
TORAH
NEVI'IM
KETUVIM
I - Chapter 16
Translation and Transliteration of
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1And Hashem said to Shmuel, “How long will you grieve over Shaul, since I have rejected him as king over Yisrael? Fill your horn with oil and set out; I am sending you to Yishai the Bethlehemite, for I have decided on one of his sons to be king.”
vai-YO-mer a-do-NAI el sh'-mu-AYL, ad ma-TAI a-TAH mit-a-BEL el sha-UL, va-a-NEE m'-as-TEE-v mi-m'-LOKH al yis-ra-AYL, ma-LAY kar-NE-kha sh'-MEN, v'-LEKH esh-la-KHA-kha el yish-AI bayt ha-la-KH-mee, kee-ra-EE-tee b'-va-NAV lee me-LEKH
אוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל עַד־מָתַי֙ אַתָּה֙ מִתְאַבֵּ֣ל אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וַאֲנִ֣י מְאַסְתִּ֔יו מִמְּלֹ֖ךְ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל מַלֵּ֨א קַרְנְךָ֜ שֶׁ֗מֶן וְלֵ֤ךְ אֶֽשְׁלָחֲךָ֙ אֶל־יִשַׁ֣י בֵּֽית־הַלַּחְמִ֔י כִּֽי־רָאִ֧יתִי בְּבָנָ֛יו לִ֖י מֶֽלֶךְ׃
2Shmuel replied, “How can I go? If Shaul hears of it, he will kill me.” Hashem answered, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Hashem.'
vai-YO-mer sh'-mu-AYL, AYKH e-LEKH, va-sha-UM sha-UL va-ha-ra-GA-nee, vai-YO-mer a-do-NAI, e-G'-lat ba-KAR ti-KAKH b'-ya-DE-kha, v'-a-MAR-ta, liz-BO-akh la-a-do-NAI ba-a-TEE
בוַיֹּ֤אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל֙ אֵ֣יךְ אֵלֵ֔ךְ וְשָׁמַ֥ע שָׁא֖וּל וַהֲרָגָ֑נִי וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהֹוָ֗ה עֶגְלַ֤ת בָּקָר֙ תִּקַּ֣ח בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔ לִזְבֹּ֥חַ לַיהֹוָ֖ה בָּֽאתִי׃
3Invite Yishai to the sacrificial feast, and then I will make known to you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I point out to you.”
v'-ka-RA-ta l'-yi-SHAI ba-ZA-vakh, v'-a-no-KHEE o-di-A-kha et a-SHER ta-a-SEH, u-ma-shakh-TA li et a-SHER o-MAR e-LE-kha.
גוְקָרָ֥אתָ לְיִשַׁ֖י בַּזָּ֑בַח וְאָנֹכִ֗י אוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶֽׁר־תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה וּמָשַׁחְתָּ֣ לִ֔י אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־אֹמַ֖ר אֵלֶֽיךָ׃
4Shmuel did what Hashem commanded. When he came to Beit Lechem, the elders of the city went out in alarm to meet him and said, “Do you come on a peaceful errand?”
vai-YA-ash sh'-MU-el AYT a-SHER di-BER a-do-NAI vai-ya-VO bayt la-KHEM vai-y'-KHAR-du zik-NAY ha-EEr lik-ra-TO vai-YO-mer sha-LOM bo-E-kha
דוַיַּ֣עַשׂ שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל אֵ֚ת אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּ֣ר יְהֹוָ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֖א בֵּ֣ית לָ֑חֶם וַיֶּחֶרְד֞וּ זִקְנֵ֤י הָעִיר֙ לִקְרָאת֔וֹ וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שָׁלֹ֥ם בּוֹאֶֽךָ׃
5“Yes,” he replied, “I have come to sacrifice to Hashem. Purify yourselves and join me in the sacrificial feast.” He also instructed Yishai and his sons to purify themselves and invited them to the sacrificial feast.
vai-YO-mer sha-LOM liz-BO-akh la-a-do-NAI ba-TI, hit-ka-D'-shu u-va-TEMM i-TI ba-za-BAKH, va-yi-ka-DAYSH et yish-AI v'-et ba-NAV, va-yik-RA la-HEM la-za-BAKH
הוַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ שָׁל֗וֹם לִזְבֹּ֤חַ לַֽיהֹוָה֙ בָּ֔אתִי הִֽתְקַדְּשׁ֔וּ וּבָאתֶ֥ם אִתִּ֖י בַּזָּ֑בַח וַיְקַדֵּ֤שׁ אֶת־יִשַׁי֙ וְאֶת־בָּנָ֔יו וַיִּקְרָ֥א לָהֶ֖ם לַזָּֽבַח׃
6When they arrived and he saw Eliav, he thought: “Surely Hashem's anointed stands before Him.”
vai-HI b'-vo-AM va-YAR et e-li-AV, va-YO-mer AKH ne-GED a-do-NAI m'-shee-KHO.
ווַיְהִ֣י בְּבוֹאָ֔ם וַיַּ֖רְא אֶת־אֱלִיאָ֑ב וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אַ֛ךְ נֶ֥גֶד יְהֹוָ֖ה מְשִׁיחֽוֹ׃
7But Hashem said to Shmuel, “Pay no attention to his appearance or his stature, for I have rejected him. For not as man sees [does Hashem see]; man sees only what is visible, but Hashem sees into the heart.”
va-YO-mer a-do-NAI el sh'-mu-AYL, al ta-BAYT el mar-E-hu v'-el g'-vo-HA ko-MA-to, kee me-a-STI-hu, kee lo a-SHER yir-EH ha-a-DAM, kee ha-a-DAM yir-EH la-a-YI-nayim, va-a-do-NAI yir-EH la-le-VAV
זוַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל אַל־תַּבֵּ֧ט אֶל־מַרְאֵ֛הוּ וְאֶל־גְּבֹ֥הַּ קוֹמָת֖וֹ כִּ֣י מְאַסְתִּ֑יהוּ כִּ֣י ׀ לֹ֗א אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִרְאֶה֙ הָאָדָ֔ם כִּ֤י הָאָדָם֙ יִרְאֶ֣ה לַעֵינַ֔יִם וַיהֹוָ֖ה יִרְאֶ֥ה לַלֵּבָֽב׃
8Then Yishai called Avinadav and had him pass before Shmuel; but he said, “Hashem has not chosen this one either.”
vai-YIK-ra YI-shai el a-vee-NA-dav va-ya-a-ve-RE-hu lif-NEI sh'-mu-AYL va-YO-mer gam-BA-zeh lo-va-KHAR a-do-NAI
חוַיִּקְרָ֤א יִשַׁי֙ אֶל־אֲבִ֣ינָדָ֔ב וַיַּעֲבִרֵ֖הוּ לִפְנֵ֣י שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֕אמֶר גַּם־בָּזֶ֖ה לֹא־בָחַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃
9Next Yishai presented Shammah; and again he said, “Hashem has not chosen this one either.”
vai-ya-a-VAYR yi-SHAI sha-MAH va-YO-mer gam-BA-zeh lo-va-KHAR a-do-NAI
טוַיַּעֲבֵ֥ר יִשַׁ֖י שַׁמָּ֑ה וַיֹּ֕אמֶר גַּם־בָּזֶ֖ה לֹא־בָחַ֥ר יְהֹוָֽה׃
10Thus Yishai presented seven of his sons before Shmuel, and Shmuel said to Yishai, “Hashem has not chosen any of these.”
vai-ya-a-VAYR yi-SHAI shiv-AHT ba-NAV lif-NAY sh'-mu-AYL, vai-YO-mer sh'-mu-AYL el yi-SHAI, lo-va-KHAR a-do-NAI ba-E-leh
יוַיַּעֲבֵ֥ר יִשַׁ֛י שִׁבְעַ֥ת בָּנָ֖יו לִפְנֵ֣י שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל֙ אֶל־יִשַׁ֔י לֹא־בָחַ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה בָּאֵֽלֶּה׃
11Then Shmuel asked Yishai, “Are these all the boys you have?” He replied, “There is still the youngest; he is tending the flock.” And Shmuel said to Yishai, “Send someone to bring him, for we will not sit down to eat until he gets here.”
va-YO-mer sh'-mu-AYL el yi-SHAI ha-TA-mu ha-n'-a-REEM va-YO-mer OD sha-AR ha-ka-TAN v'-hi-NAY ro-EH ba-TZON va-YO-mer sh'-mu-EL el yi-SHAI shil-KHAH v'-ka-KHE-nu kee LO na-SOV ad bo-O FOH
יאוַיֹּ֨אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל אֶל־יִשַׁי֮ הֲתַ֣מּוּ הַנְּעָרִים֒ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר ע֚וֹד שָׁאַ֣ר הַקָּטָ֔ן וְהִנֵּ֥ה רֹעֶ֖ה בַּצֹּ֑אן וַיֹּ֨אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל אֶל־יִשַׁי֙ שִׁלְחָ֣ה וְקָחֶ֔נּוּ כִּ֥י לֹֽא־נָסֹ֖ב עַד־בֹּא֥וֹ פֹֽה׃
16:11 There is still the youngest; he is tending the flock
Young David is not the only great leader of the Children of Israel who was a shepherd before Hashem called him to a leadership role. For example, Moshe was also a shepherd. Shepherds bear great responsibility for the flock as a whole, and also for each individual sheep. Each one must be cared for, and must be counted as part of the flock for tithing. This is perfect training for leaders, who must lead the nation as a whole, and also maintain concern and compassion for each individual.

Shepherd with his sheep in the Kidron Valley
12So they sent and brought him. He was ruddy-cheeked, bright-eyed, and handsome. And Hashem said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is the one.”
vai-YISH-lakh vai-vi-E-hu v'-HU ad-MO-nee im ye-FAY a-YI-yim v'-TOV ro-EE, va-YO-mer a-do-NAI, KUM m'-sha-CHE-hu kee-ZEH HU.
יבוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙ וְה֣וּא אַדְמוֹנִ֔י עִם־יְפֵ֥ה עֵינַ֖יִם וְט֣וֹב רֹ֑אִי וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהֹוָ֛ה ק֥וּם מְשָׁחֵ֖הוּ כִּי־זֶ֥ה הֽוּא׃
13Shmuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the spirit of Hashem gripped David from that day on. Shmuel then set out for Rama.
vai-YI-kakh sh'-mu-AYL et KE-ren ha-SHE-men va-yim-SHAKH o-TO b'-KE-ren a-KHAV, va-TITZ-lakh ru-akh a-do-NAI el da-VID me-ha-YOM ha-HU va-ma-a-LAH, va-YA-kom sh'-mu-AYL va-YE-lekh ha-ra-MA-ta.
יגוַיִּקַּ֨ח שְׁמוּאֵ֜ל אֶת־קֶ֣רֶן הַשֶּׁ֗מֶן וַיִּמְשַׁ֣ח אֹתוֹ֮ בְּקֶ֣רֶב אֶחָיו֒ וַתִּצְלַ֤ח רֽוּחַ־יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֔ד מֵהַיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא וָמָ֑עְלָה וַיָּ֣קׇם שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ הָרָמָֽתָה׃
14Now the spirit of Hashem had departed from Shaul, and an evil spirit from Hashem began to terrify him.
v'-RU-akh a-do-NAI sa-RAH me-IM sha-UL u-vi-a-TA-tu ru-akh-ra-AH me-ET a-do-NAI
ידוְר֧וּחַ יְהֹוָ֛ה סָ֖רָה מֵעִ֣ם שָׁא֑וּל וּבִעֲתַ֥תּוּ רֽוּחַ־רָעָ֖ה מֵאֵ֥ת יְהֹוָֽה׃
15Shaul's courtiers said to him, “An evil spirit of Hashem is terrifying you.
va-yo-M'ru av-DAY sha-UL e-LAV, hi-NEH-NA ru-akh e-lo-HIM ra-AH m'-va-i-TE-kha
טווַיֹּאמְר֥וּ עַבְדֵֽי־שָׁא֖וּל אֵלָ֑יו הִנֵּה־נָ֧א רוּחַ־אֱלֹהִ֛ים רָעָ֖ה מְבַעִתֶּֽךָ׃
16Let our lord give the order [and] the courtiers in attendance on you will look for someone who is skilled at playing the lyre; whenever the evil spirit of Hashem comes over you, he will play it and you will feel better.”
yo-MAR-na a-do-NAY-nu a-va-DE-kha l'-fa-NE-kha ye-va-KH'-shu eeSH yo-DAY-a m'-na-GAYN ba-ki-NOR v'-ha-YA bi-HYOt a-LE-kha ru-akh e-lo-HEEM ra-AH v'-ni-GAYN b'-ya-DO v'-TOV LAKH.
טזיֹֽאמַר־נָ֤א אֲדֹנֵ֙נוּ֙ עֲבָדֶ֣יךָ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ יְבַקְשׁ֕וּ אִ֕ישׁ יֹדֵ֖עַ מְנַגֵּ֣ן בַּכִּנּ֑וֹר וְהָיָ֗ה בִּֽהְי֨וֹת עָלֶ֤יךָ רֽוּחַ־אֱלֹהִים֙ רָעָ֔ה וְנִגֵּ֥ן בְּיָד֖וֹ וְט֥וֹב לָֽךְ׃
17So Shaul said to his courtiers, “Find me someone who can play well and bring him to me.”
vai-YO-mer sha-UL el a-va-DAV: re-u-NA lee EESH may-TEEV l'-na-GAYN va-ha-vee-o-TEM ay-LAI
יזוַיֹּ֥אמֶר שָׁא֖וּל אֶל־עֲבָדָ֑יו רְאוּ־נָ֣א לִ֗י אִ֚ישׁ מֵיטִ֣יב לְנַגֵּ֔ן וַהֲבִיאוֹתֶ֖ם אֵלָֽי׃
18One of the attendants spoke up, “I have observed a son of Yishai the Bethlehemite who is skilled in music; he is a stalwart fellow and a warrior, sensible in speech, and handsome in appearance, and Hashem is with him.”
vai-YA-an e-KHAD me-ha-ne-a-REEM va-YO-mer hi-NEH ra-EE-TEE ben l'-yi-SHAI bayt ha-lakh-MEE, yo-DAY-a na-GAYN v'-gi-VOR khay-IL v'-eesh mil-kha-MAH u-NE-von da-VAR v'-eesh TO-ar, va-a-do-NAI i-MO
יחוַיַּ֩עַן֩ אֶחָ֨ד מֵהַנְּעָרִ֜ים וַיֹּ֗אמֶר הִנֵּ֨ה רָאִ֜יתִי בֵּ֣ן לְיִשַׁי֮ בֵּ֣ית הַלַּחְמִי֒ יֹדֵ֣עַ נַ֠גֵּ֠ן וְגִבּ֨וֹר חַ֜יִל וְאִ֧ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֛ה וּנְב֥וֹן דָּבָ֖ר וְאִ֣ישׁ תֹּ֑אַר וַיהֹוָ֖ה עִמּֽוֹ׃
19Whereupon Shaul sent messengers to Yishai to say, “Send me your son David, who is with the flock.”
vai-YI-sh'-lakh sha-UL mal-a-KHEEM el yish-AI va-YO-mer shil-KHAH e-LAI et da-VID bin-KHA a-SHER ba-tso-AN
יטוַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח שָׁא֛וּל מַלְאָכִ֖ים אֶל־יִשָׁ֑י וַיֹּ֕אמֶר שִׁלְחָ֥ה אֵלַ֛י אֶת־דָּוִ֥ד בִּנְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּצֹּֽאן׃
20Yishai took an ass [laden with] bread, a skin of wine, and a kid, and sent them to Shaul by his son David.
vai-YA-kakh yish-AI kha-MOR le-KHEM v'-NOD ya-YIN u-g'-DEE i-ZEEM e-KHAD vai-YISH-lakh b'-yad da-VID b'-NO el sha-UL
כוַיִּקַּ֨ח יִשַׁ֜י חֲמ֥וֹר לֶ֙חֶם֙ וְנֹ֣אד יַ֔יִן וּגְדִ֥י עִזִּ֖ים אֶחָ֑ד וַיִּשְׁלַ֛ח בְּיַד־דָּוִ֥ד בְּנ֖וֹ אֶל־שָׁאֽוּל׃
21So David came to Shaul and entered his service; [Shaul] took a strong liking to him and made him one of his arms-bearers.
vai-YA-voh da-VEED el sha-UL va-ya-a-MOD l'-fa-NAV va-ye-a-HA-ve-HU me-OD va-y'-HEE-lo no-SAY k'-LEEM
כאוַיָּבֹ֤א דָוִד֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וַֽיַּעֲמֹ֖ד לְפָנָ֑יו וַיֶּאֱהָבֵ֣הֽוּ מְאֹ֔ד וַֽיְהִי־ל֖וֹ נֹשֵׂ֥א כֵלִֽים׃
22Shaul sent word to Yishai, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
vai-YI-sh'-lakh sha-UL el yish-AI lay-MOR: ya-a-MAD-NA da-VID l'-fa-NAI, kee-ma-TSA khayn b'-ay-NAI.
כבוַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שָׁא֔וּל אֶל־יִשַׁ֖י לֵאמֹ֑ר יַעֲמָד־נָ֤א דָוִד֙ לְפָנַ֔י כִּי־מָ֥צָא חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינָֽי׃
23Whenever the [evil] spirit of Hashem came upon Shaul, David would take the lyre and play it; Shaul would find relief and feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
v'-ha-YA bi-h'-YOT ru-akh e-lo-HEEM el sha-UL, v'-la-KAKH da-VID et ha-ki-NOR v'-ni-GAYN b'-ya-DO, v'-ra-VAKH l'-sha-UL v'-TOV LO, v'-sa-RAH may-a-LAV ru-akh ha-ra-AH. (P)
כגוְהָיָ֗ה בִּֽהְי֤וֹת רֽוּחַ־אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וְלָקַ֥ח דָּוִ֛ד אֶת־הַכִּנּ֖וֹר וְנִגֵּ֣ן בְּיָד֑וֹ וְרָוַ֤ח לְשָׁאוּל֙ וְט֣וֹב ל֔וֹ וְסָ֥רָה מֵעָלָ֖יו ר֥וּחַ הָרָעָֽה׃