Tanach
Shmuel I 12 שמואל א י״ב
Part of: Petuchah, I Samuel 12:1Petuchah, I Samuel 12:6Setumah, I Samuel 12:18
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל הִנֵּה שָׁמַעְתִּי בְקֹֽלְכֶם לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר־אֲמַרְתֶּם לִי וָאַמְלִיךְ עֲלֵיכֶם מֶֽלֶךְ׃
Shmuel said to all of Yisroel, "Behold, I have listened to you, to everything that you have said to me, and I crowned a king over you.
Shmuel said to all of Yisroel, "Behold, I have listened to you, to everything that you have said to me, and I crowned a king over you.
וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הַמֶּלֶךְ ׀ מִתְהַלֵּךְ לִפְנֵיכֶם וַֽאֲנִי זָקַנְתִּי וָשַׂבְתִּי וּבָנַי הִנָּם אִתְּכֶם וַֽאֲנִי הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי לִפְנֵיכֶם מִנְּעֻרַי עַד־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃
Now, behold, the king marches before you. I have aged and become gray, and my sons are here with you. And as for me, I have led you from my youth until this day.
Now, behold, the king marches before you. I have aged and become gray, and my sons are here with you. And as for me, I have led you from my youth until this day.
Rashi
הִנְנִי עֲנוּ בִי נֶגֶד יְהֹוָה וְנֶגֶד מְשִׁיחוֹ אֶת־שׁוֹר ׀ מִי לָקַחְתִּי וַחֲמוֹר מִי לָקַחְתִּי וְאֶת־מִי עָשַׁקְתִּי אֶת־מִי רַצּוֹתִי וּמִיַּד־מִי לָקַחְתִּי כֹפֶר וְאַעְלִים עֵינַי בּוֹ וְאָשִׁיב לָכֶֽם׃
Here I am; testify against me in Adonoy's presence and in the presence of His anointed one. Whose ox have I taken or whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I robbed? Whom have I oppressed? From whom have I taken a bribe to look away from him? [Tell me,] and I will give it back to you."
Here I am; testify against me in Adonoy's presence and in the presence of His anointed one. Whose ox have I taken or whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I robbed? Whom have I oppressed? From whom have I taken a bribe to look away from him? [Tell me,] and I will give it back to you."
Rashi
את שור מי לקחתי. לעבודתי:
Whose ox have I taken? For my work.
וחמור מי לקחתי. כשהייתי הולך מעיר לעיר לשפוט אותם על עסקי צרכיהם, הייתי הולך על החמור שלי, והיה לי ליטול משלהם:
Whose donkey have I taken? When I used to travel from city to city to judge them concerning their matters, I used to travel on my donkey, although I should have taken theirs.2 See Bamidbar Rabbah 18:10. And when I brought a sacrifice for their sake, I should have taken their ox. Shmuel took this extra precaution because he witnessed how severely Eili’s sons were punished for having abused the privileges of their office. He therefore avoided any action that could be misconstrued as resembling their behavior.
את מי רצותי. כל לשון מרוצה הסמוך לעושק, לשון עשוק ורצוץ הוא, חומס דלים ורוצץ:
Whom have I oppressed? Every expression of מְרַצֶּה which follows עשֶׁק [robbery], is an expression of "robbed and oppressed,3 Devarim 28:33. one who robs the poor and oppresses them.
ואעלים עיני בו. כדי להעלים עיני מן המשפט בשביל הממון:
To look away from him. In order to hide my eyes from the judgment because of the money [bribe].
ואשיב לכם. כל מה שתאמרו:
And I will give it back to you. Whatever you will say.
וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹא עֲשַׁקְתָּנוּ וְלֹא רַצּוֹתָנוּ וְלֹא־לָקַחְתָּ מִיַּד־אִישׁ מְאֽוּמָה׃
And they said, "You have neither robbed us nor have you oppressed us; nor you have taken anything from anyone."
And they said, "You have neither robbed us nor have you oppressed us; nor you have taken anything from anyone."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם עֵד יְהֹוָה בָּכֶם וְעֵד מְשִׁיחוֹ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה כִּי לֹא מְצָאתֶם בְּיָדִי מְאוּמָה וַיֹּאמֶר עֵֽד׃ {פ}
He said to them, "Adonoy is your witness, and His anointed one is a witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said [as one], "Witnessed."
He said to them, "Adonoy is your witness, and His anointed one is a witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said [as one], "Witnessed."
Rashi
ויאמר עד. בת קול יוצאת ואומרת: 'עד', וזה אחד משלשה מקומות שהופיעה רוח הקודש בבית דין של מטה, כדאיתא במסכת מכות (כג ב):
And they said [as one], "Witnessed." A heavenly voice came out and said, '[I am] a witness.' This is one of three places in which the holy spirit entered the earthly court, as it is stated in Maseches Makos.4 23b. The other two places in which the holy spirit entered the earthly court are in the court of Sheim and in the court of Shlomo.
וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־הָעָם יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן וַאֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלָה אֶת־אֲבֹתֵיכֶם מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
Shmuel then said to the people, "Adonoy [is the One] Who produced Moshe and Aharon, and Who brought your forefathers up from the land of Egypt.
Shmuel then said to the people, "Adonoy [is the One] Who produced Moshe and Aharon, and Who brought your forefathers up from the land of Egypt.
Rashi
אשר עשה את משה ואת אהרן. להיות נכונים לשליחותו, להוציא אבותיכם ממצרים:
Who produced Moshe and Aharon. To be prepared for His mission to bring your forefathers out of Egypt.
וְעַתָּה הִֽתְיַצְּבוּ וְאִשָּׁפְטָה אִתְּכֶם לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה אֵת כׇּל־צִדְקוֹת יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂה אִתְּכֶם וְאֶת־אֲבוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃
And now, stand up, and I shall enter into judgment with you before Adonoy [concerning] all the righteous acts of Adonoy that He has done with you and with your forefathers.
And now, stand up, and I shall enter into judgment with you before Adonoy [concerning] all the righteous acts of Adonoy that He has done with you and with your forefathers.
Rashi
ואשפטה אתכם. אתוכח עמכם:
And I shall enter into judgment. I.e., I shall debate with you.
כַּאֲשֶׁר־בָּא יַעֲקֹב מִצְרָיִם וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אֲבֽוֹתֵיכֶם אֶל־יְהֹוָה וַיִּשְׁלַח יְהֹוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה וְאֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן וַיּוֹצִיאוּ אֶת־אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם מִמִּצְרַיִם וַיֹּשִׁבוּם בַּמָּקוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃
When Yaakov came to Egypt and your forefathers cried out to Adonoy, Adonoy sent Moshe and Aharon, and they brought your forefathers out of Egypt, and settled them in this place.
When Yaakov came to Egypt and your forefathers cried out to Adonoy, Adonoy sent Moshe and Aharon, and they brought your forefathers out of Egypt, and settled them in this place.
וַֽיִּשְׁכְּחוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וַיִּמְכֹּר אֹתָם בְּיַד סִֽיסְרָא שַׂר־צְבָא חָצוֹר וּבְיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּים וּבְיַד מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וַיִּֽלָּחֲמוּ בָּֽם׃
But they forgot Adonoy, their God, and He delivered them into the hand of Sisera, commander of Chatzor's army, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moav, and they fought against them.
But they forgot Adonoy, their God, and He delivered them into the hand of Sisera, commander of Chatzor's army, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moav, and they fought against them.
וַיִּזְעֲקוּ אֶל־יְהֹוָה (ויאמר) [וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ] חָטָאנוּ כִּי עָזַבְנוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה וַנַּעֲבֹד אֶת־הַבְּעָלִים וְאֶת־הָעַשְׁתָּרוֹת וְעַתָּה הַצִּילֵנוּ מִיַּד אֹיְבֵינוּ וְנַעַבְדֶֽךָּ׃
They cried out to Adonoy, and said, 'We have sinned, for we have forsaken Adonoy, and we have worshiped the Baalim and the Ashtaros. But now, save us from the hand of our enemies, and we will worship You.'
They cried out to Adonoy, and said, 'We have sinned, for we have forsaken Adonoy, and we have worshiped the Baalim and the Ashtaros. But now, save us from the hand of our enemies, and we will worship You.'
וַיִּשְׁלַח יְהֹוָה אֶת־יְרֻבַּעַל וְאֶת־בְּדָן וְאֶת־יִפְתָּח וְאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵל וַיַּצֵּל אֶתְכֶם מִיַּד אֹֽיְבֵיכֶם מִסָּבִיב וַתֵּשְׁבוּ בֶּֽטַח׃
And Adonoy sent Yeruba'al and Bedan and Yiphtoch and Shmuel. He saved you from the hand of your enemies from all around, and you dwelt in security.
And Adonoy sent Yeruba'al and Bedan and Yiphtoch and Shmuel. He saved you from the hand of your enemies from all around, and you dwelt in security.
Rashi
ירובעל. זה גדעון:
יְרֻבַּעַל. This is Gideon.6 Shoftim 6:32. See Maseches Rosh Hashanah 25a.
בדן. זה שמשון, שמשבט דן בא:
Bedan. This is Shimshon who came from the tribe of Don.7בְּדָן=“in Don” or בֶּן דָן=בְּדָן meaning “a member of Don’s tribe.”
ואת יפתח. הרי שלשה קלי עולם, עם שלשה חמורי עולם, משה ואהרן ושמואל, לומר לך, הקל בדורו, כחמור בדורו, כל בית דין המתמנה על הדור, צריך לילך אחריו כאלו הוא אביר שבאבירים:
And Yiphtoch. Here are three insignificant leaders with three world-important leaders: Moshe, Aharon and Shmuel, to teach you that the insignificant leader in his generation is equal to the important leader in his generation. Every court which is appointed over the generation, must be followed as though its [members] were the mightiest of the nobility.8Ibid., 25b. Shmuel indicated to the people that every generation must regard its sages and leaders with the same respect they would give to Moshe, Aharon or Shmuel. Therefore, Yiphtoch in his generation was equal to Moshe in his generation. See Rashi in Devarim 19:17.
וַתִּרְאוּ כִּֽי־נָחָשׁ מֶלֶךְ בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹן בָּא עֲלֵיכֶם וַתֹּאמְרוּ לִי לֹא כִּי־מֶלֶךְ יִמְלֹךְ עָלֵינוּ וַיהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם מַלְכְּכֶֽם׃
And when you saw that Nochosh, king of the Ammonites, came upon you, you said to me, 'No, for a king shall reign over us.' But Adonoy, your God, is your King.
And when you saw that Nochosh, king of the Ammonites, came upon you, you said to me, 'No, for a king shall reign over us.' But Adonoy, your God, is your King.
וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר בְּחַרְתֶּם אֲשֶׁר שְׁאֶלְתֶּם וְהִנֵּה נָתַן יְהֹוָה עֲלֵיכֶם מֶֽלֶךְ׃
And now, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have requested. Behold, Adonoy has set him over you as king.
And now, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have requested. Behold, Adonoy has set him over you as king.
אִם־תִּֽירְאוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֹתוֹ וּשְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקוֹלוֹ וְלֹא תַמְרוּ אֶת־פִּי יְהֹוָה וִהְיִתֶם גַּם־אַתֶּם וְגַם־הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ עֲלֵיכֶם אַחַר יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
If you will fear Adonoy and worship Him and obey Him and you will not rebel against the word of Adonoy, then both you and the king who reigns over you shall be; following after Adonoy, your God.
If you will fear Adonoy and worship Him and obey Him and you will not rebel against the word of Adonoy, then both you and the king who reigns over you shall be; following after Adonoy, your God.
Rashi
והיתם גם אתם. ותתקיימו לאורך ימים גם אתם גם המלך:
Then both you. You will live to a ripe old age, both you and the king.
וְאִם־לֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ בְּקוֹל יְהֹוָה וּמְרִיתֶם אֶת־פִּי יְהֹוָה וְהָיְתָה יַד־יְהֹוָה בָּכֶם וּבַאֲבֹתֵיכֶֽם׃
But if you do not obey Adonoy, and you rebel against the word of Adonoy, then Adonoy's hand will be against you and against your forefathers.
But if you do not obey Adonoy, and you rebel against the word of Adonoy, then Adonoy's hand will be against you and against your forefathers.
Rashi
והיתה יד ה' בכם ובאבותיכם. כלומר והיתה בכם אחר שהיתה באבותיכם ורבותינו אמרו (יבמות סג ב): בכם ובאבותיכם, חטוטי שכבי, והיא מכת בזיון על המתים:
Then Adonoy's hand will be against you and against your forefathers. Meaning it will be against you after it was against your fathers. Our Rabbis however said, "against you and against your fathers" refers to the digging up of the dead, which is a disgrace upon the dead.9 Maseches Yevamos 63b. When people sin, the past generations are also punished by having their grave sites disturbed.—Radak
גַּם־עַתָּה הִתְיַצְּבוּ וּרְאוּ אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַגָּדוֹל הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר יְהֹוָה עֹשֶׂה לְעֵינֵיכֶֽם׃
Now, stand up and see this great thing that Adonoy will do before your eyes.
Now, stand up and see this great thing that Adonoy will do before your eyes.
Rashi
התיצבו וראו וגו'. וכשם שעל ידי תפלתי אני יכול לשנות את העתים, כך אם פגעה בכם מלחמה, היה כח בתפלתי לעמוד על האויב, ולא הייתם צריכים לשאול מלך בחיי, ואף על פי שאני זקן:
Stand up and see… And just as through my prayer, I am able to change the seasons, similarly, if a war befell you, my prayer would have the power to protect you against the enemy, and you had no need to ask for a king during my lifetime,10 Shmuel demonstrated to the nation how unnecessary their request for a king was. Just as ‘ה responded immediately to Shmuel’s prayers for rain, so too would ‘ה answer his prayers to save the Bnei Yisroel from their enemies. even though I am old.
הֲלוֹא קְצִיר־חִטִּים הַיּוֹם אֶקְרָא אֶל־יְהֹוָה וְיִתֵּן קֹלוֹת וּמָטָר וּדְעוּ וּרְאוּ כִּֽי־רָעַתְכֶם רַבָּה אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶם בְּעֵינֵי יְהֹוָה לִשְׁאוֹל לָכֶם מֶֽלֶךְ׃ {ס}
Is today not the [season of the] wheat harvest? I shall call to Adonoy and He will send thunder and rain; then you will know and see that your evil is great, that you have done in the eyes of Adonoy, in demanding a king for yourselves."
Is today not the [season of the] wheat harvest? I shall call to Adonoy and He will send thunder and rain; then you will know and see that your evil is great, that you have done in the eyes of Adonoy, in demanding a king for yourselves."
Rashi
הלא קציר חטים היום. והגשמים סימן קללה, וקשה בעיני הקב"ה להביא פורענות חנם, אף על פי כן יש בי כח, ואקרא אל ה' ויתן קולות ומטר:
Is today not the [season of the] wheat harvest? And rain is a sign of a curse,11 Maseches Ta’anis 12b. and the Holy One, Blessed is He, is reluctant to visit punishment unnecessarily. Nonetheless, I have power, and I shall call to 'ה, and He will make it thunder and rain.
ודעו וראו. כי לא הייתם צריכים לשאול מלך לזלזל בי:
Then you will know and see. That it was unnecessary for you to ask for a king and to show disrespect towards me.
וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־יְהֹוָה וַיִּתֵּן יְהֹוָה קֹלֹת וּמָטָר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וַיִּירָא כׇל־הָעָם מְאֹד אֶת־יְהֹוָה וְאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵֽל׃
Shmuel called to Adonoy, and Adonoy sent thunder and rain on that day; and all the people greatly feared Adonoy and Shmuel.
Shmuel called to Adonoy, and Adonoy sent thunder and rain on that day; and all the people greatly feared Adonoy and Shmuel.
וַיֹּאמְרוּ כׇל־הָעָם אֶל־שְׁמוּאֵל הִתְפַּלֵּל בְּעַד־עֲבָדֶיךָ אֶל־יְהֹוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְאַל־נָמוּת כִּֽי־יָסַפְנוּ עַל־כׇּל־חַטֹּאתֵינוּ רָעָה לִשְׁאֹל לָנוּ מֶֽלֶךְ׃
All the people said to Shmuel, "Pray on behalf of your servants to Adonoy, your God, that we not die; for we have added evil upon all of our sins, by demanding a king for ourselves."
All the people said to Shmuel, "Pray on behalf of your servants to Adonoy, your God, that we not die; for we have added evil upon all of our sins, by demanding a king for ourselves."
וַיֹּאמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל אֶל־הָעָם אַל־תִּירָאוּ אַתֶּם עֲשִׂיתֶם אֵת כׇּל־הָרָעָה הַזֹּאת אַךְ אַל־תָּסוּרוּ מֵאַחֲרֵי יְהֹוָה וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֶת־יְהֹוָה בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶֽם׃
Shmuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this evil, but do not turn away from following Adonoy, rather serve Adonoy with all your hearts.
Shmuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this evil, but do not turn away from following Adonoy, rather serve Adonoy with all your hearts.
וְלֹא תָּסוּרוּ כִּי ׀ אַחֲרֵי הַתֹּהוּ אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־יוֹעִילוּ וְלֹא יַצִּילוּ כִּי־תֹהוּ הֵֽמָּה׃
Do not turn away, for [then you would] pursue futilities that cannot help or save, for they are futile.
Do not turn away, for [then you would] pursue futilities that cannot help or save, for they are futile.
כִּי לֹֽא־יִטֹּשׁ יְהֹוָה אֶת־עַמּוֹ בַּעֲבוּר שְׁמוֹ הַגָּדוֹל כִּי הוֹאִיל יְהֹוָה לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶתְכֶם לוֹ לְעָֽם׃
For Adonoy shall not abandon His people for the sake of His great Name; for Adonoy has sworn to make you for a nation [dedicated] to Him.
For Adonoy shall not abandon His people for the sake of His great Name; for Adonoy has sworn to make you for a nation [dedicated] to Him.
Rashi
בעבור שמו הגדול. אשר יצא שמו עליכם שהוא מושיעכם, ולמען לא יתמעט שם גדלו:
For the sake of His great Name. For His fame has spread because of you, that He is your savior, and lest the fame of His greatness be lessened.12 This verse indicates that ‘ה will not abandon the Bnei Yisroel because of the lack of their own merits, in order to uphold His own Name.—Radak
הואיל ה'. נשבע, כמו (לקמן יד כה): ויואל שאול את העם:
Adonoy has sworn.הוֹאִיל meaning he swore, as in, "And Shaul made the people swear ]וַיֹאֶל[."13 Below 14:24.
גַּם אָנֹכִי חָלִילָה לִּי מֵחֲטֹא לַיהֹוָה מֵחֲדֹל לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בַּעַדְכֶם וְהוֹרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם בְּדֶרֶךְ הַטּוֹבָה וְהַיְשָׁרָֽה׃
And as for me, far be it from me to sin against Adonoy and ceasing to pray on your behalf; I shall instruct you in the good and proper path.
And as for me, far be it from me to sin against Adonoy and ceasing to pray on your behalf; I shall instruct you in the good and proper path.
Rashi
גם אנכי חלילה לי. מאחר שתעשו אתם את שלכם לשוב אל ה', גם אנכי חלילה לי מחדול מהתפלל בעדכם:
And as for me, far be it from me. Since you will do your part by returning to 'ה, I also, far be it from me to stop praying on your behalf.14 From this verse, the Gemara in Maseches Berachos 12b, derives, that if a person knows that his prayers will be answered if he prays for mercy for his fellow but refrains from doing so, he is considered to have sinned.
אַךְ ׀ יְראוּ אֶת־יְהֹוָה וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֹתוֹ בֶּאֱמֶת בְּכׇל־לְבַבְכֶם כִּי רְאוּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר־הִגְדִּל עִמָּכֶֽם׃
Only fear Adonoy and worship Him faithfully, with all your hearts; for look at the great things He did for you.
Only fear Adonoy and worship Him faithfully, with all your hearts; for look at the great things He did for you.
וְאִם־הָרֵעַ תָּרֵעוּ גַּם־אַתֶּם גַּֽם־מַלְכְּכֶם תִּסָּפֽוּ׃ {פ}
But if you act wickedly, both you and your king will perish."
But if you act wickedly, both you and your king will perish."
ואני זקנתי ושבתי. אמרו רבותינו: זקנה קפצה עליו, כדאיתא במסכת תענית (ה ב):
I have aged and become gray. Our Rabbis said that he aged prematurely, as stated in Maseches Ta'anis.1 5b.