commentary. Ickovitz, Rabbi Chaim (1749–1821) – Born in Volozhin, Ickovitz is commonly known as Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin. A rabbi, Talmudist and ethicist, he was the founder of the famed Volozhin talmudical college. He authored Nefesh HaChaim, a work of religious philosophy. Jacob son of Asher (c. 1275 — c. 1340) – Born in Germany, he was an influential medieval rabbi, often called the Baal HaTurim, after his main work on Jewish law, the Arbaah Turim, the Four Rows. He wrote two commentaries on the Pentateuch; a concise commentary of mystical and symbolic references in the Torah, and an exegetical commentary. Kaplan, Rabbi Aryeh (1934–1983) — Born in the Bronx, New York, Kaplan was a rabbi, educator and author. He is considered an original thinker and was known for his knowledge of physics and kabbalah. Kaplan authored numerous works on a variety of topics including the Bible, Talmud, mysticism, Jewish beliefs and philosophy. Keel, Yehuda (1916–2011) — Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, Keel immigrated to Israel in 1936. He was an educator and Bible commentator and served as the head of the religious education department of the Israel Ministry of Education. He headed the Da’at Mikra biblical commentary project and was awarded the Israel Prize for Jewish studies in 1992. Kimchi, Rabbi David (1160–1235) — Born in Provence, Kimchi is commonly known by his acronym Radak. A rabbi, philosopher and grammarian, he wrote a widely-studied commentary on the Bible. Kook, Rabbi Abraham Isaac (1865–1935) — Born in Latvia, Kook immigrated to Israel in 1904. He was the first Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel, founder of the Mercaz HaRav academy and is viewed as one of the fathers of Religious Zionism. He was well known for his tremendous love for others and for his intellectual leadership helping to establish a Jewish State in the Land of Israel. Kook, Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda (1891–1982) — Born in Lithuania, Kook immigrated to Israel in 1904. He was a Rabbi and leader of Religious Zionism and the only son of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook. He served as head of the Mercaz HaRav seminary as well as the editor of many of his late father’s works. He continued in his father’s path of Religious Zionism and was

171 instrumental in encouraging Jews to settle in areas liberated during the Six Day War. Kollek, Theodore (1911–2007) — Born in Hungary in 1911, Kollek immigrated to Israel in 1935. He served as mayor of Jerusalem for 28 years from 1965–1993, and dedicated himself to developing the city and was awarded the Israel Prize in 1988 for his contributions to society and the State of Israel. Kremer, Rabbi Elijah (1720–1797) — Born in Lithuania, Kremer was a Talmudist, a master of Jewish law and a kabbalist. Because of his brilliance and mastery of text he is known as the “Genius of Vilna.” Leibowitz, Nechama (1905–1997) — Born in Riga, Latvia, Leibowitz immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1930. She was a Bible scholar and master educator who inspired many to study the Bible. She was known for her worksheets containing questions on the weekly Torah portion which she would personally review, correct and return. Leibtag, Rabbi Menachem (b. 1958) – Born in Ohio, Leibtag immigrated to Israel where he is a Bible scholar, noted lecturer and pioneer of Jewish education on the internet. He teaches a thematic-analytic approach to biblical study, emphasizing biblical theme and structure, that combines traditional Jewish approaches with modern scholarship. Levi ben Gershon (1288–1344) — Born in France, he is commonly known by his acronym Ralbag or Gersonides. He was a philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, Talmudist and Bible commentator. Levin, Rabbi Aryeh (1885–1969) — Born in Poland, Levin was a rabbi and scholar known for his warmth, kindness, humility and love of every person. After immigrating to Israel, he became known as the “Father of the Prisoners” for his role as Jewish prison chaplain, bringing love, encouragement and hope to those behind bars. Lichtman, Rabbi Moshe — Born in New Jersey, Lichtman immigrated to Israel in 1991. He is a rabbi, teacher and author, and is known for his translations of various Hebrew texts and for his work, Eretz Yisrael in the Parshah and A Drop in the Ocean. Luntschitz, Rabbi Shlomo Ephraim (1550–1619) — Born in Poland, Luntschitz served as the Rabbi of Prague from 1604–1619 and was best known for his Torah commentary Kli Yakar.

172 Luria, Rabbi Isaac (1534–1572) — Born in Jerusalem, Luria is commonly known as the Arizal (the Ari of blessed memory). He became a rabbi and Jewish kabbalist in the mystical city of Safed. He is considered to be the father of contemporary Jewish mysticism. Maimonides (1135–1204) — Born in Spain, Maimonides is commonly known as Rambam, the acronym of his name Rabbi Moshe ben (son of) Maimon. He was a preeminent Jewish legal scholar and philosopher, as well as a renowned physician. His numerous works include “The Guide for the Perplexed,” the main source of his philosophical views, and the “Mishneh Torah,” his seminal codification of Jewish law. He is buried in Tiberias, Israel. Meir, Golda (1898–1978) — Born in Kiev, Meir immigrated first to the United States and then to the Land of Israel in 1921. She served as Israel’s fourth Prime Minister, the only woman to have held this position to date. Meir Simcha of Dvinsk (1843–1926) — Born in Lithuania, he was a rabbi and prominent leader of the Orthodox Jewish community of Eastern Europe. He is known for his writings on Maimonides’ work of Jewish law, called Ohr Sameach, as well as his commentary on the Torah called Meshech Chochmah. Meiri, Rabbi Menachem (1249- c. 1310) — Born in Southern France, Meiri was a rabbi and Talmudic scholar. His commentary on the Talmud is considered one of the most monumental works on the Talmud. Morgensztern, Rabbi Menachem Mendel (1787–1859) — Born in Poland, Morgensztern is also known as the Kotzker Rebbe. He was a Hasidic rabbi and leader, known for his sharp-witted sayings and down-to-earth philosophies. Munk, Rabbi Michael (1905–1985) — Born in Berlin, Munk was an educator, author and activist. He founded the Adath Yisrael Synagogue of Hendon in London, and was the founding principal of the largest Orthodox Jewish school for girls in America. Nahmanides (1194–1270) – Born in Spain, Rabbi Moshe ben (son of) Nachman is also known by his acronym the Ramban. He was one of the leading Torah scholars of the Middle Ages, and authored numerous works on Torah subjects, including a famed commentary on the Pentateuch. Navon, Yitzchak (1921–2015) — Born in Jerusalem, Navon became an Israeli political and diplomat, author, and linguist. He served as the fifth president of the State of Israel from 1978–1983.

173 Netanyahu, Benjamin (b. 1949) — Born in Tel Aviv, Netanyahu is an Israeli politician, a veteran of an elite unit of the Israel Defense Forces, and a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In March 2015, he was elected to his fourth term as Prime Minister of the State of Israel. Peres, Shimon (1923–2016) — Born in Poland, Peres immigrated to Israel in 1934. He was an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 1984–1986, and from 1995–1996. He was also Israel’s ninth president from 2007–2014. Rabin, Yitzchak (1922–1995) — Born in Jerusalem, Rabin was an Israeli politician who served two terms as Prime Minister of the State of Israel, from 1974–1977 and again from 1992 until his assassination in 1995. Riskin, Rabbi Shlomo (b. 1940) — Born in Brooklyn, Riskin served as a rabbi in New York before immigrating to Israel in 1983 to become the founding chief rabbi of Efrat. He is also the founder and chancellor of Ohr Torah Stone, a network of Jewish educational institutions in America and Israel. Rivlin, Reuven (b. 1939) — Born in Jerusalem, Rivlin is an Israeli lawyer and politician who has been serving as Israel’s 10th president since 2014. Rosen, Rabbi Joseph (1858–1936) — Born in Rogachev, Belarus, Rosen was one of the most prominent Talmudic scholars of the early 20th century. He is known as the “Genius of Rogachev” because of his photographic memory and his ability to use seemingly unrelated Talmudic passages to elucidate a question or area of Jewish law under discussion. Sacks, Rabbi Lord Jonathan (b. 1948) — Born in London, England, Sacks is a rabbi, scholar and philosopher, and has authored more than 25 books. Sacks served as the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth for 22 years. Schneerson, Rabbi Menachem Mendel (1902–1994) — Born in Russia, Schneerson immigrated to the United States in 1941. He was the last leader of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement and one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century. Senesh, Chana (1921–1944) – Born in Hungary, Senesh immigrated to Israel in 1939. She was one of the 37 Jews from Mandatory Palestine parachuted into Yugoslavia by the British Army in an effort to save Jews from deportation to Auschwitz. She was ultimately caught and executed. She is remembered for her heroism as well as her poetry.

174 Sforno, Rabbi Obadiah (c. 1470- 1550) — Born in Italy, Sforno was a rabbi, philosopher and physician. His commentary on the Bible often reflects his knowledge of natural sciences. His commentaries on Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs were dedicated to King Henry II of France, demonstrating a close relationship between them. Shamir, Yitzchak (1915–2012) — Born in Ruzinoy, Poland, Shamir immigrated to the Land of Israel in 1935. He was an Israeli politician who served as both Israel’s eighth and tenth Prime Minister, from 1983–1984 and 1986–1992. Sharansky, Natan (b. 1948) — Born in the former Soviet Union, Sharansky is an Israeli politician and human rights activist and a former Russian refusenik. He immigrated to Israel following his release from Soviet prison in 1986, and has served as Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency since 2009. Sharett, Moshe (1894–1965) — Born in the Ukraine, Sharett immigrated to Israel in 1906. He was the second Prime Minister of the State of Israel, serving from 1954–1955, and also served as Israel’s Foreign Minister from 1955–1956. Sharon, Ariel (1928–2014) — Born in the Israeli agricultural community of Kfar Malal, Sharon was an Israeli general and politician. He served as Israel’s eleventh Prime Minister from 2001–2006. Shazar, Zalman (1889–1974) — Born in Belarus, Shazar immigrated to Israel in 1924. An Israeli politician, author and poet, he was the president of the State of Israel from 1963–1973. Shemer, Naomi (1930–2004) — Born on Kibbutz Kvutzat Kinneret, Shemer became a well-known Israeli singer, songwriter and composer. Her most famous song, Yerushalayim shel zahav, Jerusalem of Gold, was written in 1967 and is considered by some to be an informal second Israeli national anthem. Shlomo son of Yitzchak (1040–1105) — Born in France, he is commonly known by his acronym Rashi. He wrote extensive commentaries on the Bible and Talmud, and his comments are considered the most basic for understanding both the Pentateuch and the Talmud. Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745–1812) – Born in Belarus, he was the founder of the Chabad-Lubavitch dynasty of Hasidic Judaism. He is known as the Baal Hatanya, the Master of the Tanya, for his work on Hasidic Jewish

175 philosophy and is author of various works on Jewish philosophy, law and prayer. Slifkin, Rabbi Natan (b. 1975) — Born in England, Slifkin immigrated to Israel where he is a rabbi, educator and author popularly known as the “Zoo Rabbi.” He has authored texts on zoology and science and their relationship to the Torah, and is the director of the Biblical Museum of Natural History in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Soloveitchik, Rabbi Joseph B. (1903–1993) – Born in Poland, Soloveitchik was a renowned religious leader, Talmudic scholar, author and modern Jewish philosopher. He headed the rabbinical school of Yeshiva University in New York. Sorotzkin, Rabbi Zalman (1881–1966) – Born in Lithuania, Sorotzkin was a Torah commentator who published a commentary on the Pentateuch known as Oznaim L’Torah. Stavsky, Rabbi David (1930–2004) — Born in New York City, Stavsky was ordained at the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. He was a chaplain in the U.S. Army and the rabbi of Beth Jacob Congregation in Columbus, Ohio from 1957 until his death in 2004. Teichman, Rabbi Zvi — Rabbi and head of the Torah study program at Ohel Moshe in Baltimore, Maryland. He has been involved in Jewish education for over 25 years and authored Eretz HaTzvi, a guide to the commandments that pertain specifically to the Land of Israel. Weiser, Rabbi Meir Leibush (1809–1879) — Born in Volochisk, Volhynia, Weiser is known by his acronym, Malbim. He was a rabbi, master of Hebrew grammar and a Bible commentator. He is known for his principle that every word in the Torah carries its own meaning, even distinct from its synonyms. Weizmann, Chaim (1874–1952) — Born in Belarus, Weizmann immigrated to Israel, settling in Rechovot in 1937, and served as the first president of the State of Israel from 1949–1952. A biochemist, he founded the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rechovot, Israel and helped establish the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Wiesel, Elie (1928–2016) — Born in Romania, Weisel was a professor, political activist and the author of 57 books. A Holocaust survivor, his writings are considered among the most significant in Holocaust literature. Willig, Rabbi Mordechai (b. 1947) — Born in New York, Willig has been the rabbi and spiritual leader of the Young Israel of Riverdale synagogue

176 since 1974. He is also a renowned scholar and professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University in New York. Yadin, Yigael (1917–1984) — Born in Jerusalem, Yadin was an Israeli archeologist, politician and the second Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. Yogev, Motti (b. 1956) — Born in Haifa, Yogev is an Israeli politician and member of the Israeli parliament. He previously served as secretary general of the Israeli branch of Bnei Akiva, the largest religious Zionist youth movement in the world, as well as deputy chairman of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council.

177 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ַע ִּמ ֵיאל Amiel Ammiel a-mee-AYL ַע ִּמ ָינ ָדב Aminadav Amminadab a-mee-na-DAV List of Transliterated Words ֲא ִמ ַּתי Amitai Amittai a-mi-TAI in The Israel Bible ַא ְמנֹן Amnon Amnon am-NON ָאמוֹ ן Amon Amon a-MON The following is a list of nouns which have been transliterated into Hebrew ָעמוֹ ס Amos Amos a-MOS :in the English translation and commentary of The Israel Bible ָאמוֹ ץ Amotz Amoz a-MOTZ ַע ְמָרם Amram Amram am-RAM ֲע ָנתוֹ ת Anatot Anathoth a-na-TOT Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ֲארוֹ ן Aron Ark a-RON ָע ָכן Achan Achan a-KHAN ֲארוֹן ַה ְּבִרית Aron HaBrit Ark of the Covenant a-RON ha-b’-REET ַא ְח ָאב Achav Ahab akh-AV ַ א ְ ר ּ ַ פ ְ כ שׁ ָ ד Arpachshad Arpachshad ar-pakh-SHAD ָא ָחז Achaz Ahaz a-KHAZ ָא ָסא Asa Asa a-SA ֲא ַחְזָי ּהו Achazyahu Ahaziah a-khaz-YA-hu ֲע ָש ֵׂהאל Asael Asahel a-sah-AYL ֲא ִח ֶיעֶזר Achiezer Ahiezer a-khee-E-zer ָא ָסף Asaf Asaph a-SAF ֲא ִח ּיהוד Achihud Ahihud a-khee-HUD ַ א שׁ ְ ּ ד ֹ ו ד Ashdod Ashdod ash-DOD ֲא ִח ָיקם Achikam Ahikam a-khee-KAM ָ א שׁ ֵ ר Asher Asher a-SHAYR ֲא ִח ּילוד Achilud Ahilud a-khee-LUD ַ א שׁ ְ ְ ק ל ֹ ו ן Ashkelon Ashkelon ash-k’-LON ֲא ִח ֶימ ֶל ְך Achimelech Ahimelech a-khee-ME-lekh ֲע ַת ְלָיה Atalya Athaliah a-tal-YAH ֲא ִח ַירע Achira Ahira a-khee-RA ַע ְב ּדוֹ ן Avdon Abdon av-DON ֲא ִח ָיס ָמ ְך Achisamach Ahisamach a-khee-sa-MAKH ֲא ִב ַיחִיל Avichayil Abihail a-vee-KHA-yil ֲא ִח ֶיתֹפל Achitofel Ahithophel a-khee-TO-fel ֲא ִב ָידן Avidan Abidan a-vee-DAN ֲא ִח ּיטוב Achituv Ahitub a-khee-TUV ֲא ִב ַיגִיל Avigail Abigail a-vee-GA-yil ֲא ִחָּיה Achiya Ahijah a-khi-YAH ֲא ִב ּיהוא Avihu Abihu a-vee-HU ָא ָדם Adam Adam a-DAM ֲא ִב ֶימ ֶל ְך Avimelech Abimelech a-vee-ME-lekh ֲא ָדר Adar Adar a-DAR ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב Avinadav Abinadab a-vee-na-DAV ֲא ִדֹנָּי ּהו Adoniyahu Adonijah a-do-ni-YA-hu ֲא ִב ָירם Aviram Abiram a-vee-RAM ֲע ֻד ָּלם Adulam Adullam a-du-LAM ֲ א ִ ב י שׁ ַ י Avishai Abishai a-vee-SHAI ָא ּגור Agur Agur a-GUR ֲא ִבָּיה Aviya Abijah a-vi-YAH ַא ֲהרֹן Aharon Aaron a-ha-RON ֲא ִבָּים Aviyam Abijam a-vi-YAM ֲע ָמ ָשׂא Amasa Amasa a-ma-SA ַא ְב ֵנר Avner Abner av-NAYR ֲא ַמ ְצָיה Amatzya Amaziah a-matz-YAH ַא ְבָר ָהם Avraham Abraham av-ra-HAM ָא ֵמן Amen Amen a-MAYN

178 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ַע ִּמ ֵיאל Amiel Ammiel a-mee-AYL ַע ִּמ ָינ ָדב Aminadav Amminadab a-mee-na-DAV ֲא ִמ ַּתי Amitai Amittai a-mi-TAI ַא ְמנֹן Amnon Amnon am-NON ָאמוֹ ן Amon Amon a-MON ָעמוֹ ס Amos Amos a-MOS ָאמוֹ ץ Amotz Amoz a-MOTZ ַע ְמָרם Amram Amram am-RAM ֲע ָנתוֹ ת Anatot Anathoth a-na-TOT ֲארוֹ ן Aron Ark a-RON ֲארוֹן ַה ְּבִרית Aron HaBrit Ark of the Covenant a-RON ha-b’-REET ַ א ְ ר ּ ַ פ ְ כ שׁ ָ ד Arpachshad Arpachshad ar-pakh-SHAD ָא ָסא Asa Asa a-SA ֲע ָש ֵׂהאל Asael Asahel a-sah-AYL ָא ָסף Asaf Asaph a-SAF ַ א שׁ ְ ּ ד ֹ ו ד Ashdod Ashdod ash-DOD ָ א שׁ ֵ ר Asher Asher a-SHAYR ַ א שׁ ְ ְ ק ל ֹ ו ן Ashkelon Ashkelon ash-k’-LON ֲע ַת ְלָיה Atalya Athaliah a-tal-YAH ַע ְב ּדוֹ ן Avdon Abdon av-DON ֲא ִב ַיחִיל Avichayil Abihail a-vee-KHA-yil ֲא ִב ָידן Avidan Abidan a-vee-DAN ֲא ִב ַיגִיל Avigail Abigail a-vee-GA-yil ֲא ִב ּיהוא Avihu Abihu a-vee-HU ֲא ִב ֶימ ֶל ְך Avimelech Abimelech a-vee-ME-lekh ֲא ִב ָינ ָדב Avinadav Abinadab a-vee-na-DAV ֲא ִב ָירם Aviram Abiram a-vee-RAM ֲ א ִ ב י שׁ ַ י Avishai Abishai a-vee-SHAI ֲא ִבָּיה Aviya Abijah a-vi-YAH ֲא ִבָּים Aviyam Abijam a-vi-YAM ַא ְב ֵנר Avner Abner av-NAYR ַא ְבָר ָהם Avraham Abraham av-ra-HAM

179 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ַא ְבָרם Avram Abram av-RAM ֲח ָנ ִני Chanani Hanani kha-NA-nee ַ א ְ ב שׁ ָ ל ֹ ו ם Avshalom Absalom av-sha-LOM ֲח ַנ ְנָיה Chananya Hananiah kha-nan-YAH ֲעַזְרָיה Azarya Azariah a-zar-YAH ַח ִנּ ֵיאל Chaniel Hanniel kha-nee-AYL ְ ֲעֵז ָקה Azeika Azekah a-zay-KAH ֲחנוֹ ך Chanoch Enoch kha-NOKH ַעָ ּזה Azza Gaza a-ZAH ַחָּוה Chava Eve kha-VAH ְ ּב ֵני ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל B’nei Yisrael The Children of b’-NAY yis-ra-AYL ֲח ַב ּק ּוק Chavakuk Habakkuk kha-va-KUK Israel ֶח ְרמוֹ ן Chermon Hermon kher-MON ָּבָרק Barak Barak ba-rakh-AYL ֶח ְצרוֹ ן Chetzron Hezron khetz-RON ָּב ּרו ְך Baruch Baruch ba-RUKH ֶח ֶבר Chever Heber KHE-ver ַּבְרִז ַּלי Barzilai Barzillai bar-zi-LAI ֶח ְברוֹ ן Chevron Hebron khev-RON ַ ּ ב ְ ע שׁ ָ א Basha Baasa ba-SHA ִח ְל ִקָּי ּהו Chilkiyahu Hilkiah khil-ki-YA-hu ַּבת-שׁ ֶ ַבע Batsheva Bath-sheba bat-SHE-va ִחְז ִקָּי ּהו Chizkiyahu Hezekiah khiz-ki-YA-hu ְ ּ ב ֵ א ר שׁ ֶ ַ ב ע Be’er Sheva Beer-sheba b’-AYR SHE-va ָח ְפ ִני Chofni Hophni khof-NEE ְּב ֵאִרי Be’eri Beeri b’-ay-REE ֻח ְל ָ ּדה Chulda Hulda khul-DAH ֵּבית ָאֶון Beit Aven Beth-aven bayt A-ven ּחור Chur Hur Khur ֵּבית ֵאל Beit El Beth-el bayt el ָ ּדן Dan Dan Dan ֵּבית ַה ִּמ ְק ָ ּדשׁ Beit Hamikdash Temple bayt ha-mik-DASH ָ ּד ִנֵּיאל Daniel Daniel da-ni-YAYL ֵּבית ֶל ֶחם Beit Lechem Beth-lehem bayt LE-khem ָ ּד ָתן Datan Dathan da-TAN ֵּבית ׁ ְש ָאן Beit Shean Beth-shean bayt sh’-AN ָ ּדִוד David David da-VID ֵ ּ ב י ת שׁ ֶ ֶ מ שׁ Beit Shemesh Beth-shemesh bayt SHE-mesh ְ ּדבוֹ ָרה Devora Deborah d’-vo-RAH ֶּבֶר ְכָיה Berechya Berechiah be-rekh-YAH ִד ָינה Dina Dinah DEE-nah ְּב ַצ ְל ֵאל Betzalel Bezalel b’-tzal-AYL ּד ֵוֹאג ָה ֲא ִדֹמי Doeg Ha’adomi Doeg the Edomite do-AYG ha-a-do-MEE ִּב ְל ָהה Bilha Bilhah bil-HAH ֶא ְפָרִים Efraim Ephraim ef-RA-yim ִּב ְנָי ִמין Binyamin Benjamin bin-ya-MIN ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrat ef-RAT ּב ַֹעז Boaz Boaz BO-az ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrathah ef-RA-tah ֻּב ִּקי Buki Bukki bu-KEE ֵא ּהוד Ehud Ehud ay-HUD ּב ּוִזי Buzi Buzi bu-ZEE ֵא ָלה Eila Elah AY-lah ַּכְר ֶמל Carmel Carmel kar-MEL ֵאילוֹן Eilon Elon ay-LON ֲח ַכ ְלָיה Chachalya Hacaliah kha-khal-YAH ֵעין ֶּג ִדי Ein Gedi En-gedi ayn GE-dee ַח ַּגי Chagai Haggai kha-GAI ַהר ֵע ָיבל Mount) Eival (Mount) Ebal ay-VAL) ָח ְג ָלה Chagla Hoglah khag-LAH ֶא ְל ָעָזר Elazar Eleazar el-a-ZAR ַח ָנּ ה Chana Hannah kha-NAH ֶא ְל ָח ָנן Elchanan Elhanan el-kha-NAN ֲח ַנ ְמ ֵאל Chanamel Hanamel kha-nam-AYL ֵע ִלי Eli Eli ay-LEE

180 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ֲח ָנ ִני Chanani Hanani kha-NA-nee ֲח ַנ ְנָיה Chananya Hananiah kha-nan-YAH ַח ִנּ ֵיאל Chaniel Hanniel kha-nee-AYL ֲחנוֹ ְך Chanoch Enoch kha-NOKH ַחָּוה Chava Eve kha-VAH ֲח ַב ּק ּוק Chavakuk Habakkuk kha-va-KUK ֶח ְרמוֹ ן Chermon Hermon kher-MON ֶח ְצרוֹ ן Chetzron Hezron khetz-RON ֶח ֶבר Chever Heber KHE-ver ֶח ְברוֹ ן Chevron Hebron khev-RON ִח ְל ִקָּי ּהו Chilkiyahu Hilkiah khil-ki-YA-hu ִחְז ִקָּי ּהו Chizkiyahu Hezekiah khiz-ki-YA-hu ָח ְפ ִני Chofni Hophni khof-NEE ֻח ְל ָ ּדה Chulda Hulda khul-DAH ּחור Chur Hur Khur ָ ּדן Dan Dan Dan ָ ּד ִנֵּיאל Daniel Daniel da-ni-YAYL ָ ּד ָתן Datan Dathan da-TAN ָ ּדִוד David David da-VID ְ ּדבוֹ ָרה Devora Deborah d’-vo-RAH ִד ָינה Dina Dinah DEE-nah ּד ֵוֹאג ָה ֲא ִדֹמי Doeg Ha’adomi Doeg the Edomite do-AYG ha-a-do-MEE ֶא ְפָרִים Efraim Ephraim ef-RA-yim ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrat ef-RAT ֶא ְפָר ָתה Efrat Ephrathah ef-RA-tah ֵא ּהוד Ehud Ehud ay-HUD ֵא ָלה Eila Elah AY-lah ֵאילוֹן Eilon Elon ay-LON ֵעין ֶּג ִדי Ein Gedi En-gedi ayn GE-dee ַהר ֵע ָיבל Mount) Eival (Mount) Ebal ay-VAL) ֶא ְל ָעָזר Elazar Eleazar el-a-ZAR ֶא ְל ָח ָנן Elchanan Elhanan el-kha-NAN ֵע ִלי Eli Eli ay-LEE

181 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ֱא ִל ָיאב Eliav Eliab e-lee-AV ְּג ּאו ֵאל Geuel Geuel g’-u-AYL ֱא ִל ָידד Elidad Elidad e-lee-DAD ִּגיחוֹן Gichon Gihon gee-KHON ֱא ִל ֶיעֶזר Eliezer Eliezer e-lee-E-zer ִג ְדעוֹ ן Gidon Gideon gid-ON ֱא ִל ֶימ ֶל ְך Elimelech Elimelech e-lee-ME-lekh ִג ְל ָעד Gilad Gilead gil-AD ֱ א ִ ל י שׁ ָ ע Elisha Elisha e-lee-SHA ִּג ְל ָּגל Gilgal Gilgal gil-GAL ֱ א ִ ל י שׁ ָ ָ מ ע Elishama Elishama e-lee-sha-MA ִּג ְב ָעה Giva Gibeah giv-AH ֱא ִל ׁ ֶיש ַבע Elisheva Elisheba e-lee-SHE-va ִ ּג ְבעוֹ ן Givon Gibeon giv-ON ֱא ִל ָיצ ָפן Elitzafan Eli-zaphan e-lee-tza-FAN ֲה ַד ָּסה Hadassa Hadassah ha-da-SAH ֱא ִל ּיצור Elitzur Elizur e-lee-TZUR ַהר ַה ַּבִית Har HaBayit Temple Mount har ha-BA-yit ֵא ִלָּי ּהו Eliyahu Elijah ay-li-YA-hu ַהר ַהֵ ּז ִיתים Har HaZeitim the Mount of Olives har ha-zay-TEEM ֶא ְל ָק ָנה Hashem Lord/God Elkana Elkanah el-ka-NAH ֶא ְלָי ָסף Elyasaf Eliasaph el-ya-SAF ֵה ָימן Hayman Heman hay-MAN ֶ א ְ ל ָ י שׁ ִ י ב Elyashiv Eliashib el-ya-SHEEV ה ֹ ו שׁ ֵ ַ ע Hoshea Hosea ho-SHAY-a ֱ א נ ֹ ו שׁ Enosh Enosh e-NOSH ִע ּדוֹ Ido Iddo i-DO ֵער Er Er ayr ִע ָּמ ּנו ֵאל Imanu-El Immanuel i-MA-nu ayl ֶאשׁ ְ ָּתאֹל Eshtaol Eshtaol esh-ta-OL ִאישׁ ּ-בֹשׁ ֶ ת Ish-boshet Ish-bosheth eesh BO-shet ֶא ְס ֵּתר Esther Esther es-TAYR ִא ָית ָמר Itamar Ithamar ee-ta-MAR ֶע ֶב ֶד־מ ֶל ְך Eved Melech Ebed-melech E-ved ME-lekh ִא ִית ֵיאל Itiel Ithiel ee-tee-AYL ֶא ֶבן ָה ֶעֶזר Even Ha-Ezer Eben-Ezer E-ven ha-E-zer ִא ְב ָצן Ivtzan Ibzan iv-TZAN ֵע ֶבר Ever Eber AY-ver ִא ּיוֹ ב Iyov Job i-YOV ֶא ְבָי ָתר Evyatar Abiathar ev-ya-TAR ַק ְד ִמ ֵיאל Kadmiel Kadmiel kad-mee-AYL ֶעְזָרא Ezra Ezra ez-RA ָּכ ֵלב Kalev Caleb ka-LAYV ָּגד Gad Gad gad ִ ק י שׁ Keesh Kish keesh ַּג ִ ּדי Gadi Gaddi ga-DEE ְק ָהת Kehat Kohath k’-HAT ַּג ִ ּד ֵיאל Gadiel Gaddiel ga-dee-AYL ֵק ָינן Keinan Kenan kay-NAN ַּג ְמ ִל ֵיאל Gamliel Gamaliel gam-lee-AYL ְק ּמו ֵאל Kemuel Kemuel k’-mu-AYL ְּג ַד ְלָי ּהו (Gedalia Gedaliah g’-dal-YA (hu ְּכ ּרו ִבים Keruvim Cherubim k’-ru-VEEM ְּג ֵדָרה Gedera Gederah g’-day-RAH ִכ ְליוֹ ן Kilyon Chilion kil-YON ַהר ְּגִרִזים Mount) Gerizim (Mount) Gerizim g’-ri-ZEEM) ִקְרַית ַאְר ַּבע Kiryat Arba Kiriath-arba keer-YAT AR-bah ֵ ּ ג ְ ר שׁ ֹ ו ם Gershom Gershom gay-r’-SHOM ִקְרַי ֵת-ס ֶפר Kiryat Sefer Kiriath-sepher keer-YAT SAY-fer ֵ ג ְ ר שׁ ֹ ו ן Gershon Gershon gay-r’-SHON ִקְרַית ְי ָעִרים Kiryat Ye’arim Kiriath-jearim keer-YAT y’-a-REEM ֶ ג שׁ ֶ ם Geshem Geshem GE-shem ִּכ ְס ֵלו Kislev Chislev kis-LAYV

182 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ְּג ּאו ֵאל Geuel Geuel g’-u-AYL ִּגיחוֹן Gichon Gihon gee-KHON ִג ְדעוֹ ן Gidon Gideon gid-ON ִג ְל ָעד Gilad Gilead gil-AD ִּג ְל ָּגל Gilgal Gilgal gil-GAL ִּג ְב ָעה Giva Gibeah giv-AH ִ ּג ְבעוֹ ן Givon Gibeon giv-ON ֲה ַד ָּסה Hadassa Hadassah ha-da-SAH ַהר ַה ַּבִית Har HaBayit Temple Mount har ha-BA-yit ַהר ַהֵ ּז ִיתים Har HaZeitim the Mount of Olives har ha-zay-TEEM Hashem Lord/God ֵה ָימן Hayman Heman hay-MAN ה ֹ ו שׁ ֵ ַ ע Hoshea Hosea ho-SHAY-a ִע ּדוֹ Ido Iddo i-DO ִע ָּמ ּנו ֵאל Imanu-El Immanuel i-MA-nu ayl ִאישׁ ּ-בֹשׁ ֶ ת Ish-boshet Ish-bosheth eesh BO-shet ִא ָית ָמר Itamar Ithamar ee-ta-MAR ִא ִית ֵיאל Itiel Ithiel ee-tee-AYL ִא ְב ָצן Ivtzan Ibzan iv-TZAN ִא ּיוֹ ב Iyov Job i-YOV ַק ְד ִמ ֵיאל Kadmiel Kadmiel kad-mee-AYL ָּכ ֵלב Kalev Caleb ka-LAYV ִ ק י שׁ Keesh Kish keesh ְק ָהת Kehat Kohath k’-HAT ֵק ָינן Keinan Kenan kay-NAN ְק ּמו ֵאל Kemuel Kemuel k’-mu-AYL ְּכ ּרו ִבים Keruvim Cherubim k’-ru-VEEM ִכ ְליוֹ ן Kilyon Chilion kil-YON ִקְרַית ַאְר ַּבע Kiryat Arba Kiriath-arba keer-YAT AR-bah ִקְרַי ֵת-ס ֶפר Kiryat Sefer Kiriath-sepher keer-YAT SAY-fer ִקְרַית ְי ָעִרים Kiryat Ye’arim Kiriath-jearim keer-YAT y’-a-REEM ִּכ ְס ֵלו Kislev Chislev kis-LAYV

183 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ּכ ֲֹה ִנים Kohanim Priests ko-ha-NEEM ֶקֹה ֶלת Kohelet Koheleth ko-HE-let ּכ ֵֹהן Kohen Priest ko-HAYN ּכ ֵֹהן ָּגדוֹל Kohen Gadol High Priest ko-HAYN ga-DOL ַקֹרח Korach Korah KO-rakh ּ כ ּ ו שׁ ִ י Kushi Cushi ku-SHEE ָ ל ִ כ י שׁ Lachish Lachish la-KHEESH ֵל ָאה Leah Leah lay-AH ֶל ֶמ ְך Lemech Lamech LE-mekh ְל ּמו ֵאל Lemuel Lemuel l’-mu-AYL ֵלִוי Levi Levi lay-VEE ְלִוִּים Leviim Levites l’-vee-IM ַמ ְח ָלה Machla Mahlah makh-LAH ַמ ְחלוֹ ן Machlon Mahlon makh-LON ַמ ְח ֵסָיה Machseya Mahseiah makh-say-YAH ַמ ְל ָא ִכי Malachi Malachi mal-a-KHEE ָמנוֹ ַח Manoach Manoah ma-NO-akh ָמׁ ִש ַיח Mashiach Messiah ma-SHEE-akh ְמ ִפ ׁ ֶיבֹשת Mefiboshet Mephibosheth m’-fee-VO-shet ַמ ֲה ַל ְל ֵאל Mehalalel Mahalalel ma-ha-lal-AYL ְמ ַנ ֵחם Menachem Menahem m’-na-KHAYM ְמַנֶּשׁה Menashe Menasseh m’-na-SHEH ְמ ָנֹרה Menorah Candlestick m’-no-RAH ְמָרִרי Merari Merari m’-ra-REE ְמ ּתוׁ ֶש ַלח Metushelach Methusaleh m’-tu-SHE-lakh ִמ ָיכה Micha Micah mee-KHAH ִמ ָיכ ֵאל Michael Michael mee-kha-AYL ִמ ָיכְי ּהו Michaihu Micaiah mee-KHAI-hu ִמ ַיכל Michal Michal mee-KHAL ִמ ְל ָּכה Milka Milcah mil-KAH ִמְרָים Miriam Miriam mir-YAM ִ מ י שׁ ָ ֵ א ל Mishael Mishael mee-sha-AYL

184 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִמְשַּׁכן Mishkan Tabernacle mish-KAN ִמ ְצ ָּפה Mitzpa Mizpah mitz-PAH ִּמְז ֵּב ַח Mizbayach Altar miz-BAY-akh ָמְר ֳ ּד ַכי Mordechai Mordecai mor-d’-KHAI מוֹ ִר ָ ּיה Moriah Moriah mo-ri-YAH ׁ ֶמֹשה Moshe Moses mo-SHEH ַנ ְח ִּבי Nachbi Nahbi nakh-BEE ָנחוֹ ר Nachor Nahor na-KHOR ַ נ ְ ח שׁ ֹ ו ן Nachshon Nahshon nakh-SHON ַנ ּחום Nachum Nahum na-KHUM ָנ ָדב Nadav Nadab na-DAV ַנ ְפ ָּת ִלי Naftali Naphtali naf-ta-LEE ָנ ֳע ִמי Naomi Naomi na-o-MEE ָנ ָתן Natan Nathan na-TAN ָנ ָבל Naval Nabal na-VAL ָנ ִביא Navi Prophet na-VEE ָנ ָבל Navot Naboth na-VAL ְנ ֶח ְמָיה Nechemya Nehemiah n’-khem-YAH ֶנ ֶגב Negev Negeb NE-gev ֵנִרָּיה Nerya Neriah nay-ri-YAH ְנ ַת ְנ ֵאל Netanel Nethanel n’-tan-AYL ְנּ ִב ָיאה Neviah Prophetess n’-vee-AH ְנּ ִב ִיאים Neviim Prophets n’-vee-EEM ִנ ָיסן Nisan Nisan nee-SAN ָנֹעה Noa Noah no-AH ַנֹח Noach Noah NO-akh נֹב Nov Nob nov ּנון Nun Nun nun עוֹ ֵדד Oded Oded o-DAYD ָא ֳה ָלה Ohola Oholah a-ho-LAH ָא ֳה ִל ָיאב Oholiav Oholiab o-ha-lee-AV ָא ֳה ִל ָיבה Oholiva Oholibah a-ho-lee-VAH

185 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ָע ְמִרי Omri Omri om-REE אוֹ ָנן Onan Onan o-NAN ָע ְת ִנ ֵיאל Otniel Othniel ot-nee-AYL ַעֹב ְדָיה Ovadya Obadiah o-vad-YAH עוֹ ֵבד Oved Obed o-VAYD ֵעוֹבד ֱאדוֹם Oved Edom Obed Edom o-VAYD e-DOM ַּפ ְג ִע ֵיאל Pagiel Pagiel pag-ee-AYL ַּפ ְל ִטי Palti Palti pal-TEE ַּפ ְל ִט ֵיאל Paltiel Paltiel pal-tee-AYL ֶּפ ַקח Pekach Pekah PE-kakh ְּפ ַד ְה ֵאל Pedael Pedahel p’-da-AYL ְּפ ַק ְחָיה Pekachya Pekahiah p’-kakh-YAH ָּפ ֶלג Peleg Peleg PE-leg ּ ְפ ִנ ָנּ ה Penina Peninnah p’-ni-NAH ֶּפֶרץ Peretz Perez PE-retz ְּפ ּתו ֵאל Petuel Pethuel p’-tu-AYL ִּפ ְינ ָחס Pinchas Phinehas peen-KHAS ָר ֵחל Rachel Rachel ra-KHAYL ָרם Ram Ram ram ָר ָמה Rama Ramah ra-MAH ְר ּעו Re’u Reu r’-U ְר ַח ְב ָעם Rechovam Rehoboam r’-khav-AM ְר ּאו ֵבן Reuven Reuben r’-u-VAYN ִר ְב ָקה Rivka Rebecca riv-KAH ּרות Rut Ruth rut ַשׂ ְל ָמה Salma Salmon/Salmah sal-MAH ַשׂ ְלמוֹ ן Salmon Salmon sal-MON ָשׂ ָרה Sara Sarah sa-RAH ָשׂ ַרי Sarai Sarai sa-RAI ֶס ָלה Selah Selah SE-lah ְשָׂרָיה Seraya Seraiah s’-ra-YAH ְשׂ ּרוג Serug Serug s’-RUG

186 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ְס ּתור Setur Sethur s’-TUR שׁ ַ ֲ ע ָ ר ִ י ם Shaarayim Shaaraim sha-a-RA-yim שׁ ַ ַ ּ ב ת Shabbat Sabbath sha-BAT ׁ ּ ַש ָ ּבתוֹ ת Shabbatot Sabbaths sha-ba-TOT שׁ ָ ָ פ ן Shafan Shaphan sha-FAN ָשָׁפט Shafat Shaphat sha-FAT ָשֵׁלם Shalem Salem sha-LAYM ַשּׁלּום Shalum Shallum sha-LUM ַשְׁמַּגר Shamgar Shamgar sham-GAR שׁ ַ ּ מ ּ ו ַ ע Shamua Shammua sha-MU-a שׁ ָ א ּו ל Shaul Saul sha-UL שׁ ְ ַ א ְ ל ִ ּ ת י ֵא ל Shealtiel Shealtiel sh’-al-tee-AYL שׁ ְ ָ א ר ָי שׁ ּו ב Shear Yashuv Shear-Jashub sh’-AR ya-SHUV שׁ ְ ַ כ ְ נ ָ י ה Shechanya Shecaniah sh’-khan-YAH שׁ ְ ֶ כ ם Shechem Shechem sh’-KHEM שׁ ֵ ָ ל ה Sheila Shelah shay-LAH שׁ ֶ ַ ל ח Shelach Shelah SHE-lakh שׁ ְ ֻ ל ִ מ י ֵא ל Shelumiel Shelumiel sh’-lu-mee-AYL שׁ ֵ ם Shem Shem Shaym ְשַׁמְעָיה Shemaya Shemaiah sh’-ma-YAH שׁ ֵ שׁ ְ ַ ּ ב ַ ּ צ ר Sheshbatzar Sheshbazzar shaysh-ba-TZAR שׁ ֵ ת Shet Seth Shayt שׁ ְ ָ ב ט Shevat Shebat sh’-VAT שׁ ִ לֹ ה Shilo Shiloh shi-LOH שׁ ִ ְ מ ִ ע י Shim’i Shimei shim-EE ׁ ִש ְמעוֹ ן Shimon Simeon shim-ON שׁ ִ ְ מ שׁ ֹ ו ן Shimshon Samson shim-SHON שׁ ְ לֹמֹה Shlomo Solomon sh’-lo-MOH שׁ ְ מ ּו ֵ א ל Shmuel Samuel sh’-mu-AYL שׁ ֹ ו ָפ ר Shofar Horn sho-FAR שּׁ ָֹופרֹות Shofarot Horns sho-fa-ROT שׁ ְֹמרוֹן Shomron Samaria sho-m’-RON

187 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִס ָיון Sivan Sivan see-VAN ָת ָמר Tamar Tamar ta-MAR ָּת ַנ ְ”ך Tanakh Hebrew Bible ta-NAKH ַּת ּפ ּו ַח Tapuach Tappuah ta-PU-akh ָ ּתבוֹ ר Tavor Tabor ta-VOR ְ ּתקוֹ ָעה Tekoa Tekoa t’-KO-a ֶּתַרח Terach Terah TE-rakh ְט ֶבְרָיה Teveria Tiberias t’-ver-YAH ֵט ֵבת Tevet Tebeth tay-VAYT ִּתְר ָצה Tirtza Tirzah tir-TZAH ּתוֹ ָלע Tola Tola to-LA ָצדוֹ ק Tzadok Zadok tza-DOK ְצ ַפ ְנָיה Tzefanya Zephaniah tz’-fan-YAH ְצ ָל ְפ ָחד Tzelofchad Zelophehad tz’-la-f’-KHAD ְצ ּרוָיה Tzeruya Zeruiah tz’-ru-YAH ְצ ַפת Tzfat Safed tz’-FAT ִצ ְד ִקָּי ּהו Tzidkiyahu Zedekiah tzid-ki-YA-hu ִצ ְק ַלג Tziklag Ziklag tzi-k’-LAG ִצ ּיוֹ ן Tzion Zion tzi-YON ִצ ּפָֹרה Tzipora Zipporah tzi-po-RAH ָצְר ָעה Tzora Zorah tzor-AH ּצוִר ֵיאל Tzuriel Zuriel tzu-ree-AYL ֻא ָכל Ukal Ucal u-KAL ּאוִרי Uri Uri u-REE ּאוִרָּיה Uriya Uriah u-ri-YAH ּעוץ Utz Uz Utz ֻעִ ּזָּי ּהו Uzziyahu Uzziah u-zi-YA-hu ַי ֲעקֹב Yaakov Jacob ya-a-KOV ַי ֲחִז ֵיאל Yachaziel Jahaziel ya-kha-zee-AYL ָי ֵעל Yael Jael ya-AYL ָיפוֹ Yaffo Joppa/Jaffa ya-FO ָי ִאיר Yair Jair ya-EER

188 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ָי ֶקה Yakeh Jakeh ya-KEH ַּיְר ֵ ּדן Yarden Jordan yar-DAYN ַיְר ּמות Yarmut Jarmuth yar-MUT ְי ֶחְז ֵקאל Yechezkel Ezekiel y’-khez-KAYL ְי ִח ֵיאל Yechiel Jehiel y’-khee-AYL ְי ָכ ְנָיה Yechonya Jeconiah y’-khon-YAH ְי ּדו ּתון Yedutun Jeduthun y’-du-TUN ְיהוֹ ָא ָחז Yehoachaz Jehoahaz y’-ho-a-KHAZ ְ י ה ֹ ו ָא שׁ Yehoash Jehoash y’-ho-ASH ְיהוֹ ָח ָנן Yehochanan Jehohanan y’-ho-kha-NAN ְיהוֹ ָנ ָתן Yehonatan Jonathan y’-ho-na-TAN ְיהוֹ ָרם Yehoram Jehoram y’-ho-RAM ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ָ ָ פ ט Yehoshafat Jehoshaphat y’-ho-sha-FAT ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ַ ְ ב ַ ע ת Yehoshavat Jehoshabeath y’-ho-shav-AT ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ֶ ַ ב ע Yehosheva Jehosheba y-ho-SHE-va ְ י ה ֹ ו שׁ ֻ ַ ע Yehoshua Joshua y’-ho-SHU-a ְיהוֹ ָצ ָדק Yehotzadak Jehozadak y’-ho-tza-DAK ְי ָהוֹי ִכין Yehoyachin Jehoiachin y’-ho-ya-KHEEN ְיהוֹ ָי ָדע Yehoyada Jehoiada y’-ho-ya-DA ְי ָהוֹי ִקים Yehoyakim Jehoiakim y’-ho-ya-KEEM ֵי ּהוא Yehu Jehu yay-HU ְי ּהו ָדה Yehuda Judah y’-hu-DAH ְי ּהו ִדי Yehudi Jew y’-hu-DEE ְּי ּהו ִדים Yehudim Jews y’-hu-DEEM ֶיֶרד Yered Jared YE-red ְיִריחוֹ Yericho Jericho y’-ree-KHO ָיָר ְב ָעם Yerovam Jeroboam ya-rov-AM ְיֻר ַּב ַעל Yerubaal Jerubbaal y’-ru-BA-al ְי ּרושׁ ָ ִָלִים Yerushalayim Jerusalem y’-ru-sha-LA-yim ְ י שׁ ַ ְ ע ָ י ה ּו Yeshayahu Isaiah y’-sha-YA-hu ֵ י שׁ ּו ַ ע Yeshua Jeshua yay-SHU-a ִי ְפ ָּתח Yiftach Jephthah yif-TAKH

189 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִי ְג ָאל Yigal Igal yig-AL ִיְר ְמָי ּהו Yirmiyahu Jeremiah yir-m’-YA-hu ִ י שׁ ָ י Yishai Jesse yi-SHAI ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵאל Yisrael Israel yis-ra-AYL ִי ָּ ׂש ָשכר Yissachar Issachar yi-sa-KHAR ִי ְצ ָחק Yitzchak Issac yitz-KHAK ִיְזְר ֶעאל Yizrael Jezreel yiz-r’-EL י ֹ ו ָא שׁ Yoash Joash yo-ASH יוֹ ָאב Yoav Joab yo-AV יוֹ ָח ָנן Yochanan Johanan yo-kha-NAN יוֹ ֶכ ֶבד Yocheved Jochebed yo-KHE-ved יוֹ ֵאל Yoel Joel yo-AYL יוֹ ָנה Yona Jonah yo-NAH יוֹ ָנ ָדב Yonadav Jonadab yo-na-DAV יוֹ ָנ ָתן Yonatan Jonathan yo-na-TAN יוֹ ָרם Yoram Joram yo-RAM יוֹ ֵסף Yosef Joseph yo-SAYF יֹאשׁ ִ ָּי ּהו Yoshiyahu Josiah yo-shi-YA-hu יוֹ ָתם Yotam Jotham yo-TAM יוֹ ָצ ָדק Yotzadak Jozadak yo-tza-DAK יוֹ ָז ָבד Yozavad Jozabad yo-za-VAD ָזנוֹ ַח Zanoach Zanoah za-NO-akh ְז ַכְרָיה Zecharya Zechariah z’-khar-YAH ֶזַרח Zerach Zerah ZE-rakh ְזֻר ָּב ֶבל Zerubavel Zerubbabel z’-ru-ba-VEL ְז ּבו ֻלן Zevulun Zebulun z’-vu-LUN ִז ְל ָּפה Zilpa Zilpah zil-PAH ִז ְמִרי Zimri Zimri zim-REE

190 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew Jewish Holidays ֲח ּנו ָּכה Chanukah Hanukkah kha-nu-KAH ֶּפ ַסח Pesach Passover PE-sakh ּפ ּוִרים Purim Purim pu-REEM רֹאשׁ ַהׁ ָּש ָנה Rosh Hashana Jewish New Year rosh ha-sha-NAH שׁ ָ ּבועוֹת Shavuot Feast of Weeks sha-vu-OT ׁ ְש ִמ ִיני ֲע ֶצֶרת Shemini Atzeret Eight Day of sh’-mee-NEE a-TZE-ret Assembly ֻס ּכוֹ ת Sukkot Feast of Tabernacles su-KOT יוֹם ִּכ ּיפור Yom Kippur Day of Atonement yom kee-PUR

Biblical Measurements ַא ָּמה Amah Cubit a-MAH ַאמוֹ ת Amot Cubits a-MOT ַּבת Bat Bath bat ַּב ִּתים Batim Baths ba-TEEM ֶּב ַקע Beka half-shekel BE-ka ֳח ָמִרים Chomarim Homers kho-ma-REEM ֶחֹמר Chomer Homer KHO-mer ֵא ָיפה Efah Ephah ay-FAH ֵּגָרה Geira Gerah gay-RAH ּג ֶֹמד Gomed Gomed GO- med ִהין Hin Hin heen ַּקב Kav kab kav ְק ִשׂ ָיטה Kesita kesitah k’-see-TAH ִּכ ָּכר Kikar talent ki-KAR ִּכ ָּכִרים Kikarim talents ki-ka-RIM ּכֹר Kor kor kor ֶל ֶת ְך Letek lethech LE-tek לֹג Log Log log ָּמ ֶנה Maneh Mina ma-NEH ָמ ִנים Manim Minas ma-NEEM ֶעֹמר Omer Omer O-mer

191 Hebrew Name English Name Pronunciation Hebrew ִּפים Pim Pim peem ֵס ָאה Se’ah Seah say-AH ְס ִאים Se’eem Seahs s’-EEM שׁ ְ ָ ק ִ ל י ם Shekalim Shekels sh’-ka-LEEM שׁ ֶ ֶ ק ל Shekel Shekel SHE-kel ֶט ַפח Tefach Handbreadth TE-fakh ֶזֶרת Zeret Span ZE-ret

192 Photo Credits

Book Verse Photo Credit Genesis 1:01 Mark Neyman, GPO Genesis 2:05 Mark Neyman, GPO Genesis 7:19 Nathan Alpert, GPO Genesis 8:09 Ryan Rodrick Beiler, Shutterstock. com Genesis 13:10 Bill Rice, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 14:18 Stefano Rocca, Shutterstock.com Genesis 18:01 Eitan F., Wikimedia Commons Genesis 21:31 Dr. Avishai Teicher, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 22:18 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 23:19 Avi Ohayon, GPO Genesis 24:10 Elbud, Shutterstock.com Genesis 25:09 David Rabkin, Shutterstock.com Genesis 28:17 Andrew Shiva, Wikipedia Genesis 28:19 Dvirraz, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 33:19 Mark Neyman, GPO Genesis 35:19 Wikimedia Commons Genesis 37:02 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 43:11 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 46:04 Luis Villa del Campo, Wikimedia Commons Genesis 47:30 Moshe Milner, GPO Genesis 49:13 Mark Neyman, GPO

193 Chart of the Hebrew Months and their Holidays

Jewish Approximate Holiday Hebrew Date Notes Month Secular Date

Rosh Chodesh (Head of The first of every The Jewish Calendar is a lunar the Month) month calendar, and each month begins when the moon re-appears in the sky. The beginning of each new month is called Rosh Chodesh, which literally means ‘the head of the month.’ Rosh Chodesh is celebrated as a mini- holiday on the first day of every Jewish month, and special prayers are added into the daily service. When a month is 30 days long, the 30th day is celebrated as Rosh Chodesh in addition to the first day of the following month.

Nissan March-April Pesach (Passover) Begins on the Pesach is a seven day holiday 15th of Nissan commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Outside of Israel, an eighth day is observed.

Yom Hashoa (Holocaust 27th of Nissan Yom Hashoa commemorates the 6 Memorial Day) million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Iyar April-May Yom Hazikaron (Memorial 4th of Iyar Yom Hazikaron is Israel’s memorial Day) day, a day to remember Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

Yom Haatzmaut (Israel’s 5th of Iyar Yom Haatzmaut celebrates Israel’s Independence Day) declaration of independence in 1948.

Lag Ba’Omer (33rd day of 18th of Iyar Lag Ba’Omer is a minor holiday the Omer) celebrated on the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer

Yom Yerushalayim 28th of Iyar Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, (Jerusalem Day) celebrates the re-unification of the city of Jerusalem following the 1967 Six-Day War.

Sivan May-June Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) 6th of Sivan Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Outside of Israel it is observed for two days, the 6th and 7th of Sivan.

194 Jewish Approximate Holiday Hebrew Date Notes Month Secular Date

Tammuz June-July Fast of the Seventeenth 17th of Tammuz The Fast of the Seventeenth of of Tammuz Tammuz commemorates the breeching of the walls of Jerusalem before the destruction of the Temple. It begins a three week mourning period over the destruction of the Temple, culminating with the fast of Tisha B’Av.

Av July-August Tisha B’Av (Fast of the 9th 9th of Av Tisha B’Av is a fast day commemorating of Av) the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. It is the culmination of the three week mourning period over the destruction of the Temple which starts on the 17th of Tammuz.

Elul August- September

Tishrei September- Rosh Hashana (Jewish 1st and 2nd of Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year. October New Year) Tishrei

Tzom Gedalya (Fast of 3rd of Tishrei The Fast of Gedaliah commemorates Gedaliah) the death of Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the governor of Judah following the destruction of the First Temple. His death marked the end of Jewish rule in the Land of Israel for many generations and led to the exile of the few remaining Jews who had not been taken to Babylonia.

Yom Kippur (Day of 10th of Tishrei Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement, Atonement) the holiest day of the year.

Sukkot (Feast of Begins on the Sukkot is a seven-day holiday Tabernacles) 15th of Tishrei celebrating God’s protection of the Jews in the wilderness

Shemini Atzeret/Simchat 22nd of Tishrei Shemini Atzeret is a holiday that Torah (Eighth Day of immediately follows Sukkot and Assembly) celebrates the unique relationship between God and the Children of Israel. Simchat Torah celebrates the completion and renewal of the Torah reading cycle. In Israel, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are celebrated on the same day. Outside of Israel, they are celebrated on two consecutive days.

195 Jewish Approximate Holiday Hebrew Date Notes Month Secular Date

Cheshvan October- Map of Modern-Day Israel and its Neighbors November Kislev November- Chanukah (Hanukkah) Begins on the Chanukah is an eight day festival December 25th of Kislev which celebrates the defeat of the The following is a map of modern-day Israel and the surrounding countries Syrian-Greeks, the re-dedication of the

Euphrates River Temple in Jerusalem, and the miracles that God preformed to facilitate these events.

Tevet December- The end of Chanukah Chanukah ends Capital City I January (Hanukkah) on the 2nd or City LEBANON 3rd of Tevet N River SYRIA depending on Border the year, since IRAQ Kislev contains Mediterranean either 29 or 30 Sea days Jerusalem Fast of the 10th of Tevet 10th of Tevet The Fast of the 10th of Tevet ISRAEL commemorates the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the First Temple. JORDAN Shevat January-February Tu B’Shvat (15th of 15th of Shevat Tu B’Shvat marks the beginning of the SINAI Shevat) new year for trees. It is when the first trees in the Land of Israel begin to blossom again after the winter season. SAUDI ARABIA Adar* February-March Fast of Esther 13th of Adar The Fast of Esther commemorates the EGYPT fast observed by the Jewish people in Persia at the time of Mordechai and Esther.

Purim 14th/15th of Purim celebrates God’s salvation of Adar the Jews from the evil Haman’s plot to destroy them. In most places, this holiday is celebrated on the 14th of Adar. In Jerusalem, it is celebrated on the 15th of Adar.

* During a leap year, an extra month of Adar is added so that the Jewish lunar calendar remains aligned with the solar seasons. A leap year occurs 7 times in every 19 year cycle. When this happens, Purim is celebrated in the second Adar.

196 Map of Modern-Day Israel and its Neighbors

The following is a map of modern-day Israel and the surrounding countries

Euphrates River

I Capital City City LEBANON N River SYRIA Border IRAQ Mediterranean Sea Jerusalem

ISRAEL

JORDAN

SINAI

SAUDI ARABIA

EGYPT

197 List of Prime Ministers of the State of Israel

Below is a list of the Prime Ministers of the State of Israel since the declaration of the State in 1948 until the present.

Number Name Years Term

1 David Ben-Gurion (1886 – 1973) May 1948- January 1954

2 Moshe Sharett (1894-1965) January 1954-November 1955

3 David Ben-Gurion (1886-1973) November 1955-June 1963

4 Levi Eshkol (1895-1969) June 1963-February 1969

5 Golda Meir (1898-1978) March 1969-June 1974

6 Yitzchak Rabin (1922–1995) June 1974-June 1977

7 Menachem Begin (1913–1992) June 1977-October 1983

8 Yitzchak Shamir (1915–2012) October 1983-September 1984

9 Shimon Peres (1923–2016) September 1984-October 1986

10 Yitzchak Shamir (1915–2012) October 1986-July 1992

11 Yitzchak Rabin (1922–1995) July 1992-November 1995

12 Shimon Peres (1923–2016) November 1995-June 1996

13 Benjamin Netanyahu (Born 1949) June 1996-July 1999

14 Ehud Barak (Born 1942) July 1999-March 2001

15 Ariel Sharon (1928–2014) March 2001-April 2006

16 Ehud Olmert (Born 1945) April 2006-March 2009

17 Benjamin Netanyahu (Born 1949) March 2009-Present

198 Prayer for the State of Israel

אָ בִֽינוּ שֶׁ בַּשָּׁ מַֽיִם Our Heavenly Father a-VEE-nu she-ba-sha-MA-yim

צוּר יִשְׂ רָאֵ ל וְגוֹאֲ לוֹ Israel’s Rock and Redeemer tzur yis-ra-AYL v’-go-a-LO

בָּרֵךְ אֶת מְדִ ינַת יִשְׂ רָאֵ ל Bless the State of Israel ba-RAYKH et mi-dee-NAT yis-ra-AYL

רֵאשִׁ ית תצְמִיחַ גְּאֻלָּתֵֽ נוּ the first flowering of our ray-SHEET tz’-mee-KHAT redemption g’-u-la-TAY-nu

הָ גֵן עָ לֶֽיהָ בְּאֶבְרַ ת Shield it under the wings of ha-GAYN a-LE-ha b’-ev-RAT סְחַ דּ ֶֽ ךָ Your loving kindness khas-DE-kha

וּפְרוֹס עָ לֶֽיהָ סֻכַּ ת -’And spread over it the uf-ROS a-LE-ha su-KAT sh שְׁ לוֹמֶֽךָ Tabernacle of Your peace lo-ME-kha

וּשְׁ לַח אוֹרְךָ וַאֲמִתְּ ךָ -Send Your light and truth ush-LAKH o-r’-KHA va-a-mi t’-KHA

לְרָאשֶֽׁיהָ, שָׂ רֶֽיהָ -to its leaders, ministers and l’-ro-SHE-ha, sa-RE-ha v’-yo וְיוֹעֲ צֶֽיהָ officials a-TZE-ha

וְתַקְּ נֵם בְּעֵצָה טוֹבָ ה And direct them with good v’-ta-k’-NAYM b’-ay-TZAH מִ לְּ נ פָ ֶֽ י ךָ counsel before You to-VAH m’-li-fa-NE-kha

חַ זֵּק אֶ ת יְדֵי מְ גִנֵּי אֶרֶ ץ -Strengthen the hands of the kha-ZAYK et y’-DAY m’-gi קָ דְ שֵֽׁ נ וּ defenders of our Holy Land NAY E-retz kod-SHAY-nu

וְהַ נְחִילֵם אֱ לֹהֵֽ ינוּ -Grant them deliverance, our v’-han-khee-LAYM e-lo-HAY יְשׁוּעָ ה God nu y’-shu-AH

וַעֲ טֶֽרֶ ת נִצָּחוֹן תְּעַטְּרֵ ם And crown them with the va-a-TE-ret ni-tza-KHON crown of victory t’-a-t’-RAYM

וְנָתַתָּשָׁ לוֹם בָּאָֽרֶ ץ -Grant peace in the land v’-na-ta-TA sha-LOM ba-A retz

וְשִׂמְחַת עוֹלָם לְיוֹשְׁ בֶֽיהָ -’and everlasting joy to its v’-sim-KHAT o-LAM l’-yo-sh inhabitants VE-ha

199 וְאֶת אַ חֵֽינוּ כָּל בֵּ ית As for our brothers, the whole v’-ET a-KHAY-nu kol bayt ִ י שְׂ רָ אֵ ל house of Israel yis-ra-AYL

פְּקָ ד נָא בְּכָל אַרְ צוֹת -Remember them in all the p’-KOD na b’-KHOL ar פְּזוּרֵיהֶ ם lands of their dispersion TZOT p’-zu-ray-HEM

וְתוֹלִיכֵם מְהֵרָ ה -And swiftly lead them upright v’-to-lee-KHAYM m’-hay קוֹמְמִ יּוּת RAH ko-m’-mi-YUT

לְצִיּוֹן עִ ירֶֽךָ to Zion Your city l’-TZI-yon ee-RE-kha

וְלִירוּשָׁ לַֽיִם מִשְׁ כַּן שְׁ מֶֽךָ -And Yerushalayim Your v’-lee-ru-sha-LA-yim mish dwelling place KAN sh’-ME-kha

כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁ ה -As is written in theTorah of ka-ka-TUV b’-to-RAT mo עַבְ דֶּֽךָ )דברים ל:ד-ה(: :Moses Your servant (Deut. SHEH av-DE-kha 30:4-5):

“אִ ם יִהְ יֶה נִדַּחֲךָ בִּקְצֵ ה Even if you are scattered to “im yih-YEH ni-da-kha-KHA“ שָּׁהַ מ ָֽ ִ י ם the furthermost lands under bik-TZAY ha-sha-MA-yim the heavens

םמִשָּׁ יְקַבֶּצְךָ יְיָאֱ לֹהֶֽיךָ From there the Lord your mi-SHAM yi-ka-betz-KHA God will gather you a-do-NAI e-lo-HE-kha

םוּמִשָּׁ יִקָּ חֶֽךָ and from there He will and u-mi-SHAM yi-ka-KHE-kha take you back

וֶהֱבִיאֲךָ יְיָאֱ לֹהֶֽיךָ אֶ ל The Lord your God will bring ve-he-vee-a-KHA a-do-NAI הָ אָֽ רֶ ץ you to the land e-lo-HE-kha el ha-A-retz

ראֲשֶׁ יָרְשׁוּ אֲ בֹתֶֽיךָ -That your ancestors possessed a-SHER ya-r’-SHU a-vo-TE khe

ִ ו י רִ שְׁ תָּ הּ and you will possess it vee-rish-TAH

וְ הֵ י טִ בְ ךָ וְ הִ רְ בְּ ךָ And He will make you more v’-hay-tiv-KHA v’-hir-b’-KHA מֵאֲ בֹתֶֽיךָ ” ”prosperous and numerous may-a-vo-TE-kha than your ancestors”

וְיַחֵד לְבָ בֵֽנוּ Unite our hearts v’-ya-KHAYD l’-va-VAY-nu

לְאַהֲבָה וּלְ יִרְאָה אֶ ת -’to love and revere Your name l’-a-ha-VAH ul-yir-AH et sh שְׁ מ ֶֽ ךָ ME-kha

וְלִשְׁ מֹר אֶת כָּל דִּבְרֵ י And observe all the words of v’-lish-MOR et kol div-RAY תוֹרָתֶֽךָ Your Torah to-ra-TE-kha

200 וּשְׁ חלַ לָֽנוּ מְהֵרָ ה -And swiftly send us ush-LAKH LA-nu m’-hay RAH

בֶּן דָּ וִד מְשִֽׁיחַצִדְקֶֽךָ Your righteous anointed one ben da-VID m’-SHEE-akh of the house of David tzid-KE-kha

לִפְדוֹת מְחַכֵּי קֵ ץ To redeem those who long for lif-DOT m’-kha-KAY kaytz יְשׁוּעָ תֶֽךָ Your salvation y’-shu-a-TE-kha

הוֹפַע בַּהֲדַר גְּאוֹן עֻ זֶּֽךָ Appear in Your glorious ho-FA ba-ha-DAR g’-ON majesty u-ZE-kha

עַל כָּל יוֹשְׁ בֵי תֵבֵ ל over all the dwellers on earth al kol yo-sh’-VAY TAY-vayl אַ רְ צֶֽ ךָ ar-TZE-kha

וְיֹאמַר כֹּל אֲשֶׁ ר נְשָׁמָ ה -’And let all who breathe v’-yo-MAR kol a-SHER n בְ אַ פּ וֹ declare: sha-MAH v’-a-PO

יְיָ יאֱלֹהֵ יִשְׂ לרָאֵ מֶֽלֶךְ -The Lord God of Israel is King a-do-NAI e-lo-HAY yis-ra AYL ME-lekh

וּמַלְכוּתוֹ בַּכֹּל מָשָֽׁלָ ה -And His kingship has u-mal-khu-TO ba-KOL ma dominion over all sha-LAH,

מֵאָ ן סֶֽ לָ ה Amen, Selah a-MAYN SE-lah

201 Prayer for the Welfare of Israel’s Soldiers

ִמי ׁ ֶש ֵּבַר ְך ֲא ֵבוֹת ּינו -He Who blessed our mee she-bay-RAKH a-vo-TAY forefathers nu ַא ְבָר ָהם ִי ְצ ָחק ְוַי ֲעקֹב -Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov av-ra-HAM yitz-KHAK v’-ya a-KOV ּהוא ְי ָבֵר ְך ֶאת ַחָּי ֵלי -may He bless the fighters of hu y’-va-RAYKH et kha-ya ְצ ָבא ַה ֲה ַג ָנּה ְלִי ְשָׂר ֵאל the Israel Defense Forces LAY tz’-VA ha-ha-ga-NAH l’-yis-ra-AYL ְו ַא ְנׁ ֵשי ּכֹחוֹת ַה ִּב ָּטחוֹן -and the security personnel v’-an-SHAY ko-KHOT ha-bi ta-KHON ָה ְעוֹמ ִדים ַעל ִמׁ ְש ַמר who stand guard over our land ha-o-m’-DEEM al mish-MAR ַאְר ֵצ ּנו ar-TZAY-nu ְו ָעֵרי ֱא ֵלֹה ּינו and the cities of our God v’-a-RAY e-lo-HAY-nu ִמ ְּג ּבול ַה ְּל ָבנוֹן ְו ַעד -’from the border of the mi-g’-VUL ha-l’-va-NON v ִמ ְד ַּבר ִמ ְצַרִים Lebanon to the desert of AD mid-BAR mitz-RA-yim Egypt ּו ִמן ַהָּים ַה ָּגדוֹל ַעד and from the Great Sea unto u-MIN ha-YAM ha-ga-DOL ְלבוֹא ָה ֲעָר ָבה the approach of the Aravah ad l’-VO ha-a-ra-VAH ַּבַּי ָּבׁ ָשה ָּב ֲאִויר ּו ַבָּים on the land, in the air, and on ba-ya-ba-SHAH ba-a-VEER the sea u-va-YAM ִי ֵּתן ְיָי ֶאת ְאוֹי ֵב ּינו May the Almighty cause the yi-TAYN a-do-NAI et ַה ָּק ִמים ָע ֵל ּינו enemies who rise up against us o-y’-VAY-nu ha-ka-MEEM a-LAY-nu ִנ ָּג ִפים ִל ְפ ֵנ ֶיהם to be struck down before them ni-ga-FEEM lif-nay-HEM ַה ָּקדוֹשׁ ָּב ּרו ְך ּהוא May the Holy One, Blessed ha-ka-DOSH ba-RUKH hu is He ִיׁ ְשמֹר ְוַי ִּציל ֶאת ַחָי ֵל ּינו preserve and rescue our yish-MOR v’-ya-TZEEL et fighters kha-ya-LAY-nu ִמכׂל ָצָרה ְו ּצו ָקה from every trouble and mi-KOL tza-RAH v’-tzu-KAH distress

202 ּו ִמכׂל ֶנ ַגע ּו ַמ ֲח ָלה -and from every plague and u-mi-KOL NE-ga u-ma-kha illness LAH ְוִיׁ ְש ַלח ְּבָר ָכה ְו ַה ְצ ָל ָחה and may He send blessing and v’-yish-LAKH b’-ra-KHAH success v’-hatz-la-KHAH ְּב ָכל ַמ ֲע ֵשׂה ְי ֵד ֶיהם -in their every endeavor b’-KHOL ma-a-SAY y’-day HEM ַי ְד ֵּבר ְשׂוֹנ ֵא ּינו ַּת ְח ֵּת ֶיהם -May He lead our enemies yad-BAYR so-n’-AY-nu takh under our soldiers’ sway tay-HEM ִו ַיע ְּטֵרם ְּב ֶכ ֶתר ְישׁ ּו ָעה and glorify our forces with the vee-a-t’-RAYM b’-KHE-ter crown of salvation y’-shu-AH ּו ְב ֲע ֶטֶרת ִנ ָּצחוֹן and the mantle of victory uv-a-TE-ret ni-tza-KHON ִו ֻיקַּים ָּב ֶהם ַה ָּכ ּתוב -And may there be fulfilled for vee-ku-YAM ba-HEM ha-ka )דברים כ,ד(: :them the verse (Deuteronomy TUV 20:4): ִּ“כי ְיָי ֱא ֵלֹה ֶיכם ַה ֵהֹל ְך -For it is the Lord your God, “kee a-do-NAI e-lo-hay“ ִע ָּמ ֶכם -Who goes with you KHEM ha-ho-LAYKH i-ma KHEM ְל ִה ָּל ֵחם ָל ֶכם ִעם to battle your enemies for you l’-hi-la-KHAYM la-KHEM im ְאֹי ֵב ֶיכם o-y’-vay-KHEM ְל ׁ ִהוֹש ַיע ֶא ְת ֶכם” ”to save you” l’-ho-SHEE-a et-KHEM ְו ַנֹאמר: ָ“א ֵמן” ”Now let us say: Amen v’-no-MAR “a-MAYN

203 Hatikvah

ּכֹל עוֹד ַּב ֵּל ָבב ְּפ ִנ ָימה As long as in the heart, within kol od ba-lay-VAV p’-NEE-mah ֶנ ֶפשׁ ְי ּהו ִדי ִהוֹמָּיה A Jewish soul still yearns NE-fesh y’-hu-DEE ho-mi-YAH ּו ְל ַפ ֲא ֵתי ִמְזָרח, ָק ִד ָימה -And onward, towards the ends ul-fa-a-TAY miz-RAKH ka of the east DEE-mah ַעִין ְל ִצ ּיוֹן ִצוֹפָּיה An eye still gazes toward Zion A-yin l’-tzi-YON tzo-fi-YAH עוֹד לֹא ָא ְב ָדה ִּת ְקָו ֵת ּנו Our hope is not yet lost od lo av-DAH tik-va-TAY-nu ַה ִּת ְקָוה ַּבת שׁ ְ נוֹת -The hope two thousand years ha-tik-VAH bat sh’-NOT al ַא ְל ַּפִים old PA-yim ִל ְהיוֹת ַעם ָח ְפשׁ ִ י -To be a free nation in our land lih-YOT am khof-SHEE b’-ar ְּב ַאְר ֵצ ּנו TZAY-nu ֶאֶרץ ִצ ּיוֹן ִו ּירושׁ ָ ַלִים -The Land ofZion and E-retz tzi-YON vee-ru-sha-LA Yerushalayim yim

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