{"id":57501,"date":"2018-07-09T17:43:06","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-243\/"},"modified":"2023-01-10T15:30:10","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T13:30:10","slug":"wall-243","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-243\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Prophets-I Samuel-11"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"243","date":"20260804","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","books_group":"Prophets","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"57369","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"I Samuel Chapter 11 - Read by Michael Bernstein ","post_title":"I Samuel Chapter 11 - Read by Michael Bernstein","slug":"i-samuel-chapter-11-read-by-michael-bernstein","old_id":"57369","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34686,"post_title":"Soundcloud","slug":"soundcloud","old_id":"34686","first_name":"","last_name":"","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34656,"alt":"","title":"491","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","width":300,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","medium_large-width":300,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","large-width":300,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","1536x1536-width":300,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","2048x2048-width":300,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","post_full_size-width":300,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/491-2.jpg","home_baner-width":300,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"243","type_929":"4","show_author_image":true,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"JPS Audio Bible","tile_main_caption":"I Samuel 11","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"read by Michael Bernstein","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/929-bible\/JPS_Audio_Bible_I_Samuel_Chapter_11_read_by_Michael_Bernstein","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"111342","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Saul Reverses The Trend ","post_title":"Saul Reverses The Trend","slug":"saul-reverses-the-trend","old_id":"111342","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":78133,"post_title":"Josh Blechner","slug":"josh-blechner","old_id":"78133","first_name":"Josh ","last_name":"Blechner ","description":"Josh first finished the Tanach during Yeshiva in Mevaseret Zion. 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","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":78134,"alt":"","title":"josh blechner","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","width":276,"height":351,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner-236x300.jpg","medium-width":236,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","medium_large-width":276,"medium_large-height":351,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","large-width":276,"large-height":351,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","1536x1536-width":276,"1536x1536-height":351,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","2048x2048-width":276,"2048x2048-height":351,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","post_full_size-width":276,"post_full_size-height":351,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/josh-blechner.jpg","home_baner-width":276,"home_baner-height":351}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"243","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Gathering against an external threat and forgiving fractiousness signifies an end to infighting\u00a0\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

The references to the Concubine at Gibeah story (Jud. 19-21) in this chapter are impossible to miss. The most obvious one is Saul\u2019s dismemberment of his ox:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He took a yoke of oxen and cut them into pieces, which he sent by messengers throughout the territory of Israel, with the warning, \u2018Thus shall be done to the cattle of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel into battle!\u2019 (verse 7).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Saul is furious to hear that a city in Israel is being threatened with destruction. To muster the people, he sent a piece of his own ox to each tribe. The man from Levi did the same thing to his concubine in Judges:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When he came home, he picked up a knife, and took hold of his concubine and cut her up limb by limb into twelve parts. He sent them throughout the territory of Israel\u201d (Jud. 19:29).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The people gather in the same way: \u201cand they came out as one man\u201d (verse 7) and \u201cand the community assembled as one man.\u201d (Jud. 20:1). \u201cAs one man\u201d appears several times in Judges 20.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The goal of the text here is to contradict and reverse the narrative of the Concubine of Gibeah story. The appointment of Saul, from Benjamin, as king, is one way of symbolically doing so. The other way is in the retelling of the story of chapter 11 to refresh the narrative. In chapter 11 the people gather as one for a noble cause against an outside enemy. The prophet, Samuel, and a singular leader, Saul, are center stage - unlike the rabble-rousing man from Levi in Judges. Most importantly, God plays an active role, not a passive one, as in Judges.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Judges was also a story about exacting revenge against a fellow tribe. Saul destroys this revenge narrative in chapter 11 as well. The people come to Saul with bloodlust for those that rejected his ascension to the throne. Saul shuts it down immediately. As king from Benjamin, he had the opportunity to exact revenge on those that harmed him, but he chose not to. \u201cBut Saul replied, \u2018No man shall be put to death this day! For this day the L<\/span>ORD<\/span> has brought victory to Israel\u2019 (verse 13). The infighting ends today.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59741,"alt":"","title":"2sam3-unity","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Saul Reverses The Trend","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Gathering against an external threat and forgiving fractiousness signifies an end to infighting\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59741,"alt":"","title":"2sam3-unity","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","width":1920,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-768x512.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":512,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1024x683.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":683,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity.jpg","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-1200x800.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":800,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/2sam3-unity-630x420.jpg","home_baner-width":630,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_link_for_pay":"0","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"594","name":"Unity","old_id":"994"},{"term_id":"885","name":"Saul","old_id":"1285"}]},{"order":3,"id":"57589","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"2","name":"Tomorrow, When The Sun Grows Hot ","post_title":"Tomorrow, When The Sun Grows Hot","slug":"tomorrow-when-the-sun-grows-hot","old_id":"57589","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":56634,"post_title":"Michal Nachmany","slug":"michal-nachmany","old_id":"56634","first_name":"Michal ","last_name":"Nachmany ","description":"Michal Nachmany (b. 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Mixed-media work by Michal Nachmany, courtesy of the artist<\/p>\r\n

Michal dedicates her work in memory to her father Shamai Zweigreich z\u201dl \u00a0and her grandfather \u00a0Yisrael Zweigreich z\u201dl, who loved studying Bible and Talmud.<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":57605,"alt":"","title":"isam11","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","width":710,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-208x300.jpg","medium-width":208,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-710x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":710,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-710x1024.jpg","large-width":710,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","1536x1536-width":710,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","2048x2048-width":710,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","post_full_size-width":710,"post_full_size-height":1024,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-291x420.jpg","home_baner-width":291,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"I Sam 11:9","tile_main_caption":"Tomorrow, When The Sun Grows Hot","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"You shall be saved","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":57605,"alt":"","title":"isam11","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","width":710,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-208x300.jpg","medium-width":208,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-710x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":710,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-710x1024.jpg","large-width":710,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","1536x1536-width":710,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","2048x2048-width":710,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11.jpg","post_full_size-width":710,"post_full_size-height":1024,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-291x420.jpg","home_baner-width":291,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":4,"id":"57619","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"A Semi-King ","post_title":"A Semi-King","slug":"a-semi-king","old_id":"57619","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":56490,"post_title":"Gary Rendsburg","slug":"gary-rendsburg","old_id":"56490","first_name":"Gary ","last_name":"Rendsburg ","description":"Gary Rendsburg serves as the Blanche and Irving Laurie Professor of Jewish History in the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University. 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With Saul now ensconced as king, his first challenge is war with Ammon, a neighboring country to the east, in Transjordan. In truth, though, the account is narrated more along the lines of the stories of the judges\/saviors in the book of Judges. Which is to say, a portion of Israel comes under attack from a neighboring people, the spirit of the Lord grips Saul (see vv. 6, 10), Saul leads the troops, and the enemy is defeated. Indeed, the term \u2018king Saul\u2019 does not occur in this chapter, though this is also true throughout the Saul narratives, save for 1 Sam 18:6 (where the expression may be a later addition to the prose).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As such, it is worth noting that Saul represents more of a transitional figure, linking the period of the Judges to that of true monarchy under David and Solomon. Saul is \u2018king\u2019 in title only, but he lacks the trappings of kingship. He continues to live in his family home, indeed he still engages in farming (see below); he does not establish a capital city; he does not build a palace; there is no developed government administration; and in the early stories there is no standing army. Saul\u2019s general Abner is mentioned for the first time only in 1 Sam 14:50. All of this contrasts with the true kingship which emerges under David.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Now, when word of the war with Ammon reaches Saul in his home city of Gibeah, he is involved in a most surprising action: \u201cand behold, Saul was coming from the field, behind the cattle\u201d (v. 5). Now most likely he was not driving the cattle, especially since sheep and goats are the most common domesticated animals in Israel, especially in the central hill country, where Gibeah is located. Rather, the cattle were probably a pair of oxen yoked to a plow, as implied in v. 7, for such was their primary use in ancient Israel.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

An excellent parallel to Saul\u2019s plowing his field is furnished by the <\/span>Odyssey <\/span><\/i>18.365-386, where Odysseus brags about his prowess at all manner of agricultural activity, including taking the scythe to the tall grass and plowing with oxen to create the straightest of furrows. \u00a0As with Saul, so with Odysseus: the hero\u2019s status as military champion and rightful king (of Israel and of Ithaca, respectively) does not prevent him from working his ancestral land. This analogue bespeaks the East Mediterranean epic which underlies both early Israelite narrative prose and Homeric narrative poetry, as revealed most prominently in the writings of my teacher, the late Cyrus Gordon (1908\u20122001).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

For artistic depictions of this activity, we turn to ancient Egypt. \u00a0See, for example,<\/span> the 12th Dynasty wooden model in the Metropolitan Museum<\/span><\/a>, and<\/span> the 19th Dynasty wall painting in the tomb of Sennedjem at Deir el-Medina<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

As the foregoing demonstrates, biblical scholars need to have broad horizons, including both the art of ancient Egypt and the literature of ancient Greece.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: Model of a Man Plowing, ca. 1981\u20131885 B.C.E.. Ancient Egypt. Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC1.0)<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":57620,"alt":"","title":"isam11-plowing","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing.jpg","width":3811,"height":3049,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-300x240.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":240,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-768x614.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":614,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-1024x819.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":819,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1229,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1639,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-1200x960.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":960,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-525x420.jpg","home_baner-width":525,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"A Semi-King","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"No capital, no palace, no army, and like Odysseus, Saul still farmed for a living","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":57620,"alt":"","title":"isam11-plowing","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing.jpg","width":3811,"height":3049,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-300x240.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":240,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-768x614.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":614,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-1024x819.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":819,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing.jpg","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":1229,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing.jpg","2048x2048-width":2048,"2048x2048-height":1639,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-1200x960.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":960,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-plowing-525x420.jpg","home_baner-width":525,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"444","name":"History","old_id":"844"},{"term_id":"835","name":"King","old_id":"1235"},{"term_id":"876","name":"Greek","old_id":"1276"},{"term_id":"885","name":"Saul","old_id":"1285"}]},{"order":5,"id":"57586","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Biblical Snapshots: Promising Initial Victory? ","post_title":"Biblical Snapshots: Promising Initial Victory?","slug":"biblical-snapshots-promising-initial-victory","old_id":"57586","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"243","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/__VcfwtDpVg","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Biblical Snapshots","tile_main_caption":"I Samuel 11: Promising Initial Victory?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"with Adam Mintz (sponsored by George S. Blumenthal and filmed by Ardon Bar-Hama)","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/__VcfwtDpVg","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":6,"id":"57616","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Saul, Champion of Israel ","post_title":"Saul, Champion of Israel","slug":"saul-champion-of-israel","old_id":"57616","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34243,"post_title":"Moshe Sokolow","slug":"moshe-sokolow","old_id":"34243","first_name":"Moshe","last_name":"Sokolow","description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University, and teaches a weekly class in parashat hashavu`a at Lincoln Square Synagogue. He is the author of TANAKH: An Owner\u2019s Manual (Jerusalem: Urim\/Ktav, 2015).\r\n\r\n","short_description":"Dr. Moshe Sokolow is Associate Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration, Yeshiva University","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34244,"alt":"","title":"sokolow","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","width":302,"height":300,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow-300x298.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":298,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","medium_large-width":302,"medium_large-height":300,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","large-width":302,"large-height":300,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","1536x1536-width":302,"1536x1536-height":300,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","2048x2048-width":302,"2048x2048-height":300,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","post_full_size-width":302,"post_full_size-height":300,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/sokolow.jpg","home_baner-width":302,"home_baner-height":300}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"243","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"In mustering popular support, he wins a war and cements his rule","post_main_content_content":"

Although Samuel had all but promised Saul the kingship, and although his selection was made at God\u2019s behest, Saul still lacked the popular acceptance that would cement his rule. This chapter tells us how that transpired.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The citizens of Jabesh-Gilead were threatened by the Ammonites and they sought a champion (<\/span>moshi`a<\/span><\/i>) to fight for their cause (3). Saul was upset by the news of their plight and he received a divine inspiration (6) that led him to gather an army of 330,000 soldiers (8). [Bear in mind that the IDF standing force is only about 200,000.] By dividing his forces into three parts, he was able to infiltrate the Ammonite lines and rout them so thoroughly that \u201cnot even two remain together\u201d (12).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Gilead region was in Transjordan; could they find no closer assistance than Benjamin? Indeed, they \u201csent throughout the borders of Israel\u201d (3) in search of a champion, implicitly drawing no response. Why, then, did Saul enlist? Recalling Judges 21, Jabesh-Gilead was the only place that had not participated in the ban on marrying Benjaminites and the prospect of the eventual elimination of that entire tribe was forestalled by forcibly taking 400 women from Jabesh-Gilead and giving them in marriage to Benjaminites. Is it possible that Saul was the product of such a marriage and was, as it were, repaying a debt?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Speculation aside, the result of Saul\u2019s overwhelming victory is precisely the affirmation of his rule that was absent heretofore.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And the people said unto Samuel: Anyone who says: Is Saul fit to reign over us? Turn them over and we will put them to death. (12)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Saul declared, magnanimously, \u201cNo one will die today, for today has been a day of divine deliverance\u201d (13), and Samuel, taking his cue, declared to the people: \u201cLet us go to Gilgal and inaugurate the monarchy\u201d (14). They went there and coronated Saul amidst great festivity (15) and, at least for the time being, everything seemed satisfactory. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: King Saul on Israeli stamp (1960) designed by Asher Calderon \/ wikimedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":57617,"alt":"","title":"isam11-stamp","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","width":320,"height":716,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp-134x300.jpg","medium-width":134,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","medium_large-width":320,"medium_large-height":716,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","large-width":320,"large-height":716,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","1536x1536-width":320,"1536x1536-height":716,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","2048x2048-width":320,"2048x2048-height":716,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","post_full_size-width":320,"post_full_size-height":716,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp-188x420.jpg","home_baner-width":188,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"","tile_main_caption":"Saul, Champion of Israel","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"In mustering popular support, he wins a war and cements his rule","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":57617,"alt":"","title":"isam11-stamp","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","width":320,"height":716,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp-134x300.jpg","medium-width":134,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","medium_large-width":320,"medium_large-height":716,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","large-width":320,"large-height":716,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","1536x1536-width":320,"1536x1536-height":716,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","2048x2048-width":320,"2048x2048-height":716,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp.jpg","post_full_size-width":320,"post_full_size-height":716,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/isam11-stamp-188x420.jpg","home_baner-width":188,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"434","name":"War","old_id":"834"},{"term_id":"835","name":"King","old_id":"1235"},{"term_id":"885","name":"Saul","old_id":"1285"}]},{"order":7,"id":"57632","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Saul Finally Rose To The Occasion, But Samuel... ","post_title":"Saul Finally Rose To The Occasion, But Samuel...","slug":"saul-finally-rose-to-the-occasion-but-samuel","old_id":"57632","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":56443,"post_title":"Moshe Halbertal","slug":"moshe-halbertal","old_id":"56443","first_name":"Moshe ","last_name":"Halbertal ","description":"Prof. Moshe Halbertal is a professor of Jewish thought and philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a professor of law at New York University (NYU) and the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. His latest book, co-authored with Stephen Holmes, The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel was published by Princeton University Press in 2017. Halbertal was the recipient of the Michael Bruno Memorial Award of the Rothschild Foundation and the Goldstein-Goren Book Award for the best book in Jewish thought in the years 1997 to 2000. In 2010, Halbertal was named a member of Israel\u2019s Academy for the Sciences and the Humanities.","short_description":"Prof. Moshe Halbertal is a professor of Jewish thought and philosophy at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a professor of law at New York University (NYU) and the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":56444,"alt":"","title":"Moshe-Halbertal","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","width":500,"height":500,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","medium_large-width":500,"medium_large-height":500,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","large-width":500,"large-height":500,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","1536x1536-width":500,"1536x1536-height":500,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","2048x2048-width":500,"2048x2048-height":500,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal.png","post_full_size-width":500,"post_full_size-height":500,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Moshe-Halbertal-420x420.png","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"243","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Samuel did more than his share in pushing Saul to, and over, the brink","post_main_content_content":"

The real establishment of Saul\u2019s authority and the emergence of a structure that resembles a permanent and concentrated political force capable of taxation and conscription occurred through neither clandestine anointment nor public coronation, but only after a decisive victory in war\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Acting in a way reminiscent of the charismatic ad hoc leaders portrayed in the Book of Judges, Saul\u2019s call for arms, including his threat to destroy the economic livelihood of any community within the Israelite federation that failed to send troops to lift the siege of Jabesh-gilead, was spectacularly successful, leading him to an utter rout of the Ammonites\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u2026This was the moment when Saul began to act like a king. He established a permanent court with a small standing army; he would no longer be found plowing his fields. Military victory gave him a taste for power and the confidence as to assume it\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From this point forward, the author of the Book of Samuel will turn his penetrating gaze to the radically transformed inner life of the originally unassuming and modest person who first had power thrust upon him and only afterwards was seized by the power that had descended upon him unsought.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Whether attained by craft or by chance, great power has a way of defining the person who wields it. Finding themselves venerated by those around them, the supremely powerful almost, inevitably begin to worship themselves. Once such intoxicating superiority is tasted, relinquishing it can be experienced as an obliteration of the self. This is especially true for an office that can be bequeathed to one\u2019s heirs, a promise or expectation that gives its present occupant an intimation of immortality. Even Samuel-the boy with no dynastic pedigree, who was born to a barren woman as a gift of God, and who was brought to the center of the leadership as a challenge to a corrupt dynastic priesthood-displayed fierce resistance to the loss of great hereditary power. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

In his old age, Samuel wished his sons to inherit his leadership role even though they were plainly unworthy. He felt personally betrayed by the people who rejected his sons. And he was seemingly forced by God to anoint a king against his will. Despite Saul\u2019s initial victories over the Ammonites and other tribal enemies of Israel, Samuel continued to resent the king he had anointed, and his seething resentment will inflict continuous blows on Saul until the very end. Though Samuel had witnessed firsthand Saul\u2019s personal reluctance and innocence, he couldn\u2019t resist treating Saul as an illegitimate usurper of his own role and power. A young and inexperienced king was destined to make mistakes. And Samuel, as we will see, did more than his share in pushing Saul to, and over, the brink. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Excerpts from The Beginning of Politics: Power in the Biblical Book of Samuel<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 Moshe Halbertal and Stephen Holmes, Princeton University Press, 2017, pp.22-4. 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And the elders of Jabesh said to him, \u201cLeave us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel, and if there is none to rescue us, we shall come out to you\u201d (11:3)<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Commentary: <\/span>Leave us alone for seven days<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

Nahash\u2019s seemingly surprising agreement to this condition is by no means a sign of generosity but must be understood from his viewpoint as an additional opportunity to humiliate the Israelites: he scarcely imagines that the disunited tribes will produce a \u201crescuer,\u201d and thus the impotent tribes will all be forced to witness helplessly the mutilation of their trans-Jordanian kinsmen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, <\/span>The Hebrew Bible, <\/span><\/i>vol. 2: Prophets, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019, ad loc. 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\u201cWhen People Say, \u2018Here I Am\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/a> by Joseph Meszler: Declaring one\u2019s presence in the Bible. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201cSnakes: Friend or Foe?\u201d<\/span><\/a> by Loren Berman: What does the Bible say about this reptile? <\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":"","post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"Go deeper into the chapter....","tile_main_caption":"Sefaria Source Sheets - I Samuel 11","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Click to get links to learning resources","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":42232,"alt":"","title":"sefaria-words-sunburst","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","width":608,"height":395,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst-300x195.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":195,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","medium_large-width":608,"medium_large-height":395,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","large-width":608,"large-height":395,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","1536x1536-width":608,"1536x1536-height":395,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","2048x2048-width":608,"2048x2048-height":395,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","post_full_size-width":608,"post_full_size-height":395,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/sefaria-words-sunburst.png","home_baner-width":608,"home_baner-height":395}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"Sefaria word sunburst visualization","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","old_create_date":"","links":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":13,"id":"57591","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Points to Ponder - I Samuel 11 ","post_title":"Points to Ponder - I Samuel 11","slug":"points-to-ponder-i-samuel-11","old_id":"57591","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38102,"post_title":"929-English","slug":"929-english","old_id":"38102","first_name":"","last_name":"929-English","description":"","short_description":"","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38333,"alt":"","title":"\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","width":1513,"height":860,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-300x171.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":171,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-768x437.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":437,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1024x582.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":582,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","1536x1536-width":1513,"1536x1536-height":860,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5.png","2048x2048-width":1513,"2048x2048-height":860,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-1200x682.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":682,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d5-739x420.png","home_baner-width":739,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"243","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"","post_main_content_content":"

    \r\n\t
  1. Savior or King? <\/span><\/i>There are many similarities between the stories of the judge-saviors of the Book of Judges, and the story of military salvation here. The distress, the feeling of a lack of leadership, the overwhelming spirit of God, etc. But here there is a sort of mandatory draft, which is definitely an innovation relative to the Judges, and in many respects - exactly one of the reasons that the people wanted a king in the first place. <\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Flashback<\/span><\/i>. If the phrases: Benjamin, Gibeah\/Givah\/Givat Shaul, Jabesh Gilead, and bodily mutilation as a way of sending a message, gives you a sort of d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu to the story of the concubine of Gibeah, you\u2019re not alone. What does it all mean? Worth exploring. <\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Jabesh Gilead<\/span><\/i>. The folks of Jabesh Gilead will not soon forget Saul\u2019s coming to their rescue. You\u2019d best remember it as well, at least until Saul\u2019s last war twenty chapters hence.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. Between Samuel and Saul<\/i>. Who sets the tone? Who\u2019s king here? Who pulls the strings? Or - not anymore? These questions are only beginning to be asked, but they will accompany us in the coming chapters.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","post_main_content_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"post_main_content_embedded_video":"","post_main_content_video_duration":"","post_main_content_show_fb_comments":"1","post_main_content_credit_media":"","tile_top_caption":"I Samuel 11","tile_main_caption":"Points to Ponder","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Insights and questions for personal reflection and group discussion","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":86314,"alt":"","title":"Points to ponder","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","width":1000,"height":1000,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-768x768.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","large-width":1000,"large-height":1000,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","1536x1536-width":1000,"1536x1536-height":1000,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","2048x2048-width":1000,"2048x2048-height":1000,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder.jpg","post_full_size-width":1000,"post_full_size-height":1000,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Points-to-ponder-420x420.jpg","home_baner-width":420,"home_baner-height":420}},"tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"","tile_tile_gallery_items":"","tile_credits":"","alternate_tile_top_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption":"","alternate_tile_main_caption_size":"1","alternate_tile_sub_caption":"","alternate_tile_hide_media":"0","tile_group_preview_image_url":"","tile_group_main_caption":"","tile_group_sub_caption":"","tile_group_popup_package_extra_content":"","tile_group_read_time":"","home_color":"","home_gallery_top":"","home_gallery_middle":"","home_gallery_book":"","home_gallery_bottom":"","seo_seo_title":"","seo_seo_description":"","seo_seo_default_title":"","seo_seo_default_description":"","links":false,"tile_link_for_pay":"0","send_noty":false,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"11","chapter_main_number":"243","date":"20260804","wall_id":"243"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/57501"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/wall"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}