Tanach
Shmuel I 22 שמואל א כ״ב
Part of: Petuchah, I Samuel 22:1Setumah, I Samuel 22:5Setumah, I Samuel 22:6Setumah, I Samuel 22:9Setumah, I Samuel 22:12Setumah, I Samuel 22:14Setumah, I Samuel 22:18
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד מִשָּׁם וַיִּמָּלֵט אֶל־מְעָרַת עֲדֻלָּם וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶחָיו וְכׇל־בֵּית אָבִיו וַיֵּרְדוּ אֵלָיו שָֽׁמָּה׃
Dovid went from there and escaped to the cave of Adullom. His brothers and all his father's house heard, and they went down to him there.
Dovid went from there and escaped to the cave of Adullom. His brothers and all his father's house heard, and they went down to him there.
וַיִּֽתְקַבְּצוּ אֵלָיו כׇּל־אִישׁ מָצוֹק וְכׇל־אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ נֹשֶׁא וְכׇל־אִישׁ מַר־נֶפֶשׁ וַיְהִי עֲלֵיהֶם לְשָׂר וַיִּהְיוּ עִמּוֹ כְּאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת אִֽישׁ׃
They gathered to him—every man in distress, every man in debt, and every man with an embittered spirit—and he became their leader; there were with him about four hundred men.
They gathered to him—every man in distress, every man in debt, and every man with an embittered spirit—and he became their leader; there were with him about four hundred men.
וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד מִשָּׁם מִצְפֵּה מוֹאָב וַיֹּאמֶר ׀ אֶל־מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב יֵֽצֵא־נָא אָבִי וְאִמִּי אִתְּכֶם עַד אֲשֶׁר אֵדַע מַה־יַּעֲשֶׂה־לִּי אֱלֹהִֽים׃
Dovid went from there to the Mitzpeh of Moav, and he said to the king of Moav, "Please let my father and mother come out [and stay] with you until I know what God will do for me."
Dovid went from there to the Mitzpeh of Moav, and he said to the king of Moav, "Please let my father and mother come out [and stay] with you until I know what God will do for me."
וַיַּנְחֵם אֶת־פְּנֵי מֶלֶךְ מוֹאָב וַיֵּשְׁבוּ עִמּוֹ כׇּל־יְמֵי הֱיוֹת־דָּוִד בַּמְּצוּדָֽה׃ {ס}
He brought them before the king of Moav and they remained with him all the time that Dovid was in the fortress.
He brought them before the king of Moav and they remained with him all the time that Dovid was in the fortress.
Rashi
וַיֹּאמֶר גָּד הַנָּבִיא אֶל־דָּוִד לֹא תֵשֵׁב בַּמְּצוּדָה לֵךְ וּבָֽאתָ־לְּךָ אֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד וַיָּבֹא יַעַר חָֽרֶת׃ {ס}
Gad the prophet said to Dovid, "Do not stay in the fortress; go and return to the land of Yehudah. Dovid went and arrived at the forest of Chares.
Gad the prophet said to Dovid, "Do not stay in the fortress; go and return to the land of Yehudah. Dovid went and arrived at the forest of Chares.
וַיִּשְׁמַע שָׁאוּל כִּי נוֹדַע דָּוִד וַאֲנָשִׁים אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ וְשָׁאוּל יוֹשֵׁב בַּגִּבְעָה תַּֽחַת־הָאֶשֶׁל בָּֽרָמָה וַחֲנִיתוֹ בְיָדוֹ וְכׇל־עֲבָדָיו נִצָּבִים עָלָֽיו׃
Shaul heard that they had been discovered—Dovid and the men who were with him. Shaul was staying in Givah beneath the tamarisk tree in Romoh; his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him.
Shaul heard that they had been discovered—Dovid and the men who were with him. Shaul was staying in Givah beneath the tamarisk tree in Romoh; his spear in his hand, and all his servants standing about him.
Rashi
כי נודע דוד. כי התבונן להשמר ממנו:
That Dovid…had been discovered. That he realized to beware of him.
תחת האשל ברמה. אחת שהיתה בגבול בנימן ורבותינו אמרו (תענית ה ב): היא היתה רמה של שמואל, ושני מקומות הן, וכן מדרשו: ושאול יושב בגבעה, בזכות האשל הגדול אשר ברמה, שהיה מתפלל עליו:
Beneath the tamarisk tree in Romoh. On one [hill], which was within Binyomin's border.3Not to be confused with the Romoh where Shmuel lived. Our Rabbis said4Maseches Taanis 5b. that this was Shmuel's Romoh, and these are two different places. It is expounded thus: 'Shaul was sitting in Givoh in the merit of the great tamarisk tree [i.e., Shmuel] who was in Romoh, and who was praying for him.'5Were it not for Shmuel’s prayers, Shaul would have had to relinquish the throne immediately after the incident with Amoleik. Shmuel prayed for Shaul’s reign to remain intact as long as he was alive.
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל לַֽעֲבָדָיו הַנִּצָּבִים עָלָיו שִׁמְעוּ־נָא בְּנֵי יְמִינִי גַּם־לְכֻלְּכֶם יִתֵּן בֶּן־יִשַׁי שָׂדוֹת וּכְרָמִים לְכֻלְּכֶם יָשִׂים שָׂרֵי אֲלָפִים וְשָׂרֵי מֵאֽוֹת׃
Shaul said to his servants who were standing about him, "Listen now you Binyominites. Will Yishay's son give you all fields and vineyards? Will he make you all officers of thousands and officers of hundreds?
Shaul said to his servants who were standing about him, "Listen now you Binyominites. Will Yishay's son give you all fields and vineyards? Will he make you all officers of thousands and officers of hundreds?
כִּי קְשַׁרְתֶּם כֻּלְּכֶם עָלַי וְאֵין־גֹּלֶה אֶת־אׇזְנִי בִּכְרׇת־בְּנִי עִם־בֶּן־יִשַׁי וְאֵין־חֹלֶה מִכֶּם עָלַי וְגֹלֶה אֶת־אׇזְנִי כִּי הֵקִים בְּנִי אֶת־עַבְדִּי עָלַי לְאֹרֵב כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {ס}
That all of you have conspired against me and no one revealed to me that my son made a pact with Yishay's son, and that none among you worried about me or let me know that my son has set my servant against me, to ambush me this day."
That all of you have conspired against me and no one revealed to me that my son made a pact with Yishay's son, and that none among you worried about me or let me know that my son has set my servant against me, to ambush me this day."
וַיַּעַן דֹּאֵג הָאֲדֹמִי וְהוּא נִצָּב עַל־עַבְדֵֽי־שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמַר רָאִיתִי אֶת־בֶּן־יִשַׁי בָּא נֹבֶה אֶל־אֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן־אֲחִטֽוּב׃
Then Doeg the Edomite answered—who was in charge of Shaul's servants—and said, "I saw Yishay's son coming to Noveh, to Achimelech son of Achituv.
Then Doeg the Edomite answered—who was in charge of Shaul's servants—and said, "I saw Yishay's son coming to Noveh, to Achimelech son of Achituv.
וַיִּשְׁאַל־לוֹ בַּֽיהֹוָה וְצֵידָה נָתַן לוֹ וְאֵת חֶרֶב גׇּלְיָת הַפְּלִשְׁתִּי נָתַן לֽוֹ׃
He inquired of Adonoy for him and gave him provisions, and the sword of Golyos the Philistine he [also] gave him."
He inquired of Adonoy for him and gave him provisions, and the sword of Golyos the Philistine he [also] gave him."
וַיִּשְׁלַח הַמֶּלֶךְ לִקְרֹא אֶת־אֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן־אֲחִיטוּב הַכֹּהֵן וְאֵת כׇּל־בֵּית אָבִיו הַכֹּהֲנִים אֲשֶׁר בְּנֹב וַיָּבֹאוּ כֻלָּם אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {ס}
The king sent to call Achimelech son of Achituv the kohein, and all his father's house, the kohanim that were in Nov; and they all came to the king.
The king sent to call Achimelech son of Achituv the kohein, and all his father's house, the kohanim that were in Nov; and they all came to the king.
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל שְֽׁמַֽע־נָא בֶּן־אֲחִיטוּב וַיֹּאמֶר הִנְנִי אֲדֹנִֽי׃
Shaul said, "Listen now, son of Achituv!" And he said, "Here I am, my master."
Shaul said, "Listen now, son of Achituv!" And he said, "Here I am, my master."
וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָו שָׁאוּל לָמָּה קְשַׁרְתֶּם עָלַי אַתָּה וּבֶן־יִשָׁי בְּתִתְּךָ לוֹ לֶחֶם וְחֶרֶב וְשָׁאוֹל לוֹ בֵּֽאלֹהִים לָקוּם אֵלַי לְאֹרֵב כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ {ס}
Shaul said to him, "Why did you conspire against me, you and Yishay's son, by giving him bread and a sword, and inquiring of God for him, so that he could attack and ambush me this day?"
Shaul said to him, "Why did you conspire against me, you and Yishay's son, by giving him bread and a sword, and inquiring of God for him, so that he could attack and ambush me this day?"
Rashi
ושאול לו באלהים. עשיתו מלך, שאין נשאלין באורים ותומים להדיוט:
And inquiring of God for him. [By allowing him to consult the Urim and Tumim], you have made him a king, because no inquiry may be made of the Urim and Tumim for a commoner.
וַיַּעַן אֲחִימֶלֶךְ אֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיֹּאמַר וּמִי בְכׇל־עֲבָדֶיךָ כְּדָוִד נֶאֱמָן וַחֲתַן הַמֶּלֶךְ וְסָר אֶל־מִשְׁמַעְתֶּךָ וְנִכְבָּד בְּבֵיתֶֽךָ׃
Achimelech answered the king, and said, "Who of all your servants is as trustworthy as Dovid, the king's son-in-law, who bows to your bidding, and is honored in your household?
Achimelech answered the king, and said, "Who of all your servants is as trustworthy as Dovid, the king's son-in-law, who bows to your bidding, and is honored in your household?
Rashi
וסר אל משמעתך. כמו (בראשית יט ג): ויסורו אליו, וקרב לשמושך ואל שמע דבריך, וכי היה לי להבין שאינו הולך בשליחותך:
Who bows to your bidding. As in "And they turned [וַיָסֻרוּ] to him,"6Bereishis 19:3. meaning that he is near to service you and to obey your orders. How then was I to know that he was not going on your mission?
הַיּוֹם הַחִלֹּתִי (לשאול) [לִשְׁאׇל־]לוֹ בֵאלֹהִים חָלִילָה לִּי אַל־יָשֵׂם הַמֶּלֶךְ בְּעַבְדּוֹ דָבָר בְּכׇל־בֵּית אָבִי כִּי לֹֽא־יָדַע עַבְדְּךָ בְּכׇל־זֹאת דָּבָר קָטֹן אוֹ גָדֽוֹל׃
Did I begin today to inquire of God for him? Far be it from me! Let the king not accuse his servant or my father's entire household of anything, for your servant knew nothing of this entire matter, either small or great."
Did I begin today to inquire of God for him? Far be it from me! Let the king not accuse his servant or my father's entire household of anything, for your servant knew nothing of this entire matter, either small or great."
Rashi
היום החלותי לשאל לו. בתמיה, זה ימים רבים שצורך הצבור בו, שמינהו מוציא ומביא את ישראל, ומאז אני שואל לו באלהים:
Did I begin today to inquire. This is in the form of a question, meaning, it is already a long time that the concern of the community is his, for they appointed him as the one who leads [the Bnei] Yisroel to and [from battle], and ever since then, I inquire of God on his behalf.
חלילה לי. מעשות דבר זה למרד ומעל:
Far be it from me. To have done this thing with the intent of rebellion or treason.7I.e., I never would have acted against the king’s interests had I known that Dovid was fleeing.
וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ מוֹת תָּמוּת אֲחִימֶלֶךְ אַתָּה וְכׇל־בֵּית אָבִֽיךָ׃
The king said, "You surely shall die, Achimelech, you and all your father's house."
The king said, "You surely shall die, Achimelech, you and all your father's house."
וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ לָרָצִים הַנִּצָּבִים עָלָיו סֹבּוּ וְהָמִיתוּ ׀ כֹּהֲנֵי יְהֹוָה כִּי גַם־יָדָם עִם־דָּוִד וְכִי יָֽדְעוּ כִּֽי־בֹרֵחַֽ הוּא וְלֹא גָלוּ אֶת־[אׇזְנִי] (אזנו) וְלֹֽא־אָבוּ עַבְדֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ לִשְׁלֹחַ אֶת־יָדָם לִפְגֹעַ בְּכֹהֲנֵי יְהֹוָֽה׃ {ס}
The king then said to the runners who stood near him, "Surround and put to death the kohanim of Adonoy, because their hand is also with Dovid, for they knew that he was fleeing but did not reveal it to me." But the servants of the king did not want to stretch forth their hand to slay the kohanim of Adonoy.
The king then said to the runners who stood near him, "Surround and put to death the kohanim of Adonoy, because their hand is also with Dovid, for they knew that he was fleeing but did not reveal it to me." But the servants of the king did not want to stretch forth their hand to slay the kohanim of Adonoy.
Rashi
לרצים הנצבים עליו. אבנר ועמשא היו:
To the runners who stood near him. Referring to Avneir and Amoso.
ולא אבו. דרשו אכין ורקין (יהושע א יח): כל איש אשר ימרה את פיך וגו', יכול אפילו לדבר עבירה תלמוד לומר 'רק':
Did not want. They expounded [Scripture's] "but's and only's." Scripture states: "Every man who rebels against your command [shall be put to death]."8Yehoshua 1:18. One may think that this means even [if "your command" was] to commit a sin; Scripture, therefore states: "Only" [to exclude this condition].
וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ (לדויג) [לְדוֹאֵג] סֹב אַתָּה וּפְגַע בַּכֹּהֲנִים וַיִּסֹּב (דויג) [דּוֹאֵג] הָאֲדֹמִי וַיִּפְגַּע־הוּא בַּכֹּהֲנִים וַיָּמֶת ׀ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא שְׁמֹנִים וַֽחֲמִשָּׁה אִישׁ נֹשֵׂא אֵפוֹד בָּֽד׃
The king said to Do'eg, "You turn and slay the kohanim!" Do'eg the Edomite turned and he killed the kohanim; on that day he killed eighty-five men, who wore a linen eiphod.
The king said to Do'eg, "You turn and slay the kohanim!" Do'eg the Edomite turned and he killed the kohanim; on that day he killed eighty-five men, who wore a linen eiphod.
Rashi
לדויג. נשתנה שמו, אמר לו נתפסת כדג, אתה הלשנת עליהם, אתה הרוג אותם:
To Doeg. [Doeg's] name changed [to Doyeig].9דַיָג means fisherman. He said to him, "You are caught like a fish;10Based on Talmud Yerushalmi Maseches Sanhedrin 10:2. However, the Gemara in Maseches Sanhedrin 106b explains that דֹאֵג means worry, i.e., ה׳ was concerned that he might go astray. Once he did, ה׳ said, ‘וי’[= woe], it is lamentable that this brilliant person has gone astray, hence the דוֹיֵג spelling. you informed on them so you slay them."
וְאֵת נֹב עִיר־הַכֹּֽהֲנִים הִכָּה לְפִי־חֶרֶב מֵאִישׁ וְעַד־אִשָּׁה מֵֽעוֹלֵל וְעַד־יוֹנֵק וְשׁוֹר וַחֲמוֹר וָשֶׂה לְפִי־חָֽרֶב׃
And Nov, the city of kohanim, he killed by the sword; man and woman; child and suckling; ox, donkey and sheep, by the sword.
And Nov, the city of kohanim, he killed by the sword; man and woman; child and suckling; ox, donkey and sheep, by the sword.
וַיִּמָּלֵט בֵּן־אֶחָד לַאֲחִימֶלֶךְ בֶּן־אֲחִטוּב וּשְׁמוֹ אֶבְיָתָר וַיִּבְרַח אַחֲרֵי דָוִֽד׃
One son escaped; of Achimelech son of Achituv, his name was Evyosor, and he fled to Dovid.
One son escaped; of Achimelech son of Achituv, his name was Evyosor, and he fled to Dovid.
וַיַּגֵּד אֶבְיָתָר לְדָוִד כִּי הָרַג שָׁאוּל אֵת כֹּהֲנֵי יְהֹוָֽה׃
Evyosor told Dovid that Shaul had killed the kohanim of Adonoy.
Evyosor told Dovid that Shaul had killed the kohanim of Adonoy.
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לְאֶבְיָתָר יָדַעְתִּי בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא כִּֽי־שָׁם (דויג) [דּוֹאֵג] הָאֲדֹמִי כִּֽי־הַגֵּד יַגִּיד לְשָׁאוּל אָנֹכִי סַבֹּתִי בְּכׇל־נֶפֶשׁ בֵּית אָבִֽיךָ׃
Dovid said to Evyosor, "I knew on that day when Do'eg the Edomite was there, that he would surely inform Shaul. I am responsible for every life of your father's house.
Dovid said to Evyosor, "I knew on that day when Do'eg the Edomite was there, that he would surely inform Shaul. I am responsible for every life of your father's house.
Rashi
אנכי סבתי. סבבתי הדבר עד שבא לידי כך:
I am responsible for. I brought about the matter, causing it to come.
שְׁבָה אִתִּי אַל־תִּירָא כִּי אֲשֶׁר־יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־נַפְשִׁי יְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־נַפְשֶׁךָ כִּֽי־מִשְׁמֶרֶת אַתָּה עִמָּדִֽי׃ {ס}
Stay with me, fear not; for the man who seeks my life seeks your life. But with me, you are safe."
Stay with me, fear not; for the man who seeks my life seeks your life. But with me, you are safe."
Rashi
כי אשר יבקש את נפשי. אדם אחד רודף שנינו, במקום שאמלט שם אני, תמלט אתה, כי במשמרתי תהיה תמיד, כך תרגם יונתן: ארי מאן דבעי למיקטלי בעי למקטלך. ויש עוד לפרש; כי אשר יאהבני יאהבך, ואשר ישמור את נפשי ישמור את נפשך, ויש דוגמא במקרא (משלי כט י): אנשי דמים ישנאו תם וישרים יבקשו נפשו, הרי כאן בקשת נפש לטובה:
For the man who seeks my life. One person is pursuing both of us. Wherever I escape, you escape, for you will always be in my safeguard; as Targum Yonoson renders, 'for he who seeks to kill me, seeks to kill you.' But, it may also mean, 'whoever will love me, will love you, and whoever will guard my soul, will guard your soul.' There is a similar instance in Scripture, "Men of blood hate a sincere person, but the upright seek his soul.'11 Mishlei 29:10. This is [an instance of] seeking a soul for [doing] good.
וישבו עמו כל ימי היות דוד במצודה. סמוך למואב, וכשיצא דוד משם ליער חרת, הרג מלך מואב את אביו ואת אמו ואחיו, חוץ מאחד שבהם שהחייהו נחש העמוני, והוא החסד שאמר דוד (שמואל-ב יב): כאשר עשה אביו עמדי חסד, כדאיתא במדרש רבי תנחומא:
And they remained with him all the time that Dovid was in the fortress. Near Moav, and when Dovid left from there to the forest of Cheres, the king of Moav killed his father, mother, and brothers, except for one of them, whom Nochosh the Ammonite raised.1Bamidbar Rabbah 14:1. This is the kindness which Dovid [referred to when he] said, "as his father did kindness with me,"2II Shmuel 10:2. as it is stated in the Midrash of R. Tanchuma.