{"id":58707,"date":"2018-07-09T17:43:39","date_gmt":"2018-07-09T14:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wall\/wall-261\/"},"modified":"2023-02-05T08:56:53","modified_gmt":"2023-02-05T06:56:53","slug":"wall-261","status":"publish","type":"wall","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/wall\/wall-261\/","title":{"rendered":"chapter-Prophets-I Samuel-29"},"parent":0,"template":"","acf":{"type":"chapter","wall_id":"261","date":"20260830","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","books_group":"Prophets","posts":[{"order":1,"id":"58806","color":"#f8ebe3","size":"1","name":"I Samuel Chapter 29 - Read by Jonathan Roumie ","post_title":"I Samuel Chapter 29 - Read by Jonathan Roumie","slug":"i-samuel-chapter-29-read-by-jonathan-roumie","old_id":"58806","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":"261","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 29","tile_main_caption_size":"2","tile_sub_caption":"read by Jonathan Roumie","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":"","tile_preview_video":"","tile_external_link":"https:\/\/soundcloud.com\/929-bible\/JPS_Audio_Bible_I_Samuel_Chapter_29_read_by_Jonathan_Roumie","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":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","date":"20260830","wall_id":"261"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":2,"id":"112310","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Did David Truly Wish To Fight With The Philistines? ","post_title":"Did David Truly Wish To Fight With The Philistines?","slug":"did-david-truly-wish-to-fight-with-the-philistines","old_id":"112310","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":62571,"post_title":"Yaakov Bieler","slug":"yaakov-bieler","old_id":"62571","first_name":"Yaakov ","last_name":"Bieler ","description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University in 1974. He has lectured and written extensively on Modern Orthodoxy, and blogs daily at https:\/\/yaakovbieler.wordpress.com ","short_description":"Rabbi Yaakov Bieler has been involved in Jewish education and the synagogue Rabbinate in New York, NY and Silver Spring, MD since being ordained by Yeshiva University. ","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":62572,"alt":"","title":"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","width":141,"height":180,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler-141x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":141,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium-width":141,"medium-height":180,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","medium_large-width":141,"medium_large-height":180,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","large-width":141,"large-height":180,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","1536x1536-width":141,"1536x1536-height":180,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","2048x2048-width":141,"2048x2048-height":180,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","post_full_size-width":141,"post_full_size-height":180,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/yaakov-bieler.jpg","home_baner-width":141,"home_baner-height":180}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"261","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"David\u2019s puzzling behavior raises some difficult questions\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

David now faces a deep dilemma when the Philistines planned to go to war with the Israelites. What should he do? Continue the charade under which he had joined the Philistines? But that would mean fighting against his own people and possibly killing Saul and his sons. Or stop his dissembling before Achish, disclose that all of his recent actions\u00a0 had been merely a ploy, and that he couldn\u2019t bring himself to actually take up the Philistine cause against the Israelite nation? That would mean \u201cblowing his cover\u201d and possibly being killed as an avowed enemy of the Philistines.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Philistine officers \u201clet him off the hook\u201d (29:4) by not wishing to risk finding out too late that David was actually heading a secret Israelite force embedded within their army, looking to get back into Saul\u2019s good graces by contributing to the Philistine defeat. Despite Achish\u2019s positive vouching for his newfound warrior\u2014David had proven himself when he attacked and defeated what he claimed to be members of the tribe of Judah living in the south (Ibid. 27:10)\u2014Achish\u2019s officers were unsure of how he might act were David to serve among them when they battled the Israelites.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

What is curious is why David persisted, and gave the impression of being insulted by the rejection of his participation with the rest of the Philistines:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

David, however, said to Achish, \u201cBut what have I done, what fault have you found in your servant from the day I appeared before you to this day, that I should not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?\u201d (verse 8).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the end, Achish, not wishing to provide his soldiers with an excuse to turn against him by seriously displeasing them, sent David and his men back to Ziklag:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Achish replied to David, \u201cI know; you are as acceptable to me as an angel of God. But the Philistine officers have decided that you must not march out with us to the battle (verse 9).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yet, if a way out of his existential dilemma beckoned to David, why did he protest in verse 8? Was he so certain that the negative attitude of the Philistine officers was the result of God\u2019s successful manipulations on his behalf, and that He would continue to protect him in terms of Achish\u2019s agreement with his officers? Did David trust in his ability to be a natural psychologist and assume that nothing that he said or did would change Achish\u2019s mind? Did David\u2019s ego, which \u201ctook a hit\u201d when his fighting prowess was questioned by Achish\u2019s officers, get in the way of appropriate prudence? In the interests of assuring his protector that his intent was to act fully as a Philistine, was David taking too much of a risk, one that could have easily backfired? What would have happened if Achish had allowed himself to be convinced by his bodyguard, and overruled his officers\u2019 objections to David joining their ranks? What would David have done then?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This chapter generates many more questions than it provides answers.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":50016,"alt":"","title":"dt8-question","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question.png","width":771,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-181x300.png","medium-width":181,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-617x1024.png","medium_large-width":617,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-617x1024.png","large-width":617,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question.png","1536x1536-width":771,"1536x1536-height":1280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question.png","2048x2048-width":771,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-723x1200.png","post_full_size-width":723,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-253x420.png","home_baner-width":253,"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":"Did David Truly Wish To Fight With The Philistines?","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"David\u2019s puzzling behavior raises some difficult questions","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":50016,"alt":"","title":"dt8-question","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question.png","width":771,"height":1280,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-181x300.png","medium-width":181,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-617x1024.png","medium_large-width":617,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-617x1024.png","large-width":617,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question.png","1536x1536-width":771,"1536x1536-height":1280,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question.png","2048x2048-width":771,"2048x2048-height":1280,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-723x1200.png","post_full_size-width":723,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/dt8-question-253x420.png","home_baner-width":253,"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":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","date":"20260830","wall_id":"261"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"625","name":"Lying","old_id":"1025"},{"term_id":"834","name":"David","old_id":"1234"},{"term_id":"864","name":"Philistines","old_id":"1264"}]},{"order":3,"id":"112314","color":"#f6edf6","size":"1","name":"Rebellion In The Ranks ","post_title":"Rebellion In The Ranks","slug":"rebellion-in-the-ranks","old_id":"112314","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. He and his daughter studied the Tanach again for her bat mitzvah. Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group. When not studying for 929, Josh works as an in-house lawyer in New Jersey.","short_description":"Josh has taught many classes on Tanach throughout the years and currently in the New Rochelle 929 group, and is an in-house attorney in New Jersey. ","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":"261","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"King Achish trusts David - so why does he send him away?\r\n\r\n","post_main_content_content":"

Chapter 29 is a very short chapter with a view of the final battle between Saul and the Philistines from the viewpoint of the Philistines. We gain insight into the inner working of Philistine society. David has been a guest of Achish, the king of the Philistines. Although David has been secretly attacking Israel\u2019s enemies, Achish believed that he had been supporting the Philistines. He trusts David so much that he strongly suggests that David join the Philistines in battle. But Achish\u2019s generals and other Philistine lords are not convinced:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The Philistine officers were angry with him; and the Philistine officers said to him, \u2018send the man back; let him go back to the place you assigned him. He shall not march down with us to the battle, or else he may become our adversary in battle. For with what could that fellow appease his master if not with the heads of these men? (verse 4).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Achish protests but ultimately acquiesces to their demands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Image: Illustration depicting a Philistine victory over the Israelites (1896), from: The Art Bible, with numerous illustrations, G. Newnes \/ wikimedia<\/p>\r\n

Why does he do that? Achish is the king, and should be able to impose his will. Achish may have made the strategic decision to let David go in order to avoid discord in the rank and file of the army. A distracted army would not be unified in battle, and their disunity could lead to casualties or defeat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Another possibility is that Achish needed the lords' and officers' support. In this interpretation, Achish is more of a great lord of the people, but one whose power is not absolute. The Philistine king may have relied on the financial support of these officers in addition to their military prowess. Losing that support could have cost him more than the battle. A rebellion in the ranks of the lords and officers would mean a loss of his kingship.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":72524,"alt":"","title":"jer47-philistines","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","width":800,"height":792,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-300x297.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":297,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-768x760.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":760,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":792,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":792,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":792,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":792,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-424x420.jpg","home_baner-width":424,"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":"Rebellion In The Ranks","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"King Achish trusts David - so why does he send him away?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":72524,"alt":"","title":"jer47-philistines","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","width":800,"height":792,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-300x297.jpg","medium-width":300,"medium-height":297,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-768x760.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":760,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","large-width":800,"large-height":792,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","1536x1536-width":800,"1536x1536-height":792,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","2048x2048-width":800,"2048x2048-height":792,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines.jpg","post_full_size-width":800,"post_full_size-height":792,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/jer47-philistines-424x420.jpg","home_baner-width":424,"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":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","date":"20260830","wall_id":"261"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"434","name":"War","old_id":"834"},{"term_id":"834","name":"David","old_id":"1234"},{"term_id":"864","name":"Philistines","old_id":"1264"}]},{"order":4,"id":"59275","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"2","name":"David, His Tens Of Thousands ","post_title":"David, His Tens Of Thousands","slug":"david-his-tens-of-thousands","old_id":"59275","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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By collaborating with community centers to exhibit her work, and drawing upon her experience as both an artist and educator, her art acts as a bridge which connects past and present and viewers with one another.\r\nMichal dedicates her work in memory to her father Shamai Zweigreich z\u201dl and her grandfather Yisrael Zweigreich z\u201dl, who loved studying Bible and Talmud.","short_description":"Michal Nachmany is a self-taught artist and educator","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":56635,"alt":"","title":"michal nachmany picture","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","width":157,"height":243,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","medium-width":157,"medium-height":243,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","medium_large-width":157,"medium_large-height":243,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","large-width":157,"large-height":243,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","1536x1536-width":157,"1536x1536-height":243,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","2048x2048-width":157,"2048x2048-height":243,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","post_full_size-width":157,"post_full_size-height":243,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/michal-nachmany-picture.jpg","home_baner-width":157,"home_baner-height":243}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"261","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Is this not the David of whom they sang as they danced: 'Saul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands'?","post_main_content_content":"

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":59279,"alt":"","title":"i sam 29","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","width":633,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-185x300.jpg","medium-width":185,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-633x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":633,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-633x1024.jpg","large-width":633,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","1536x1536-width":633,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","2048x2048-width":633,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","post_full_size-width":633,"post_full_size-height":1024,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-260x420.jpg","home_baner-width":260,"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 29:5","tile_main_caption":"David, His Tens Of Thousands","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Is this not the David of whom they sang as they danced: 'Saul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands'?","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59279,"alt":"","title":"i sam 29","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","width":633,"height":1024,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-185x300.jpg","medium-width":185,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-633x1024.jpg","medium_large-width":633,"medium_large-height":1024,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-633x1024.jpg","large-width":633,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","1536x1536-width":633,"1536x1536-height":1024,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","2048x2048-width":633,"2048x2048-height":1024,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29.jpg","post_full_size-width":633,"post_full_size-height":1024,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/i-sam-29-260x420.jpg","home_baner-width":260,"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":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","date":"20260830","wall_id":"261"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"369","name":"Visual Arts","old_id":"769"}]},{"order":5,"id":"59304","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"David As Anarchy Personified\u00a0 ","post_title":"David As Anarchy Personified\u00a0","slug":"david-as-anarchy-personified","old_id":"59304","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":38322,"post_title":"James A. 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Diamond holds the Joseph and Wolf Lebovic Chair of Jewish Studies at the University of Waterloo.","credit":"","image_url":"","hide_writer":false,"link_for_pay":false,"image":{"id":38323,"alt":"","title":"James Diamond","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913.jpg","width":1186,"height":1386,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913-257x300.jpg","medium-width":257,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913-768x898.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":898,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913-876x1024.jpg","large-width":876,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913.jpg","1536x1536-width":1186,"1536x1536-height":1386,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913.jpg","2048x2048-width":1186,"2048x2048-height":1386,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913-1027x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":1027,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/James-Diamond-e1534858914913-359x420.jpg","home_baner-width":359,"home_baner-height":420}},"tags":false},"related_cahpter":"261","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"This chapter intimates the dismal prospects David holds out for the integrity and security of the Israelite state","post_main_content_content":"

The concluding verse of Judges explains a state of lawless anarchy in Israel, that resulted from the lack of a centralized power: \u201c<\/span>In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his eyes\u201d<\/span><\/i> (Judges21:25). Yet David\u2019s subsequent rise to power described in 1 Samuel portends the ultimate failure of that new institution to resolve Israel\u2019s political turmoil. The narrative suggests that the monarchy may even deepen the problem by subtly identifying perceptions of David with the very same locution at the end of Judges.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When the Philistines prepare for a military offensive against Israel, Achish\u2019s colleagues question his enlistment of David to join in the campaign against David\u2019s own compatriots. Though Achish acquiesces, he assures David that his personal faith in David\u2019s allegiance never wavered, for \u201cAs the Lord lives, you are right and good in my eyes\u201d... \u201cand I would like to have you go out and come in with me\u201d (i.e., be my comrade in arms; 29:6). Achish perceives David in the same terms, \u201cright in my eyes,\u201d that captured the chaos at the end of Judges. Ironically, for Achish, this is an expression of confidence in David\u2019s loyalty to act in consonance with Philistine interests. However, what serves Achish\u2019s interests is anathema to Israel\u2019s. Thus, from Israel\u2019s perspective, the phrase conveys the precise sense of impending devastation it did in Judges. <\/span><\/p>\r\n

David\u2019s fealty and collaboration with the Philistines spells disaster for Israel.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Especially ominous for Israel is the consequence of Achish\u2019s favorable perception of David. Achish would have done what was \u201c<\/span>right in his eyes<\/span><\/i>,\u201d and favored David with military leadership, expressed by the phrase \u201cgo out and come in with me.\u201d Military leadership is at the very origins of kingship in Israel, rooted in the people\u2019s longing for a champion who would \u201cgo out ahead of us and fight our battles\u201d (8:20). Saul appointed Davidas commander to \u201cgo out and come in ahead of the nation\u201d (18:13) which earned David the love of the people, \u201cfor he would go out and come in at their head\u201d (18:16). The Philistine king\u2019s appropriation of the phrase identifying David as the ideal candidate to head his own military complex co-opts David into the enemy camp. It thus intimates the dismal prospects David holds out for the integrity and security of the Israelite state.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From a narrative point of view, David is a personification of the very anarchy the monarchy was meant to correct. The corruption to which David\u2019s own reign sinks in the Bath Sheba affair when he exploits the army to cover up his own crimes may already be a foregone conclusion. Considering the dubious nature of David\u2019s rise to power, his corruption while occupying the throne, and the repeated failure of virtually every subsequent king for the remaining history of Israel\u2019s monarchy, that last verse in Judges might more appropriately be rendered, \u201c<\/span>Even though there was no king in Israel, everyone did as he 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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":"261","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"Saul, Nabal, Achish: David\u2019s patrons repay his loyal service with suspicion and distrust","post_main_content_content":"

In this brief chapter, we learn of the vicissitudes of David\u2019s mercenary service to Achish, King of Gat. While Achish was completely persuaded of David\u2019s loyalty to him, the other Philistine overlords were downright skeptical and refused to tolerate David\u2019s presence in their midst. In their rejection, we hear echoes of David\u2019s earlier triumphs, as the Philistines once again recited the refrain of the song that the Israelite women had sung: \u201cSaul has slain in the thousands, but David in the tens of thousands\u201d (5; cf. 18:7, and 21:12). It is curious how these words seem to have reverberated among Israel\u2019s arch enemy and how the Philistines, who emigrated from the Aegean and whose language was not a Semitic one, nevertheless managed to learn these particular Hebrew words.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

This episode also illustrates another recurring theme in David\u2019s life, namely, the failure of his patrons to appreciate him. First Saul, then Nabal, and now Achish all had considerable reason to be indebted to David but one by one their more selfish concerns overtook their gratitude. Perhaps this is why we will eventually find David at the end of his life (1 Kings 2) dictating to Solomon his last will and testament in specific terms of who remained steadfast in their loyalty to him as opposed to who returned his favors with ingratitude.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":59308,"alt":"","title":"isam29-no thanks","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks.png","width":1920,"height":513,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-300x80.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":80,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-768x205.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":205,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-1024x274.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":274,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":410,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":513,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-1200x321.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":321,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-1572x420.png","home_baner-width":1572,"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":"David And The Ingrates","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Saul, Nabal, Achish: David\u2019s patrons repay his loyal service with suspicion and distrust","tile_preview_embedded":"","tile_preview_image":{"id":59308,"alt":"","title":"isam29-no thanks","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/png","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks.png","width":1920,"height":513,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-150x150.png","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-300x80.png","medium-width":300,"medium-height":80,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-768x205.png","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":205,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-1024x274.png","large-width":1024,"large-height":274,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks.png","1536x1536-width":1536,"1536x1536-height":410,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks.png","2048x2048-width":1920,"2048x2048-height":513,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-1200x321.png","post_full_size-width":1200,"post_full_size-height":321,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/isam29-no-thanks-1572x420.png","home_baner-width":1572,"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":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","date":"20260830","wall_id":"261"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":[{"term_id":"834","name":"David","old_id":"1234"},{"term_id":"864","name":"Philistines","old_id":"1264"},{"term_id":"895","name":"Loyalty","old_id":"1295"}]},{"order":7,"id":"59301","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"Go In Peace; Go To Peace ","post_title":"Go In Peace; Go To Peace","slug":"go-in-peace-go-to-peace","old_id":"59301","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":{"id":56118,"post_title":"Tzvi Sinensky","slug":"tzvi-sinensky","old_id":"56118","first_name":"Tzvi ","last_name":"Sinensky ","description":"Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky is the Director of Interdisciplinary Learning and Educational Outreach at the Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston, NJ. He holds a graduate certificate degree in Gender Studies from Utah State University, and is pursuing a PhD on the intersection between Jewish thought and gender studies at the Bernard Revel Graduate School of Jewish Studies. ","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":"261","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content_description":"One letter, many meanings: how do we understand the Biblical send-off?\u00a0","post_main_content_content":"

In biblical Hebrew, it is not uncommon for parting individuals to wish one another \u201c<\/span>lekh le-shalom<\/span><\/em>,\u201d Go in peace. Interestingly enough, there is some debate as to whether the proper blessing is \u201c<\/span>lekh be-shalom<\/span><\/em>,\u201d \"Go in peace,\" or \u201c<\/span>lekh le-shalom<\/span><\/em>,\u201d literally \u201cGo to peace.\u201d Though it seems like a relatively trivial difference, a close reading of our chapter suggests that the single Hebrew letter difference between the phrases might make a substantial difference.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

When dismissing David from his army, at the behest of the Philistine soldiers who distrust the Israelite\u2019s loyalty to their side, Achish wishes David \u201c<\/span>Lekh be-shalom<\/span><\/em>.\u201d Reading the phrase literally, it seems that Achish means to wish that David leave him in a peaceful spirit. Despite his asking David to leave, he hopes that David will retain a positive attitude toward the king.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In contrast, a number of examples suggest that \u201c<\/span>Lekh le-shalom<\/span><\/em>\u201d is specifically used when one wishes someone else a safe journey. Before Moses returns to Egypt, where his life had been endangered after he killed an Egyptian, his father-in-law Jethro wishes him \u201c<\/span>Lekh le-shalom<\/span><\/em>\u201d (Exodus 4:18). When Jonathan, Saul\u2019s son, takes leave of David, he similarly says \u201c<\/span>Lekh le-shalom<\/span><\/em>,\u201d meaning that David should be protected by King Saul (I Samuel 20:42). After healing the Aramean commander Na\u2019aman from a dangerous skin affliction, Elisha wishes him the same (II Kings 5:19).<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Intriguingly, the Talmud (<\/span>Berakhot <\/span><\/i>64a) seems to take a different tack, teaching:<\/span><\/p>\r\n

And Rabbi Avin ha-Levi said: One who takes leave from another should not say to him: Go in peace, but rather, he should say: Go to peace. As we see that, on the one hand, Jethro said to Moses: \u201cGo to peace\u201d (Exodus 4:18), and Moses ascended and was successful. On the other hand, David said to his son, Absalom: \u201cGo in peace\u201d (II Samuel 15:9), and Absalom went and was ultimately hanged.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

At first glance, this passage seems to suggest that \u201c<\/span>Lekh le-shalom<\/span><\/em>\u201d is a blessing, while \u201c<\/span>Lekh be-shalom<\/span><\/em>\u201d is a curse, which is rather different than the explanation we have set forward.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yet careful consideration demonstrates that this passage dovetails quite nicely with our explanation. Jethro wishes Moses a peaceful journey, which Moses merits. Yet David\u2019s blessing to Absalom is that he travel peacefully - but this is, of course, precisely the opposite of what Absalom ultimately does. Instead, Absalom foments a rebellion against his father. In other words, his exit is anything but peaceful. David\u2019s wish was that Absalom choose peace. But by choosing rebellion, Absalom sealed his fate.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Ultimately, this distinction in meaning - based on a difference in a single letter - can only be fully appreciated by a close examination of the original Hebrew text. Studying in translation is certainly extremely valuable, but the difference between <\/span>lekh be-shalom<\/em> <\/span>and <\/span>lekh le-shalom<\/em> <\/span>suggests that studying the Bible in the original Hebrew enables us to achieve insight that no translation can offer.<\/span><\/p>","post_main_content_image":{"id":46708,"alt":"","title":"shutterstock_137006933","caption":"","description":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","url":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933.jpg","width":4930,"height":6001,"sizes":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933-150x150.jpg","thumbnail-width":150,"thumbnail-height":150,"medium":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933-246x300.jpg","medium-width":246,"medium-height":300,"medium_large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933-768x935.jpg","medium_large-width":768,"medium_large-height":935,"large":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933-841x1024.jpg","large-width":841,"large-height":1024,"1536x1536":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933.jpg","1536x1536-width":1262,"1536x1536-height":1536,"2048x2048":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933.jpg","2048x2048-width":1682,"2048x2048-height":2048,"post_full_size":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933-986x1200.jpg","post_full_size-width":986,"post_full_size-height":1200,"home_baner":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/shutterstock_137006933-345x420.jpg","home_baner-width":345,"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":"Go In Peace; 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His first book \"I Kings - Torn in Two\" was published in 2013. 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\u201cAnd Achish called to David and said to him, \u2018As the Lord lives, you are upright and your going into the fray with the camp has been good in my eyes, for I have found no evil in you from the you came to me until this day\u2019\u201d (29:6).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Commentary: <\/span>As the Lord lives\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n

It is curious that a Philistine should be swearing by the Lord, unless, as has been argued, he is leaning over backwards to adopt David\u2019s perspective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

From: Robert Alter, <\/span>The Hebrew Bible, <\/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":"As The Lord Lives","tile_main_caption_size":"1","tile_sub_caption":"Which Lord is that again?","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,"chapter_info":{"books_group":"Prophets","book":"I Samuel","chapter":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","date":"20260830","wall_id":"261"},"link_for_pay":false,"tags":false},{"order":11,"id":"58795","color":"#e2f4fa","size":"1","name":"A Lesson on the Daily Chapter- I Samuel 29 ","post_title":"A Lesson on the Daily Chapter- I Samuel 29","slug":"a-lesson-on-the-daily-chapter-i-samuel-29","old_id":"58795","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. Third time\u2019s a charm<\/span><\/em>. This is the third time that the ditty \"Saul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands\" has appeared, and this time, it\u2019s the Philistines who are singing his praises. Eight chapters ago, the Philistine memory almost cost David his life (see ch. 21). This time, the Philistine musical memory saves David from joining the Philistine army in their war against Israel.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  2. What was he thinking?<\/em> Did David plan on going into battle with Achish against Saul? If you ask Achish - the answer is definitely yes. If you ask the other Philistine leaders - the answer is just as definitely no. What was David thinking, the text does not reveal. This is an opening for many different interpretations over the centuries.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t
  3. How to relate to David and the Philistines?\u00a0<\/em>Read the two posts by Sokolow and Diamond. They take almost opposite positions on the David, his virtues and vices, and the virtues and vices of his others such as Achish. With whom do you agree? How do you see David's moves of the last few 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 29","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":"29","chapter_main_number":"261","date":"20260830","wall_id":"261"},"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\/58707"}],"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=58707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}