Tanach
Shmuel I 10 שמואל א י׳
Part of: Petuchah, I Samuel 10:1Petuchah, I Samuel 10:17Petuchah, I Samuel 10:18Setumah, I Samuel 10:10Setumah, I Samuel 10:11Setumah, I Samuel 10:22Setumah, I Samuel 10:25
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיִּקַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת־פַּךְ הַשֶּׁמֶן וַיִּצֹק עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ וַיִּשָּׁקֵהוּ וַיֹּאמֶר הֲלוֹא כִּֽי־מְשָׁחֲךָ יְהֹוָה עַל־נַחֲלָתוֹ לְנָגִֽיד׃
Shmuel took the flask of oil and poured it onto his head,. and he kissed him. He said, "For Adonoy has anointed you as ruler over His heritage.
Shmuel took the flask of oil and poured it onto his head,. and he kissed him. He said, "For Adonoy has anointed you as ruler over His heritage.
בְּלֶכְתְּךָ הַיּוֹם מֵֽעִמָּדִי וּמָצָאתָ שְׁנֵי אֲנָשִׁים עִם־קְבֻרַת רָחֵל בִּגְבוּל בִּנְיָמִן בְּצֶלְצַח וְאָמְרוּ אֵלֶיךָ נִמְצְאוּ הָאֲתֹנוֹת אֲשֶׁר הָלַכְתָּ לְבַקֵּשׁ וְהִנֵּה נָטַשׁ אָבִיךָ אֶת־דִּבְרֵי הָאֲתֹנוֹת וְדָאַג לָכֶם לֵאמֹר מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לִבְנִֽי׃
When you leave me today you will find two men by Rochel's Tomb, at the border of Binyomin, in Tzeltzach. They will say to you, "The donkeys that you went to seek were found, and that your father has abandoned the matter of the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying, "What shall I do [to find] my son?"
When you leave me today you will find two men by Rochel's Tomb, at the border of Binyomin, in Tzeltzach. They will say to you, "The donkeys that you went to seek were found, and that your father has abandoned the matter of the donkeys and is worrying about you, saying, "What shall I do [to find] my son?"
Rashi
צלצח. צל לצח של הקב"ה, שהוא צח ואדום, והיא ירושלים:
Tzeltzoch is a combination of the words צֵל לַצַּח of the Holy One, Blessed is He, Who is pure and ruddy;2Shir Hashirim 5:10. and this is Yerusholayim.
ודאג לכם. יירא עליכם, כל לשון 'דאגה', לשון 'יראה', דושטי"ר בלע"ז:
And is worrying about you. Has fears concerning you; every expression of דְּאָגָה [worry] is an expression of fear; dementer in O.F.
וְחָלַפְתָּ מִשָּׁם וָהָלְאָה וּבָאתָ עַד־אֵלוֹן תָּבוֹר וּמְצָאוּךָ שָּׁם שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים עֹלִים אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים בֵּֽית־אֵל אֶחָד נֹשֵׂא ׀ שְׁלֹשָׁה גְדָיִים וְאֶחָד נֹשֵׂא שְׁלֹשֶׁת כִּכְּרוֹת לֶחֶם וְאֶחָד נֹשֵׂא נֵבֶל־יָֽיִן׃
You will proceed onward from there and come to Eilon Tavor, where you will be encountered by three men going up to [worship] God['s altar] at Beis Eil; one carrying three kids, one carrying three loaves of bread, and one carrying a flask of wine.
You will proceed onward from there and come to Eilon Tavor, where you will be encountered by three men going up to [worship] God['s altar] at Beis Eil; one carrying three kids, one carrying three loaves of bread, and one carrying a flask of wine.
Rashi
אילון תבור. מישר תבור:
Eilon Tavor. The plain of Tavor.
וְשָׁאֲלוּ לְךָ לְשָׁלוֹם וְנָתְנוּ לְךָ שְׁתֵּי־לֶחֶם וְלָקַחְתָּ מִיָּדָֽם׃
They will greet you and give you two breads, which you shall take from them.
They will greet you and give you two breads, which you shall take from them.
אַחַר כֵּן תָּבוֹא גִּבְעַת הָאֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר־שָׁם נְצִבֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וִיהִי כְבֹאֲךָ שָׁם הָעִיר וּפָגַעְתָּ חֶבֶל נְבִאִים יֹרְדִים מֵהַבָּמָה וְלִפְנֵיהֶם נֵבֶל וְתֹף וְחָלִיל וְכִנּוֹר וְהֵמָּה מִֽתְנַבְּאִֽים׃
After that you will come to the Hill of God, where the Philistine officers are stationed. Then as you come to the city you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place, and before them will be a lyre, drum, flute, and harp and they will be prophesying.
After that you will come to the Hill of God, where the Philistine officers are stationed. Then as you come to the city you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place, and before them will be a lyre, drum, flute, and harp and they will be prophesying.
Rashi
גבעת האלהים. גבעת קרית יערים, אשר עכשיו ארון האלהים שם:
The hill of God. The hill of Kiryas Ye'arim, where the Ark of God was now resting.
נציבי פלשתים. סרדיוטות שמינו על ישראל, שהיו רודין בה, ומושיבים נציבים בערי ישראל:
Philistine officers. Officers whom they had appointed over Yisroel, for they [the Philistines] were ruling over them and stationing officers in the cities of Yisroel.3The Philistines had been conquering parts of Eretz Yisroel and had appointed officers to govern the areas that they dominated.—Mahri Kra
חבל נביאים. תרגם יונתן: סיעת ספריא: חבל. סיעה, וכן (שמואל-ב כב ו): חבלי שאול סבוני, משרית רשיעיא אקפוני:
A band of prophets. Targum Yonoson renders, 'a band of scribes.' 'חֶבֶל' is a band, similar to, 'the חֶבְלֵי of the wicked surrounded me'4II Shmuel 22:6. [rendered by Targum as], 'the bands of the wicked surrounded me.'
מהבמה. תרגם יונתן: מבית אסחרותא:
From the high place. Targum Yonoson renders, 'from the banquet hall.'
וְצָלְחָה עָלֶיךָ רוּחַ יְהֹוָה וְהִתְנַבִּיתָ עִמָּם וְנֶהְפַּכְתָּ לְאִישׁ אַחֵֽר׃
The spirit of Adonoy will pass over you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into another person.
The spirit of Adonoy will pass over you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into another person.
וְהָיָה כִּי (תבאינה) [תָבֹאנָה] הָאֹתוֹת הָאֵלֶּה לָךְ עֲשֵׂה לְךָ אֲשֶׁר תִּמְצָא יָדֶךָ כִּי הָאֱלֹהִים עִמָּֽךְ׃
And when these signs come upon you, prepare yourself as well as you can, for God is with you.
And when these signs come upon you, prepare yourself as well as you can, for God is with you.
Rashi
כי תבאנה האותות האלה לך. ותדע כי דברי אמת, וכשם שבאו לך אותות הללו, כך יתקיים דבר המלוכה:
And when these signs come upon you. And you will realize that my words are true; for just as these signs will come to you, so will the matter of the kingship be fulfilled.5And therefore “prepare yourself…”
עשה לך אשר תמצא ידך. אתקין לך מאני מלכותא, והכן לך טכסיסי המלוכה כמו שתוכל:
Prepare yourself as well as you can. [Targum renders,] 'prepare for yourself regal garments, and make ready for yourself the court ritual,' as well as you can.
וְיָרַדְתָּ לְפָנַי הַגִּלְגָּל וְהִנֵּה אָנֹכִי יֹרֵד אֵלֶיךָ לְהַעֲלוֹת עֹלוֹת לִזְבֹּחַ זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים שִׁבְעַת יָמִים תּוֹחֵל עַד־בּוֹאִי אֵלֶיךָ וְהוֹדַעְתִּי לְךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶֽׂה׃
Then you shall go down to Gilgol ahead of me; and I will go down to you, to offer burnt-offerings, to sacrifice peace-offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you, and I will inform you what you are to do."
Then you shall go down to Gilgol ahead of me; and I will go down to you, to offer burnt-offerings, to sacrifice peace-offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you, and I will inform you what you are to do."
Rashi
וירדת לפני הגלגל. ולאחר שתמלוך, תרד הגלגל לפני, קודם שארד אני:
Then you shall go down to Gilgol ahead of me. After you reign, you shall come down to Gilgol before me, i.e., before I go down.
והנה אנכי ירד אליך. לסוף שבעת ימים שתרד אתה:
And I will go down to you. At the end of seven days after you will have gone down.
תוחל. תמתין:
Wait. You shall wait.
וְהָיָה כְּהַפְנֹתוֹ שִׁכְמוֹ לָלֶכֶת מֵעִם שְׁמוּאֵל וַיַּהֲפׇךְ־לוֹ אֱלֹהִים לֵב אַחֵר וַיָּבֹאוּ כׇּל־הָאֹתוֹת הָאֵלֶּה בַּיּוֹם הַהֽוּא׃ {ס}
And so, as soon as he turned aside to part from Shmuel, God transformed his heart and all these signs came about on that day.
And so, as soon as he turned aside to part from Shmuel, God transformed his heart and all these signs came about on that day.
Rashi
לב אחר. רוח גבורת מלכות:
Transformed his heart. [To] a spirit of royal power.
וַיָּבֹאוּ שָׁם הַגִּבְעָתָה וְהִנֵּה חֶבֶל־נְבִאִים לִקְרָאתוֹ וַתִּצְלַח עָלָיו רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים וַיִּתְנַבֵּא בְּתוֹכָֽם׃
They came to the Hill, and behold, there was a band of prophets coming towards him. The spirit of God passed over him, and he prophesied among them.
They came to the Hill, and behold, there was a band of prophets coming towards him. The spirit of God passed over him, and he prophesied among them.
וַיְהִי כׇּל־יֽוֹדְעוֹ מֵאִתְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם וַיִּרְאוּ וְהִנֵּה עִם־נְבִאִים נִבָּא {ס} וַיֹּאמֶר הָעָם אִישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵהוּ מַה־זֶּה הָיָה לְבֶן־קִישׁ הֲגַם שָׁאוּל בַּנְּבִיאִֽים׃
All who knew him from yesterday and before, saw that there he was prophesying along with the prophets, and the people said one to another, "What is this that happened to the son of Kish? Is Shaul too among the prophets?"
All who knew him from yesterday and before, saw that there he was prophesying along with the prophets, and the people said one to another, "What is this that happened to the son of Kish? Is Shaul too among the prophets?"
וַיַּעַן אִישׁ מִשָּׁם וַיֹּאמֶר וּמִי אֲבִיהֶם עַל־כֵּן הָיְתָה לְמָשָׁל הֲגַם שָׁאוּל בַּנְּבִאִֽים׃
A man from there answered and said, "And who is their father?" It thus became a byword, "Is Shaul too among the prophets?"
A man from there answered and said, "And who is their father?" It thus became a byword, "Is Shaul too among the prophets?"
Rashi
ומי אביהם. מה תימה לך בדבר מי אביהם של נביאים, וכי נבואה ירושה היא:
And who is their father? Why do you wonder about the matter as to who is the father of the prophets? Is prophecy hereditary?6Or וּמִי אֲבִיהֶם can mean “Who is their teacher?” for one’s teacher is called his father as in II Melachim 2:12. He implied to the people that ‘ה is their teacher and just as He teaches the other prophets, He can teach Shaul too.—Radak
וַיְכַל מֵֽהִתְנַבּוֹת וַיָּבֹא הַבָּמָֽה׃
He finished prophesying and came to the high place.
He finished prophesying and came to the high place.
וַיֹּאמֶר דּוֹד שָׁאוּל אֵלָיו וְאֶֽל־נַעֲרוֹ אָן הֲלַכְתֶּם וַיֹּאמֶר לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־הָאֲתֹנוֹת וַנִּרְאֶה כִי־אַיִן וַנָּבוֹא אֶל־שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃
Shaul's uncle said to him and to his youth, "Where did you go?" He said, "To look for the donkeys, but when we saw that they were not there, we went to Shmuel."
Shaul's uncle said to him and to his youth, "Where did you go?" He said, "To look for the donkeys, but when we saw that they were not there, we went to Shmuel."
וַיֹּאמֶר דּוֹד שָׁאוּל הַגִּֽידָה־נָּא לִי מָה־אָמַר לָכֶם שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃
Shaul's uncle said, "Please tell me now what Shmuel said to you."
Shaul's uncle said, "Please tell me now what Shmuel said to you."
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל־דּוֹדוֹ הַגֵּד הִגִּיד לָנוּ כִּי נִמְצְאוּ הָאֲתֹנוֹת וְאֶת־דְּבַר הַמְּלוּכָה לֹא־הִגִּיד לוֹ אֲשֶׁר אָמַר שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃ {פ}
Shaul told his uncle, "He did tell us that the donkeys had been found." But about the matter of the kingship he did not tell him of which Shmuel had spoken.
Shaul told his uncle, "He did tell us that the donkeys had been found." But about the matter of the kingship he did not tell him of which Shmuel had spoken.
Rashi
ואת דבר המלוכה לא הגיד. דרך צניעות היתה בו:
But about the matter of the kingship he did not tell him. He possessed a discretionary nature.7 See Maseches Megillah 13b.
וַיַּצְעֵק שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת־הָעָם אֶל־יְהֹוָה הַמִּצְפָּֽה׃
Shmuel gathered the people to Adonoy at Mitzpoh.
Shmuel gathered the people to Adonoy at Mitzpoh.
וַיֹּאמֶר ׀ אֶל־בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל {פ}
כֹּֽה־אָמַר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אָנֹכִי הֶעֱלֵיתִי אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמִּצְרָיִם וָאַצִּיל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד מִצְרַיִם וּמִיַּד כׇּל־הַמַּמְלָכוֹת הַלֹּחֲצִים אֶתְכֶֽם׃
He said to the Bnei Yisroel, "Thus said Adonoy, the God of Yisroel. I brought Yisroel up out of Egypt and saved you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.
He said to the Bnei Yisroel, "Thus said Adonoy, the God of Yisroel. I brought Yisroel up out of Egypt and saved you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.
וְאַתֶּם הַיּוֹם מְאַסְתֶּם אֶת־אֱלֹהֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר־הוּא מוֹשִׁיעַ לָכֶם מִכׇּל־רָעוֹתֵיכֶם וְצָרֹתֵיכֶם וַתֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ כִּי־מֶלֶךְ תָּשִׂים עָלֵינוּ וְעַתָּה הִֽתְיַצְּבוּ לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶם וּלְאַלְפֵיכֶֽם׃
Today you have rejected your God, Who rescues you from all calamities and troubles, and you said to Him, 'But appoint a king over us.' Now stand before Adonoy, according to your tribes and your thousands."
Today you have rejected your God, Who rescues you from all calamities and troubles, and you said to Him, 'But appoint a king over us.' Now stand before Adonoy, according to your tribes and your thousands."
וַיַּקְרֵב שְׁמוּאֵל אֵת כׇּל־שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּלָּכֵד שֵׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִֽן׃
Shmuel then brought near, all the tribes of Yisroel, and the tribe of Binyomin was singled out.
Shmuel then brought near, all the tribes of Yisroel, and the tribe of Binyomin was singled out.
וַיַּקְרֵב אֶת־שֵׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָו וַתִּלָּכֵד מִשְׁפַּחַת הַמַּטְרִי וַיִּלָּכֵד שָׁאוּל בֶּן־קִישׁ וַיְבַקְשֻׁהוּ וְלֹא נִמְצָֽא׃
He then brought the tribe of Binyomin near according to their families, and the Matri family was singled out; and Shaul son of Kish was singled out. They searched for him but he was not found.
He then brought the tribe of Binyomin near according to their families, and the Matri family was singled out; and Shaul son of Kish was singled out. They searched for him but he was not found.
Rashi
וילכד שאול. אף על פי שלא היה שם, נפל הגורל עליו, שהיו כתובין שמם באיגרות ונתונין בקופסא, והנביא מכניס ידו ונוטל איגרת אחת:
And Shaul… was singled out. Even though he was not there, the lot fell upon him, for their names were written on pieces of parchment and placed in a box. The prophet would insert his hand and take one piece of parchment.
וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ־עוֹד בַּֽיהֹוָה הֲבָא עוֹד הֲלֹם אִישׁ {ס} וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה הִנֵּה־הוּא נֶחְבָּא אֶל־הַכֵּלִֽים׃
They inquired again of Adonoy, "Has the man arrived here as yet?" And Adonoy replied, "He is hidden by the baggage."
They inquired again of Adonoy, "Has the man arrived here as yet?" And Adonoy replied, "He is hidden by the baggage."
Rashi
נחבא אל הכלים. בבית שנתנו שם הבאין כליהן, שהיה בורח מן הגדולה ומדרש אגדה רבי תנחומא: ואל הכלים, באורים ותומים, אמר: שמא איני ראוי לגדולה עד שישאלו באורים ותומים, ושאלו ועלה בידו:
Is hidden by the baggage. In the room where newcomers had placed their baggage; [he hid] because he was running away from the high position. But the Midrash Aggadah of R. Tanchuma8Vayikra 3. explains that 'אֶל הַכֵּלִים' refers to the Urim and Tumim. He said [to himself], 'perhaps I am not worthy of this high position. [I will not assume it]. until they inquire of the Urim and Tumim.9 Shaul was convinced that the Urim and Tumim would confirm that he was not worthy of the kingship. But, on the contrary, it confirmed that nobody was equal to him. In Maseches Eiruvin 13b it states that he who runs away from honor is rightfully pursued by it. Thereupon they asked, and he accepted it.
וַיָּרֻצוּ וַיִּקָּחֻהוּ מִשָּׁם וַיִּתְיַצֵּב בְּתוֹךְ הָעָם וַיִּגְבַּהּ מִכׇּל־הָעָם מִשִּׁכְמוֹ וָמָֽעְלָה׃
They ran and took him from there, and he stood up in the midst of the people. He was taller than any of the people from his shoulder upward.
They ran and took him from there, and he stood up in the midst of the people. He was taller than any of the people from his shoulder upward.
וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־כׇּל־הָעָם הַרְּאִיתֶם אֲשֶׁר בָּחַר־בּוֹ יְהֹוָה כִּי אֵין כָּמֹהוּ בְּכׇל־הָעָם וַיָּרִעוּ כׇל־הָעָם וַיֹּאמְרוּ יְחִי הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {ס}
Shmuel said to all the people, "Do you see [the one] whom Adonoy has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted and said, "[Long] live the king!"
Shmuel said to all the people, "Do you see [the one] whom Adonoy has chosen? There is none like him among all the people." And all the people shouted and said, "[Long] live the king!"
וַיְדַבֵּר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־הָעָם אֵת מִשְׁפַּט הַמְּלֻכָה וַיִּכְתֹּב בַּסֵּפֶר וַיַּנַּח לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה וַיְשַׁלַּח שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת־כׇּל־הָעָם אִישׁ לְבֵיתֽוֹ׃
Shmuel then told the people the laws of the kingship and wrote it in the book and laid it before Adonoy. Then Shmuel sent away all the people, each man to his home.
Shmuel then told the people the laws of the kingship and wrote it in the book and laid it before Adonoy. Then Shmuel sent away all the people, each man to his home.
וְגַם־שָׁאוּל הָלַךְ לְבֵיתוֹ גִּבְעָתָה וַיֵּלְכוּ עִמּוֹ הַחַיִל אֲשֶׁר־נָגַע אֱלֹהִים בְּלִבָּֽם׃
Shaul, too, went to his home, to Givah, and with him went the band of those whose heart God had touched.
Shaul, too, went to his home, to Givah, and with him went the band of those whose heart God had touched.
Rashi
אשר נגע אלהים. גברין דחלי חטאה דאתיהב דחלא מן קדם ה' בלבהון:
God had touched. [Targum renders], 'men who fear sin, in whose heart 'ה has instilled fear.'
וּבְנֵי בְלִיַּעַל אָמְרוּ מַה־יֹּשִׁעֵנוּ זֶה וַיִּבְזֻהוּ וְלֹא־הֵבִיאוּ לוֹ מִנְחָה וַיְהִי כְּמַחֲרִֽישׁ׃ {פ}
But wicked men said, "How will this person save us?" They ridiculed him and did not offer him a gift, yet he remained as one who is mute.
But wicked men said, "How will this person save us?" They ridiculed him and did not offer him a gift, yet he remained as one who is mute.
עם קבורת רחל בגבול בנימן. והלא קבורת רחל בגבול יהודה בבית לחם, אלא עכשיו הם בקבורת רחל, וכשתפגע בהם תמצאם בגבול בנימן בצלצח, כך שנויה בתוספתא דסוטה (פרק יא):
By Rochel's Tomb, at the border of Binyomin. Isn't Rochel's Tomb within Yehudah's border, in Beis Lechem? [The answer is that] they are now by Rochel's Tomb, but, 'when you will meet them, you will find them within Binyomin's border, in Tzeltzoch.' Thus was taught by the Tosefta of [Maseches] Sotah.111:7.