Tanach
Melachim I 2 מלכים א ב׳
Part of: Petuchah, I Kings 2:1Petuchah, I Kings 2:11Petuchah, I Kings 2:23Petuchah, I Kings 2:28Setumah, I Kings 2:13Setumah, I Kings 2:26Setumah, I Kings 2:39Setumah, I Kings 2:41
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיִּקְרְבוּ יְמֵֽי־דָוִד לָמוּת וַיְצַו אֶת־שְׁלֹמֹה בְנוֹ לֵאמֹֽר׃
And Dovid’s days were nearing the time when he would die, and he commanded his son, Shlomo, saying,
And Dovid’s days were nearing the time when he would die, and he commanded his son, Shlomo, saying,
אָנֹכִי הֹלֵךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ כׇּל־הָאָרֶץ וְחָזַקְתָּ וְהָיִיתָֽ לְאִֽישׁ׃
“I am going the way of all [the inhabitants of] the earth; be strong and be a man.
“I am going the way of all [the inhabitants of] the earth; be strong and be a man.
וְשָׁמַרְתָּ אֶת־מִשְׁמֶרֶת ׀ יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לָלֶכֶת בִּדְרָכָיו לִשְׁמֹר חֻקֹּתָיו מִצְוֺתָיו וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו וְעֵדְוֺתָיו כַּכָּתוּב בְּתוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה לְמַעַן תַּשְׂכִּיל אֵת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה וְאֵת כׇּל־אֲשֶׁר תִּפְנֶה שָֽׁם׃
Preserve the safeguards of Adonoy, your God, to go in His ways, to preserve His statutes, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies, as recorded in the Torah of Moshe, so that you will be successful in everything you do and wherever you turn.
Preserve the safeguards of Adonoy, your God, to go in His ways, to preserve His statutes, His commandments, His judgements, and His testimonies, as recorded in the Torah of Moshe, so that you will be successful in everything you do and wherever you turn.
לְמַעַן יָקִים יְהֹוָה אֶת־דְּבָרוֹ אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר עָלַי לֵאמֹר אִם־יִשְׁמְרוּ בָנֶיךָ אֶת־דַּרְכָּם לָלֶכֶת לְפָנַי בֶּאֱמֶת בְּכׇל־לְבָבָם וּבְכׇל־נַפְשָׁם לֵאמֹר לֹֽא־יִכָּרֵת לְךָ אִישׁ מֵעַל כִּסֵּא יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
So that Adonoy will fulfill His word that He spoke about me, saying, ‘If your children guard their way to walk before me in truth with all their heart and all their soul, saying, no man of yours will be cut off from the throne of Yisroel.
So that Adonoy will fulfill His word that He spoke about me, saying, ‘If your children guard their way to walk before me in truth with all their heart and all their soul, saying, no man of yours will be cut off from the throne of Yisroel.
וְגַם אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה לִי יוֹאָב בֶּן־צְרוּיָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה לִשְׁנֵֽי־שָׂרֵי צִבְאוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְאַבְנֵר בֶּן־נֵר וְלַעֲמָשָׂא בֶן־יֶתֶר וַיַּהַרְגֵם וַיָּשֶׂם דְּמֵֽי־מִלְחָמָה בְּשָׁלֹם וַיִּתֵּן דְּמֵי מִלְחָמָה בַּחֲגֹֽרָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר בְּמׇתְנָיו וּֽבְנַעֲלוֹ אֲשֶׁר בְּרַגְלָֽיו׃
And you also know what was done to me by Yoav ben Tsruyoh—what he did to two generals of the army of Yisroel—to Avner ben Ner and to Amasa ben Yeser. He killed them and shed the blood of war at a time of peace. He put the blood of war on his belt which was on his loins, and in his shoe that was on his feet.
And you also know what was done to me by Yoav ben Tsruyoh—what he did to two generals of the army of Yisroel—to Avner ben Ner and to Amasa ben Yeser. He killed them and shed the blood of war at a time of peace. He put the blood of war on his belt which was on his loins, and in his shoe that was on his feet.
Rashi
דמי מלחמה בשלום. שהיה להם שלום עמו, ולא היו נשמרים ממנו:
[And shed] the blood of war at a time of peace. Since they were at peace with him, they were not on guard against him.
בחגורתו אשר במתניו. שחגר חרבו מצומדת על מתניו, שלא כדרך החוגרים, בצאתו לקראת עמשא, ופיה למטה כדי שתפול, כמה שנאמר (שמואל ב כ ח): והוא יצא ותפול, וכשנפלה ונטלה, כסבור עמשא שלא נטלה אלא להגביהה מן הארץ, ולא נשמר מהחרב אשר ביד יואב:
On his belt which was on his loins. He had girded his sword, attached to his loins, not in the customary manner of those girding swords, when he went out to meet Amasa. [He placed the sword’s] opening downward so that it would fall out, as it is stated, “and he went out and it fell out.”2II Shmuel 20:8. Once it fell, he [Yo’av] retrieved it. Amasa presumed that he retrieved it only to pick it up from the ground, and he did not guard himself from the sword which was in Yo’av’s hand.
ובנעלו אשר ברגליו. את אבנר הרג בערמה, ששאלו גידמת היאך חולצת, כמה שנאמר (שם ג כז): ויטהו יואב אל תוך השער לדבר אתו 'בשלי', לשון 'של' נעלך:
And in his shoe that was on his feet. He killed Avner cunningly by asking him, “How does a woman who has no hands remove the shoes?”3During חליצה, the widow must remove the shoe of her deceased husband’s brother who does not want to marry her. as it is stated, “And Yo’av caused him to turn aside at the gate to speak with him בשלי.”4II Shmuel 3:27. [בשלי is] an expression of “remove [של] your shoes.”5Shemos 3:5.
וְעָשִׂיתָ כְּחׇכְמָתֶךָ וְלֹֽא־תוֹרֵד שֵׂיבָתוֹ בְּשָׁלֹם שְׁאֹֽל׃
You shall do according to your wisdom, and do not let his graying head go down to the grave in peace.
You shall do according to your wisdom, and do not let his graying head go down to the grave in peace.
Rashi
ולא תורד שיבתו בשלום שאול. אל תניחהו למות מיתת עצמו וליפול בגיהנם:
And do not let his greying head go down to the grave in peace. Do not let him die a natural death [causing him] to fall into Gehinnom.6Dovid had Yoav’s ultimate welfare in mind.
וְלִבְנֵי בַרְזִלַּי הַגִּלְעָדִי תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־חֶסֶד וְהָיוּ בְּאֹכְלֵי שֻׁלְחָנֶךָ כִּי־כֵן קָרְבוּ אֵלַי בְּבׇרְחִי מִפְּנֵי אַבְשָׁלוֹם אָחִֽיךָ׃
But to the children of Barzilai of Gilod, you should show kindness, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for they were close to me when I fled from Avsholom, your brother.
But to the children of Barzilai of Gilod, you should show kindness, and let them be among those who eat at your table; for they were close to me when I fled from Avsholom, your brother.
וְהִנֵּה עִמְּךָ שִֽׁמְעִי בֶן־גֵּרָא בֶֽן־הַיְמִינִי מִבַּחֻרִים וְהוּא קִֽלְלַנִי קְלָלָה נִמְרֶצֶת בְּיוֹם לֶכְתִּי מַחֲנָיִם וְהֽוּא־יָרַד לִקְרָאתִי הַיַּרְדֵּן וָאֶשָּׁבַֽע לוֹ בַֽיהֹוָה לֵאמֹר אִם־אֲמִֽיתְךָ בֶּחָֽרֶב׃
And behold, there is in your company Shimi ben Geira, of the tribe of Binyomin, among the young men. He cursed me with an explicit curse on the day I went to Machanayim, and he came down to greet me at the Jordan, so I swore to him by Adonoy, saying, ‘I will not execute you by the sword.’
And behold, there is in your company Shimi ben Geira, of the tribe of Binyomin, among the young men. He cursed me with an explicit curse on the day I went to Machanayim, and he came down to greet me at the Jordan, so I swore to him by Adonoy, saying, ‘I will not execute you by the sword.’
Rashi
קללה נמרצת. מפורשת, כמו (איוב טז ג): מה ימריצך, (שם ו כה): ומה נמרצו כמו מה נמלצו:
An explicit curse. [נמרצת7נמרצת is an acronym for the five ways that Shim’i cursed Dovid. He called Dovid an adulterer [=נואף], a Moavi [=מואבי], murderer [=רוצח], oppressor [=צורר], and an abomination [=תועבה]. See Maseches Shabbos105a. means] concise, as in, “what will bring clarity [ימריצך] to you,”8Iyov 16:3. [and as in,] “and how clear [נמרצו are right words],”9Ibid. 6:25. the same as an interpretation [נמלצו]10נמלצו is the equivalent of נמרצו because the ‘ר’ and the ‘ל’ are interchangeable..
וְעַתָּה אַל־תְּנַקֵּהוּ כִּי אִישׁ חָכָם אָתָּה וְיָֽדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּֽעֲשֶׂה־לּוֹ וְהוֹרַדְתָּ אֶת־שֵׂיבָתוֹ בְּדָם שְׁאֽוֹל׃
And now, do not consider him innocent, for you are a wise man, and you will know how to deal with him, and you bring down his gray head to the grave in blood.”
And now, do not consider him innocent, for you are a wise man, and you will know how to deal with him, and you bring down his gray head to the grave in blood.”
Rashi
כי איש חכם אתה. תן לבך למצוא לו עון מות בשביל דבר אחר, וזהו וידעת את אשר תעשה לו:
For you are a wise man. Turn your attention to find for him a capital iniquity on account of another matter. This is [what it means by], “You will know how to deal with him.”
וַיִּשְׁכַּב דָּוִד עִם־אֲבֹתָיו וַיִּקָּבֵר בְּעִיר דָּוִֽד׃ {פ}
And then Dovid slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of Dovid.
And then Dovid slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of Dovid.
וְהַיָּמִים אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ דָּוִד עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה בְּחֶבְרוֹן מָלַךְ שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים וּבִירוּשָׁלַ͏ִם מָלַךְ שְׁלֹשִׁים וְשָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִֽים׃
The days that Dovid was king over Yisroel totaled forty years. He was king in Chevron for seven years, and in Yerusholayim He was king. for thirty-three years.
The days that Dovid was king over Yisroel totaled forty years. He was king in Chevron for seven years, and in Yerusholayim He was king. for thirty-three years.
וּשְׁלֹמֹה יָשַׁב עַל־כִּסֵּא דָּוִד אָבִיו וַתִּכֹּן מַלְכֻתוֹ מְאֹֽד׃ {ס}
And Shlomo sat on the throne of his father, Dovid, and his kingdom was firmly established.
And Shlomo sat on the throne of his father, Dovid, and his kingdom was firmly established.
Rashi
ותכון מלכותו מאד. אף על העליונים:
And his kingdom was firmly established. [He was] also [ruler] over the heavenly creatures.
וַיָּבֹא אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ בֶן־חַגִּית אֶל־בַּת־שֶׁבַע אֵם־שְׁלֹמֹה וַתֹּאמֶר הֲשָׁלוֹם בֹּאֶךָ וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁלֽוֹם׃
Adoniyohu ben Chagis came to Bas Sheva, the mother of Shlomo, and she said, “Do you come in peace?” He said, “[I come in] peace.”
Adoniyohu ben Chagis came to Bas Sheva, the mother of Shlomo, and she said, “Do you come in peace?” He said, “[I come in] peace.”
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּבָר לִי אֵלָיִךְ וַתֹּאמֶר דַּבֵּֽר׃
And he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “speak.”
And he said, “I have something to say to you.” And she said, “speak.”
וַיֹּאמֶר אַתְּ יָדַעַתְּ כִּי־לִי הָיְתָה הַמְּלוּכָה וְעָלַי שָׂמוּ כׇֽל־יִשְׂרָאֵל פְּנֵיהֶם לִמְלֹךְ וַתִּסֹּב הַמְּלוּכָה וַתְּהִי לְאָחִי כִּי מֵיְהֹוָה הָיְתָה לּֽוֹ׃
And he said, “You know that the kingdom was [rightfully] mine, and upon me all Yisroel set their faces that I should reign, but in a turn about, the kingdom reverted to my brother, for it was so ordained from Adonoy.
And he said, “You know that the kingdom was [rightfully] mine, and upon me all Yisroel set their faces that I should reign, but in a turn about, the kingdom reverted to my brother, for it was so ordained from Adonoy.
וְעַתָּה שְׁאֵלָה אַחַת אָֽנֹכִי שֹׁאֵל מֵֽאִתָּךְ אַל־תָּשִׁבִי אֶת־פָּנָי וַתֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו דַּבֵּֽר׃
And now I have one request to ask of you. Do not refuse me,” and she said to him, “Speak.”
And now I have one request to ask of you. Do not refuse me,” and she said to him, “Speak.”
וַיֹּאמֶר אִמְרִי־נָא לִשְׁלֹמֹה הַמֶּלֶךְ כִּי לֹֽא־יָשִׁיב אֶת־פָּנָיִךְ וְיִתֶּן־לִי אֶת־אֲבִישַׁג הַשּׁוּנַמִּית לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
And he said, “Please speak to Shlomo Hamelech, for he will not refuse you, and let him give me Avishag, the Shunamis, as a wife.”
And he said, “Please speak to Shlomo Hamelech, for he will not refuse you, and let him give me Avishag, the Shunamis, as a wife.”
וַתֹּאמֶר בַּת־שֶׁבַע טוֹב אָנֹכִי אֲדַבֵּר עָלֶיךָ אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
And Bas Sheva said, “Good, I will speak for you to the king.”
And Bas Sheva said, “Good, I will speak for you to the king.”
וַתָּבֹא בַת־שֶׁבַע אֶל־הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה לְדַבֶּר־לוֹ עַל־אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ וַיָּקׇם הַמֶּלֶךְ לִקְרָאתָהּ וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ לָהּ וַיֵּשֶׁב עַל־כִּסְאוֹ וַיָּשֶׂם כִּסֵּא לְאֵם הַמֶּלֶךְ וַתֵּשֶׁב לִימִינֽוֹ׃
And Bas Sheva came to Shlomo Hamelech to speak to him on behalf of Adoniyohu. The king got up to greet her and bowed to her. Then he sat on his throne, and had a throne set up for the mother of the king, and she sat at his right.
And Bas Sheva came to Shlomo Hamelech to speak to him on behalf of Adoniyohu. The king got up to greet her and bowed to her. Then he sat on his throne, and had a throne set up for the mother of the king, and she sat at his right.
Rashi
לדבר לו. לדבר בשבילו, בשביל אדוניהו:
To speak to him. To speak on his behalf, on behalf of Adoniyahu.11Alternatively, on behalf of Shlomo, because she felt that Shlomo’s kingdom would be strengthened by granting Adoniyahu’s request.—Malbim.
לאם המלך. אמרו רבותינו (בבא בתרא צא ב): לאמה של מלכות, היא רות:
For the mother of the king. Our Rabbis said [this refers] to Rus the matriarch of kingship.12See Maseches Bava Basra 91b and Rashi there. Rus was the great great grandmother of Shlomo who was still alive when Shlomo ascended the throne.
וַתֹּאמֶר שְׁאֵלָה אַחַת קְטַנָּה אָֽנֹכִי שֹׁאֶלֶת מֵֽאִתָּךְ אַל־תָּשֶׁב אֶת־פָּנָי וַיֹּֽאמֶר־לָהּ הַמֶּלֶךְ שַׁאֲלִי אִמִּי כִּי לֹא־אָשִׁיב אֶת־פָּנָֽיִךְ׃
And she said, “One small request I [must] ask of you, do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask of me, my mother for I will not refuse you.”
And she said, “One small request I [must] ask of you, do not refuse me.” And the king said to her, “Ask of me, my mother for I will not refuse you.”
וַתֹּאמֶר יֻתַּן אֶת־אֲבִישַׁג הַשֻּׁנַמִּית לַאֲדֹנִיָּהוּ אָחִיךָ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
And she said, “Let Avishag the Shunamis be given to Adoniyohu, your brother, as a wife.”
And she said, “Let Avishag the Shunamis be given to Adoniyohu, your brother, as a wife.”
וַיַּעַן הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה וַיֹּאמֶר לְאִמּוֹ וְלָמָה אַתְּ שֹׁאֶלֶת אֶת־אֲבִישַׁג הַשֻּֽׁנַמִּית לַאֲדֹנִיָּהוּ וְשַֽׁאֲלִי־לוֹ אֶת־הַמְּלוּכָה כִּי הוּא אָחִי הַגָּדוֹל מִמֶּנִּי וְלוֹ וּלְאֶבְיָתָר הַכֹּהֵן וּלְיוֹאָב בֶּן־צְרוּיָֽה׃ {פ}
Shlomo Hamelech answered and said to his mother, “Why do you ask [only] that Avishag the Shunamis [be given to] Adoniyohu, ask that the kingdom be given to him, since he is my older brother; to him and to Evyosor, the kohein, and to Yoav ben Tsruyoh.”
Shlomo Hamelech answered and said to his mother, “Why do you ask [only] that Avishag the Shunamis [be given to] Adoniyohu, ask that the kingdom be given to him, since he is my older brother; to him and to Evyosor, the kohein, and to Yoav ben Tsruyoh.”
Rashi
ושאלי לו את המלוכה. משישתמש בשרביטו של מלך, הוא תחלת השררה:
Ask that the kingdom be given to him. From the moment the scepter of the king is used, that is the beginning of authority.
וַיִּשָּׁבַע הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה בַּיהֹוָה לֵאמֹר כֹּה יַֽעֲשֶׂה־לִּי אֱלֹהִים וְכֹה יוֹסִיף כִּי בְנַפְשׁוֹ דִּבֶּר אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּֽה׃
And Shlomo Hamelech swore by Adonoy, saying, “So may God do to me and even more for with his life has Adoniyohu spoken this word.
And Shlomo Hamelech swore by Adonoy, saying, “So may God do to me and even more for with his life has Adoniyohu spoken this word.
וְעַתָּה חַי־יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר הֱכִינַנִי (ויושיביני) [וַיּֽוֹשִׁיבַנִי] עַל־כִּסֵּא דָּוִד אָבִי וַאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה־לִי בַּיִת כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֵּר כִּי הַיּוֹם יוּמַת אֲדֹנִיָּֽהוּ׃
And now as Adonoy lives, Who has established me and set me on the throne of Dovid, my father, and Who made me a [royal] house, as He had promised; for today Adoniyohu will be put to death.”
And now as Adonoy lives, Who has established me and set me on the throne of Dovid, my father, and Who made me a [royal] house, as He had promised; for today Adoniyohu will be put to death.”
Rashi
עשה לי בית. בית המלוכה, כאשר דבר ביד נתן:
And Who has made me a [royal] house. A house of royalty as he had spoken through Noson.
וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה בְּיַד בְּנָיָהוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע וַיִּפְגַּע־בּוֹ וַיָּמֹֽת׃ {ס}
And Shlomo Hamelech dispatched Benoyohu Ben Yehoyodoh and he struck him and he died.
And Shlomo Hamelech dispatched Benoyohu Ben Yehoyodoh and he struck him and he died.
וּלְאֶבְיָתָר הַכֹּהֵן אָמַר הַמֶּלֶךְ עֲנָתֹת לֵךְ עַל־שָׂדֶיךָ כִּי אִישׁ מָוֶת אָתָּה וּבַיּוֹם הַזֶּה לֹא אֲמִיתֶךָ כִּֽי־נָשָׂאתָ אֶת־אֲרוֹן אֲדֹנָי יֱהֹוִה לִפְנֵי דָּוִד אָבִי וְכִי הִתְעַנִּיתָ בְּכֹל אֲשֶֽׁר־הִתְעַנָּה אָבִֽי׃
And the king said to Evyosor, “Go to Anosos, to your fields, for you should be put to death. But I will not kill you today because you carried the Ark of the Lord, God, before my father Dovid, and because you suffered through all that my father suffered.”
And the king said to Evyosor, “Go to Anosos, to your fields, for you should be put to death. But I will not kill you today because you carried the Ark of the Lord, God, before my father Dovid, and because you suffered through all that my father suffered.”
Rashi
ענתות לך. משם היה:
Go to Anosos. He was from there.
כי איש מות אתה. שמרדת במלכות אבי בהיותך עם אדוניהו, להמליכו שלא מדעתו:
For you are deserving of death. Because you rebelled against the kingdom of my father when you were with Adoniyahu, to appoint him king without his [i.e., my father’s] knowledge.
כי נשאת את ארון. בברוח אבי מפני אבשלום:
Because you carried the Ark. When my father was escaping from Avsholom.
וכי התענית. עמו באותה הצרה, שנאמר (שמואל ב יז כט): כי אמרו העם רעב ועיף וצמא במדבר:
And because you suffered. With him in that very same affliction, as it is stated, “for they said, ‘the people are hungry and weary and thirsty; in the wilderness.’”13II Shmuel 17:29.
וַיְגָרֶשׁ שְׁלֹמֹה אֶת־אֶבְיָתָר מִֽהְיוֹת כֹּהֵן לַיהֹוָה לְמַלֵּא אֶת־דְּבַר יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר עַל־בֵּית עֵלִי בְּשִׁלֹֽה׃ {פ}
And Shlomo banished Evyosor from being a kohein to Adonoy, thereby fulfilling the word of Adonoy that He had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
And Shlomo banished Evyosor from being a kohein to Adonoy, thereby fulfilling the word of Adonoy that He had spoken concerning the house of Eli in Shiloh.
Rashi
את אשר דבר על בית עלי. (שמואל א ב לה) והקימותי לי כהן נאמן וגו'. (שם פסוק לב): והבטת צר מעון וגו', ומשחרבה שילה, לא היה בית חשוב לעבודה להקב"ה, ועתה כשיבנה בית הבחירה, מלא הקב"ה את דברו לגרש את בני עלי:
That He had spoken concerning the house of Eili. [As it is stated,] “And I will appoint for Myself a faithful kohein,”14I Shmuel 2:35. [and] “and you will see a rival in My dwelling place, etc.”15Ibid. 2:32. Once [the Tabernacle at] Shilo was destroyed, there was no house worthy of service to the Holy One Blessed Is He, but now that the Beis Hamikdosh will be built, the Holy One Blessed Is He, fulfilled His word to banish Eili’s descendants.16Evyosor was Eili’s great great grandson. See I Shmuel 14:3, 22:20.
וְהַשְּׁמֻעָה בָּאָה עַד־יוֹאָב כִּי יוֹאָב נָטָה אַחֲרֵי אֲדֹנִיָּה וְאַחֲרֵי אַבְשָׁלוֹם לֹא נָטָה וַיָּנׇס יוֹאָב אֶל־אֹהֶל יְהֹוָה וַֽיַּחֲזֵק בְּקַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃
And the report reached Yoav, for Yoav had sided with Adoniyohu, but he had not sided with Avsholom; and Yoav fled to the Tent of Adonoy and grasped the horns of the Altar.
And the report reached Yoav, for Yoav had sided with Adoniyohu, but he had not sided with Avsholom; and Yoav fled to the Tent of Adonoy and grasped the horns of the Altar.
Rashi
והשמועה באה עד יואב. שמועת מצות דוד שצוה להורגו, וידע ששלמה שונאו:
And the report reached Yoav. The report of Dovid’s charge, that he had commanded to kill him, and he knew that Shlomo hated him.17That is why Yoav feared for his life. Alternatively, he heard of Adoniyahu’s death and of Evyosor’s banishment.—Radak
כי יואב נטה אחרי אדוניה ואחרי אבשלום לא נטה. סוף דבר, אבל בקש לנטות, אלא נתיירא שעדיין לחלוחית של דוד קיימת:
For Yoav had sided with Adoniyah, but he had not sided with Avsholom. At the end of the matter; however, he did seek to turn after him, but he was fearful that trace of Dovid[’s might] was still present.
וַיֻּגַּד לַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה כִּי נָס יוֹאָב אֶל־אֹהֶל יְהֹוָה וְהִנֵּה אֵצֶל הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וַיִּשְׁלַח שְׁלֹמֹה אֶת־בְּנָיָהוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע לֵאמֹר לֵךְ פְּגַע־בּֽוֹ׃
And it was told to Shlomo Hamelech that Yoav had fled to the Tent of Adonoy, and that he is next to the Altar. Shlomo dispatched Benoyohu Ben Yehoyodoh saying, “Go and strike him.”
And it was told to Shlomo Hamelech that Yoav had fled to the Tent of Adonoy, and that he is next to the Altar. Shlomo dispatched Benoyohu Ben Yehoyodoh saying, “Go and strike him.”
וַיָּבֹא בְנָיָהוּ אֶל־אֹהֶל יְהֹוָה וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו כֹּֽה־אָמַר הַמֶּלֶךְ צֵא וַיֹּאמֶֽר ׀ לֹא כִּי פֹה אָמוּת וַיָּשֶׁב בְּנָיָהוּ אֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְ דָּבָר לֵאמֹר כֹּֽה־דִבֶּר יוֹאָב וְכֹה עָנָֽנִי׃
And Benoyohu came to the Tent of Adonoy, and said to him, “The king has said, ‘Go out.’ ” And he said, “No, for here will I die.” And Benoyohu brought back word to the king, saying, “This is what Yoav said, and this is what he answered me.”
And Benoyohu came to the Tent of Adonoy, and said to him, “The king has said, ‘Go out.’ ” And he said, “No, for here will I die.” And Benoyohu brought back word to the king, saying, “This is what Yoav said, and this is what he answered me.”
Rashi
ויאמר לא. שתים לא אקבל עלי, קללות שקללני דוד אביך במיתת אבנר (שמואל ב ג כט): יחולו על ראש יואב יקבלם שלמה עליו, ואחר כך אצא:
And he said, “No.” Two [punishments] I will not accept upon myself. The curses that your father Dovid cursed me at the death of Avner, as it is stated, “They shall fall upon the head of Yo’av.”18II Shmuel 3:29. let Shlomo accept them upon himself, and afterward I will go.
וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ הַמֶּלֶךְ עֲשֵׂה כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר וּפְגַע־בּוֹ וּקְבַרְתּוֹ וַהֲסִירֹתָ ׀ דְּמֵי חִנָּם אֲשֶׁר שָׁפַךְ יוֹאָב מֵעָלַי וּמֵעַל בֵּית אָבִֽי׃
And the king said to him, “Do as he said, strike him and bury him. Thus you will remove the innocent blood that Yoav spilled, from me and from my father’s house.
And the king said to him, “Do as he said, strike him and bury him. Thus you will remove the innocent blood that Yoav spilled, from me and from my father’s house.
Rashi
עשה כאשר דבר. אני מקבלם עלי, לכך נדבקו כל אלה בזרע דוד, עוזיה היה מצורע, אסא מחזיק בפלך, יהויקים נפל בחרב, וחסר לחם צדקיהו:
Do as he said. I accept them [i.e., the curses] upon myself. Therefore, all these became attached to Dovid’s offspring. Uziyah became [a] leper,19II Divrei Hayomim 26:19. Assa leaned on a staff,20See II Shmuel 3:29 and I Melochim 15:23. Yehoyakim died by the sword,21See Yirmiyahu 22:19. and Tzidkiyahu lacked bread.22See II Melochim 25:30.
וְהֵשִׁיב יְהֹוָה אֶת־דָּמוֹ עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ אֲשֶׁר פָּגַע בִּשְׁנֵֽי־אֲנָשִׁים צַדִּקִים וְטֹבִים מִמֶּנּוּ וַיַּהַרְגֵם בַּחֶרֶב וְאָבִי דָוִד לֹא יָדָע אֶת־אַבְנֵר בֶּן־נֵר שַׂר־צְבָא יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאֶת־עֲמָשָׂא בֶן־יֶתֶר שַׂר־צְבָא יְהוּדָֽה׃
And Adonoy will put back his blood (guilt) upon his head for striking two men who were more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father, Dovid, did not know of it. [They were] Avner ben Ner the general of the army of Yisroel, and Amoso ben Yesser, the general of the army of Yehudah.
And Adonoy will put back his blood (guilt) upon his head for striking two men who were more righteous and better than he, and killed them with the sword, and my father, Dovid, did not know of it. [They were] Avner ben Ner the general of the army of Yisroel, and Amoso ben Yesser, the general of the army of Yehudah.
וְשָׁבוּ דְמֵיהֶם בְּרֹאשׁ יוֹאָב וּבְרֹאשׁ זַרְעוֹ לְעֹלָם וּלְדָוִד וּלְזַרְעוֹ וּלְבֵיתוֹ וּלְכִסְאוֹ יִהְיֶה שָׁלוֹם עַד־עוֹלָם מֵעִם יְהֹוָֽה׃
May their blood be put back on the head of Yoav upon the head of his offspring forever; but for Dovid and his offspring, and his house and his throne, may their be peace forever from Adonoy.”
May their blood be put back on the head of Yoav upon the head of his offspring forever; but for Dovid and his offspring, and his house and his throne, may their be peace forever from Adonoy.”
וַיַּעַל בְּנָיָהוּ בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָע וַיִּפְגַּע־בּוֹ וַיְמִתֵהוּ וַיִּקָּבֵר בְּבֵיתוֹ בַּמִּדְבָּֽר׃
And Benoyohu ben Yehoyodoh went up and struck him and killed him. He was buried in his house in the wilderness.
And Benoyohu ben Yehoyodoh went up and struck him and killed him. He was buried in his house in the wilderness.
Rashi
בביתו במדבר. שהיה ביתו הפקר כמדבר, לעניים:
In his own house in the wilderness. For his home was unrestricted as a wilderness, to [help] the needy.23See Rashi in Maseches Sanhedrin 49a. Alternatively, Yoav had a house in the wilderness where his shepherds stayed when they were out with the sheep, or Yoav house was free of stolen property just like the wilderness.—Radak.
וַיִּתֵּן הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶת־בְּנָיָהוּ בֶן־יְהוֹיָדָע תַּחְתָּיו עַל־הַצָּבָא וְאֶת־צָדוֹק הַכֹּהֵן נָתַן הַמֶּלֶךְ תַּחַת אֶבְיָתָֽר׃
And the king put Benoyohu ben Yehoyodoh in his stead [as general] over the army; and Tzodok, the kohein, the king placed instead of Evyosor.
And the king put Benoyohu ben Yehoyodoh in his stead [as general] over the army; and Tzodok, the kohein, the king placed instead of Evyosor.
וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיִּקְרָא לְשִׁמְעִי וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ בְּֽנֵה־לְךָ בַיִת בִּירוּשָׁלַ͏ִם וְיָשַׁבְתָּ שָׁם וְלֹא־תֵצֵא מִשָּׁם אָנֶה וָאָֽנָה׃
And the king sent and summoned Shimi and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Yerusholayim and live there. You must never go out from there [to go] anywhere.
And the king sent and summoned Shimi and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Yerusholayim and live there. You must never go out from there [to go] anywhere.
Rashi
ולא תצא משם. כדי שיהא מצוי לו, ולמצוא לו חטא מות:
You must never go out from there. In order that he be accessible to him and that he might find him guilty of a capital sin.
וְהָיָה ׀ בְּיוֹם צֵאתְךָ וְעָֽבַרְתָּ אֶת־נַחַל קִדְרוֹן יָדֹעַ תֵּדַע כִּי מוֹת תָּמוּת דָּמְךָ יִהְיֶה בְרֹאשֶֽׁךָ׃
And on the day you go out, and cross over the Kidron Brook, know for sure that you will die, your blood will be on your head.”
And on the day you go out, and cross over the Kidron Brook, know for sure that you will die, your blood will be on your head.”
וַיֹּאמֶר שִׁמְעִי לַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב הַדָּבָר כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ כֵּן יַעֲשֶׂה עַבְדֶּךָ וַיֵּשֶׁב שִׁמְעִי בִּירוּשָׁלַ͏ִם יָמִים רַבִּֽים׃ {ס}
And Shimi said to the king, “It is good what you say; as my master, the king, has said, so will your servant do.” And so Shimi lived in Yerusholayim many days.
And Shimi said to the king, “It is good what you say; as my master, the king, has said, so will your servant do.” And so Shimi lived in Yerusholayim many days.
וַיְהִי מִקֵּץ שָׁלֹשׁ שָׁנִים וַיִּבְרְחוּ שְׁנֵֽי־עֲבָדִים לְשִׁמְעִי אֶל־אָכִישׁ בֶּֽן־מַעֲכָה מֶלֶךְ גַּת וַיַּגִּידוּ לְשִׁמְעִי לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה עֲבָדֶיךָ בְּגַֽת׃
And it was at the end of three years, that two of Shimi’s slaves ran away to Ochish ben Maachoh, king of Gas. They told Shimi, saying, “Behold, your slaves are in Gas.”
And it was at the end of three years, that two of Shimi’s slaves ran away to Ochish ben Maachoh, king of Gas. They told Shimi, saying, “Behold, your slaves are in Gas.”
וַיָּקׇם שִׁמְעִי וַֽיַּחֲבֹשׁ אֶת־חֲמֹרוֹ וַיֵּלֶךְ גַּתָה אֶל־אָכִישׁ לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־עֲבָדָיו וַיֵּלֶךְ שִׁמְעִי וַיָּבֵא אֶת־עֲבָדָיו מִגַּֽת׃ {ס}
And Shimi got up and saddled his donkey, and went to Gas to Ochish to look for his slaves. And so Shimi went and brought back his slaves from Gas.
And Shimi got up and saddled his donkey, and went to Gas to Ochish to look for his slaves. And so Shimi went and brought back his slaves from Gas.
וַיֻּגַּד לִשְׁלֹמֹה כִּי־הָלַךְ שִׁמְעִי מִירוּשָׁלַ͏ִם גַּת וַיָּשֹֽׁב׃
And it was told to Shlomo that Shimi had travelled from Yerusholayim to Gas and returned.
And it was told to Shlomo that Shimi had travelled from Yerusholayim to Gas and returned.
וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיִּקְרָא לְשִׁמְעִי וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו הֲלוֹא הִשְׁבַּעְתִּיךָ בַיהֹוָה וָאָעִד בְּךָ לֵאמֹר בְּיוֹם צֵאתְךָ וְהָֽלַכְתָּ אָנֶה וָאָנָה יָדֹעַ תֵּדַע כִּי מוֹת תָּמוּת וַתֹּאמֶר אֵלַי טוֹב הַדָּבָר שָׁמָֽעְתִּי׃
And the king sent and summoned Shimi, and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by Adonoy, and warn you, saying, ‘On the day you go out and go anywhere know for sure that you will die?’ And you said to me, ‘the word is good, I have heard.’
And the king sent and summoned Shimi, and said to him, “Did I not make you swear by Adonoy, and warn you, saying, ‘On the day you go out and go anywhere know for sure that you will die?’ And you said to me, ‘the word is good, I have heard.’
Rashi
ואעד בך. לשון התראה:
And forewarned you. An expression referring to a [legal] warning.24A warning given to an offender before he or she commits the offense.
וּמַדּוּעַ לֹא שָׁמַרְתָּ אֵת שְׁבֻעַת יְהֹוָה וְאֶת־הַמִּצְוָה אֲשֶׁר־צִוִּיתִי עָלֶֽיךָ׃
Why then did you not abide by the oath of Adonoy and the commandment that I commanded you?”
Why then did you not abide by the oath of Adonoy and the commandment that I commanded you?”
Rashi
את שבועת ה'. אשר השבעתיך בה':
The oath of Adonoy. Which I made you swear in the name of God.
וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶל־שִׁמְעִי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֵת כׇּל־הָרָעָה אֲשֶׁר יָדַע לְבָבְךָ אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ לְדָוִד אָבִי וְהֵשִׁיב יְהֹוָה אֶת־רָעָתְךָ בְּרֹאשֶֽׁךָ׃
And the king said to Shimi, “You know all the evil that was known to your heart, that you did to my father, Dovid. And Adonoy shall bring your evil upon your own head.
And the king said to Shimi, “You know all the evil that was known to your heart, that you did to my father, Dovid. And Adonoy shall bring your evil upon your own head.
וְהַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה בָּרוּךְ וְכִסֵּא דָוִד יִהְיֶה נָכוֹן לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה עַד־עוֹלָֽם׃
And may Shlomo Hamelech be blessed, and the throne of Dovid be established before Adonoy forever.”
And may Shlomo Hamelech be blessed, and the throne of Dovid be established before Adonoy forever.”
וַיְצַו הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶת־בְּנָיָהוּ בֶּן־יְהוֹיָדָע וַיֵּצֵא וַיִּפְגַּע־בּוֹ וַיָּמֹת וְהַמַּמְלָכָה נָכוֹנָה בְּיַד־שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃
And the king commanded Benoyohu ben Yehoyodoh and he went out and struck him and he died. The kingdom was thus established in the hand of Shlomo.
And the king commanded Benoyohu ben Yehoyodoh and he went out and struck him and he died. The kingdom was thus established in the hand of Shlomo.
Rashi
והממלכה נכונה וגו'. כלומר, לא נענש על כל אלה:
The kingdom was thus established, etc. I.e., he was not punished for all these [actions].
את אשר עשה לי. שהראה הספר ששלח דוד ביד אוריה, (במדרש רבי תנחומא שם):
[What] was done to me. By showing them the letter which Dovid had sent through Uryah,1Uryah was one of Dovid’s generals. Dovid wanted Uryah killed so that he could marry Bas Sheva, Uryah’s wife. With Yoav’s assistance, he arranged to have Uryah placed in the front lines of the battle. When Uryah was killed, everyone blamed Yoav. Instead of protecting Dovid, Yoav betrayed him by disclosing that it was Dovid’s plan to place Uryah in the thick of the battle in order that he be killed. [according to] the Midrash Rabbi Tanchuma.