Tanach
Shmuel I 18 שמואל א י״ח
Part of: Petuchah, I Samuel 18:6Petuchah, I Samuel 18:17Petuchah, I Samuel 18:30Setumah, I Samuel 17:57Setumah, I Samuel 18:10Setumah, I Samuel 18:14Setumah, I Samuel 18:18Setumah, I Samuel 18:28
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיְהִי כְּכַלֹּתוֹ לְדַבֵּר אֶל־שָׁאוּל וְנֶפֶשׁ יְהוֹנָתָן נִקְשְׁרָה בְּנֶפֶשׁ דָּוִד (ויאהבו) [וַיֶּֽאֱהָבֵהוּ] יְהוֹנָתָן כְּנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
And it was after he finished speaking to Shaul that Yonoson's soul became attached to Dovid's soul, and Yonoson loved him as his own soul.
And it was after he finished speaking to Shaul that Yonoson's soul became attached to Dovid's soul, and Yonoson loved him as his own soul.
וַיִּקָּחֵהוּ שָׁאוּל בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא וְלֹא נְתָנוֹ לָשׁוּב בֵּית אָבִֽיו׃
Shaul took him on that day and did not allow him to return to his father's home.
Shaul took him on that day and did not allow him to return to his father's home.
וַיִּכְרֹת יְהוֹנָתָן וְדָוִד בְּרִית בְּאַהֲבָתוֹ אֹתוֹ כְּנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
Yonoson and Dovid made a covenant, in their great love for one another.
Yonoson and Dovid made a covenant, in their great love for one another.
וַיִּתְפַּשֵּׁט יְהוֹנָתָן אֶֽת־הַמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁר עָלָיו וַֽיִּתְּנֵהוּ לְדָוִד וּמַדָּיו וְעַד־חַרְבּוֹ וְעַד־קַשְׁתּוֹ וְעַד־חֲגֹרֽוֹ׃
Yonoson took off the robe he wore and gave it to Dovid, along with his battle garments, and even his sword, his bow, and his belt.
Yonoson took off the robe he wore and gave it to Dovid, along with his battle garments, and even his sword, his bow, and his belt.
וַיֵּצֵא דָוִד בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁלָחֶנּוּ שָׁאוּל יַשְׂכִּיל וַיְשִׂמֵהוּ שָׁאוּל עַל אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה וַיִּיטַב בְּעֵינֵי כׇל־הָעָם וְגַם בְּעֵינֵי עַבְדֵי שָׁאֽוּל׃ {פ}
Dovid went out, and wherever Shaul sent him he succeeded; Shaul appointed him over the warriors, and he was popular among all the people and also among Shaul's servants.
Dovid went out, and wherever Shaul sent him he succeeded; Shaul appointed him over the warriors, and he was popular among all the people and also among Shaul's servants.
וַיְהִי בְּבוֹאָם בְּשׁוּב דָּוִד מֵהַכּוֹת אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי וַתֵּצֶאנָה הַנָּשִׁים מִכׇּל־עָרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (לשור) [לָשִׁיר] וְהַמְּחֹלוֹת לִקְרַאת שָׁאוּל הַמֶּלֶךְ בְּתֻפִּים בְּשִׂמְחָה וּבְשָׁלִשִֽׁים׃
When [the troops] came back, when Dovid returned from slaying the Philistines, the women from all the towns of Yisroel came out to sing and play musical instruments to greet King Shaul, with timbrels, joyful sounds and cymbals.
When [the troops] came back, when Dovid returned from slaying the Philistines, the women from all the towns of Yisroel came out to sing and play musical instruments to greet King Shaul, with timbrels, joyful sounds and cymbals.
Rashi
וַֽתַּעֲנֶינָה הַנָּשִׁים הַֽמְשַׂחֲקוֹת וַתֹּאמַרְןָ הִכָּה שָׁאוּל בַּאֲלָפָו וְדָוִד בְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו׃
The rejoicing women called out, and said, "Shaul has slain his thousands, and Dovid his tens of thousands."
The rejoicing women called out, and said, "Shaul has slain his thousands, and Dovid his tens of thousands."
וַיִּחַר לְשָׁאוּל מְאֹד וַיֵּרַע בְּעֵינָיו הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר נָתְנוּ לְדָוִד רְבָבוֹת וְלִי נָתְנוּ הָאֲלָפִים וְעוֹד לוֹ אַךְ הַמְּלוּכָֽה׃
Shaul grew very angry, and this matter upset him. He said, "They have attributed to Dovid ten thousands, while to me they have attributed thousands. He is lacking only the kingship."
Shaul grew very angry, and this matter upset him. He said, "They have attributed to Dovid ten thousands, while to me they have attributed thousands. He is lacking only the kingship."
Rashi
ועוד לו. ועוד לו מה הוא נחסר שצריך להוסיף לו:
He is lacking. What more is he lacking, that he needs to acquire?
אך המלוכה. אינו צריך עוד אלא למלכות:
Only the kingship. He needs nothing else but the kingship.
וַיְהִי שָׁאוּל (עון) [עוֹיֵן] אֶת־דָּוִד מֵֽהַיּוֹם הַהוּא וָהָֽלְאָה׃ {ס}
Shaul viewed Dovid suspiciously from that day on.
Shaul viewed Dovid suspiciously from that day on.
Rashi
עוין. (תרגום:) עין רעה:
Viewed suspiciously. With an envious glance.
וַיְהִי מִֽמׇּחֳרָת וַתִּצְלַח רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים ׀ רָעָה ׀ אֶל־שָׁאוּל וַיִּתְנַבֵּא בְתוֹךְ־הַבַּיִת וְדָוִד מְנַגֵּן בְּיָדוֹ כְּיוֹם ׀ בְּיוֹם וְהַחֲנִית בְּיַד־שָׁאֽוּל׃
It was on the next day that an evil spirit from God came upon Shaul and he raved in the house. Dovid was playing [the harp] with his hand as he did every day, and in Shaul's hand was a spear.
It was on the next day that an evil spirit from God came upon Shaul and he raved in the house. Dovid was playing [the harp] with his hand as he did every day, and in Shaul's hand was a spear.
Rashi
יתנבא. ואשתטי נביא ושוטה מדברים דברי רמזים שאינם ניכרים:
And he raved. [Literally 'he prophesied'] but Targum renders, 'and he raved.' A prophet and a madman speak in unintelligible hints.
וַיָּטֶל שָׁאוּל אֶֽת־הַחֲנִית וַיֹּאמֶר אַכֶּה בְדָוִד וּבַקִּיר וַיִּסֹּב דָּוִד מִפָּנָיו פַּעֲמָֽיִם׃
Shaul hurled the spear, saying [to himself], "I will strike Dovid and the wall." But Dovid eluded him twice.
Shaul hurled the spear, saying [to himself], "I will strike Dovid and the wall." But Dovid eluded him twice.
Rashi
אכה בדוד ובקיר. מכה אחת אכה, שיכנס החנית בדוד ובקיר:
I will strike Dovid and the wall. I will strike one blow so, that the spear will pierce Dovid and the wall.2Shaul wanted to strike Dovid in a manner that it would appear that it was unintentional.
וַיִּרָא שָׁאוּל מִלִּפְנֵי דָוִד כִּֽי־הָיָה יְהֹוָה עִמּוֹ וּמֵעִם שָׁאוּל סָֽר׃
Shaul feared Dovid, for Adonoy was with him, but He had turned away from Shaul.
Shaul feared Dovid, for Adonoy was with him, but He had turned away from Shaul.
וַיְסִרֵהוּ שָׁאוּל מֵֽעִמּוֹ וַיְשִׂמֵהוּ לוֹ שַׂר־אָלֶף וַיֵּצֵא וַיָּבֹא לִפְנֵי הָעָֽם׃ {ס}
So Shaul removed him from his presence and made him an officer over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
So Shaul removed him from his presence and made him an officer over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people.
וַיְהִי דָוִד לְכׇל־דְּרָכָו מַשְׂכִּיל וַיהֹוָה עִמּֽוֹ׃
Dovid succeeded in all his ways, and Adonoy was with him.
Dovid succeeded in all his ways, and Adonoy was with him.
Rashi
משכיל. מצליח:
Succeeded. Succeeded.3Although ‘שֵׂבֶל’ usually indicates wisdom, here it is used to indicate success.
וַיַּרְא שָׁאוּל אֲשֶׁר־הוּא מַשְׂכִּיל מְאֹד וַיָּגׇר מִפָּנָֽיו׃
Shaul saw that he was very successful, and he was terrified of him.
Shaul saw that he was very successful, and he was terrified of him.
וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל וִֽיהוּדָה אֹהֵב אֶת־דָּוִד כִּי־הוּא יוֹצֵא וָבָא לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃ {פ}
But all of Yisroel and Yehudah loved Dovid, for he came out and went in before them.
But all of Yisroel and Yehudah loved Dovid, for he came out and went in before them.
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל־דָּוִד הִנֵּה בִתִּי הַגְּדוֹלָה מֵרַב אֹתָהּ אֶתֶּן־לְךָ לְאִשָּׁה אַךְ הֱיֵה־לִי לְבֶן־חַיִל וְהִלָּחֵם מִלְחֲמוֹת יְהֹוָה וְשָׁאוּל אָמַר אַל־תְּהִי יָדִי בּוֹ וּתְהִי־בוֹ יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃ {ס}
Shaul said to Dovid, "Here is my older daughter, Meirav; I shall give her to you as a wife, but you must be courageous for me and fight Adonoy's wars." Shaul said [to himself], "Let not my hand be upon him; but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him."
Shaul said to Dovid, "Here is my older daughter, Meirav; I shall give her to you as a wife, but you must be courageous for me and fight Adonoy's wars." Shaul said [to himself], "Let not my hand be upon him; but let the hand of the Philistines be upon him."
Rashi
ושאול אמר. בלבו:
Shaul said. To himself.
אל תהי ידי בו. פן אענש:
Let not my hand be upon him. Lest I will be punished.
ותהי בו יד פלשתים. לכך אמר לו והלחם מלחמות ה':
But let the hand of the Philistines be upon him. Therefore, he said to him, "and fight Adonoy's wars."
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־שָׁאוּל מִי אָֽנֹכִי וּמִי חַיַּי מִשְׁפַּחַת אָבִי בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל כִּי־אֶהְיֶה חָתָן לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
Dovid said to Shaul, "Who am I and what is my life or my father's family in Yisroel that I should be son-in-law to the king?"
Dovid said to Shaul, "Who am I and what is my life or my father's family in Yisroel that I should be son-in-law to the king?"
וַיְהִי בְּעֵת תֵּת אֶת־מֵרַב בַּת־שָׁאוּל לְדָוִד וְהִיא נִתְּנָה לְעַדְרִיאֵל הַמְּחֹלָתִי לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
But it happened that when the time came to give Meirav daughter of Shaul to Dovid, that she was given instead to Adrieil the Mecholathite as a wife.
But it happened that when the time came to give Meirav daughter of Shaul to Dovid, that she was given instead to Adrieil the Mecholathite as a wife.
Rashi
בעת תת. כשהגיע זמן שקבעו לתתה לו, ובעוד שהיו מתעסקים לתתה לו, נתגלגל הדבר ונתנה לעדריאל:
When the time came to give. When the time arrived which they had set to give her to him, and while they were involved with giving her to him, it turned out that she was given to Adrieil.4Son of Barzili. See II Shmuel 21:8. She married Adrieil without Shaul’s knowledge—Metzudas Dovid.
וַתֶּאֱהַב מִיכַל בַּת־שָׁאוּל אֶת־דָּוִד וַיַּגִּדוּ לְשָׁאוּל וַיִּשַׁר הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינָֽיו׃
But Michal daughter of Shaul loved Dovid. They told this to Shaul and he was pleased.
But Michal daughter of Shaul loved Dovid. They told this to Shaul and he was pleased.
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶתְּנֶנָּה לּוֹ וּתְהִי־לוֹ לְמוֹקֵשׁ וּתְהִי־בוֹ יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל־דָּוִד בִּשְׁתַּיִם תִּתְחַתֵּן בִּי הַיּֽוֹם׃
Shaul said [to himself], "I will give her to him and she will be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines will be upon him." So Shaul said to Dovid, "Through the second [of my two daughters] you will become my son-in-law today."
Shaul said [to himself], "I will give her to him and she will be a snare to him, and the hand of the Philistines will be upon him." So Shaul said to Dovid, "Through the second [of my two daughters] you will become my son-in-law today."
Rashi
בשתים תתחתן בי. שתי בנות יש לי, באחת מהן תתחתן בי וכן תרגם יונתן: בחדא מתרין. כיוצא בו (שמואל-ב כד יב): שלש אנכי נוטל עליך. אחת משלש, כמו שמפורש שם: בחר לך אחת מהם:
Through the second [of my two daughters] you will become my son-in-law. I have two daughters; through one of them, you will become my son-in-law.5See Maseches Sanhedrin 19b. And similarly did Targum Yonoson render, 'with one of the two.' Similarly [we find], "I hold three things [meaning, one of three things] over you,"6II Shmuel 24:12. as Scripture clarifies there, "choose one of them."7Ibid.
וַיְצַו שָׁאוּל אֶת־עֲבָדָו דַּבְּרוּ אֶל־דָּוִד בַּלָּט לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה חָפֵץ בְּךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ וְכׇל־עֲבָדָיו אֲהֵבוּךָ וְעַתָּה הִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
Shaul commanded his servants, "Speak to Dovid secretly and say, 'Behold, the king wants you, and all his servants love you, therefore become now the king's son-in-law.'"
Shaul commanded his servants, "Speak to Dovid secretly and say, 'Behold, the king wants you, and all his servants love you, therefore become now the king's son-in-law.'"
וַֽיְדַבְּרוּ עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל בְּאׇזְנֵי דָוִד אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד הַֽנְקַלָּה בְעֵֽינֵיכֶם הִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ וְאָנֹכִי אִֽישׁ־רָשׁ וְנִקְלֶֽה׃
Shaul's servants spoke in Dovid's ears these words. Dovid said, "Is it a trivial matter in your eyes to be the king's son-in-law when I am a poor and insignificant person?"
Shaul's servants spoke in Dovid's ears these words. Dovid said, "Is it a trivial matter in your eyes to be the king's son-in-law when I am a poor and insignificant person?"
וַיַּגִּדוּ עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל לוֹ לֵאמֹר כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה דִּבֶּר דָּוִֽד׃
Shaul's servants told him saying, "Dovid spoke words such as these."
Shaul's servants told him saying, "Dovid spoke words such as these."
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל כֹּה־תֹאמְרוּ לְדָוִד אֵֽין־חֵפֶץ לַמֶּלֶךְ בְּמֹהַר כִּי בְּמֵאָה עׇרְלוֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּים לְהִנָּקֵם בְּאֹיְבֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ וְשָׁאוּל חָשַׁב לְהַפִּיל אֶת־דָּוִד בְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
Shaul said, "So shall you say to Dovid, 'The King wants no dowry, only one hundred Philistine foreskins to avenge the king's enemies.'" Shaul intended for Dovid to fall into Philistine hands.
Shaul said, "So shall you say to Dovid, 'The King wants no dowry, only one hundred Philistine foreskins to avenge the king's enemies.'" Shaul intended for Dovid to fall into Philistine hands.
וַיַּגִּדוּ עֲבָדָיו לְדָוִד אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה וַיִּשַׁר הַדָּבָר בְּעֵינֵי דָוִד לְהִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ וְלֹא מָלְאוּ הַיָּמִֽים׃
His servants told to Dovid these words, and it was proper in Dovid's eyes, to become the king's son-in-law. Time had not yet expired.
His servants told to Dovid these words, and it was proper in Dovid's eyes, to become the king's son-in-law. Time had not yet expired.
Rashi
ולא מלאו הימים. לא המתין עד מלאת הימים שקבע לו להביא את מאה הערלות:
Time had not yet expired. He did not wait until the time expired which he had set for him to bring the one hundred foreskins.
וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיֵּלֶךְ ׀ הוּא וַאֲנָשָׁיו וַיַּךְ בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים מָאתַיִם אִישׁ וַיָּבֵא דָוִד אֶת־עׇרְלֹתֵיהֶם וַיְמַלְאוּם לַמֶּלֶךְ לְהִתְחַתֵּן בַּמֶּלֶךְ וַיִּתֶּן־לוֹ שָׁאוּל אֶת־מִיכַל בִּתּוֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃ {ס}
Dovid rose and went, he and his men, and slew two hundred Philistine men. Dovid brought their foreskins and gave them all to the king so that he could become the king's son-in-law. Shaul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife.
Dovid rose and went, he and his men, and slew two hundred Philistine men. Dovid brought their foreskins and gave them all to the king so that he could become the king's son-in-law. Shaul gave him his daughter Michal as a wife.
Rashi
ויקם דוד וילך הוא ואנשיו וגו' וימלאום. פרישנטי"ר בלע"ז:
Dovid rose and went, he and his men…and gave them all.8I.e., all two hundred, though Shaul demanded only one hundred. Presenter in O.F.
וַיַּרְא שָׁאוּל וַיֵּדַע כִּי יְהֹוָה עִם־דָּוִד וּמִיכַל בַּת־שָׁאוּל אֲהֵבַֽתְהוּ׃
Shaul saw and realized that Adonoy was with Dovid, and that Michal, Shaul's daughter, loved him.
Shaul saw and realized that Adonoy was with Dovid, and that Michal, Shaul's daughter, loved him.
וַיֹּאסֶף שָׁאוּל לֵרֹא מִפְּנֵי דָוִד עוֹד וַיְהִי שָׁאוּל אֹיֵב אֶת־דָּוִד כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ {פ}
Shaul continued to fear Dovid even more; Shaul remained Dovid's enemy all his life.
Shaul continued to fear Dovid even more; Shaul remained Dovid's enemy all his life.
Rashi
לרא. ליראה:
To fear. To fear.
וַיֵּצְאוּ שָׂרֵי פְלִשְׁתִּים וַיְהִי ׀ מִדֵּי צֵאתָם שָׂכַל דָּוִד מִכֹּל עַבְדֵי שָׁאוּל וַיִּיקַר שְׁמוֹ מְאֹֽד׃ {ס}
The Philistine officers would venture out and whenever they ventured out, Dovid was more successful than all of Shaul's servants; his reputation became highly respected.
The Philistine officers would venture out and whenever they ventured out, Dovid was more successful than all of Shaul's servants; his reputation became highly respected.
Rashi
ויצאו שרי פלשתים. לבא בגדודים לשלול שלל בישראל:
The Philistines officers would venture out. To come in troops to plunder [the Bnei] Yisroel.
ובשלשים. תרגם יונתן: ובצלצלין. מין כלי זמר:
And cymbals. Targum Yonoson renders, 'and with cymbals,' a type of musical instrument.1Perhaps a three [=שָׁלשׁ] stringed harp.—Radak.