Tanach
Shmuel I 17 שמואל א י״ז
Part of: Petuchah, I Samuel 17:1Petuchah, I Samuel 17:12Petuchah, I Samuel 17:17Petuchah, I Samuel 17:26Setumah, I Samuel 17:15Setumah, I Samuel 17:20Setumah, I Samuel 17:34Setumah, I Samuel 17:37Setumah, I Samuel 17:37Setumah, I Samuel 17:45Setumah, I Samuel 17:48Setumah, I Samuel 17:55Setumah, I Samuel 17:57
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וַיַּאַסְפוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים אֶת־מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם לַמִּלְחָמָה וַיֵּאָסְפוּ שֹׂכֹה אֲשֶׁר לִֽיהוּדָה וַֽיַּחֲנוּ בֵּין־שׂוֹכֹה וּבֵין־עֲזֵקָה בְּאֶפֶס דַּמִּֽים׃
The Philistines assembled their camps for war, and they gathered at Socoh which was in Yehudah's territory; they camped between Socoh and Azeikoh, at Ephes Damim.
The Philistines assembled their camps for war, and they gathered at Socoh which was in Yehudah's territory; they camped between Socoh and Azeikoh, at Ephes Damim.
Rashi
וְשָׁאוּל וְאִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵל נֶֽאֶסְפוּ וַֽיַּחֲנוּ בְּעֵמֶק הָאֵלָה וַיַּעַרְכוּ מִלְחָמָה לִקְרַאת פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
Shaul and the men of Yisroel gathered and camped in the Eiloh Valley; they drew up their lines for war against the Philistines.
Shaul and the men of Yisroel gathered and camped in the Eiloh Valley; they drew up their lines for war against the Philistines.
וּפְלִשְׁתִּים עֹמְדִים אֶל־הָהָר מִזֶּה וְיִשְׂרָאֵל עֹמְדִים אֶל־הָהָר מִזֶּה וְהַגַּיְא בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃
The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side and Yisroel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
The Philistines were standing on the mountain on one side and Yisroel was standing on the mountain on the other side, with the valley between them.
וַיֵּצֵא אִֽישׁ־הַבֵּנַיִם מִמַּחֲנוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים גׇּלְיָת שְׁמוֹ מִגַּת גׇּבְהוֹ שֵׁשׁ אַמּוֹת וָזָֽרֶת׃
A champion came out from the Philistine camps, whose name was Golyos of Gas; he was six cubits and a span tall.
A champion came out from the Philistine camps, whose name was Golyos of Gas; he was six cubits and a span tall.
Rashi
איש הבנים. גבור ליצא ממערכתו, לעמוד בין שתי המערכות:
A champion. A mighty person who went out from his battalion, to stand between the two battalions.2Following the literal meaning of אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם as ‘the man of between.’ However, Maseches Sotah 42b states that the word הַבֵּנַיִם is from the root בנה, to build, i.e., he was as sturdy as a building.—Da’as Sofrim
וְכוֹבַע נְחֹשֶׁת עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ וְשִׁרְיוֹן קַשְׂקַשִּׂים הוּא לָבוּשׁ וּמִשְׁקַל הַשִּׁרְיוֹן חֲמֵשֶׁת־אֲלָפִים שְׁקָלִים נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃
On his head was a copper helmet, and he wore scaled armor; the armor weighing five thousand copper shekels.
On his head was a copper helmet, and he wore scaled armor; the armor weighing five thousand copper shekels.
Rashi
ושריון קשקשים. כמין קשקשות דגים עשוין מברזל, נופלים על גב השריון [ ס"א נקבי השריון ], קשקשת לכל נקב:
Scaled armor. Like fish scales, made of iron, spread over the coat3Not only was Golyos impressive, but his armor also appeared impregnable. (another version: the holes of the coat), a scale [covering] each hole.
וּמִצְחַת נְחֹשֶׁת עַל־רַגְלָיו וְכִידוֹן נְחֹשֶׁת בֵּין כְּתֵפָֽיו׃
On his legs were copper shields and between his shoulders, a copper guard.
On his legs were copper shields and between his shoulders, a copper guard.
Rashi
ומצחת נחשת. כמין יד ברזל היוצא מן הכובע כנגד החוטים, שקורין נש"ל בלע"ז, והיתה מגעת לו עד רגליו:
Copper shields. A sort of iron handle, extending from the helmet, opposite the nose, called nasal in O.F., and it reached his feet.
וכידון נחשת. תרגם יונתן: ומסחפא דנחשא נפיק מן קולסא ומטל בין כתפוהי. פירוש: כמין חנית נחשת בולטת מן הכובע, ונמשכת בין כתפיו, להגן על צוארו מן החרב:
A copper guard. Targum Yonoson renders, וּמְסַחֲפָא דִּנְחָשָׁא נָפֵיק מִן קוֹלְסָא וּמְטַל בֵּין כַּתְפוֹהִי, meaning, 'a sort of copper javelin, protruding from the helmet, and extending between his shoulders,' to protect his neck from [injury by] the sword.4Others translate ‘a copper javelin slung between his shoulders’ because he held other weapons in his hands.
(וחץ) [וְעֵץ] חֲנִיתוֹ כִּמְנוֹר אֹֽרְגִים וְלַהֶבֶת חֲנִיתוֹ שֵׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת שְׁקָלִים בַּרְזֶל וְנֹשֵׂא הַצִּנָּה הֹלֵךְ לְפָנָֽיו׃
The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam and his spearhead weighed six hundred iron shekels; the shield bearer walked in front of him.
The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam and his spearhead weighed six hundred iron shekels; the shield bearer walked in front of him.
Rashi
כמנור אורגים. תרגם יונתן כאכסן דגרדאין, אינשובל"א בלע"ז:
Like a weaver's beam. Targum Yonoson renders, 'like a weaver's beam', ensouble in O.F.
שש מאות שקלים. כל השקלים האמורים בנביאים, מנים:
Six hundred shekel. All shekels mentioned in the Nevi'im, are 'maneh.'
וַֽיַּעֲמֹד וַיִּקְרָא אֶל־מַעַרְכֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם לָמָּה תֵצְאוּ לַעֲרֹךְ מִלְחָמָה הֲלוֹא אָנֹכִי הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וְאַתֶּם עֲבָדִים לְשָׁאוּל בְּרוּ־לָכֶם אִישׁ וְיֵרֵד אֵלָֽי׃
He stood and called out to the battalions of Yisroel and said to them, "Why should you go out to wage war? Am I not the Philistine, and you, the servants of Shaul? Choose for yourselves a man and let him come down to me.
He stood and called out to the battalions of Yisroel and said to them, "Why should you go out to wage war? Am I not the Philistine, and you, the servants of Shaul? Choose for yourselves a man and let him come down to me.
Rashi
למה תצאו. כולכם לערוך מלחמה, ילחם אחד כנגדי בשביל כולכם, ובתנאי שהוא מפורש: אם יוכל להלחם אתי וגו':
Why should you go out. [Why should] all of you go out to wage war? Let one representing all of you fight against me, and on the condition specified, i.e., "if he will be able to fight me, etc."
הלא אנכי הפלשתי. איני לא שר מאה ולא שר אלף, אלא פלשתי כאחד מן האחרים, ואף על פי שנלחמתי להם כמה מלחמות, אני הרגתי חפני ופנחס, ושביתי את הארון, ואתם נעשיתם עבדים לשאול, ולא הושיע אתכם מימיו בגבורתו:
Am I not the Philistine. I am neither an officer over a hundred, nor an officer over a thousand. I am a Philistine like one of the others, even though I have fought many wars for them. I killed Chofni and Pinchas, and I captured the Ark, while you have become servants to Shaul, and he never saved you with his might.
ברו לכם. בררו לכם:
Choose for yourselves. Choose [בָּרְרוּ] for yourselves.
איש. את שאול, וירד אלי:
A man. Shaul, and let him come down to me.
אִם־יוּכַל לְהִלָּחֵם אִתִּי וְהִכָּנִי וְהָיִינוּ לָכֶם לַעֲבָדִים וְאִם־אֲנִי אֽוּכַל־לוֹ וְהִכִּיתִיו וִהְיִיתֶם לָנוּ לַעֲבָדִים וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֹתָֽנוּ׃
If he will be able to fight me and kill me, then we will become your slaves; but if I defeat him and kill him, then you will become our slaves and you shall serve us."
If he will be able to fight me and kill me, then we will become your slaves; but if I defeat him and kill him, then you will become our slaves and you shall serve us."
וַיֹּאמֶר הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֲנִי חֵרַפְתִּי אֶת־מַעַרְכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה תְּנוּ־לִי אִישׁ וְנִֽלָּחֲמָה יָֽחַד׃
The Philistine said, "I have insulted the battalions of Yisroel this day; give me a man and we will fight together."
The Philistine said, "I have insulted the battalions of Yisroel this day; give me a man and we will fight together."
וַיִּשְׁמַע שָׁאוּל וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־דִּבְרֵי הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הָאֵלֶּה וַיֵּחַתּוּ וַיִּֽרְאוּ מְאֹֽד׃ {פ}
Shaul and all of Yisroel heard these words of the Philistine, and they were terrified and very afraid.
Shaul and all of Yisroel heard these words of the Philistine, and they were terrified and very afraid.
וְדָוִד בֶּן־אִישׁ אֶפְרָתִי הַזֶּה מִבֵּית לֶחֶם יְהוּדָה וּשְׁמוֹ יִשַׁי וְלוֹ שְׁמֹנָה בָנִים וְהָאִישׁ בִּימֵי שָׁאוּל זָקֵן בָּא בַאֲנָשִֽׁים׃
Dovid was the son of this Ephrathite man from Beis Lechem [in] Yehudah; his name was Yishay and he had eight sons. In the days of Shaul, the man was old, and would come among the elders.
Dovid was the son of this Ephrathite man from Beis Lechem [in] Yehudah; his name was Yishay and he had eight sons. In the days of Shaul, the man was old, and would come among the elders.
Rashi
אפרתי. בית לחם יושבת בארץ אפרת:
Ephrathite. Beis Lechem is located in the land of Ephros.5See Bereishis 35:19.
ולו שמנה בנים. ומה שכתוב (בדברי הימים א ב טו): 'אוצם הששי דוד השביעי' ולא כתב יותר, יש לומר שאחד מת בלא בנים, ולפיכך לא כתבו שם:
And he had eight sons. And that which is stated, 'Otzem, the sixth, Dovid the seventh,'6I Divrei Hayomim 2:15. and no more is stated. This may be reconciled that one died childless and therefore, he was not mentioned there.
באנשים. נמנה בכנסיות החשובים:
Among the elders. Counted in the gatherings of important people.7 See Maseches Berachos 58a, which states that wherever Yishay went he was accompanied by a large crowd.
וַיֵּלְכוּ שְׁלֹשֶׁת בְּנֵֽי־יִשַׁי הַגְּדֹלִים הָלְכוּ אַחֲרֵֽי־שָׁאוּל לַמִּלְחָמָה וְשֵׁם ׀ שְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו אֲשֶׁר הָֽלְכוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָה אֱלִיאָב הַבְּכוֹר וּמִשְׁנֵהוּ אֲבִינָדָב וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁי שַׁמָּֽה׃
Yishay's three oldest sons went and followed Shaul to war. The names of his three sons who went to war were Eliov, the firstborn; his second, Avinodov; and the third, Shammoh.
Yishay's three oldest sons went and followed Shaul to war. The names of his three sons who went to war were Eliov, the firstborn; his second, Avinodov; and the third, Shammoh.
וְדָוִד הוּא הַקָּטָן וּשְׁלֹשָׁה הַגְּדֹלִים הָלְכוּ אַחֲרֵי שָׁאֽוּל׃ {ס}
Dovid was the youngest; [only] the three older ones followed Shaul.
Dovid was the youngest; [only] the three older ones followed Shaul.
Rashi
ודוד הוא הקטן. שהיה בבית שאול מקודם לכן לנגן לפניו:
Dovid was the youngest. Who had previously been in Shaul's palace to play music before him.
וְדָוִד הֹלֵךְ וָשָׁב מֵעַל שָׁאוּל לִרְעוֹת אֶת־צֹאן אָבִיו בֵּית לָֽחֶם׃
Dovid would go back and forth from Shaul, to tend his father's sheep in Beis Lechem.
Dovid would go back and forth from Shaul, to tend his father's sheep in Beis Lechem.
Rashi
ודוד הולך. היה הולך ושב תמיד מאצל שאול לבית אביו:
Dovid would go. Would always go back and forth from Shaul to his father's house.8Dovid was not permanently assigned to be with Shaul. Dovid played music for Shaul when the evil spirit rested upon him. At all other times he would return home to tend his father’s sheep.
וַיִּגַּשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַשְׁכֵּם וְהַעֲרֵב וַיִּתְיַצֵּב אַרְבָּעִים יֽוֹם׃ {פ}
The Philistine would approach [Yisroel's battalion] and stand there early in the morning and evening, for forty days.
The Philistine would approach [Yisroel's battalion] and stand there early in the morning and evening, for forty days.
Rashi
השכם והערב. אמרו רבותינו (סוטה מב ב): כדי לבטלם מקריאת שמע:
Morning and evening. Our Rabbis said, to prevent them from reciting 'shema.'9See Maseches Sotah 42b.
וַיֹּאמֶר יִשַׁי לְדָוִד בְּנוֹ קַח־נָא לְאַחֶיךָ אֵיפַת הַקָּלִיא הַזֶּה וַעֲשָׂרָה לֶחֶם הַזֶּה וְהָרֵץ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה לְאַחֶֽיךָ׃
Yishay said to his son Dovid, "Please take to your brothers this eiphah of toasted grain and ten loaves of this bread, and hurry to the camp, to your brothers.
Yishay said to his son Dovid, "Please take to your brothers this eiphah of toasted grain and ten loaves of this bread, and hurry to the camp, to your brothers.
וְאֵת עֲשֶׂרֶת חֲרִצֵי הֶחָלָב הָאֵלֶּה תָּבִיא לְשַׂר־הָאָלֶף וְאֶת־אַחֶיךָ תִּפְקֹד לְשָׁלוֹם וְאֶת־עֲרֻבָּתָם תִּקָּֽח׃
And bring these ten cheeses to the captain of the thousand; also, inquire into your brothers' welfare and take the tidings of their welfare."
And bring these ten cheeses to the captain of the thousand; also, inquire into your brothers' welfare and take the tidings of their welfare."
Rashi
חריצי החלב. (תרגום:) גובנין דחלבא:
Cheeses. [Targum Yonoson renders] 'cheeses.'
לשר האלף. אני אומר: לשר של אותו אלף שאחיו (ס"א שאני) ממנו, שלכל השבטים היו שרי אלפים לפי אלפיהם, ואני שמעתי: לשר האלף זה יהונתן, שאמר עליו (לעיל יג ב): ואלף היו עם יונתן בגבעת בנימין:
To the captain of the thousand. I say 'to the captain of that thousand to which his brothers belong,' for all the tribes had captains of thousands according to their thousands. But I have heard, that 'to the captain of the thousand' refers to Yonoson, concerning whom [Scripture] stated, 'And a thousand were with Yonoson in Givas Binyomin'.10Above 13:2.
ואת ערובתם תקח. ואת ערובת הצלתם ושלומם, תקח באזניך ובלבבך, ותגד לי וכן תרגם יונתן: וית טיביהון תייתי:
And take the tidings of their welfare. The assurance of their salvation and their welfare you shall take into your ears and to your heart, and tell it to me. And so did Targum Yonoson render, 'and their welfare you shall bring.'
ערובתם. לשון הצלה, כמו (תהלים קיט קכב) ערוב עבדך לטוב, גרנטי"ש בלע"ז ורבותינו אמרו (שבת נו א): גט כריתות יקח מאתם ויביא לנשותיהם, להפריד עירוב שבינו לבינה:
Tidings of their welfare. This is an expression of salvation, as in 'Assure your servant for good';11Tehillim 119:122.garantis in O.F. Our Rabbis said [it means] that he should take a divorce from them, and deliver it to their wives, to break the connection [עֵרוּב] between him [husband] and her [wife].12It was customary for soldiers to divorce their wives upon leaving for war. This was done to spare the wives from any difficulty to remarry in case they did not return. See Maseches Kesubos 9b and Maseches Shabbos 56a.
וְשָׁאוּל וְהֵמָּה וְכׇל־אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּעֵמֶק הָאֵלָה נִלְחָמִים עִם־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ {ס}
Shaul, they, and all the men of Yisroel were in the Eiloh Valley fighting with the Philistines.
Shaul, they, and all the men of Yisroel were in the Eiloh Valley fighting with the Philistines.
וַיַּשְׁכֵּם דָּוִד בַּבֹּקֶר וַיִּטֹּשׁ אֶת־הַצֹּאן עַל־שֹׁמֵר וַיִּשָּׂא וַיֵּלֶךְ כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּהוּ יִשָׁי וַיָּבֹא הַמַּעְגָּלָה וְהַחַיִל הַיֹּצֵא אֶל־הַמַּעֲרָכָה וְהֵרֵעוּ בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה׃
Dovid rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a watchman, and started out and went as Yishay had commanded him; he came to the barricade as the troops were going out to the battlefront, shouting battle cries.
Dovid rose early in the morning, left the sheep with a watchman, and started out and went as Yishay had commanded him; he came to the barricade as the troops were going out to the battlefront, shouting battle cries.
Rashi
המעגלה. סביבות המחנה עושים מעגל, והיוצא חוץ, לפנים או לאחור, מתחייב. לפנים, שמא ירוצו עליו בני מערכות האויבים, לאחור, מבקש הוא לנוס:
To the barricade. They would form a circle around the camp, and whoever would go out [of the circle], either in front of, or behind the camp, would be endangered; in front [of the circle] he might be attacked by the men of the enemy armies, and behind [the circle] because he [apparently] seeks to desert.
וַתַּעֲרֹךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל וּפְלִשְׁתִּים מַעֲרָכָה לִקְרַאת מַעֲרָכָֽה׃
Yisroel and the Philistines deployed battalions, one opposite the other.
Yisroel and the Philistines deployed battalions, one opposite the other.
Rashi
ותערוך ישראל. מערכת ישראל:
Yisroel deployed. Referring to Yisroel's battalions.13That is why the feminine form [וַתַּעֲרֹךְ] is used because it is referring to מַעֲרָכָה which is grammatically feminine.
וַיִּטֹּשׁ דָּוִד אֶת־הַכֵּלִים מֵעָלָיו עַל־יַד שׁוֹמֵר הַכֵּלִים וַיָּרׇץ הַמַּעֲרָכָה וַיָּבֹא וַיִּשְׁאַל לְאֶחָיו לְשָׁלֽוֹם׃
Dovid left his things with the keeper of the equipment and ran to the battlefront; he arrived and greeted his brothers.
Dovid left his things with the keeper of the equipment and ran to the battlefront; he arrived and greeted his brothers.
Rashi
שומר הכלים. של בני הצבא:
The keeper of the equipment. Of the soldiers.
וְהוּא ׀ מְדַבֵּר עִמָּם וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם עוֹלֶה גׇּלְיָת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי שְׁמוֹ מִגַּת (ממערות) [מִמַּעַרְכוֹת] פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיְדַבֵּר כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיִּשְׁמַע דָּוִֽד׃
While speaking to them, behold, the champion came up—Golyos the Philistine of Gas was his name—from the Philistine camp and spoke as he had before, and Dovid heard.
While speaking to them, behold, the champion came up—Golyos the Philistine of Gas was his name—from the Philistine camp and spoke as he had before, and Dovid heard.
Rashi
ממערות פלשתים. כתיב, רבותינו דרשו (סוטה מב ב): מאה בני אדם הערו בערפה אמו, כשפירשה מאחרי רות ונעמי חמותה:
From Philistines camp. [The text] is written מִמַּעֲרוֹת; our Rabbis expounded [from the word מַעֲרוֹת]14The root being ערה and the noun ערוה. See Rashi Vayikra 20:18. that one hundred men had relations with his [Golyas'] mother Orpoh, after she left Rus and her mother-in-law Naomi.15See Maseches Sotah 42b. Golyos was born from these relations and no one knew who fathered him so he became known as אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם ‘a man from between them.’ See above verse 4. Da’as Sofrim suggests that מְעָרוֹת [=caves] may have been dug out in the mountain the Philistines as a defensive measure in the case of an attack by the Bnei Yisroel.
וְכֹל אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּרְאוֹתָם אֶת־הָאִישׁ וַיָּנֻסוּ מִפָּנָיו וַיִּֽירְאוּ מְאֹֽד׃
All the men of Yisroel, upon seeing the man, fled from him, and they were very frightened.
All the men of Yisroel, upon seeing the man, fled from him, and they were very frightened.
וַיֹּאמֶר ׀ אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל הַרְּאִיתֶם הָאִישׁ הָֽעֹלֶה הַזֶּה כִּי לְחָרֵף אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל עֹלֶה וְֽהָיָה הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יַכֶּנּוּ יַעְשְׁרֶנּוּ הַמֶּלֶךְ ׀ עֹשֶׁר גָּדוֹל וְאֶת־בִּתּוֹ יִתֶּן־לוֹ וְאֵת בֵּית אָבִיו יַעֲשֶׂה חׇפְשִׁי בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {פ}
The men of Yisroel said, "Have you seen this man who goes forth? He goes forth to insult Yisroel. Whoever will kill him, the king will enrich with great wealth, and he will give his daughter to him [to marry], and his father's family he will exempt [from all royal obligations] in Yisroel."
The men of Yisroel said, "Have you seen this man who goes forth? He goes forth to insult Yisroel. Whoever will kill him, the king will enrich with great wealth, and he will give his daughter to him [to marry], and his father's family he will exempt [from all royal obligations] in Yisroel."
Rashi
יעשה חפשי. מדברים האמורים במשפטי המלוכה:
He will exempt. From the listed royal obligations.16See above 8:11–17 for details of these obligations.
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶֽל־הָאֲנָשִׁים הָעֹמְדִים עִמּוֹ לֵאמֹר מַה־יֵּעָשֶׂה לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּה אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַלָּז וְהֵסִיר חֶרְפָּה מֵעַל יִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי מִי הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הֶעָרֵל הַזֶּה כִּי חֵרֵף מַעַרְכוֹת אֱלֹהִים חַיִּֽים׃
Dovid spoke to the men standing with him, saying, "What will be done for the man who slays this Philistine and thus remove shame from Yisroel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that insults the battalions of the Living God?"
Dovid spoke to the men standing with him, saying, "What will be done for the man who slays this Philistine and thus remove shame from Yisroel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine that insults the battalions of the Living God?"
וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ הָעָם כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה לֵאמֹר כֹּה יֵעָשֶׂה לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יַכֶּֽנּוּ׃
The people answered him with these words, saying, "Such and such will be done for the man who kills him."
The people answered him with these words, saying, "Such and such will be done for the man who kills him."
וַיִּשְׁמַע אֱלִיאָב אָחִיו הַגָּדוֹל בְּדַבְּרוֹ אֶל־הָאֲנָשִׁים וַיִּֽחַר־אַף אֱלִיאָב בְּדָוִד וַיֹּאמֶר ׀ לָמָּה־זֶּה יָרַדְתָּ וְעַל־מִי נָטַשְׁתָּ מְעַט הַצֹּאן הָהֵנָּה בַּמִּדְבָּר אֲנִי יָדַעְתִּי אֶת־זְדֹנְךָ וְאֵת רֹעַ לְבָבֶךָ כִּי לְמַעַן רְאוֹת הַמִּלְחָמָה יָרָֽדְתָּ׃
Eliov, his older brother, heard him speaking to the men, and Eliov became angry with Dovid, and said, "Why did you come down? and with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know of your schemes and evil thoughts, that to watch the fighting you have come down here."
Eliov, his older brother, heard him speaking to the men, and Eliov became angry with Dovid, and said, "Why did you come down? and with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know of your schemes and evil thoughts, that to watch the fighting you have come down here."
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד מֶה עָשִׂיתִי עָתָּה הֲלוֹא דָּבָר הֽוּא׃
Dovid said, "What have I done now? Is it not but a word?"
Dovid said, "What have I done now? Is it not but a word?"
וַיִּסֹּב מֵֽאֶצְלוֹ אֶל־מוּל אַחֵר וַיֹּאמֶר כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַיְשִׁבֻהוּ הָעָם דָּבָר כַּדָּבָר הָרִאשֽׁוֹן׃
He turned away from him towards someone else, and said the same thing [to him]; the people responded as before.
He turned away from him towards someone else, and said the same thing [to him]; the people responded as before.
וַיִּשָּֽׁמְעוּ הַדְּבָרִים אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר דָּוִד וַיַּגִּדוּ לִפְנֵֽי־שָׁאוּל וַיִּקָּחֵֽהוּ׃
The words were heard that Dovid was saying; they were told over to Shaul, and he summoned him.
The words were heard that Dovid was saying; they were told over to Shaul, and he summoned him.
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־שָׁאוּל אַל־יִפֹּל לֵב־אָדָם עָלָיו עַבְדְּךָ יֵלֵךְ וְנִלְחַם עִם־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַזֶּֽה׃
Dovid said to Shaul, "Let no man despair because of him. Your servant will go and fight this Philistine."
Dovid said to Shaul, "Let no man despair because of him. Your servant will go and fight this Philistine."
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל־דָּוִד לֹא תוּכַל לָלֶכֶת אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַזֶּה לְהִלָּחֵם עִמּוֹ כִּֽי־נַעַר אַתָּה וְהוּא אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה מִנְּעֻרָֽיו׃ {ס}
Shaul said to Dovid, "You cannot go to fight this Philistine, for you are a lad, while he has been a warrior from his childhood."
Shaul said to Dovid, "You cannot go to fight this Philistine, for you are a lad, while he has been a warrior from his childhood."
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־שָׁאוּל רֹעֶה הָיָה עַבְדְּךָ לְאָבִיו בַּצֹּאן וּבָא הָאֲרִי וְאֶת־הַדּוֹב וְנָשָׂא שֶׂה מֵהָעֵֽדֶר׃
Dovid said to Shaul, "While your servant was a shepherd for his father's sheep, the lion came with a bear and carried off a sheep from the flock.
Dovid said to Shaul, "While your servant was a shepherd for his father's sheep, the lion came with a bear and carried off a sheep from the flock.
Rashi
ובא הארי ואת הדוב. (תרגום:) ואתא אריא ואף דובא:
The lion came with a bear. The lion and bear came [at the same time].
וְיָצָאתִי אַחֲרָיו וְהִכִּתִיו וְהִצַּלְתִּי מִפִּיו וַיָּקׇם עָלַי וְהֶחֱזַקְתִּי בִּזְקָנוֹ וְהִכִּתִיו וַהֲמִיתִּֽיו׃
I went after it, struck it down, and saved [the sheep] from its mouth; then it attacked me, but I grabbed onto its beard and struck it and killed it.
I went after it, struck it down, and saved [the sheep] from its mouth; then it attacked me, but I grabbed onto its beard and struck it and killed it.
גַּם אֶֽת־הָאֲרִי גַּם־הַדֹּב הִכָּה עַבְדֶּךָ וְֽהָיָה הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הֶעָרֵל הַזֶּה כְּאַחַד מֵהֶם כִּי חֵרֵף מַעַרְכֹת אֱלֹהִים חַיִּֽים׃ {ס}
Even the lion and the bear your servant has killed; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall become like one of them, for he has insulted the battalions of the Living God."
Even the lion and the bear your servant has killed; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall become like one of them, for he has insulted the battalions of the Living God."
Rashi
גם את הארי גם הדוב. הרי אלו רבוין, ארי ושני גוריו, ודוב ושני ילדיו:
Even the lion and the bear. These words [גַּם, אֶת, גַּם] are of inclusive nature, meaning a lion and its two whelps, and a bear and its two cubs.17And Dovid slew all six.
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד יְהֹוָה אֲשֶׁר הִצִּלַנִי מִיַּד הָֽאֲרִי וּמִיַּד הַדֹּב הוּא יַצִּילֵנִי מִיַּד הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הַזֶּה {ס} וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל־דָּוִד לֵךְ וַיהֹוָה יִהְיֶה עִמָּֽךְ׃
Then Dovid said, "Adonoy Who saved me from the claws of the lion and from the claws of the bear, He will rescue me from the hands of this Philistine." Shaul said to Dovid, "Go, and may Adonoy be with you."
Then Dovid said, "Adonoy Who saved me from the claws of the lion and from the claws of the bear, He will rescue me from the hands of this Philistine." Shaul said to Dovid, "Go, and may Adonoy be with you."
Rashi
ה' אשר הצילני מיד הארי. יודע אני שלא לחנם נזדמן לי הדבר ההוא, אלא שלעתיד אני בא לידי כיוצא בה לתשועת ישראל, ואסמוך עליה ואצא וזה אחד משני צדיקים שנתן להם רמז, וחשו להשכיל לדבר, דוד ומרדכי, שנאמר (אסתר ב יא): ובכל יום ויום מרדכי מתהלך לפני חצר וגו', אמר: לא לחנם עלתה בצדקת זו שנתפסה במשכב הערל הזה, אלא שעתידה היא לעמוד לישראל ביום צרה:
Adonoy Who saved me from the claws of the lion. I know that this incident did not occur to me for naught, but as an indication that in the future, I would be confronted with similar circumstances, as a salvation for Yisroel. I will therefore rely on this, and go out. And he was one of two righteous men, to whom [God] gave a hint, and they understood the matter, Dovid and Mordechai, as it is stated: "And every day Mordechai would walk before the courtyard…"18Megillas Esther 2:11. He said [to himself], 'It is not for naught that this righteous woman [Esther] has been taken into the bed of this uncircumcised one [Achashveirosh]. It can only mean that she is destined to stand up on behalf of Yisroel at a time of distress.'
וַיַּלְבֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל אֶת־דָּוִד מַדָּיו וְנָתַן קוֹבַע נְחֹשֶׁת עַל־רֹאשׁוֹ וַיַּלְבֵּשׁ אֹתוֹ שִׁרְיֽוֹן׃
Shaul dressed Dovid in his own battle garments, and put a copper helmet on his head and dressed him in armor.
Shaul dressed Dovid in his own battle garments, and put a copper helmet on his head and dressed him in armor.
Rashi
את דוד מדיו. נהפכו להיות כמדת דוד משנמשח בשמן המשחה, אף שהיו של שאול שהיה גבוה מכל העם משכמו ומעלה (לעיל ט ב), וכיון שראה שאול כן, הכניס בו עין הרע, והרגיש דוד בדבר:
Dovid in his own battle garments. They changed and became Dovid's size,19The word מַדָיו is derived from מִדָה [=measure]. since he had been anointed with the anointing oil,20See Maseches Yevamos 76b. although they belonged to Shaul who was taller than all of the other people, from his shoulder and upward.21Above 9:2. And when Shaul noted this, he cast an envious glance toward him, and Dovid realized it.
וַיַּחְגֹּר דָּוִד אֶת־חַרְבּוֹ מֵעַל לְמַדָּיו וַיֹּאֶל לָלֶכֶת כִּי לֹֽא־נִסָּה וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־שָׁאוּל לֹא אוּכַל לָלֶכֶת בָּאֵלֶּה כִּי לֹא נִסִּיתִי וַיְסִרֵם דָּוִד מֵעָלָֽיו׃
Dovid girded his sword over his battle garments. But he did not want to go out [in Shaul's battle garments], for he was not accustomed [to them]; so Dovid said to Shaul, "I am unable to walk with these, for I am not accustomed [to them]," and Dovid removed them from himself.
Dovid girded his sword over his battle garments. But he did not want to go out [in Shaul's battle garments], for he was not accustomed [to them]; so Dovid said to Shaul, "I am unable to walk with these, for I am not accustomed [to them]," and Dovid removed them from himself.
Rashi
ויואל ללכת. תרגם יונתן: ולא אבה למיזל. יש תיבות משמשות לשון וחילופו, כמו (ישעיהו י לג): מסעף פארה ; (תהלים נב ז): ושרשך מארץ חיים:
But he did not want to go out. Targum Yonoson renders "and he did not want to go."22Although וַיאֶׁל usually means ‘he wanted’ as in Shemos 2:21. There are words which have two opposite definitions, as in "will cut off [מְסָעֵף] a branch,"23Yeshayahu 10:33. [derived from סָעִיף, a branch]. [Also,] "and he will uproot you [וְשֵׁרֶשְׁךְ] from the land of the living," [derived from שׁוֹרֶש, a root].24Tehillim 52:7.
כי לא נסה. (תרגום:) ארי לא אליף:
For he was not accustomed. I.e., because he was not accustomed.
כי לא נסיתי. (תרגום:) ארי לית בהון ניסא, אין שבחו של נס בכך. לשון אחר: ויואל ללכת, רצה ללכת ולנסות, וכאשר ראה שהיו כבדים עליו, הסירם:
For I am not accustomed. [Targum renders] 'for their is no miracle [נֵס] in them,' [meaning] there will be no praise for the miracle in this manner.25Dovid wanted it to be clear to all that his victory was achieved solely by the intervention of ה׳. Another explanation why Dovid refused to wear Shaul’s battle garments was because he feared that by doing so would arouse Shaul’s jealousy thereby aggravating Shaul.—Da’as Sofrim Another explanation of ,וַיאֶׁל לָלֶכֶת is, 'he wanted to go, and to try [wearing Shaul's battle garments],' but when he saw that they were too heavy for him, he took them off.
וַיִּקַּח מַקְלוֹ בְּיָדוֹ וַיִּבְחַר־לוֹ חֲמִשָּׁה חַלֻּקֵֽי־אֲבָנִים ׀ מִן־הַנַּחַל וַיָּשֶׂם אֹתָם בִּכְלִי הָרֹעִים אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ וּבַיַּלְקוּט וְקַלְעוֹ בְיָדוֹ וַיִּגַּשׁ אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽי׃
He took his staff in his hand and picked out five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's bag, in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; he then approached the Philistine.
He took his staff in his hand and picked out five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd's bag, in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; he then approached the Philistine.
Rashi
חלוקי אבנים. אבנים דקות וחלקות:
Smooth stones. Thin and smooth stones.
ובילקוט. ובתרמיליה (תרגום:):
And in his pouch. [Targum Yonoson renders] 'and in his pack.'
וַיֵּלֶךְ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי הֹלֵךְ וְקָרֵב אֶל־דָּוִד וְהָאִישׁ נֹשֵׂא הַצִּנָּה לְפָנָֽיו׃
The Philistine approached, going closer and closer to Dovid, and the man carrying his shield was in front of him.
The Philistine approached, going closer and closer to Dovid, and the man carrying his shield was in front of him.
וַיַּבֵּט הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיִּרְאֶה אֶת־דָּוִד וַיִּבְזֵהוּ כִּֽי־הָיָה נַעַר וְאַדְמֹנִי עִם־יְפֵה מַרְאֶֽה׃
The Philistine looked and he saw Dovid, and he scorned him, for he was a youth, with a reddish complexion and handsome.
The Philistine looked and he saw Dovid, and he scorned him, for he was a youth, with a reddish complexion and handsome.
וַיֹּאמֶר הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶל־דָּוִד הֲכֶלֶב אָנֹכִי כִּֽי־אַתָּה בָֽא־אֵלַי בַּמַּקְלוֹת וַיְקַלֵּל הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶת־דָּוִד בֵּאלֹהָֽיו׃
The Philistine said to Dovid, "Am I a dog that you come after me with sticks?" and the Philistine cursed Dovid by his god.
The Philistine said to Dovid, "Am I a dog that you come after me with sticks?" and the Philistine cursed Dovid by his god.
וַיֹּאמֶר הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶל־דָּוִד לְכָה אֵלַי וְאֶתְּנָה אֶת־בְּשָׂרְךָ לְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְבֶהֱמַת הַשָּׂדֶֽה׃ {ס}
The Philistine said to Dovid, "Come to me, and I will offer your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field."
The Philistine said to Dovid, "Come to me, and I will offer your flesh to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of the field."
Rashi
ולבהמת השדה. אין דרך לבהמות לאכול אדם, אמר דוד: כבר נטרפה דעתו של זה, שלי הוא, בא דוד ואמר לו: ונתתי פגר מחנה פלשתים וגו' ולחית הארץ:
And to the cattle of the field. It is not customary for cattle to eat human flesh. Dovid said [to himself], 'This one's mind is already deranged; He is mine.' Dovid [seeing this] said, 'and I will offer the carcasses of the Philistine camp …and to the beasts of the earth.'
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אַתָּה בָּא אֵלַי בְּחֶרֶב וּבַחֲנִית וּבְכִידוֹן וְאָנֹכִי בָֽא־אֵלֶיךָ בְּשֵׁם יְהֹוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי מַעַרְכוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר חֵרַֽפְתָּ׃
Dovid said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin; but I come to you with the Name of Adonoy of Hosts, the God of the battalions of Yisroel Whom you have blasphemed.
Dovid said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin; but I come to you with the Name of Adonoy of Hosts, the God of the battalions of Yisroel Whom you have blasphemed.
הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה יְסַגֶּרְךָ יְהֹוָה בְּיָדִי וְהִכִּיתִךָ וַהֲסִרֹתִי אֶת־רֹֽאשְׁךָ מֵעָלֶיךָ וְנָתַתִּי פֶּגֶר מַחֲנֵה פְלִשְׁתִּים הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה לְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּלְחַיַּת הָאָרֶץ וְיֵֽדְעוּ כׇּל־הָאָרֶץ כִּי יֵשׁ אֱלֹהִים לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
On this day Adonoy will deliver you into my hand and I will kill you and I will remove your head; I will offer the carcasses of the Philistine camp this day to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of earth. Then the whole earth['s inhabitants] will know that Yisroel has a God.
On this day Adonoy will deliver you into my hand and I will kill you and I will remove your head; I will offer the carcasses of the Philistine camp this day to the birds of the heavens and to the beasts of earth. Then the whole earth['s inhabitants] will know that Yisroel has a God.
וְיֵֽדְעוּ כׇּל־הַקָּהָל הַזֶּה כִּי־לֹא בְּחֶרֶב וּבַחֲנִית יְהוֹשִׁיעַ יְהֹוָה כִּי לַֽיהֹוָה הַמִּלְחָמָה וְנָתַן אֶתְכֶם בְּיָדֵֽנוּ׃ {ס}
And this entire community will know that not with a sword or a spear that Adonoy saves; for unto Adonoy is the [outcome of] battle, and He will deliver you into our hand."
And this entire community will know that not with a sword or a spear that Adonoy saves; for unto Adonoy is the [outcome of] battle, and He will deliver you into our hand."
וְהָיָה כִּי־קָם הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיֵּלֶךְ וַיִּקְרַב לִקְרַאת דָּוִד וַיְמַהֵר דָּוִד וַיָּרׇץ הַמַּעֲרָכָה לִקְרַאת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּֽי׃
As the Philistine rose and moved closer towards Dovid, Dovid hurried and ran to the line, towards the Philistine.
As the Philistine rose and moved closer towards Dovid, Dovid hurried and ran to the line, towards the Philistine.
וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד אֶת־יָדוֹ אֶל־הַכֶּלִי וַיִּקַּח מִשָּׁם אֶבֶן וַיְקַלַּע וַיַּךְ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אֶל־מִצְחוֹ וַתִּטְבַּע הָאֶבֶן בְּמִצְחוֹ וַיִּפֹּל עַל־פָּנָיו אָֽרְצָה׃
Dovid reached into the bag, took a stone from there and slung it, and struck the Philistine in the forehead; the stone penetrated his forehead, and he fell face down upon the ground.
Dovid reached into the bag, took a stone from there and slung it, and struck the Philistine in the forehead; the stone penetrated his forehead, and he fell face down upon the ground.
Rashi
ויפל על פניו. לא היה לו לפול אלא לאחוריו, שהרי על מצחו הוכה, אלא כדי שלא יצטער דוד לילך ולחתוך את ראשו, שנשתכר דוד עכשיו שתים עשרה אמות וזרתים, שקומתו שש אמות וזרת, נשתכר מלא קומה לאחוריו, ומלא קומה לפניו (במדרש תהלים):
And he fell face downward. He should have fallen backwards since he had been struck on his forehead.26The impact should have made him fall backwards. But, in order that Dovid should not be troubled to walk [the extra distance] and cut off his head, for Dovid now saved twelve amos and two zeres; for his height was six amos and a zeres, Dovid saved [walking] his entire height back and hs entire height forward.27Another reason why he fell face downward is because ה׳ had decreed that the mouth that blasphemed shall lick the dust of the earth.
וַיֶּחֱזַק דָּוִד מִן־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי בַּקֶּלַע וּבָאֶבֶן וַיַּךְ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיְמִתֵהוּ וְחֶרֶב אֵין בְּיַד־דָּוִֽד׃
Thus Dovid overpowered the Philistine with the sling and stone; he smote the Philistine and killed him, though there was no sword in Dovid's hand.
Thus Dovid overpowered the Philistine with the sling and stone; he smote the Philistine and killed him, though there was no sword in Dovid's hand.
וַיָּרׇץ דָּוִד וַיַּעֲמֹד אֶל־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיִּקַּח אֶת־חַרְבּוֹ וַֽיִּשְׁלְפָהּ מִתַּעְרָהּ וַיְמֹתְתֵהוּ וַיִּכְרׇת־בָּהּ אֶת־רֹאשׁוֹ וַיִּרְאוּ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים כִּי־מֵת גִּבּוֹרָם וַיָּנֻֽסוּ׃
Dovid ran and stood by the Philistine; he took his [Golyos'] sword, drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head with it. The Philistines saw that their hero was dead, and they fled.
Dovid ran and stood by the Philistine; he took his [Golyos'] sword, drew it out of its sheath, and killed him, and cut off his head with it. The Philistines saw that their hero was dead, and they fled.
וַיָּקֻמוּ אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה וַיָּרִעוּ וַֽיִּרְדְּפוּ אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים עַד־בּוֹאֲךָ גַיְא וְעַד שַׁעֲרֵי עֶקְרוֹן וַֽיִּפְּלוּ חַֽלְלֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים בְּדֶרֶךְ שַׁעֲרַיִם וְעַד־גַּת וְעַד־עֶקְרֽוֹן׃
The men of Yisroel and Yehudah rose up, and shouted triumphantly, and pursued the Philistines until the approach to the Gei and to the gates of Ekron; Philistine corpses were strewn along the road to Shaarayim, up to Gas and Ekron.
The men of Yisroel and Yehudah rose up, and shouted triumphantly, and pursued the Philistines until the approach to the Gei and to the gates of Ekron; Philistine corpses were strewn along the road to Shaarayim, up to Gas and Ekron.
וַיָּשֻׁבוּ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִדְּלֹק אַחֲרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיָּשֹׁסּוּ אֶת־מַחֲנֵיהֶֽם׃
The Bnei Yisroel returned from pursuing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp.
The Bnei Yisroel returned from pursuing the Philistines, and they plundered their camp.
Rashi
מדלוק. מרדוף, כמו (בראשית לא לו): דלקת אחרי:
From pursuing. Meaning the same as מִרְדׂף [=pursuing] as in "you have pursued [דָלַקְתָּ] me."28Bereishis 31:36
וַיִּקַּח דָּוִד אֶת־רֹאשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיְבִאֵהוּ יְרוּשָׁלָ͏ִם וְאֶת־כֵּלָיו שָׂם בְּאׇהֳלֽוֹ׃ {ס}
Dovid took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Yerusholayim, and his weapons he put in his tent.
Dovid took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Yerusholayim, and his weapons he put in his tent.
וְכִרְאוֹת שָׁאוּל אֶת־דָּוִד יֹצֵא לִקְרַאת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי אָמַר אֶל־אַבְנֵר שַׂר הַצָּבָא בֶּן־מִי־זֶה הַנַּעַר אַבְנֵר וַיֹּאמֶר אַבְנֵר חֵֽי־נַפְשְׁךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ אִם־יָדָֽעְתִּי׃
When Shaul saw Dovid going out towards the Philistine, he said to Avneir, the commander of the army, "Whose son is this youth, Avneir?" Avneir replied, "By your life, O king, I do not know."
When Shaul saw Dovid going out towards the Philistine, he said to Avneir, the commander of the army, "Whose son is this youth, Avneir?" Avneir replied, "By your life, O king, I do not know."
Rashi
בן מי זה הנער. וכי לא היה מכירו, והלא כתיב (לעיל טז כא): ויאהבהו מאד ויהי לו נושא כליו, אלא ראהו מתנהג בטכסיסי מלכות, אמר שאול: אם בא ממשפחת פרץ, מלך יהיה, שהמלך פורץ גדר לעשות לו דרך ואין ממחין בידו, ואם ממשפחת זרח בא, חשוב יהיה. אמר לו דואג: עד שאתה שואל אם בא ממשפחה שיהא הוא הגון למלכות אם לאו, שאל אם ראוי לבא בקהל אם לאו, שהרי מרות המואביה בא. אמר לו אבנר: שנינו עמוני ולא עמונית. אמר לו דואג: אם כן ממזר ולא ממזרת. אמר לו: כאן נאמר (דברים כג ה): על דבר אשר לא קדמו אתכם בלחם ובמים, ואין דרך אשה בכך. אמר לו: היה להם לקדם אנשים לקראת אנשים, ונשים לקראת נשים. נשתתק אבנר, אמר לו שאול: שאל אתה בן מי זה העלם. למעלה כתיב 'הנער', וכאן כתוב 'העלם', אמר לו: הלכה זו נתעלמה ממך, צא ושאל בבית המדרש, כדאיתא ביבמות (עו ב):
Whose son is this youth. Our Rabbis said, "Did he not recognize him? Is it not stated, "He loved him very much and he became his arms bearer"?29Above 16:21. Ralbag suggests that Dovid would now marry his daughter and Shaul therefore inquired about his genealogy. But, he saw him behaving in a kingly manner. Shaul said, 'If he comes from the family of Peretz, he will become king, for the king may break fences to make way for himself, and no one may object. If, however, he comes from the family of Zerach, he will become an important person. Do'eg said to him, 'Before you ask whether or not he is descended from a family which qualifies him for the throne, ask whether or not he is qualified to enter [by marriage] into the congregation [of Yisroel], because he is descended from Rus the Mo'avite.' Avneir responded to him, 'We have learned that an Ammonite [is forbidden]30Devarim 23:4. but not a female Ammonite [the same holding true for a female Moavite].' So Doeg said to him, 'If so, only a male momzer and not a momzeres [=female momzer] should be foridden.' He replied, 'It is stated here, "because they did not meet you with bread and water,31Ibid., verse 5. and it is not customary for a woman to do so."' He said to him, 'Men should have met men, and women should have met women [with bread and water].' Avneir became silent. Then Shaul said to him": Ask whose son this young man is. Above it is written 'הַנַּעַר'32Verse 55. and here it is written 'הָעָלֶם'. He said to him, "This law has escaped your memory [נִתְעַלְּמָה]. Go out and ask in the house of study," as it is stated in [Maseches] Yevomos.33
וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁאַל אַתָּה בֶּן־מִי־זֶה הָעָֽלֶם׃ {ס}
The king said, "Ask whose son this young man is."
The king said, "Ask whose son this young man is."
וּכְשׁוּב דָּוִד מֵֽהַכּוֹת אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַיִּקַּח אֹתוֹ אַבְנֵר וַיְבִאֵהוּ לִפְנֵי שָׁאוּל וְרֹאשׁ הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי בְּיָדֽוֹ׃
When Dovid returned from killing the Philistine, Avneir took him and brought him before Shaul, while the head of the Philistine was in his hand.
When Dovid returned from killing the Philistine, Avneir took him and brought him before Shaul, while the head of the Philistine was in his hand.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו שָׁאוּל בֶּן־מִי אַתָּה הַנָּעַר וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד בֶּֽן־עַבְדְּךָ יִשַׁי בֵּית הַלַּחְמִֽי׃
Shaul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" Dovid replied, "The son of your servant Yishay, the Beis Lechemite."
Shaul said to him, "Whose son are you, young man?" Dovid replied, "The son of your servant Yishay, the Beis Lechemite."
באפס דמים. כך שם המקום:
At Ephes Damim. This was the name of the place.1It literally means ‘no more blood’ because it was there that the bloodshed between the Bnei Yisroel and the Philistines ceased.—Radak