{"id":58697,"date":"2018-07-09T17:43:41","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:43:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-263\/"},"modified":"2023-02-07T07:18:39","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T05:18:39","slug":"wall-263","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-263\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Prophets-I Samuel-31"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"263","date":"20260901","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","books_group":"Prophets","hide_acf":true,"home_image":false,"home_posts":false,"home_posts_title":"","posts_home":[],"posts":[{"order":1,"id":"58810","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"I Samuel Chapter 31 - Read by Michael Bernstein ","post_title":"I Samuel Chapter 31 - Read by Michael Bernstein","slug":"i-samuel-chapter-31-read-by-michael-bernstein","old_id":"58810","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":"263","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 31","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_31_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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"112390","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Remembering The Good In A Flawed Man ","post_title":"Remembering The Good In A Flawed Man","slug":"remembering-the-good-in-a-flawed-man","old_id":"112390","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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Saul knew that this battle would be his last. He knew his troops would be decimated and his children killed. But he had to try to defend his people from the Philistines. It was fitting that Saul\u2019s end came in a no-win situation. Saul seems to have been doomed as king from the start. Samuel did not want a king. God was insulted that the people wanted a king. Saul was a regular guy who did not really want to be king. There was no model for national leadership for him to model himself after. He was the first one. Every step of the way Samuel or God found fault in what he did.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After the kingship was taken from him, Saul was forced to watch as his God appointed the usurper who lived in his house and won the plaudits of the people and his children. But Saul is given a fitting farewell. On the battlefield he falls on his sword to avoid being tortured by the Philistines. The Philistines find his body (and Jonathan\u2019s body) and cut off their heads and hang their bodies on the wall of one of their cities. The people of Jabesh-Gilead hear about this sacrilege and embark on a secret mission to retrieve the bodies:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Then they took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days (verse 13).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Why do the people of Jabesh-Gilead rescue Saul\u2019s body? Why do they bury him under the tamarisk tree? The answer to these questions can be found in chapter 11 and chapter 22. Chapter 11 was the first major act of Saul after he was anointed king. Nachash threatens the city of Jabesh-Gilad and Saul rallies the people to save the city. Thus the people of Jabesh-Gilad personally feel the need to show honor to the bodies. In chapter 22, Saul is sitting under the tamarisk tree when Doeg tells him that David went to Nob. Right after that, in the darkest day of his kingship, he crosses the point of no return when he orders the massacre of the priests and the city. This final ending then pays homage to the first part of his reign before things went bad. 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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":59469,"alt":"","title":"i sam 31","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","width":798,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-234x300.jpg","medium-width":234,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-768x986.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":986,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-798x1024.jpg","large-width":798,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","1536x1536-width":798,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","2048x2048-width":798,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","post_full_size-width":798,"post_full_size-height":1024,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-327x420.jpg","home_baner-width":327,"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 31:6","tile_main_caption":"Thus Saul And His Three Sons And All His Men","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Thus Saul and his three sons and his arms-bearer, as well as all his men, died together on that day","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59469,"alt":"","title":"i sam 31","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","width":798,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-234x300.jpg","medium-width":234,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-768x986.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":986,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-798x1024.jpg","large-width":798,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","1536x1536-width":798,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","2048x2048-width":798,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31.jpg","post_full_size-width":798,"post_full_size-height":1024,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-31-327x420.jpg","home_baner-width":327,"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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":4,"id":"59480","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Mental Illness Is Not A Choice - It\u2019s An Illness ","post_title":"Mental Illness Is Not A Choice - It\u2019s An Illness","slug":"mental-illness-is-not-a-choice-its-an-illness","old_id":"59480","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":56290,"post_title":"Sandra Cohen","slug":"sandra-cohen","old_id":"56290","first_name":"Sandra ","last_name":"Cohen","description":"Rabbi Sandra Cohen teaches, provides pastoral care, and works in mental health outreach. 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","short_description":"Rabbi Sandra Cohen teaches, provides pastoral care, and works in mental health outreach.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":56293,"alt":"","title":"Sandra Cohen","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen.jpg","width":279,"height":303,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen-276x300.jpg","medium-width":276,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen.jpg","medium_large-width":279,"medium_large-height":303,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen.jpg","large-width":279,"large-height":303,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen.jpg","1536x1536-width":279,"1536x1536-height":303,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen.jpg","2048x2048-width":279,"2048x2048-height":303,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen.jpg","post_full_size-width":279,"post_full_size-height":303,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Sandra-Cohen.jpg","home_baner-width":279,"home_baner-height":303}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"263","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"In our communities, we must hear the cries of pain, of hurt and fear and loss","post_main_content_content":"

Judaism does not approve of suicide. Debates over when to discontinue medical treatment exist, but to actively kill yourself \u2014 to take sword in hand and fall upon it as King: well, no rabbi, past or present, supports this.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Death is considered the ultimate atonement for the lapses of one\u2019s life according to our tradition. No person is without sin; every life lived has faults, both of commission and omission. The rabbis believed that if a person strove for goodness and honestly tried to overcome one\u2019s mistakes, in the end, the loss of one\u2019s own life \u2014 that is, death \u2014 serves to atone for any remaining sins. Living is in many ways its own reward, and then when life ends, that is punishment enough.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

But what of the one who takes her own life? Instead of death as a loss, that person sees death a goal. It can no longer atone for sins, because the death itself \u2014 suicide \u2014 is also a sin. And so, it was traditional to withhold certain honorary rituals for the one who committed suicide. The community would comfort the mourners, but there was no eulogy. She would be buried at the edge of the cemetery, a dishonor. None should follow that path.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Today, virtually all understand suicide to be a result of mental illness, and not a free choice.\u00a0 And yet, many still speak of those who commit suicide in hushed undertones. \u201cDid you hear about so-and-so\u2026?\u201c\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mental illness is an illness, as real and devastating as cancer. We used to murmur about cancer behind closed doors. Today, we have breast cancer month, pink ribbons, and posters reminding us to get tested. When will mental illness get the same treatment? Depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders are nothing to be ashamed of, and do not happen only to the weak. While there are many causes of mental illness \u2014 genetic, biochemical, developmental, circumstantial \u2014 no one WANTS to be mentally ill. And curing such illnesses is not a matter of self-discipline or morality.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Mental illness is an illness.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

So let\u2019s treat it like an illness. In the synagogue, with a <\/span>Misheberach<\/span><\/i> (prayer for\u00a0 the ill), literature about mental health resources in the lobby, and offering support to those struggling with mental illness and their families. We can show that there is no shame in mental illness. When a regular Shabbat attendee goes absent, it is incumbent upon us to reach out. A person stuck in bed with overwhelming anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder may not be able to ask for help; offer it instead. A phone call, an email: it all helps. Let an ill person know they are missed.\u00a0 Knowing that the community cares can literally hold a person up.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Our children, our spouses, even the King Sauls are hurting. It is not enough to be like the arm\u2019s bearer and refuse to kill the king. We must hear the cries of pain, of hurt and fear and loss.\u00a0 We must respond.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59481,"alt":"","title":"isam31-mental health","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health.png","width":1280,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-768x768.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-1024x1024.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":1280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-1200x1200.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-420x420.png","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":"","tile_main_caption":"Mental Illness Is Not A Choice - It\u2019s An Illness","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"In our communities, we must hear the cries of pain, of hurt and fear and loss","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59481,"alt":"","title":"isam31-mental health","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health.png","width":1280,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-300x300.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-768x768.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":768,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-1024x1024.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health.png","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":1280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health.png","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-1200x1200.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-mental-health-420x420.png","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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"386","name":"Psychology","old_id":"786"},{"term_id":"394","name":"Emotions","old_id":"794"},{"term_id":"455","name":"Illness","old_id":"855"},{"term_id":"487","name":"Health","old_id":"887"}]},{"order":5,"id":"59476","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"The Death Of Saul And His Three Sons ","post_title":"The Death Of Saul And His Three Sons","slug":"the-death-of-saul-and-his-three-sons","old_id":"59476","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33877,"post_title":"Marc Bregman","slug":"marc-bregman","old_id":"33877","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Bregman","description":"Marc Bregman received his Ph.D. from The Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991. He taught at the Hebrew Union College (Jerusalem), The Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Schechter Institute for Judaic Studies in Jerusalem, and at the Ben-Gurion University in Beer Sheba, Israel. During 1993 he was Visiting Associate Professor at Yale University, and during 1996 he was the Stroum Professor of Jewish Studies and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Washington in Seattle. During 2005, Bregman served as the Harry Starr Fellow in Judaica at Harvard University and was awarded a Teaching Fellowship at the Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He also has served as Forchheimer Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Humanities at The Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He is the author of The Tanhuma-Yelammedenu Literature: Studies in the Evolution of the Versions (Gorgias Press, 2003). In 2006, Bregman was appointed the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, where he also headed the program in Jewish Studies, until 2013. Bregman retired from UNCG as of July 31, 2017. He has now returned to Jerusalem where he is continuing his research and teaching activities.","credit":"","image_url":"","short_description":"Marc Bregman is the Herman and Zelda Bernard Distinguished Professor of Jewish Studies emeritus, at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro.","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":33878,"alt":"Marc Bregman","title":"Marc Bregman","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","width":361,"height":488,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-222x300.jpg","medium-width":222,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","medium_large-width":361,"medium_large-height":488,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","large-width":361,"large-height":488,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","1536x1536-width":361,"1536x1536-height":488,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","2048x2048-width":361,"2048x2048-height":488,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman.jpg","post_full_size-width":361,"post_full_size-height":488,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Bregman-311x420.jpg","home_baner-width":311,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"263","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Did he - did they - deserve such a cruel death?\u00a0","post_main_content_content":"

Our chapter tells of the tragic end of Saul and his three sons: After \u201cthe Philistines struck down the sons of Saul\u2026Saul grasped the sword and fell upon it\u2026So, Saul and his three sons\u2026died together on that day\u201d (31:2-6). Why did Saul, the first king of Israel, deserve to die by his own hand, in the same battle with his three sons, resulting also in the end of any immediate dynastic hopes Saul might have entertained during his lifetime?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Midrash (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:16) provides a surprising answer: \u201cDo not be overly righteous\u2026Why should you destroy yourself\u201d (Ecclesiastes 7:16) -- Do not be more righteous than your Creator, as in the case of Saul of whom it is written: \u201cSaul destroyed Amalek\u2026but Saul and the troops spared Agag and\u2026all else that was of value\u201d (15:7-9). Rabbi Huna\u2019 and Rabbi Benaiah say: Saul began to argue with his Creator, saying, You ordered: \u201cNow go, attack Amalek, and proscribe all that belongs to him. Spare no one, but kill alike men and women, infants and sucklings, oxen and sheep, camels and asses!\u201d (15:3). Saul reasoned: If the men sinned, how have the women and children, the cattle, ox and ass, sinned?! A Divine Voice went out and said: \u201cDo not be overly righteous\u201d (Ecclesiastes 7:16) -- more righteous than your Creator!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Rabbi Simeon ben Laqish said: Whoever becomes merciful where he should be merciless, in the end becomes merciless where he should be merciful. Where do we find that Saul was merciless where he should have been merciful? As it is said: \u201cHe [Saul] put Nob, the town of the priests, to the sword\u201d (22:19). But Nob should not have been treated like the seed of Amalek [for, unlike Amalek, there was no Divine decree to destroy Nob]. Thus, the Rabbis conclude: Whoever becomes merciful [as Saul did by initially sparing Agag, the king of the Amalekites, see I Samuel 15:7-9] where he should have been merciless, in the end the Divine Attribute of Justice will be merciless with him, as it says: \u201cSo, Saul and his three sons\u2026died together on that day\u201d (I Samuel 31:6).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: Ellie Marcuse, \u201cDeath of King Saul\", 1848 - Tel Aviv Museum of Art \/ wikimedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59478,"alt":"","title":"isam31-saul","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","width":441,"height":599,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-221x300.jpg","medium-width":221,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","medium_large-width":441,"medium_large-height":599,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","large-width":441,"large-height":599,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","1536x1536-width":441,"1536x1536-height":599,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","2048x2048-width":441,"2048x2048-height":599,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","post_full_size-width":441,"post_full_size-height":599,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-309x420.jpg","home_baner-width":309,"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":"The Death Of Saul And His Three Sons","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Did he - did they - deserve such a cruel death?\u00a0","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59478,"alt":"","title":"isam31-saul","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","width":441,"height":599,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-221x300.jpg","medium-width":221,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","medium_large-width":441,"medium_large-height":599,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","large-width":441,"large-height":599,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","1536x1536-width":441,"1536x1536-height":599,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","2048x2048-width":441,"2048x2048-height":599,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul.jpg","post_full_size-width":441,"post_full_size-height":599,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-309x420.jpg","home_baner-width":309,"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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"363","name":"Midrash","old_id":"763"},{"term_id":"383","name":"Death","old_id":"783"},{"term_id":"491","name":"Suffering","old_id":"891"},{"term_id":"581","name":"Mercy","old_id":"981"}]},{"order":6,"id":"59488","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"What If? Imagining A Serene Alternative History ","post_title":"What If? Imagining A Serene Alternative History","slug":"what-if-imagining-a-serene-alternative-history","old_id":"59488","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":34235,"post_title":"Marc Gitler","slug":"marc-gitler","old_id":"34235","first_name":"Marc","last_name":"Gitler","description":"Rabbi Marc Gitler, a recipient of the Wexner Fellowship, was ordained at Yeshivat Chovevei Torah, and earned an MPA from NYU . The founder of Fast for Feast, he lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. He used to work for 929 North America.\r\n","short_description":"Rabbi Marc Gitler, founder of Fast for Feast, lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife Sarah and their four children. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":34236,"alt":"","title":"Marc Gitler","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","width":407,"height":407,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler-300x300.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","medium_large-width":407,"medium_large-height":407,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","large-width":407,"large-height":407,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","1536x1536-width":407,"1536x1536-height":407,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","2048x2048-width":407,"2048x2048-height":407,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","post_full_size-width":407,"post_full_size-height":407,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/07\/Marc-Gitler.jpg","home_baner-width":407,"home_baner-height":407}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"263","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Saul failed in his reign, his relationships, his rulings - and even in his own death","post_main_content_content":"

There are few figures in the entirety of scripture who fail as often and as spectacularly as Saul. When we first meet him, Saul is good; he is humble, kind, respectful and unpretentious. But just as this simple young man fails to find his father\u2019s missing donkeys, he fails at nearly every turn his life takes. His story is one of a tragic king, seemingly set up for failure.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

His fails to unite the people when he is publicly proclaimed king. He defeats Nachash the Amonite, his one great moment as king, but then regularly fails in judgement and execution. He defeats the Philistines but fails to wait for Samuel, fails his son Jonathan, (he is ready to have his heroic son killed), and defeats Amalek but fails to properly follow God\u2019s command. He fails to recognize that the Priests in Nob are not conspiring against him. He fails to have David assassinated by the Philistines, (David is much more efficient at assassinating men in kamikaze missions) and fails to kill the son of Jesse during his own pursuits.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

His greatest failure was his unwillingness to accept David as the future king. Imagine if Saul would have actualized one of his lucid moments from chapter 24 or 26. By royal decree\u00a0 he could have proclaimed his son-in-law as his successor, and crown prince Jonathan second to the throne and David\u2019s lead advisor. Jonathan would have accepted the decision, and much bloodshed averted. With David on the frontline Saul and his sons probably survive the battle in our chapter, and following Saul\u2019s life and much later David\u2019s passing, a grandson of Saul, born to David and Michal would likely have succeeded his father and grandfather. A serene alternative history could have ensued with Rachel and Leah\u2019s descendants leading Israel together.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It comes as no surprise that our tragic king even fails to die on his own terms. He is severely wounded but not killed by the Philistine archers, and then his weapon bearer simply refuses to finish the job. His lack of charisma extends even to his death.\u00a0 It would be humorous if it weren\u2019t just so tragic. He takes his own life, but according to the Amalekite boy in tomorrow\u2019s chapter, Saul even fails to die from falling on his own sword.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Sadly, Saul\u2019s death in our chapter doesn\u2019t end his failed reign. After his passing we learn of the failed reign of his son Ish-Boshet, the sad existence of his grandson Mefiboshet, and the horrific hanging of nearly all his living descendants to placate the Gibeonites for Saul\u2019s treatment of their people.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The people desired a king, Saul was right to hide in the coatroom during his coronation ceremony. He probably should have never come out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59489,"alt":"","title":"isam31-failure","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure.jpg","width":1280,"height":852,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-768x511.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":511,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":852,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":852,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-1200x799.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":799,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-631x420.jpg","home_baner-width":631,"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":"What If? Imagining A Serene Alternative History","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Saul failed in his reign, his relationships, his rulings - and even in his own death","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59489,"alt":"","title":"isam31-failure","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure.jpg","width":1280,"height":852,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-300x200.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":200,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-768x511.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":511,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-1024x682.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":682,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure.jpg","1536x1536-width":1280,"1536x1536-height":852,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure.jpg","2048x2048-width":1280,"2048x2048-height":852,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-1200x799.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":799,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-failure-631x420.jpg","home_baner-width":631,"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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"383","name":"Death","old_id":"783"},{"term_id":"885","name":"Saul","old_id":"1285"},{"term_id":"886","name":"Failure","old_id":"1286"}]},{"order":7,"id":"59485","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Saul Meets his End(s) ","post_title":"Saul Meets His End(s)","slug":"saul-meets-his-ends","old_id":"59485","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. 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In chapter 28, we saw that the spirit of Samuel, ostensibly conjured up by the Witch of Endor (see <\/span>our comments there<\/span><\/a>), had warned Saul that \u201ctomorrow, you and your sons will be with me\u201d (19), i.e., dead at the hands of the Philistines.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The battle atop Mt. Gilboa went poorly for Israel. The troops fled, Saul\u2019s sons were killed, and he himself was mortally wounded by Philistine archers. He summoned his armor bearer and instructed him to deliver a coup de grace \u201clest these uncircumcised come and run me through and make a mockery of me\u201d (4). When the bearer declined, \u201cout of fear,\u201d Saul literally fell on his own sword. R. Yosef Kara (12<\/span>th<\/span> century) expressed curiosity over the bearer\u2019s fear. Since it states that upon observing Saul\u2019s death, he, too, took his life (5), it would appear that he was not afraid of such retribution as might have befallen him at the hands of Saul\u2019s relatives. Rather, his was the fear of God and he was deign to participate in an assisted suicide. Why someone so fearful would commit his own suicide is unasked.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, a countervailing narrative of Saul\u2019s demise was later provided to David by an Amalekite\u2014who also referred to himself as \u201cthe son of an Amalekite <\/span>ger<\/span><\/i>\u201d (meaning either a convert or a resident; 2 Samuel 1:13)\u2014who claimed to have found Saul still alive and complied with the king\u2019s request to be slain. Exegetes are of various opinions regarding the relative veracity of the two accounts, observing, in part, that the Amalekite might have embellished his role in the story in order to please David and in anticipation of a reward. If that was indeed the case, he failed miserably since David took great umbrage at the <\/span>lese majeste<\/span><\/em> and had him executed (15-16).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Thus the saga of Saul, first king of Israel, whose appointment by Samuel met with both high anticipation and grave anxiety, came to an ignominious end.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

image: Gustave Dore - Saul Dies In Battle, 1843<\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59486,"alt":"","title":"isam31-saul-dies-in-battle","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","width":649,"height":551,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle-300x255.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":255,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","medium_large-width":649,"medium_large-height":551,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","large-width":649,"large-height":551,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","1536x1536-width":649,"1536x1536-height":551,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","2048x2048-width":649,"2048x2048-height":551,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","post_full_size-width":649,"post_full_size-height":551,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle-495x420.jpg","home_baner-width":495,"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 Meets His End(s)","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The ignominious demise of the first King of Israel","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59486,"alt":"","title":"isam31-saul-dies-in-battle","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","width":649,"height":551,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle-300x255.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":255,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","medium_large-width":649,"medium_large-height":551,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","large-width":649,"large-height":551,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","1536x1536-width":649,"1536x1536-height":551,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","2048x2048-width":649,"2048x2048-height":551,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle.jpg","post_full_size-width":649,"post_full_size-height":551,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-saul-dies-in-battle-495x420.jpg","home_baner-width":495,"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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"366","name":"Commentators","old_id":"766"},{"term_id":"383","name":"Death","old_id":"783"},{"term_id":"721","name":"Text","old_id":"1121"},{"term_id":"885","name":"Saul","old_id":"1285"}]},{"order":8,"id":"112414","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"The Tanakh Podcast-ISam31","post_title":"The Tanakh Podcast-ISam31","slug":"the-tanakh-podcast-isam31","old_id":"112414","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":33692,"post_title":"Alex Israel","slug":"33692-2","old_id":"33692","first_name":"Alex","last_name":"Israel","description":"Alex Israel teaches Tanakh at the Pardes Institute, Yeshivat Eretz Hatzvi and Matan, Jerusalem. 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","short_description":"Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky is the Director of Interdisciplinary Learning and Educational Outreach at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":56119,"alt":"","title":"tzvi_sinensky","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","width":240,"height":280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","medium-width":240,"medium-height":280,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","medium_large-width":240,"medium_large-height":280,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","large-width":240,"large-height":280,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","1536x1536-width":240,"1536x1536-height":280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","2048x2048-width":240,"2048x2048-height":280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","post_full_size-width":240,"post_full_size-height":280,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/tzvi_sinensky.jpg","home_baner-width":240,"home_baner-height":280}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"263","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"The nation suffered from a crippling lack of morale: their staggering loss was all-but- inevitable","post_main_content_content":"

The final chapter of I Samuel details the tragic demise of Saul, paving the way for David\u2019s rise to power. Yet perhaps most striking is not just the death of Saul - that has already been foretold - but the terror the Philistines strike in the heart of Saul, his servants, and the nation. The end of I Samuel almost reads like the conclusion of a Greek tragedy.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The chapter\u2019s opening verse already sets the tone, emphasizing that the Israelites fled from the Philistines and suffered casualties on Mount Gilboa. As R. Meir Leibush (Malbim) notes, \u201cIsrael forgot its bravery, for they did not fight at all, but fled immediately. And due to this they suffered casualties, for the beginning of defeat is fleeing.\u201d In other words, the nation suffered from a crippling lack of morale, on account of which their staggering loss was all-but- inevitable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Verse 3 then describes Saul\u2019s state of mind before his death: \u201cThe war weighed heavily on Saul,\u201d and \u201che greatly feared the archers.\u201d He asks his arms-bearer to kill him. When the assistant refuses, Saul falls on his own sword. Upon witnessing this tragic turn, the arms-bearer kills himself as well. When the people of the Emek Valley see that Saul had died, they too flee for their lives.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Saul then dies in ignominy, his body was displayed on the walls of the ancient city of Beit Shean, a major international thoroughfare.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the end, Saul\u2019s life comes full circle. Initially surprised by his selection as king, and highly reticent to take a position of power, he only rises to power after being endowed with the spirit of God. As soon as the spirit of God was removed from him, he lost his self-confidence and was never able to again inspire the nation as a leader. His desperate violation of his own rules in seeking out the <\/span>ba\u2019alat ov<\/span><\/em>, necromancer, and his pathetic demise in our chapter, are ultimately a statement not just about Saul, but about the far-reaching difference between one who is endowed by the spirit of God, and one who is not.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: The Death of Saul, 1866 \/ wikimedia<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59492,"alt":"","title":"isam31-The_Death_of_Saul","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","width":479,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul-240x300.jpg","medium-width":240,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","medium_large-width":479,"medium_large-height":600,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","large-width":479,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","1536x1536-width":479,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","2048x2048-width":479,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","post_full_size-width":479,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul-335x420.jpg","home_baner-width":335,"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":"When The Spirit Departs","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"The nation suffered from a crippling lack of morale: their staggering loss was all-but- inevitable","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59492,"alt":"","title":"isam31-The_Death_of_Saul","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","width":479,"height":600,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul-240x300.jpg","medium-width":240,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","medium_large-width":479,"medium_large-height":600,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","large-width":479,"large-height":600,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","1536x1536-width":479,"1536x1536-height":600,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","2048x2048-width":479,"2048x2048-height":600,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul.jpg","post_full_size-width":479,"post_full_size-height":600,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam31-The_Death_of_Saul-335x420.jpg","home_baner-width":335,"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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"383","name":"Death","old_id":"783"},{"term_id":"864","name":"Philistines","old_id":"1264"},{"term_id":"885","name":"Saul","old_id":"1285"}]},{"order":11,"id":"59415","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"And They Fasted Seven Days ","post_title":"And They Fasted Seven Days","slug":"and-they-fasted-seven-days","old_id":"59415","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":54356,"post_title":"Robert Alter","slug":"robert-alter","old_id":"54356","first_name":"Robert ","last_name":"Alter","description":"Robert Alter is the Class of 1937 Professor of Hebrew and Comparative Literature at the University of California at Berkeley, where he has taught since 1967. 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And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. (31:13)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Commentary: <\/span>and they fasted seven days\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

This too, is an unusual practice as a mourning rite. Perhaps it merely reflects the grievousness of the loss that the men of Jabesh-Gilead have experienced, though Fokkelman makes the interesting proposal that the seven days of fasting are a counterpart to the seven days Nahash the Ammonite allowed Jabesh-Gilead for a deliverer (who turned out to be Saul) to appear.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, <\/span>The Hebrew Bible<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/i>vol. 2: Prophets, W. W. Norton & Co., 2019, ad loc. By permission of the author.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"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":"From Robert Alter's Bible Translation and Commentary","tile_main_caption":"And They Fasted Seven Days","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"An especially grievous loss","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":54890,"alt":"","title":"Alter-Cover","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","width":1200,"height":693,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-300x173.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":173,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-768x444.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":444,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1024x591.jpg","large-width":1024,"large-height":591,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","1536x1536-width":1200,"1536x1536-height":693,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover.jpg","2048x2048-width":1200,"2048x2048-height":693,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-1200x693.jpg","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":693,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Alter-Cover-727x420.jpg","home_baner-width":727,"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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":12,"id":"58825","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Sefaria Source Sheets - I Samuel 31 ","post_title":"Sefaria Source Sheets - I Samuel 31","slug":"sefaria-source-sheets-i-samuel-31","old_id":"58825","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":42228,"post_title":"Sefaria","slug":"sefaria","old_id":"42228","first_name":"","last_name":"Sefaria","description":"Sefaria is a non-profit organization dedicated to building the future of Jewish learning in an open and participatory way. 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\u201cEnd of Life Ethics\u201d<\/a> by Tavi Koslowe: Jewish perspectives on end-of-life issues.<\/p>\r\n

\u201cThe emperor's new clothes\u201d<\/a> by Dan Epstein: What is the significance of royalty\u2019s clothing?<\/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 31","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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":13,"id":"58799","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"A Lesson on the Daily Chapter- I Samuel 31 ","post_title":"A Lesson on the Daily Chapter- I Samuel 31","slug":"a-lesson-on-the-daily-chapter-i-samuel-31","old_id":"58799","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":40936,"post_title":"David Silber","slug":"david-silber-2","old_id":"40936","first_name":"David ","last_name":"Silber ","description":"Rabbi David Silber is the Founder and Dean of Drisha Institute for Jewish Education. 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    \r\n\t
  1. Free choice?<\/em> Saul knows he\u2019s about to die. Inside the parameters of his destiny - he chooses. He chooses to go out to battle, and he chooses to die by his own hand, and not be killed by a Philistine.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. Bodies and Feelings.<\/em> The story shows just how deep the connection is between the two. How humiliating is the desecration of a dead body. And how much the burial in an Israelite grave is comforting. The closing of a circle, or paying back goodness with goodness. Saul\u2019s first act as king, 20 chapters ago in chapter 11 was to save the people of Jabesh-Gilead from the hands of Nachash the Ammonite. Saul came to their aid when no one else would. The people of Jabesh-Gilead pay him back with the ultimate act of lovingkindness, and do the deed that no one else had the courage to do.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. Between Saul and David.<\/em> This chapter is the continuation of the story told in chapter 28. But in the meantime the camera had turned towards David, and given us a glimpse of his successes - in the battle against Amalek, his internal leadership, and in his connection to God - as contrasted with Saul\u2019s failures.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  4. A sad end to I Samuel.<\/em> But the story continues tomorrow with 2 Samuel. There is hope for the monarchy.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    Chazak chazak, venitchazek: may we have the strength to continue!<\/span><\/p>","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 31","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":"31","chapter_main_number":"263","date":"20260901","wall_id":"263"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false}],"static_cube_title":"","static_cube_brief":"","static_cube_color":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/wall\/58697"}],"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=58697"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}