Tanach
Shmuel I 24 שמואל א כ״ד
Part of: Petuchah, I Samuel 24:17Setumah, I Samuel 23:19Setumah, I Samuel 24:2Setumah, I Samuel 24:3Setumah, I Samuel 24:9Setumah, I Samuel 24:10
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיַּעַל דָּוִד מִשָּׁם וַיֵּשֶׁב בִּמְצָדוֹת עֵֽין־גֶּֽדִי׃ {ס}
Dovid went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Ein Gedi.
Dovid went up from there and stayed in the strongholds of Ein Gedi.
וַיְהִי כַּֽאֲשֶׁר שָׁב שָׁאוּל מֵאַחֲרֵי פְּלִשְׁתִּים וַיַּגִּדוּ לוֹ לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד בְּמִדְבַּר עֵין גֶּֽדִי׃ {ס}
When Shaul returned from [pursuing] the Philistines, they told him, saying, "Behold, Dovid is in the wilderness of Ein Gedi."
When Shaul returned from [pursuing] the Philistines, they told him, saying, "Behold, Dovid is in the wilderness of Ein Gedi."
וַיִּקַּח שָׁאוּל שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים אִישׁ בָּחוּר מִכׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיֵּלֶךְ לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־דָּוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו עַל־פְּנֵי צוּרֵי הַיְּעֵלִֽים׃
Shaul took three thousand chosen men from all of Yisroel, and he went to search for Dovid and his men, across the rocky land of the wild goats.
Shaul took three thousand chosen men from all of Yisroel, and he went to search for Dovid and his men, across the rocky land of the wild goats.
Rashi
וַיָּבֹא אֶל־גִּדְרוֹת הַצֹּאן עַל־הַדֶּרֶךְ וְשָׁם מְעָרָה וַיָּבֹא שָׁאוּל לְהָסֵךְ אֶת־רַגְלָיו וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו בְּיַרְכְּתֵי הַמְּעָרָה יֹשְׁבִֽים׃
He came to the sheepfolds along the way, and there was a cave, which Shaul entered to relieve himself. Dovid and his men were sitting at the far end of the cave.
He came to the sheepfolds along the way, and there was a cave, which Shaul entered to relieve himself. Dovid and his men were sitting at the far end of the cave.
Rashi
להסך את רגליו. להפנות לנקבים גדולים:
To relieve himself. To defecate.1Maseches Yevamos 103a states that the term ‘לְהָסֵךְ אֶת דַגְלָיו’ is a euphamistic expression. Because of his extreme modesty, Shaul covered himself like a succah [Maseches Berachos 62b], with his clothing. The word לְהָסֵךְ originates from סִכוּדְ, which means covered.—Radak.
וַיֹּאמְרוּ אַנְשֵׁי דָוִד אֵלָיו הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם אֲֽשֶׁר־אָמַר יְהֹוָה אֵלֶיךָ הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי נֹתֵן אֶת־[אֹֽיִבְךָ] (איביך) בְּיָדֶךָ וְעָשִׂיתָ לּוֹ כַּאֲשֶׁר יִטַב בְּעֵינֶיךָ וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיִּכְרֹת אֶת־כְּנַֽף־הַמְּעִיל אֲשֶׁר־לְשָׁאוּל בַּלָּֽט׃
Dovid's men said to him, "Behold, this is the day of which Adonoy said to you, 'Behold, I am delivering your enemy into your hand, and you will do to him as you please.'" Dovid rose and cut off a corner of Shaul's robe—stealthily.
Dovid's men said to him, "Behold, this is the day of which Adonoy said to you, 'Behold, I am delivering your enemy into your hand, and you will do to him as you please.'" Dovid rose and cut off a corner of Shaul's robe—stealthily.
וַֽיְהִי אַֽחֲרֵי־כֵן וַיַּךְ לֵב־דָּוִד אֹתוֹ עַל אֲשֶׁר כָּרַת אֶת־כָּנָף אֲשֶׁר לְשָׁאֽוּל׃
Afterwards, however, Dovid's heart pounded within him for having cut off the corner of Shaul's [robe].
Afterwards, however, Dovid's heart pounded within him for having cut off the corner of Shaul's [robe].
Rashi
ויהי אחרי כן וגו':
Afterwards … etc.
וַיֹּאמֶר לַאֲנָשָׁיו חָלִילָה לִּי מֵיְהֹוָה אִם־אֶעֱשֶׂה אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה לַֽאדֹנִי לִמְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָה לִשְׁלֹחַ יָדִי בּוֹ כִּֽי־מְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָה הֽוּא׃
He said to his men, "Adonoy forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the anointed of Adonoy, to send forth my hand against him, for he is the anointed of Adonoy."
He said to his men, "Adonoy forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the anointed of Adonoy, to send forth my hand against him, for he is the anointed of Adonoy."
Rashi
ויאמר לאנשיו חלילה. שני מקראות הללו כתובין שלא כסדרן, אלא כיון שהתחיל לדבר בכריתת המעיל, כלה כל דבריו, ואמר שאף בכריתת המעיל נתחרט, ואחר כך חוזר לדברו הראשון, ואומר ; על שאמרו לו אנשיו הנה היום וגו', השיב להם, חלילה לי וגו':
He said to his men, "[Adonoy] forbid." These two verses are not written in sequence;2According to Radak, these verses are written in chronological sequence, and this conversation took place after Dovid returned to his men with the cut piece of Shaul’s robe. but since he began to speak regarding the cutting of the robe, he finished everything concerning it, and he said that he even regretted cutting the robe. Afterwards, he returns to the first subject, and says that regarding his men's comments, "Behold, concerning this day, etc." He replied to them, 'May Adonoy forbid that, etc.'
וַיְשַׁסַּע דָּוִד אֶת־אֲנָשָׁיו בַּדְּבָרִים וְלֹא נְתָנָם לָקוּם אֶל־שָׁאוּל וְשָׁאוּל קָם מֵהַמְּעָרָה וַיֵּלֶךְ בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃ {ס}
Dovid pacified his men with words, and did not allow them to attack Shaul; Shaul rose from the cave and went on the way.
Dovid pacified his men with words, and did not allow them to attack Shaul; Shaul rose from the cave and went on the way.
Rashi
וישסע. הבדיל ודחה אותם בדברים:
Dovid pacified. He separated and held them off with these words.3The literal meaning of וַיְשַׁסַּע is ‘he divided or split’ as in Shoftim 14:6. By being tactful in speaking to his men, Dovid divided their unanimous opinion of wanting to attack Shaul.—Metzudos
וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד אַחֲרֵי־כֵן וַיֵּצֵא (מן המערה) [מֵֽהַמְּעָרָה] וַיִּקְרָא אַחֲרֵי־שָׁאוּל לֵאמֹר אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ וַיַּבֵּט שָׁאוּל אַחֲרָיו וַיִּקֹּד דָּוִד אַפַּיִם אַרְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃ {ס}
After that, Dovid rose and went out of the cave, and he called after Shaul, saying, "My master, the king." Shaul looked behind him, and Dovid bowed with his face to the ground, and prostrated himself.
After that, Dovid rose and went out of the cave, and he called after Shaul, saying, "My master, the king." Shaul looked behind him, and Dovid bowed with his face to the ground, and prostrated himself.
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל לָמָּה תִשְׁמַע אֶת־דִּבְרֵי אָדָם לֵאמֹר הִנֵּה דָוִד מְבַקֵּשׁ רָעָתֶֽךָ׃
Dovid said to Shaul, "Why do you listen to the words of someone who says, 'Behold, Dovid seeks to harm you'?
Dovid said to Shaul, "Why do you listen to the words of someone who says, 'Behold, Dovid seeks to harm you'?
Rashi
למה תשמע. למה תקבל עלי לשון הרע של דואג:
Why do you listen. Why do you accept Do'eg's slander concerning me?4Rashi states that Dovid was alluding to Do’eg because Dovid said ‘why do you listen to the man [אָדָם]’, in the singular, referring to one individual person.
הִנֵּה הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה רָאוּ עֵינֶיךָ אֵת אֲשֶׁר־נְתָנְךָ יְהֹוָה ׀ הַיּוֹם ׀ בְּיָדִי בַּמְּעָרָה וְאָמַר לַהֲרָגְךָ וַתָּחׇס עָלֶיךָ וָאֹמַר לֹֽא־אֶשְׁלַח יָדִי בַּאדֹנִי כִּֽי־מְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָה הֽוּא׃
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how Adonoy has given you today into my hand, in the cave; someone said to kill you, but I had mercy on you, and I said, 'I shall not send forth my hand against my master, for he is the anointed of Adonoy.'
Behold, this day your eyes have seen how Adonoy has given you today into my hand, in the cave; someone said to kill you, but I had mercy on you, and I said, 'I shall not send forth my hand against my master, for he is the anointed of Adonoy.'
Rashi
ואמר להרגך ותחס עליך. הרי כאן חסרים שתי תיבות, ואמר האומר שאהרגך, ותחס נפשי עליך, כמו (שמואל-ב יג לט): ותכל דוד לצאת אל אבשלום, ותכל נפש דוד:
Someone said to kill you, but I had mercy on you. There are two words missing here, "and one who spoke [הָאוֹמֵר] said that I should kill you, but my soul [נַפְשִׁי] had pity on you, similar to "and King Dovid longed to go forth to Avshalom,"5II Shmuel 13:39. [meaning,] and Dovid's soul [נֶפֶשׁ] longed.
וְאָבִי רְאֵה גַּם רְאֵה אֶת־כְּנַף מְעִֽילְךָ בְּיָדִי כִּי בְּכׇרְתִי אֶת־כְּנַף מְעִֽילְךָ וְלֹא הֲרַגְתִּיךָ דַּע וּרְאֵה כִּי אֵין בְּיָדִי רָעָה וָפֶשַׁע וְלֹא־חָטָאתִי לָךְ וְאַתָּה צֹדֶה אֶת־נַפְשִׁי לְקַחְתָּֽהּ׃
My father, indeed, see the corner of your robe that is in my hand; by my cutting off the corner of your robe but not killing you, you should know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and that I have not sinned against you, yet you hunt my soul to take it.
My father, indeed, see the corner of your robe that is in my hand; by my cutting off the corner of your robe but not killing you, you should know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and that I have not sinned against you, yet you hunt my soul to take it.
Rashi
ואבי ראה. כלומר תן לבך על הדבר, וגם ראה העדות, אשר כנף מעילך בידי, והייתי יכול להרגך:
My father, indeed see. Meaning, pay attention to the matter, and also see the evidence, for the corner of your robe is in my hand, and I could have killed you.6As easily as having cut off the corner of your robe.
יִשְׁפֹּט יְהֹוָה בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וּנְקָמַנִי יְהֹוָה מִמֶּךָּ וְיָדִי לֹא תִֽהְיֶה־בָּֽךְ׃
May Adonoy judge between me and you, and may Adonoy avenge me from you; but my hand will not act against you.
May Adonoy judge between me and you, and may Adonoy avenge me from you; but my hand will not act against you.
כַּאֲשֶׁר יֹאמַר מְשַׁל הַקַּדְמֹנִי מֵרְשָׁעִים יֵצֵא רֶשַׁע וְיָדִי לֹא תִֽהְיֶה־בָּֽךְ׃
As the ancient proverb says, 'From the wicked comes wickedness,' but my hand will not act against you.
As the ancient proverb says, 'From the wicked comes wickedness,' but my hand will not act against you.
Rashi
כאשר יאמר משל הקדמוני. משל קדמונו של עולם, התורה, שהיא משלו של הקב"ה:
As the ancient proverb says. The proverb of the Ancient One of the world7It may also mean ‘old proverb’ or it may refer to a ‘Kadmonite proverb,’ a nation mentioned in Bereishis 15:19. [referring to] the Torah, which is the proverb of the Holy One, Blessed is He.8And accordingly הַקַּדְמֹנִי means ‘The Ancient One’ referring to ה׳ Himself.
מרשעים יצא רשע. הקב"ה מזמן לרשע, שנופל ביד רשע כיוצא בו, והיכן אמרה תורה (שמות כא יג): והאלהים אנה לידו כדאיתא במסכת מכות (י ב):
From the wicked comes wickedness.9So let it not come from me even if you deserve it.—Radak. The Holy One, Blessed is He, destines the wicked to fall into the hand of the wicked like himself. And where did the Torah say this, "And God destined it into his hand,"10Shemos 21:13. as it is stated in Maseches Makos.11
אַחֲרֵי מִי יָצָא מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵי מִי אַתָּה רֹדֵף אַֽחֲרֵי כֶּלֶב מֵת אַחֲרֵי פַּרְעֹשׁ אֶחָֽד׃
After whom has the king of Yisroel gone out? Whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog? After a single flea?
After whom has the king of Yisroel gone out? Whom are you pursuing? After a dead dog? After a single flea?
וְהָיָה יְהֹוָה לְדַיָּן וְשָׁפַט בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ וְיֵרֶא וְיָרֵב אֶת־רִיבִי וְיִשְׁפְּטֵנִי מִיָּדֶֽךָ׃ {פ}
May Adonoy be judge, and let Him judge between me and you; let Him see and plead my cause, and exact my justice from your hand."
May Adonoy be judge, and let Him judge between me and you; let Him see and plead my cause, and exact my justice from your hand."
וַיְהִי ׀ כְּכַלּוֹת דָּוִד לְדַבֵּר אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֶל־שָׁאוּל וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל הֲקֹלְךָ זֶה בְּנִי דָוִד וַיִּשָּׂא שָׁאוּל קֹלוֹ וַיֵּֽבְךְּ׃
When Dovid finished speaking these words to Shaul, Shaul said, "Is that your voice, my son Dovid?" Then Shaul raised his voice and wept.
When Dovid finished speaking these words to Shaul, Shaul said, "Is that your voice, my son Dovid?" Then Shaul raised his voice and wept.
וַיֹּאמֶר אֶל־דָּוִד צַדִּיק אַתָּה מִמֶּנִּי כִּי אַתָּה גְּמַלְתַּנִי הַטּוֹבָה וַאֲנִי גְּמַלְתִּיךָ הָרָעָֽה׃
He said to Dovid, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me with goodness while I have repaid you with wickedness.
He said to Dovid, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me with goodness while I have repaid you with wickedness.
(ואת) [וְאַתָּה] הִגַּדְתָּ הַיּוֹם אֵת אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂיתָה אִתִּי טוֹבָה אֵת אֲשֶׁר סִגְּרַנִי יְהֹוָה בְּיָדְךָ וְלֹא הֲרַגְתָּֽנִי׃
You have related today that you have done with me—the good, for Adonoy handed me over into your hand, yet you did not kill me.
You have related today that you have done with me—the good, for Adonoy handed me over into your hand, yet you did not kill me.
וְכִֽי־יִמְצָא אִישׁ אֶת־אֹיְבוֹ וְשִׁלְּחוֹ בְּדֶרֶךְ טוֹבָה וַֽיהֹוָה יְשַׁלֶּמְךָ טוֹבָה תַּחַת הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָה לִֽי׃
If a man finds his enemy does he then send him off on a good way? May Adonoy repay you well for what you have done for me this day.
If a man finds his enemy does he then send him off on a good way? May Adonoy repay you well for what you have done for me this day.
וְעַתָּה הִנֵּה יָדַעְתִּי כִּי מָלֹךְ תִּמְלוֹךְ וְקָמָה בְּיָדְךָ מַמְלֶכֶת יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Now, behold, I know that you will surely reign, and it will be established in your hand—the kingship over Yisroel.
Now, behold, I know that you will surely reign, and it will be established in your hand—the kingship over Yisroel.
Rashi
ידעתי כי מלוך תמלוך. שרואה אני שהקב"ה מצילך מידי ומדרש אגדה (ילקוט שמעוני רמז קלד): סימן זה מסר לו שמואל, שהקורע מעילו, ימלוך תחתיו:
I know that you will surely reign. For I see that the Holy One, Blessed is He, saves you from my hand. The Midrash Aggadah states, that Shmuel gave him this sign, that the one who tears his robe will reign after him.12See above 15:27–28.
וְעַתָּה הִשָּׁבְעָה לִּי בַּֽיהֹוָה אִם־תַּכְרִית אֶת־זַרְעִי אַחֲרָי וְאִם־תַּשְׁמִיד אֶת־שְׁמִי מִבֵּית אָבִֽי׃
Now, swear to me by Adonoy that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house."
Now, swear to me by Adonoy that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father's house."
וַיִּשָּׁבַע דָּוִד לְשָׁאוּל וַיֵּלֶךְ שָׁאוּל אֶל־בֵּיתוֹ וְדָוִד וַאֲנָשָׁיו עָלוּ עַל־הַמְּצוּדָֽה׃ {ס}
Dovid swore to Shaul. Shaul went to his house and Dovid and his men went up to the stronghold.
Dovid swore to Shaul. Shaul went to his house and Dovid and his men went up to the stronghold.
צורי היעלים. סלעי היעלים:
The rocky land of the wild goats. The rocks of the wild goats.