Chapter 14

1And it came to pass one day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said to the youth who bore his weapons, "Come, and let us cross to the garrison of the Philistines which is on the other side yonder." But he did not tell his father.   אוַיְהִ֣י הַיּ֗וֹם וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יוֹנָתָ֚ן בֶּן־שָׁאוּ֙ל אֶל־הַנַּ֙עַר֙ נֹשֵֹ֣א כֵלָ֔יו לְכָ֗ה וְנַעְבְּרָה֙ אֶל־מַצַּ֣ב פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר מֵעֵ֣בֶר הַלָּ֑ז וּלְאָבִ֖יו לֹ֥א הִגִּֽיד:
on the other side yonder. (Heb. ‘ha-laz.’) Every ‘ha’laz’ and ‘lazeh’ in the Scriptures is not an expression of ‘ha-zeh’ (this), but it is something which is opposite the speaker, and he points it out with his finger. It is not an expression of ‘cet,’ (this), but of ‘celle’ (that) in French.   מעבר הלז.  כל 'הלז' ו'לזה' שבמקרא, אינו לשון הזה, אלא לשון דבר שכנגדו, והוא מראהו באצבע, ובלע"ז אינו לשון ציש"ט בלע"ז, אלא ציי"ל בלע"ז:
on the other side yonder. of the valley between the two mountains.   מעבר הלז.  גי שני ההרים:
2Now Saul was staying in the outskirts of Gibeah, under the pomegranate tree which was in Migron, and the people who were with him, were about six hundred men.   בוְשָׁא֗וּל יוֹשֵׁב֙ בִּקְצֵ֣ה הַגִּבְעָ֔ה תַּ֥חַת הָרִמּ֖וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּמִגְר֑וֹן וְהָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עִמּ֔וֹ כְּשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת אִֽישׁ:
in the outskirts of Gibeah. (Heb. ‘bik’zeh’) at the edge of Gibeah.   בקצה הגבעה.  בסוף הגבעה:
3And Ahiah, the son of Ahitub, the brother of Ichabod, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the priest of the Lord in Shiloh, wearing an ephod; and the people did not know that Jonathan had gone.   גוַאֲחִיָּ֣ה בֶן־אֲחִט֡וּב אֲחִ֡י אִיכָב֣וֹד | בֶּן־פִּינְחָ֨ס בֶּן־עֵלִ֜י כֹּהֵ֧ן | יְהֹוָ֛ה בְּשִׁלֹ֖ה נֹשֵֹ֣א אֵפ֑וֹד וְהָעָם֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּ֥י הָלַ֖ךְ יוֹנָתָֽן:
wearing an ephod. (This includes the ‘hoshen’ with the) urim and tummim.   נשא אפוד.  אורים ותומים:
4And between the sides which Jonathan sought to cross to the garrison of the Philistines, there was a rocky crag from this side, and a rocky crag from this side; the name of one being Bozez, and the name of the other being Seneh.   דוּבֵ֣ין הַֽמַּעְבְּר֗וֹת אֲשֶׁ֨ר בִּקֵּ֚שׁ יֽוֹנָתָן֙ לַֽעֲבֹר֙ עַל־מַצַּ֣ב פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים שֵׁן־הַסֶּ֚לַע מֵהָעֵ֙בֶר֙ מִזֶּ֔ה וְשֵׁן־הַסֶּ֥לַע מֵהָעֵ֖בֶר מִזֶּ֑ה וְשֵׁ֚ם הָֽאֶחָד֙ בּוֹצֵ֔ץ וְשֵׁ֥ם הָאֶחָ֖ד סֶֽנֶּה:
And between the sides which Jonathan sought to cross. (Thus was the layout of the terrain, lit.) Thus it was made. There was a rocky crag from this side of ‘between the sides,’ and there was a rocky crag from the other side of ‘between the sides.’ The valley is called ‘between the sides,’ and it had a stone from here and a stone from here, one on this side and one on the other side, and the valley was between the two sides. It was that valley that Jonathan sought to cross.   ובין המעברות אשר בקש יונתן לעבור.  כן היה עשוי, שן הסלע היה מהעבר מזה לבין המעברות מזה, ושן הסלע לבין המעברות מזה הגיא הוא קרוי בין המעברות, והיה לו סלע מכאן, וסלע מכאן, זה בעברו מזה, וזה בעברו מזה, והגיא בין שני העברים, אותו הגיא בקש יונתן לעבור:
the name of one. The name of one crag was Bozez and the name of the second was Seneh.   שן הסלע.  שם שן האחד 'בוצץ', ושם השני 'סנה':
5One crag was situated from the north, opposite Michmash, and one opposite Geba.   ההַשֵּׁ֧ן הָאֶחָ֛ד מָצ֥וּק מִצָּפ֖וֹן מ֣וּל מִכְמָ֑שׁ וְהָאֶחָ֥ד מִנֶּ֖גֶב מ֥וּל גָּֽבַע:
was situated from the north. slanting from the north side toward Michmash.   מצוק מצפון.  משופע ועולה מצד צפון אל מכמש:
opposite Geba. whence Jonathan emerged.   מול גבע.  שממנה יצא יהונתן:
6And Jonathan said to the youth, who bore his weapons, "Come, and let us go to the garrison of these uncircumcised; perhaps the Lord will act on our behalf, for with the Lord there is no limitation to save with many or with few."   ווַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוֹנָתָ֜ן אֶל־הַנַּ֣עַר | נֹשֵֹ֣א כֵלָ֗יו לְכָה֙ וְנַעְבְּרָ֗ה אֶל־מַצַּב֙ הָעֲרֵלִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אוּלַ֛י יַעֲשֶֹ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה לָ֑נוּ כִּ֣י אֵ֚ין לַֽיהֹוָה֙ מַעְצ֔וֹר לְהוֹשִׁ֥יעַ בְּרַ֖ב א֥וֹ בִמְעָֽט:
7And his weapon-bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Turn to you. Behold, I am with you according to your heart."   זוַיֹּ֚אמֶר לוֹ֙ נֹשֵֹ֣א כֵלָ֔יו עֲשֵֹ֖ה כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ נְטֵ֣ה לָ֔ךְ הִנְנִ֥י עִמְּךָ֖ כִּלְבָבֶֽךָ:
8And Jonathan said, "Behold, we are crossing to the men, and we shall reveal ourselves to them.   חוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן הִנֵּ֛ה אֲנַ֥חְנוּ עֹבְרִ֖ים אֶל־הָאֲנָשִׁ֑ים וְנִגְלִ֖ינוּ אֲלֵיהֶֽם:
9If they say thus to us, 'Wait! Until we reach you,' then we shall stand in our place, and we shall not go up to them.   טאִם־כֹּ֚ה יֹֽאמְרוּ֙ אֵלֵ֔ינוּ דֹּ֕מּוּ עַד־הַגִּיעֵ֖נוּ אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְעָמַ֣דְנוּ תַחְתֵּ֔ינוּ וְלֹ֥א נַעֲלֶ֖ה אֲלֵיהֶֽם:
Wait!. (Heb. ‘domu’) Wait, like: “Sun, wait in Gibeon” (Jos. 10: 12), and so, “Wait for the Lord” (Ps. 37:7). If they say thus, “Wait, and we shall go up to you,” they are prosperous at this time, and they are proud.   דמו.  המתינו, כמו (יהושע י יב): שמש בגבעון דום ; וכן (תהלים לז ז): דום לה', אם כה יאמרו: דומו ונעלה אליכם, שעתם מצלחת ולבם רם עליהם:
10And if they say thus, 'Come up to us,' then we shall go up, for the Lord has given them into our hand, and this will be the sign for us."   יוְאִם־כֹּ֨ה יֹאמְר֜וּ עֲל֚וּ עָלֵ֙ינוּ֙ וְעָלִ֔ינוּ כִּֽי־נְתָנָ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיָדֵ֑נוּ וְזֶה־לָּ֖נוּ הָאֽוֹת:
And if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then shall we go up.. A fear inspired by the Holy One Blessed be He is in their heart, and they are afraid to move from their place.   ואם כה יאמרו עלו עלינו.  פחד הקב"ה בלבם, ויראים לזוז ממקומם:
11And both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, and the Philistines said, "Behold, Hebrews are emerging from the holes wherein they hid themselves."   יאוַיִּגָּל֣וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם אֶל־מַצַּ֖ב פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים הִנֵּ֚ה עִבְרִים֙ יֹֽצְאִ֔ים מִן־הַחֹרִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִתְחַבְּאוּ־שָֽׁם:
12And the men of the garrison called to Jonathan and his weapon-bearer, and said, "Come up to us, and we shall tell you something." And Jonathan said to his weapon- bearer, "Come up after me, for the Lord has given them into the hand of Israel."   יבוַיַּעֲנוּ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י הַמַּצָּבָ֜ה אֶת־יוֹנָתָ֣ן | וְאֶת־נֹשֵֹ֣א כֵלָ֗יו וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ עֲל֣וּ אֵלֵ֔ינוּ וְנוֹדִ֥יעָה אֶתְכֶ֖ם דָּבָ֑ר וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יוֹנָתָ֜ן אֶל־נֹשֵֹ֚א כֵלָיו֙ עֲלֵ֣ה אַחֲרַ֔י כִּֽי־נְתָנָ֥ם יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיַ֥ד יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
And they called. (Heb. ‘va’ya’anu,) an expression of raising the voice.   ויענו.  לשון הרמת קול:
13And Jonathan climbed up on his hands and on his feet, with his weapon-bearer after him, and they fell before Jonathan, and his weapon-bearer was slaying after him.   יגוַיַּ֣עַל יוֹנָתָ֗ן עַל־יָדָיו֙ וְעַל־רַגְלָ֔יו וְנֹשֵֹ֥א כֵלָ֖יו אַחֲרָ֑יו וַֽיִּפְּלוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יוֹנָתָ֔ן וְנֹשֵֹ֥א כֵלָ֖יו מְמוֹתֵ֥ת אַחֲרָֽיו:
on his hands and on his feet. i.e., with all his might and running.   על ידיו ועל רגליו.  כלומר בכל כח ומרוצה:
14And the first slaughter which Jonathan and his weapon-bearer made, was about twenty men, in about half a furrow (which) a yoke (of oxen plow in) a field.   ידוַתְּהִ֞י הַמַּכָּ֣ה הָרִאשֹׁנָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִכָּ֧ה יוֹנָתָ֛ן וְנֹשֵֹ֥א כֵלָ֖יו כְּעֶשְׂרִ֣ים אִ֑ישׁ כְּבַחֲצִ֥י מַעֲנָ֖ה צֶ֥מֶד שָׂדֶֽה:
in about half a furrow, (which) a yoke (of oxen plow in) a field. (He killed them) within the limit of a land measure, viz., the amount of half a furrow of the plowing of a yoke of oxen plowing a field.   כבחצי מענה צמד שדה.  בתוך שיעור מדת קרקע, מלא חצי מענה של מחרישת צמד בקר החורשת בשדה:
furrow. (Heb. ‘ma’anah’) That is the ridge which is called ‘rainure’ (ridge or furrow) in French. It was a very mighty deed, because they were close to one another and ready to aid one another.   מענה.  הוא תלם המחרישה, שקורין ריי"א בלע"ז, וגבורה גדולה היא זו, שהיו קרובים זה לזה, ונכונים לעזור זה את זה:
15And there was a trembling in the camp and the field, and among the people; the garrison and the raiders also trembled, and the earth quaked and became a trembling inspired by God.   טווַתְּהִי֩ חֲרָדָ֨ה בַמַּחֲנֶ֚ה בַשָּׂדֶה֙ וּבְכָל־הָעָ֔ם הַמַּצָּב֙ וְהַמַּשְׁחִ֔ית חָרְד֖וּ גַּם־הֵ֑מָּה וַתִּרְגַּ֣ז הָאָ֔רֶץ וַתְּהִ֖י לְחֶרְדַּ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים:
16And Saul's lookouts in Gibeah of Benjamin, and behold the multitude was wandering, and it was coming closer.   טזוַיִּרְא֚וּ הַצֹּפִים֙ לְשָׁא֔וּל בְּגִבְעַ֖ת בִּנְיָמִ֑ן וְהִנֵּ֧ה הֶהָמ֛וֹן נָמ֖וֹג וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ וַהֲלֹֽם:
Saul’s lookouts. the lookouts whom Saul had in Gibeah of Benjamin. Lookouts (Heb. ‘zophim’) ‘esculca’ in Old French.   הצופים לשאול.  הצופים אשר היו לשאול בגבעת בנימן, צופים ; אישקאגט"ש בלע"ז:
and behold the multitude. of the Philistines wandered from its place and continuously came nearer to there, to the side of the Israelites.   והנה ההמון.  של פלשתים, נמוג ממקומו וילך, וקרב הלום לצד ישראל:
wandering. Like ‘wandering and moving.’   נמוג.  כמו (בראשית ד יב): נד ונע:
17And Saul said to the people who were with him, "Inspect now, and see who is gone from among us." And they inspected, and behold, Jonathan and his weapon-bearer were not there.   יזוַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֗וּל לָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ פִּקְדוּ־נָ֣א וּרְא֔וּ מִ֖י הָלַ֣ךְ מֵעִמָּ֑נוּ וַֽיִּפְקְד֔וּ וְהִנֵּ֛ה אֵ֥ין יוֹנָתָ֖ן וְנֹשֵֹ֥א כֵלָֽיו:
Inspect. An expression of supervision, like “And should inspect him every morning” (Job 7:18).   פקדו.  לשון פקידה, כמו (איוב ז יח): ותפקדנו לבקרים:
18And Saul said to Ahiah, "Bring near the Ark of God," for the Ark of God was on that day with the children of Israel.   יחוַיֹּ֚אמֶר שָׁאוּל֙ לַֽאֲחִיָּ֔ה הַגִּ֖ישָׁה אֲר֣וֹן הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים כִּֽי־הָיָ֞ה אֲר֧וֹן הָאֱלֹהִ֛ים בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא וּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
Bring near the Ark of God. Urim and Tummim.   הגישה ארון האלהים.  אורים ותומים:
for the Ark of God was on that day. This verse is missing one word: for the Ark of God was there on that day.   כי היה ארון האלהים ביום ההוא.  המקרא חסר תיבה אחת, כי היה ארון האלהים שם ביום ההוא:
19And it was, while Saul still spoke to the priest, that the tumult which was in the camp of the Philistines was continuously increasing, and Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."   יטוַיְהִ֗י עַ֣ד דִּבֶּ֚ר שָׁאוּל֙ אֶל־הַכֹּהֵ֔ן וְהֶהָמ֗וֹן אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּמַחֲנֵ֣ה פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ הָל֖וֹךְ וָרָ֑ב וַיֹּ֧אמֶר שָׁא֛וּל אֶל־הַכֹּהֵ֖ן אֱסֹ֥ף יָדֶֽךָ:
20And Saul and all the people who were with him, gathered, and came to the battle, and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, (because there was) a very great confusion.   כוַיִּזָּעֵ֣ק שָׁא֗וּל וְכָל־הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ עַד־הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וְהִנֵּ֨ה הָיְתָ֜ה חֶ֚רֶב אִישׁ֙ בְּרֵעֵ֔הוּ מְהוּמָ֖ה גְּדוֹלָ֥ה מְאֹֽד:
21And the Hebrews (who) were with the Philistines as previously, who went up with them in the camp round about, they too (turned) to be with the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.   כאוְהָעִבְרִ֗ים הָי֚וּ לַפְּלִשְׁתִּים֙ כְּאֶתְמ֣וֹל שִׁלְשׁ֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָל֥וּ עִמָּ֛ם בַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה סָבִ֑יב וְגַם־הֵ֗מָּה לִֽהְיוֹת֙ עִם־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִם־שָׁא֖וּל וְיוֹנָתָֽן:
And the Hebrews (who) were with the Philistines. at their aid out of fear, in earlier times, today they too turned with their fellows to be at the assistance of their brethren.   והעברים היו לפלשתים.  בעזרתם, מחמת יראה מתמול שלשום, והיום נהפכו גם המה עם חבריהם, להיות בעזרת אחיהם:
22And all the people who were hiding in Mt. Ephraim, heard that the Philistines had fled, and they too pursued closely behind them in the battle.   כבוְכֹל֩ אִ֨ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל הַמִּֽתְחַבְּאִ֚ים בְּהַר־אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙ שָֽׁמְע֔וּ כִּֽי־נָ֖סוּ פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַֽיַּדְבְּק֥וּ גַם־הֵ֛מָּה אַחֲרֵיהֶ֖ם בַּמִּלְחָמָֽה:
23And the Lord saved Israel on that day, and the battle passed Beth-aven.   כגוַיּ֧וֹשַׁע יְהֹוָ֛ה בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְהַ֨מִּלְחָמָ֔ה עָבְרָ֖ה אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אָֽוֶן:
24And the men of Israel were hard pressed on that day, and Saul adjured the people, saying, "Cursed be the man who will eat food until evening, until I shall be avenged of my enemies," and none of the people tasted any food.   כדוְאִֽישׁ־יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל נִגַּ֖שׂ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא וַיֹּאֶל֩ שָׁא֨וּל אֶת־הָעָ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר אָר֣וּר הָ֠אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יֹ֨אכַל לֶ֜חֶם עַד־הָעֶ֗רֶב וְנִקַּמְתִּי֙ מֵאֹ֣יְבַ֔י וְלֹֽא טָעַ֥ם כָּל־הָעָ֖ם לָֽחֶם:
And the men of Israel were hard pressed. They were being rushed and pressed to wage war against the Philistines.   נגש ביום ההוא.  היו אצים ונגושים להלחם בפלשתים:
adjured. (Heb. ‘va’yo’el.’) an expression of an oath.   ויואל.  לשון אלה:
who will eat food. (Heb. ‘lehem,’ lit. bread) All food is included in the meaning of this word, like “Let us destroy the tree with its fruit.” (Heb. ‘b’lahmo’) (Jer. 11:19).   אשר יאכל לחם.  כל מאכל במשמע, כמו (ירמיהו יא יט): נשחיתה עץ בלחמו:
25And all (the people of) the land came in the forest, and there was honey on the ground.   כהוְכָל־הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּ֣אוּ בַיָּ֑עַר וַיְהִ֥י דְבַ֖שׁ עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַשָּׂדֶֽה:
and there was honey. Cane sugar grows in Eretz Israel.   ויהי דבש.  דבש קנים גדל בארץ ישראל:
26And the people came into the forest, and behold, a flow of honey, but no one put his hand to his mouth for the people feared the oath.   כווַיָּבֹ֚א הָעָם֙ אֶל־הַיַּ֔עַר וְהִנֵּ֖ה הֵ֣לֶךְ דְּבָ֑שׁ וְאֵין־מַשִּׂ֚יג יָדוֹ֙ אֶל־פִּ֔יו כִּֽי־יָרֵ֥א הָעָ֖ם אֶת־הַשְּׁבֻעָֽה:
a flow of honey. which was flowing from the canes.   והנה הלך דבש.  שהיה נוטף מן הקנים:
27But Jonathan had not heard when his father had adjured the people, and he extended the end of the staff which was in his hand, and dipped it into the honeycomb, and when he brought back his hand to his mouth, his eyes brightened.   כזוְיוֹנָתָ֣ן לֹֽא־שָׁמַ֗ע בְּהַשְׁבִּ֣יעַ אָבִיו֘ אֶת־הָעָם֒ וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח אֶת־קְצֵ֚ה הַמַּטֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּיָד֔וֹ וַיִּטְבֹּ֥ל אוֹתָ֖הּ בְּיַעְרַ֣ת הַדְּבָ֑שׁ וַיָּ֚שֶׁב יָדוֹ֙ אֶל־פִּ֔יו וַתָּאֹ֖רְנָה (כתיב וַתָּרֹ֖אְנָה) עֵינָֽיו:
into the honeycomb.. (Heb. ‘ya’rath D’vash,’ lit. the forest of honey.) into the sugar cane, like “and she placed it in the reeds” (Exod. 2:3) which Onkelos renders: and she placed it in the ‘yaar,’ and reeds are grasses which grow in the swamp. (Hence, we find that a group or clump of grasses or canes, may be referred to as ‘yaar.’) And so, “I ate my sugar cane with my sugar,” (S. of S. 5:1), and in Arabic, that honey is called ‘sukra’ in their language. (sic) From Rabbi Nathan the Ishmaelite.   ביערת הדבש.  בקנה הדבש, כמו (שמות ב ג): ותשם בסוף, דמתרגמינן: ושויתיה ביערא. ו'סוף' הם קנים של אגם, וכן (שיר השירים ה א): אכלתי יערי עם דבשי. ובלשון ישמעאל קורין לאותו דבש סוקר"א בלע"ז, מפי רבי נתן הישמעאלי:
28And one man of the people called out and said, "Your father adjured the people, saying, 'Cursed be the man who eats food today,' and the people have become faint."   כחוַיַּעַן֩ אִ֨ישׁ מֵֽהָעָ֜ם וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הַשְׁבֵּעַ֩ הִשְׁבִּ֨יעַ אָבִ֚יךָ אֶת־הָעָם֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר אָר֥וּר הָאִ֛ישׁ אֲשֶׁר־יֹ֥אכַל לֶ֖חֶם הַיּ֑וֹם וַיָּ֖עַף הָעָֽם:
29And Jonathan said, "My father has perturbed the land. See now that my eyes have brightened, for I have tasted a little of this honey.   כטוַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן עָכַ֥ר אָבִ֖י אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ רְאוּ־נָא֙ כִּֽי־אֹ֣רוּ עֵינַ֔י כִּ֣י טָעַ֔מְתִּי מְעַ֖ט דְּבַ֥שׁ הַזֶּֽה:
My father has perturbed the land. (Heb. ‘achar’) He confused their thoughts, and (hindered) their salvation, like unclear water (‘maim 'achurim’).   עכר אבי את הארץ.  בלבל את דעתם ואת ישועתם, כמים עכורים:
30How much more, if the people had eaten today of the spoils of their enemies, which they found, would there not now have been a greater slaughter among the Philistines?"   לאַ֗ף כִּ֡י לוּא֩ אָכֹ֨ל אָכַ֚ל הַיּוֹם֙ הָעָ֔ם מִשְּׁלַ֥ל אֹיְבָ֖יו אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָצָ֑א כִּ֥י עַתָּ֛ה לֹֽא־רָבְתָ֥ה מַכָּ֖ה בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּֽים:
would there not now have been a greater slaughter among the Philistines?. This is a question.   כי עתה לא רבתה מכה.  בתמיה:
31And they smote the Philistines that day, from Michmash to Ajalon, and the people became very faint.   לאוַיַּכּ֞וּ בַּיּ֚וֹם הַהוּא֙ בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים מִמִּכְמָ֖שׁ אַיָּלֹ֑נָה וַיָּ֥עַף הָעָ֖ם מְאֹֽד:
32And the people flew to the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and they slaughtered on the ground, and the people ate with the blood.   לבוַיַּ֚עַט (כתיב וַיַּ֚עַשׂ) הָעָם֙ אֶל־הַשָּׁלָ֔ל (כתיב שָּׁלָ֔ל) וַיִּקְח֨וּ צֹ֧אן וּבָקָ֛ר וּבְנֵ֥י בָקָ֖ר וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ־אָ֑רְצָה וַיֹּ֥אכַל הָעָ֖ם עַל־הַדָּֽם:
And the people flew. (Heb. ‘va’ya’at,’) similar to ‘va’yo’at bahem’ (infra 25:14) “and he drove them away (He made them fly),” an expression of ‘ayit’ (birds of prey) who swoop down on their victims (Gen. 15:11).   ויעש העם.  כמו ויעט העם, לשון עיט (בראשית טו יא):
sheep, and oxen, and calves. (lit., oxen and young of oxen) I say that this was a violation of the precept: You must not slaughter it and its young on the same day (Lev. 22:28). He, therefore, called them sinners (infra v. 33). But our Rabbis said in Tractate Zebahim (120a) that they sanctified them for peace-offerings, and they were eating before the sprinkling of the blood. This is what the Scripture means when it states: “And the people ate with the blood,” they ate when the blood was yet in the basin.   צאן ובקר ובני בקר.  אומר אני: זה אותו ואת בנו לא תשחטו (ויקרא כב כח), ולכך קראם חוטאים. ורבותינו אמרו בשחיטת קדשים, שהיו מקדישים אותם שלמים, ואוכלים לפני זריקת דם, הוא שאמר: ויאכל העם על הדם, אוכלים קדשים ועדיין דם במזרק:
33And they told Saul, saying, "Behold, the people are sinning against the Lord, by eating with the blood." And he said, "You have transgressed; roll a huge stone to me this day."   לגוַיַּגִּ֚ידוּ לְשָׁאוּל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּ֥ה הָעָ֛ם חֹטִ֥אים לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה לֶאֱכֹ֣ל עַל־הַדָּ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר בְּגַדְתֶּ֔ם גֹּֽלּוּ־אֵלַ֥י הַיּ֖וֹם אֶ֥בֶן גְּדוֹלָֽה:
Roll to me. (Heb. ‘golu’) like ‘gil’lu.’   גלו אלי.  לשון גללו:
this day. while it is yet daytime, and below (v. 34) it is stated: and all the people brought near, each man his ox in his hand that night. 0ur Rabbis at the end of Tractate Zebahim (120a) hold diverse views. Some of them explain: Here (v. 34) (the Scripture is referring to) ordinary animals, while here (v. 33) (the Scripture is referring to) sacrificial animals. Others explained: Here (v. 33) (the Scripture is referring to) sacrificial animals which were sanctified to be offered at the large high place in Nob, while here (v. 34) (the Scripture is referring to) sacrificial animals which were sanctified to be offered at a small high place. The Scripture thereby teaches us that a private burnt offering may be slaughtered at night (in a small, or private high place).   היום.  מבעוד יום, ולמטה (פסוק לד) נאמר: ויגישו איש שורו בידו הלילה, רבותינו נחלקו בדבר בסוף מסכת זבחים, יש מהן פירשו: כאן בחולין כאן בקדשים. ויש מהן פירשו: כאן בקדשים שהוקדשו ליקרב בבמת נוב גדולה, כאן בקדשים שהוקדשו ליקרב בבמה קטנה, למד על עולת יחיד שכשירה לישחט בלילה:
a huge stone. He made it a high place to sprinkle the blood thereon and for burning the fatty parts.   אבן גדולה.  עשאה במה, לזרוק עליה דם והקטר חלבים:
34And Saul said, "Disperse among the people, and you shall say to them, 'Bring near to me each man his ox and each man his lamb, and you shall slaughter here, and you shall eat, and you shall not sin against the Lord by eating with the blood.' " And all the people brought near, each man his ox that night, and they slaughtered there.   לדוַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֣וּל פֻּ֣צוּ בָעָ֡ם וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֣ם לָהֶ֡ם הַגִּ֣ישׁוּ אֵלַי֩ אִ֨ישׁ שׁוֹר֜וֹ וְאִ֣ישׁ שְׂיֵ֗הוּ וּשְׁחַטְתֶּ֚ם בָּזֶה֙ וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֔ם וְלֹֽא־תֶחֶטְא֥וּ לַֽיהֹוָ֖ה לֶאֱכֹ֣ל אֶל־הַדָּ֑ם וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ כָל־הָעָ֜ם אִ֣ישׁ שׁוֹר֧וֹ בְיָ֛דוֹ הַלַּ֖יְלָה וַיִּשְׁחֲטוּ־שָֽׁם:
Disperse among the people. Announce in many places, and let the announcers disperse among the people.   פוצו בעם.  הכריזו במקומות הרבה, ויהיו המכריזים נפוצים בעם:
and you shall slaughter here.. (Heb. ‘bazeh,’ lit. ‘in this’ or ‘with this’) Here is the place of slaughtering. Another explanation is: He examined a slaughtering knife for them.   ושחטתם בזה.  כאן, במקום שחיטה דבר אחר: סכין בדק להם:
that night. The ordinary animals were slaughtered at night. Thus it is explained in Zeb.   הלילה.  בהמות של חולין נשחטו בלילה, כך מפורש בזבחים (שם):
35And Saul built an altar to the Lord; with that one he started to build an altar to the Lord.   להוַיִּ֧בֶן שָׁא֛וּל מִזְבֵּ֖חַ לַֽיהֹוָ֑ה אֹת֣וֹ הֵחֵ֔ל לִבְנ֥וֹת מִזְבֵּ֖חַ לַֽיהֹוָֽה:
with that one he started. That altar was the first of the altars which Saul built.   אותו החל.  אותו המזבח, ראשון למזבחות שבנה שאול:
36And Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines at night, and plunder among them until the morning light, and let us not leave a man among them. " And they said, "Do all that is good in your eyes." Whereupon the priest said, "Let us draw near here to God."   לווַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֡וּל נֵרְדָ֣ה אַחֲרֵי֩ פְלִשְׁתִּ֨ים | לַ֜יְלָה וְֽנָבֹ֥זָה בָהֶ֣ם | עַד־א֣וֹר הַבֹּ֗קֶר וְלֹֽא־נַשְׁאֵ֚ר בָּהֶם֙ אִ֔ישׁ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כָּל־הַטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ עֲשֵֹ֑ה ס וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן נִקְרְבָ֥ה הֲלֹ֖ם אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִֽים:
37And Saul asked of God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you deliver them into the hand of Israel?" But He did not answer him on that day.   לזוַיִּשְׁאַ֚ל שָׁאוּל֙ בֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים הַֽאֵרֵד֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים הֲתִתְּנֵ֖ם בְּיַ֣ד יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹ֥א עָנָ֖הוּ בַּיּ֥וֹם הַהֽוּא:
38And Saul said, "Draw near here, all you chiefs of the people, and know and see wherein was this sin today.   לחוַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֔וּל גֹּ֣שֽׁוּ הֲלֹ֔ם כֹּ֖ל פִּנּ֣וֹת הָעָ֑ם וּדְע֣וּ וּרְא֔וּ בַּמָּ֗ה הָֽיְתָ֛ה הַחַטָּ֥את הַזֹּ֖את הַיּֽוֹם:
you chiefs of the people. (lit., the corners of the people) i.e., the chiefs of the people. The cornerstone is the most esteemed.   פנות העם.  שרי העם, אבן הפנה היא החשובה:
39For as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, for though it be in Jonathan my son, he will die," and there was no one who answered him from among all the people.   לטכִּ֣י חַי־יְהֹוָ֗ה הַמּוֹשִׁ֙יעַ֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֧י אִם־יֶשְׁנ֛וֹ בְּיוֹנָתָ֥ן בְּנִ֖י כִּ֣י מ֣וֹת יָמ֑וּת וְאֵ֥ין עֹנֵ֖הוּ מִכָּל־הָעָֽם:
40And he said to all Israel, "You will be to one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be to one side." And the people answered Saul, "Do what is good in your eyes."   מוַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֶל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אַתֶּם֙ תִּֽהְיוּ֙ לְעֵ֣בֶר אֶחָ֔ד וַֽאֲנִי֙ וְיוֹנָתָ֣ן בְּנִ֔י נִהְיֶ֖ה לְעֵ֣בֶר אֶחָ֑ד וַיֹּאמְר֚וּ הָעָם֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל הַטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ עֲשֵֹֽה:
to one side. to cast lots between all of you, and us.   לעבר אחד.  להפיל גורל בין כלכם ובינינו:
41And Saul said to the Lord God of Israel, "Give a perfect lot," whereupon Jonathan and Saul were taken, and the people escaped.   מאוַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֗וּל אֶל־יְהֹוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הָ֣בָה תָמִ֑ים וַיִּלָּכֵ֧ד יוֹנָתָ֛ן וְשָׁא֖וּל וְהָעָ֥ם יָצָֽאוּ:
Give a perfect lot. Give a true lot.   הבה תמים.  תן גורל אמת:
and the people escaped. innocent, from the lot.   והעם יצאו.  נקיים מן הגורל:
42And Saul said, "Cast lots between me and Jonathan my son;" and Jonathan was taken.   מבוַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֔וּל הַפִּ֕ילוּ בֵּינִ֕י וּבֵ֖ין יוֹנָתָ֣ן בְּנִ֑י וַיִּלָּכֵ֖ד יוֹנָתָֽן:
43And Saul said to Jonathan, "Tell me; what have you done?" And Jonathan told him and said, "I but tasted a bit of honey with the end of the staff which is in my hand. Here I am; let me die."   מגוַיֹּ֚אמֶר שָׁאוּל֙ אֶל־י֣וֹנָתָ֔ן הַגִּ֥ידָה לִּ֖י מֶ֣ה עָשִֹ֑יתָה וַיַּגֶּד־ל֣וֹ יוֹנָתָ֗ן וַיֹּאמֶר֩ טָעֹ֨ם טָעַ֜מְתִּי בִּקְצֵ֨ה הַמַּטֶּ֧ה אֲשֶׁר־בְּיָדִ֛י מְעַ֥ט דְּבַ֖שׁ הִנְנִ֥י אָמֽוּת:
44And Saul said, "So shall God do, and so shall He continue; for you shall die, Jonathan."   מדוַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֔וּל כֹּֽה־יַעֲשֶֹ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים וְכֹ֣ה יוֹסִ֑ף כִּֽי־מ֥וֹת תָּמ֖וּת יוֹנָתָֽן:
45And the people said to Saul, "Shall Jonathan, who has wrought this great salvation in Israel, die? Far be it. As the Lord lives, not one hair of his head shall fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." And the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die.   מהוַיֹּ֨אמֶר הָעָ֜ם אֶל־שָׁא֗וּל הֲֽיוֹנָתָ֚ן | יָמוּת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָ֠שָׂה הַיְשׁוּעָ֨ה הַגְּדוֹלָ֣ה הַזֹּאת֘ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל֒ חָלִ֗ילָה חַי־יְהֹוָה֙ אִם־יִפֹּ֞ל מִשַּׂעֲרַ֚ת רֹאשׁוֹ֙ אַ֔רְצָה כִּֽי־עִם־אֱלֹהִ֥ים עָשָֹ֖ה הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַיִּפְדּ֥וּ הָעָ֛ם אֶת־יוֹנָתָ֖ן וְלֹא־מֵֽת:
and the people redeemed Jonathan. They nullified Saul’s oath for him.   ויפדו העם.  התירו לו לשאול שבועתו:
46And Saul went up from (pursuing) after the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their place.   מווַיַּ֣עַל שָׁא֔וּל מֵאַחֲרֵ֖י פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים הָלְכ֥וּ לִמְקוֹמָֽם:
47And Saul took the kingdom over Israel, and he waged war against his enemies on every side, against Moab, and against the children of Ammon, and against Edom, and against the kings of Zobah, and against the Philistines, and wherever he would turn, he would cause them to tremble.   מזוְשָׁא֛וּל לָכַ֥ד הַמְּלוּכָ֖ה עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיִּלָּ֣חֶם סָבִ֣יב | בְּֽכָל־אֹיְבָ֡יו בְּמוֹאָ֣ב | וּבִבְנֵי־עַמּ֨וֹן וּבֶאֱד֜וֹם וּבְמַלְכֵ֚י צוֹבָה֙ וּבַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּבְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־יִפְנֶ֖ה יַרְשִֽׁיעַ:
48And he gathered an army, and he smote Amalek, and he saved Israel from the hand of its plunderer.   מחוַיַּ֣עַשׂ חַ֔יִל וַיַּ֖ךְ אֶת־עֲמָלֵ֑ק וַיַּצֵּ֥ל אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִיַּ֥ד שֹׁסֵֽהוּ:
ויעש חיל. And he gathered an army.   ויעש חיל.  ויאסף חיל:
49And the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishvi, and Malchishua; and the names of his daughters, the name of the firstborn was Merab, and the name of the younger was Michal.   מטוַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י שָׁא֔וּל יוֹנָתָ֥ן וְיִשְׁוִ֖י וּמַלְכִּישׁ֑וּעַ וְשֵׁם֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י בְנֹתָ֔יו שֵׁ֚ם הַבְּכִירָה֙ מֵרַ֔ב וְשֵׁ֥ם הַקְּטַנָּ֖ה מִיכַֽל:
50And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam, the daughter of Ahimaaz; and the name of the commander of his army was Abiner, the son of Ner, Saul's uncle.   נוְשֵׁם֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת שָׁא֔וּל אֲחִינֹ֖עַם בַּת־אֲחִימָ֑עַץ וְשֵׁ֚ם שַׂר־צְבָאוֹ֙ אֲבִינֵ֔ר בֶּן־נֵ֖ר דּ֥וֹד שָׁאֽוּל:
Abner the son of Ner. And Ner was Saul’s uncle, the brother of Kish, and they were both the sons of Abiel. Abiel was also known as Ner, in (I) Chron. (8:33), because he would light candles for the public in the dark streets.   אבינר בן נר.  ונר היה דוד שאול, אחיו של קיש, ושניהם בני אביאל, וגם אביאל נקרא נר, בדברי הימים (א ח לג), שהיה מדליק נרות לרבים במבואות האפלים (ויקרא רבה ט ב):
51And Kish, the father of Saul, and Ner, the father of Abner, were sons of Abiel.   נאוְקִ֧ישׁ אֲבִֽי־שָׁא֛וּל וְנֵ֥ר אֲבִֽי־אַבְנֵ֖ר בֶּן־אֲבִיאֵֽל:
52And the war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul; when Saul saw any valiant man or any soldierly man, he would bring him in to himself.   נבוַתְּהִ֚י הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ חֲזָקָ֣ה עַל־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י שָׁא֑וּל וְרָאָ֨ה שָׁא֜וּל כָּל־אִ֚ישׁ גִּבּוֹר֙ וְכָל־בֶּן־חַ֔יִל וַיַּאַסְפֵ֖הוּ אֵלָֽיו:
And when Saul would see. This is a present tense, meaning: And when Saul would see a valiant soldier, he would bring him in to himself.   וראה שאול.  לשון הוה, כשהיה שאול רואה איש גבור חיל, היה אוספו אליו: