Save "Shmuel Bet

David Struggles with the House of Shaul
"
Shmuel Bet David Struggles with the House of Shaul

(כג) שָׁא֣וּל וִיהוֹנָתָ֗ן הַנֶּאֱהָבִ֤ים וְהַנְּעִימִם֙ בְּחַיֵּיהֶ֔ם וּבְמוֹתָ֖ם לֹ֣א נִפְרָ֑דוּ מִנְּשָׁרִ֣ים קַ֔לּוּ מֵאֲרָי֖וֹת גָּבֵֽרוּ׃ (כד) בְּנוֹת֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶל־שָׁא֖וּל בְּכֶ֑ינָה הַמַּלְבִּֽשְׁכֶ֤ם שָׁנִי֙ עִם־עֲדָנִ֔ים הַֽמַּעֲלֶה֙ עֲדִ֣י זָהָ֔ב עַ֖ל לְבוּשְׁכֶֽן׃ (כה) אֵ֚יךְ נָפְל֣וּ גִבֹּרִ֔ים בְּת֖וֹךְ הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן עַל־בָּמוֹתֶ֖יךָ חָלָֽל׃ (כו) צַר־לִ֣י עָלֶ֗יךָ אָחִי֙ יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן נָעַ֥מְתָּ לִּ֖י מְאֹ֑ד נִפְלְאַ֤תָה אַהֲבָֽתְךָ֙ לִ֔י מֵאַהֲבַ֖ת נָשִֽׁים׃ (כז) אֵ֚יךְ נָפְל֣וּ גִבּוֹרִ֔ים וַיֹּאבְד֖וּ כְּלֵ֥י מִלְחָמָֽה׃ (פ)

(23) Saul and Jonathan, Beloved and cherished, Never parted In life or in death! They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions! (24) Daughters of Israel, Weep over Saul, Who clothed you in crimson and finery, Who decked your robes with jewels of gold. (25) How have the mighty fallen In the thick of battle— Jonathan, slain on your heights! (26) I grieve for you, My brother Jonathan, You were most dear to me. Your love was wonderful to me More than the love of women. (27) How have the mighty fallen, The weapons of war perished!

Chapter 1 contains the famous eulogy of David for Shaul and Yonatan. David, of course is famous for his poetic abilities and Jewish tradition attributes the Book of Psalms to him. These verses are the conclusion of the eulogy. They contain phrases that we use today in other contexts (see the red-lettered verses).

Do you think verse 23 was accurate?

Chapter 2 Summary

The death of Shaul and three of his sons does not mean that David is accepted by all the Israelites as king. Right now, it is mostly just the tribe of Judah who considers David their king, and David sets himself up in Hevron as his capital. Avner, Shaul's general

People to watch- Avner ben Ner- Shaul's general

Ish-Boshet- Shaul's son. He was not killed in battle and he is proclaimed king by Avner.

Yoav ben Tzeruiah- David's general

Asahel ben Tzeruiah- Yoav's brother. He is killed by Avner.

Terms to know- גואל הדם Blood avenger. If someone is killed by another person, it was considered a sacred obligation to avenge the death, even if the death was accidental. The Torah in Dvarim 4:41-43 tries to limit this pre-biblical justice by setting up cities of refuge.