Tanach
Shmuel I 26 שמואל א כ״ו
Part of: Petuchah, I Samuel 26:10Petuchah, I Samuel 26:15Petuchah, I Samuel 26:25Setumah, I Samuel 25:44Setumah, I Samuel 26:8
Reading: Hebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlyHebrew · Simple EnglishHebrew · Faithful translationHebrew onlySimple English onlyFaithful translation onlySide by sideRashi
וַיָּבֹאוּ הַזִּפִים אֶל־שָׁאוּל הַגִּבְעָתָה לֵאמֹר הֲלוֹא דָוִד מִסְתַּתֵּר בְּגִבְעַת הַחֲכִילָה עַל פְּנֵי הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃
The Ziphites came to Shaul to Givah, saying, "Is not Dovid hiding himself in Givas Chachiloh, which faces Yeshimon?"
The Ziphites came to Shaul to Givah, saying, "Is not Dovid hiding himself in Givas Chachiloh, which faces Yeshimon?"
וַיָּקׇם שָׁאוּל וַיֵּרֶד אֶל־מִדְבַּר־זִיף וְאִתּוֹ שְׁלֹשֶׁת־אֲלָפִים אִישׁ בְּחוּרֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־דָּוִד בְּמִדְבַּר־זִֽיף׃
Shaul rose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, with him were three thousand chosen men of Yisroel, to search for Dovid in the wilderness of Ziph.
Shaul rose and went down to the wilderness of Ziph, with him were three thousand chosen men of Yisroel, to search for Dovid in the wilderness of Ziph.
וַיִּחַן שָׁאוּל בְּגִבְעַת הַחֲכִילָה אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי הַיְשִׁימֹן עַל־הַדָּרֶךְ וְדָוִד יֹשֵׁב בַּמִּדְבָּר וַיַּרְא כִּי בָא שָׁאוּל אַחֲרָיו הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃
Shaul camped at Givas Chachiloh, which faces Yeshimon, by the road. Dovid was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Shaul had come after him, to the wilderness.
Shaul camped at Givas Chachiloh, which faces Yeshimon, by the road. Dovid was staying in the wilderness, and he saw that Shaul had come after him, to the wilderness.
וַיִּשְׁלַח דָּוִד מְרַגְּלִים וַיֵּדַע כִּי־בָא שָׁאוּל אֶל־נָכֽוֹן׃
Dovid sent out scouts and he knew that Shaul had definitely come.
Dovid sent out scouts and he knew that Shaul had definitely come.
וַיָּקׇם דָּוִד וַיָּבֹא אֶֽל־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר חָנָה־שָׁם שָׁאוּל וַיַּרְא דָּוִד אֶת־הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר שָׁכַב־שָׁם שָׁאוּל וְאַבְנֵר בֶּן־נֵר שַׂר־צְבָאוֹ וְשָׁאוּל שֹׁכֵב בַּמַּעְגָּל וְהָעָם חֹנִים סְבִיבֹתָֽו׃
Dovid rose and came to the place where Shaul was camped. Dovid saw the place where they lay—Shaul and Avneir the son of Neir, the commander of his army; Shaul lay within the circle, and the people were camped around him.
Dovid rose and came to the place where Shaul was camped. Dovid saw the place where they lay—Shaul and Avneir the son of Neir, the commander of his army; Shaul lay within the circle, and the people were camped around him.
וַיַּעַן דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר ׀ אֶל־אֲחִימֶלֶךְ הַחִתִּי וְאֶל־אֲבִישַׁי בֶּן־צְרוּיָה אֲחִי יוֹאָב לֵאמֹר מִֽי־יֵרֵד אִתִּי אֶל־שָׁאוּל אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶה וַיֹּאמֶר אֲבִישַׁי אֲנִי אֵרֵד עִמָּֽךְ׃
Dovid spoke and said to Achimelech the Chiti and Avishai son of Tzeruyoh, Yo'av's brother, saying, "Who will go down with me to Shaul, to the camp?" And Avishai said, "I will go down with you."
Dovid spoke and said to Achimelech the Chiti and Avishai son of Tzeruyoh, Yo'av's brother, saying, "Who will go down with me to Shaul, to the camp?" And Avishai said, "I will go down with you."
וַיָּבֹא דָוִד וַאֲבִישַׁי ׀ אֶל־הָעָם לַיְלָה וְהִנֵּה שָׁאוּל שֹׁכֵב יָשֵׁן בַּמַּעְגָּל וַחֲנִיתוֹ מְעוּכָֽה־בָאָרֶץ מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָו וְאַבְנֵר וְהָעָם שֹׁכְבִים סְבִיבֹתָֽו׃ {ס}
So Dovid and Avishai came to the people at night, and behold, Shaul lay sleeping in the circle, his spear stuck into the ground at his head, and Avneir and the people lay around him.
So Dovid and Avishai came to the people at night, and behold, Shaul lay sleeping in the circle, his spear stuck into the ground at his head, and Avneir and the people lay around him.
Rashi
וַיֹּאמֶר אֲבִישַׁי אֶל־דָּוִד סִגַּר אֱלֹהִים הַיּוֹם אֶת־אוֹיִבְךָ בְּיָדֶךָ וְעַתָּה אַכֶּנּוּ נָא בַּחֲנִית וּבָאָרֶץ פַּעַם אַחַת וְלֹא אֶשְׁנֶה לֽוֹ׃
Avishai said to Dovid, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now, let me strike him with the spear to the ground with a single thrust, I will not need a second time."
Avishai said to Dovid, "God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now, let me strike him with the spear to the ground with a single thrust, I will not need a second time."
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־אֲבִישַׁי אַל־תַּשְׁחִיתֵהוּ כִּי מִי שָׁלַח יָדוֹ בִּמְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָה וְנִקָּֽה׃ {פ}
But Dovid said to Avishai, "Do not kill him, for who can send forth his hand against the anointed one of Adonoy and be free of guilt?"
But Dovid said to Avishai, "Do not kill him, for who can send forth his hand against the anointed one of Adonoy and be free of guilt?"
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד חַי־יְהֹוָה כִּי אִם־יְהֹוָה יִגֳּפֶנּוּ אֽוֹ־יוֹמוֹ יָבוֹא וָמֵת אוֹ בַמִּלְחָמָה יֵרֵד וְנִסְפָּֽה׃
Dovid said, "As Adonoy lives, Adonoy will strike him, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and perish.
Dovid said, "As Adonoy lives, Adonoy will strike him, or his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and perish.
Rashi
חי ה'. יש אומרים, ליצרו נשבע, ויש אומרים, לאבישי נשבע, אם תהרוג את הצדיק, אני אערב דמך בדמו:
As Adonoy lives. Some say that he swore to his temptation;1 The use of swearing to ward off temptation is done by many Tzadikim. For example, Avrohom swore [Bereishis 14:22-23] that he will not take the spoils of victory after defeating the four kings. It was Dovid’s inclination to kill Shaul for trying to kill him. He therefore swore that he will not kill Shaul.—See Midrash Tanchuma Beha’aloscha 10. others say that he swore to Avishai, that if you kill this righteous man [Shaul], I shall mingle your blood with his blood.
כי אם ה' יגפנו. יקרב מיתתו:
Adonoy will strike him. Will bring his death prematurely.2Like Novol.—Radak.
או יומו יבא. יום שזמן מיתתו בו:
Or his day will come. The day in which he is destined to die.3Is in the very near future.—Radak.
חָלִילָה לִּי מֵיְהֹוָה מִשְּׁלֹחַ יָדִי בִּמְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָה וְעַתָּה קַח־נָא אֶֽת־הַחֲנִית אֲשֶׁר מְרַאֲשֹׁתָו וְאֶת־צַפַּחַת הַמַּיִם וְנֵלְכָה־לָּֽנוּ׃
Adonoy forbid me from sending forth my hand against Adonoy's anointed. Now, please take the spear that is near his head and the flask of water, and let us go."
Adonoy forbid me from sending forth my hand against Adonoy's anointed. Now, please take the spear that is near his head and the flask of water, and let us go."
Rashi
צפחת. צלוחית:
Flask. Jug.
וַיִּקַּח דָּוִד אֶֽת־הַחֲנִית וְאֶת־צַפַּחַת הַמַּיִם מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵי שָׁאוּל וַיֵּלְכוּ לָהֶם וְאֵין רֹאֶה וְאֵין יוֹדֵעַ וְאֵין מֵקִיץ כִּי כֻלָּם יְשֵׁנִים כִּי תַּרְדֵּמַת יְהֹוָה נָפְלָה עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
Dovid took the spear and the flask of water from next to Shaul's head and they left without anyone seeing and without anyone knowing and without anyone waking up; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Adonoy had fallen upon them.
Dovid took the spear and the flask of water from next to Shaul's head and they left without anyone seeing and without anyone knowing and without anyone waking up; for they were all asleep, because a deep sleep from Adonoy had fallen upon them.
וַיַּעֲבֹר דָּוִד הָעֵבֶר וַיַּעֲמֹד עַל־רֹאשׁ־הָהָר מֵרָחֹק רַב הַמָּקוֹם בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃
Dovid then crossed to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain at a distance. There was considerable distance between them.
Dovid then crossed to the other side and stood on the top of the mountain at a distance. There was considerable distance between them.
וַיִּקְרָא דָוִד אֶל־הָעָם וְאֶל־אַבְנֵר בֶּן־נֵר לֵאמֹר הֲלוֹא תַעֲנֶה אַבְנֵר וַיַּעַן אַבְנֵר וַיֹּאמֶר מִי אַתָּה קָרָאתָ אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ {פ}
Dovid called out to the people and to Avneir son of Neir, saying, "Will you not answer, Avneir?" Avneir answered and said, "Who are you to call out to the king?"
Dovid called out to the people and to Avneir son of Neir, saying, "Will you not answer, Avneir?" Avneir answered and said, "Who are you to call out to the king?"
וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל־אַבְנֵר הֲלוֹא־אִישׁ אַתָּה וּמִי כָמוֹךָ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל וְלָמָּה לֹא שָׁמַרְתָּ אֶל־אֲדֹנֶיךָ הַמֶּלֶךְ כִּי־בָא אַחַד הָעָם לְהַשְׁחִית אֶת־הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲדֹנֶֽיךָ׃
Dovid said to Avneir, "Are you not a [great] man? Who is your equal in Yisroel? Why then have you not guarded your master, the king? For someone from among the people came to assassinate the king, your master.
Dovid said to Avneir, "Are you not a [great] man? Who is your equal in Yisroel? Why then have you not guarded your master, the king? For someone from among the people came to assassinate the king, your master.
לֹא־טוֹב הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה אֲשֶׁר עָשִׂיתָ חַי־יְהֹוָה כִּי בְנֵֽי־מָוֶת אַתֶּם אֲשֶׁר לֹֽא־שְׁמַרְתֶּם עַל־אֲדֹנֵיכֶם עַל־מְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָה וְעַתָּה ׀ רְאֵה אֵֽי־חֲנִית הַמֶּלֶךְ וְאֶת־צַפַּחַת הַמַּיִם אֲשֶׁר מְרַאֲשֹׁתָֽו׃
This deed which is not proper—that you have done. As Adonoy lives, you are deserving of death for not having watched over your master, over the anointed one of Adonoy. Now, look where the king's spear is and the flask of water that was near his head?"
This deed which is not proper—that you have done. As Adonoy lives, you are deserving of death for not having watched over your master, over the anointed one of Adonoy. Now, look where the king's spear is and the flask of water that was near his head?"
וַיַּכֵּר שָׁאוּל אֶת־קוֹל דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר הֲקֽוֹלְךָ זֶה בְּנִי דָוִד וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד קוֹלִי אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
Shaul recognized Dovid's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son Dovid?" Dovid replied, "It is my voice, my master, the king."
Shaul recognized Dovid's voice and said, "Is that your voice, my son Dovid?" Dovid replied, "It is my voice, my master, the king."
וַיֹּאמֶר לָמָּה זֶּה אֲדֹנִי רֹדֵף אַחֲרֵי עַבְדּוֹ כִּי מֶה עָשִׂיתִי וּמַה־בְּיָדִי רָעָֽה׃
And he said, "Why is it that my master pursues his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand?
And he said, "Why is it that my master pursues his servant? For what have I done? What evil is in my hand?
וְעַתָּה יִֽשְׁמַֽע־נָא אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ אֵת דִּבְרֵי עַבְדּוֹ אִם־יְהֹוָה הֱסִֽיתְךָ בִי יָרַח מִנְחָה וְאִם ׀ בְּנֵי הָאָדָם אֲרוּרִים הֵם לִפְנֵי יְהֹוָה כִּֽי־גֵרְשׁוּנִי הַיּוֹם מֵהִסְתַּפֵּחַ בְּנַחֲלַת יְהֹוָה לֵאמֹר לֵךְ עֲבֹד אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִֽים׃
And now, let my master the king, hear the words of his servant. If it is Adonoy Who has incited you against me, let my offering be pleasing to him; but if it be men, let them be cursed before Adonoy, for they have driven me away this day from being joined to the inheritance of Adonoy, saying, 'Go serve other gods.'
And now, let my master the king, hear the words of his servant. If it is Adonoy Who has incited you against me, let my offering be pleasing to him; but if it be men, let them be cursed before Adonoy, for they have driven me away this day from being joined to the inheritance of Adonoy, saying, 'Go serve other gods.'
Rashi
הסיתך בי. לשנאתי, כל הסתה לשון שומה, אמיטמינ"ט בלע"ז:
Who has incited you against me. To hate me. Every expression of הֲסָתָה means setting;4See Devarim 13:7, where Rashi states ‘הַסָּתָה always denotes inciting.’ametement in O.F.
ירח מנחה. יקבל ברחמים תפלתי, להשיב חמתך ממני:
Let my offering be pleasing to Him. He will accept with mercy my prayer to turn your anger away from me.
כי גרשוני. מארץ ישראל:
For they have driven me away. From Eretz Yisroel.
לך עבוד אלוהים אחרים. היוצא מארץ ישראל לחוץ לארץ בזמן הבית, כאלו עובד עבודה זרה ויונתן תרגם: איזיל דוד ביני עממיא פלחי טעותא:
Go serve other gods. Whoever goes out of Eretz Yisroel to other lands during the time of the Temple is considered as though he worshipped idols.5See Maseches Kesubos 110b. Targum Yonoson renders, 'Go, Dovid, among nations who worship idols.'6Or the reference to idol worship means that by causing Dovid to flee from his enemies made him abandon his Torah study thereby moving him closer to idolatry.
וְעַתָּה אַל־יִפֹּל דָּמִי אַרְצָה מִנֶּגֶד פְּנֵי יְהֹוָה כִּֽי־יָצָא מֶלֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵל לְבַקֵּשׁ אֶת־פַּרְעֹשׁ אֶחָד כַּאֲשֶׁר יִרְדֹּף הַקֹּרֵא בֶּהָרִֽים׃
Now, let my blood not fall to the earth, away from the presence of Adonoy's attention, for the king of Yisroel has come out to seek a single flea, as one hunting a partridge in the mountains."
Now, let my blood not fall to the earth, away from the presence of Adonoy's attention, for the king of Yisroel has come out to seek a single flea, as one hunting a partridge in the mountains."
Rashi
הקורא. עוף ששמו קורא, ובלע"ז פרדי"ץ, וכן (ירמיהו יז יא): קורא דגר ולא ילד, ומרדף אחר קני שאר עופות, ויושב על בציהם:
As the partridge. A bird named קוֹרֵא, and in O.F. perdriz; and similarly, "as the partridge calls together [offspring] it did not bear"7Yirmiyahu 17:11. and it seeks the nests of other birds, and sits on their eggs.8Maseches Chulin 140b. Dovid compared Shaul’s fate to that of the partridge. Just as the partridge seeks the nests of other birds but the young return to their natural mother and the partridge is unable to keep them, so too, Shaul who chased after Dovid will be unable to keep his kingship.
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל חָטָאתִי שׁוּב בְּנִֽי־דָוִד כִּי לֹֽא־אָרַע לְךָ עוֹד תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר יָקְרָה נַפְשִׁי בְּעֵינֶיךָ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה הִנֵּה הִסְכַּלְתִּי וָאֶשְׁגֶּה הַרְבֵּה מְאֹֽד׃
Shaul said, "I have sinned. Come back, my son Dovid, for I will no longer harm you, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have been foolish and have very greatly erred."
Shaul said, "I have sinned. Come back, my son Dovid, for I will no longer harm you, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have been foolish and have very greatly erred."
וַיַּעַן דָּוִד וַיֹּאמֶר הִנֵּה (החנית) [חֲנִית] הַמֶּלֶךְ וְיַעֲבֹר אֶחָד מֵהַנְּעָרִים וְיִקָּחֶֽהָ׃
Dovid then spoke up and said, "Here is the spear of the king, let one of the youths cross over and take it.
Dovid then spoke up and said, "Here is the spear of the king, let one of the youths cross over and take it.
וַֽיהֹוָה יָשִׁיב לָאִישׁ אֶת־צִדְקָתוֹ וְאֶת־אֱמֻנָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר נְתָנְךָ יְהֹוָה ׀ הַיּוֹם בְּיָד וְלֹא אָבִיתִי לִשְׁלֹחַ יָדִי בִּמְשִׁיחַ יְהֹוָֽה׃
May Adonoy reward each man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for Adonoy has delivered you today into [my] hand, but I did not desire to send forth my hand against the anointed one of Adonoy.
May Adonoy reward each man his righteousness and his faithfulness; for Adonoy has delivered you today into [my] hand, but I did not desire to send forth my hand against the anointed one of Adonoy.
Rashi
ישיב לאיש. לכל צדיק וצדיק:
Each man. To each righteous man.9 Who does as I have done.—Radak. Dovid was hinting to ה׳ that just as Shaul’s life was precious in his eyes, so too may his life be precious in the eyes of ה׳.
וְהִנֵּה כַּאֲשֶׁר גָּדְלָה נַפְשְׁךָ הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה בְּעֵינָי כֵּן תִּגְדַּל נַפְשִׁי בְּעֵינֵי יְהֹוָה וְיַצִּלֵנִי מִכׇּל־צָרָֽה׃ {פ}
Behold, just as your life was precious to me today in my eyes, so may my life be precious in the eyes of Adonoy, and may He save me from all misfortune."
Behold, just as your life was precious to me today in my eyes, so may my life be precious in the eyes of Adonoy, and may He save me from all misfortune."
וַיֹּאמֶר שָׁאוּל אֶל־דָּוִד בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה בְּנִי דָוִד גַּם עָשֹׂה תַעֲשֶׂה וְגַם יָכֹל תּוּכָל וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד לְדַרְכּוֹ וְשָׁאוּל שָׁב לִמְקוֹמֽוֹ׃ {פ}
Shaul said to Dovid, "Blessed are you, my son Dovid. May you accomplish much and may you surely prevail." Then Dovid went on his way and Shaul returned to his place.
Shaul said to Dovid, "Blessed are you, my son Dovid. May you accomplish much and may you surely prevail." Then Dovid went on his way and Shaul returned to his place.
מעוכה. נעוצה:
Stuck. Thrust.