
TORAH
NEVI'IM
KETUVIM
I - Chapter 18
Translation and Transliteration of
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1When [David] finished speaking with Shaul, Yehonatan's soul became bound up with the soul of David; Yehonatan loved David as himself.
vai-HI k'-kha-LO-to l'-da-BAYR el sha-UL, v'-ne-FESH y'-ho-NA-tan nik-sh'-RAH b'-NE-fesh da-VID (vai-Y'-a-HA-v'-HU) [va-y'-e-ha-VE-hu] y'-ho-NA-tan k'-na-FE-sho
אוַיְהִ֗י כְּכַלֹּתוֹ֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וְנֶ֙פֶשׁ֙ יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן נִקְשְׁרָ֖ה בְּנֶ֣פֶשׁ דָּוִ֑ד (ויאהבו) [וַיֶּֽאֱהָבֵ֥הוּ] יְהוֹנָתָ֖ן כְּנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
2Shaul took him [into his service] that day and would not let him return to his father's house.—
vai-yi-ka-KHE-hu sha-UL ba-YOM ha-HU, v'-lo ne-ta-NO la-SHU-v BEYT a-VEEV
בוַיִּקָּחֵ֥הוּ שָׁא֖וּל בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא וְלֹ֣א נְתָנ֔וֹ לָשׁ֖וּב בֵּ֥ית אָבִֽיו׃
3Yehonatan and David made a pact, because [Yehonatan] loved him as himself.
vai-YIK-rot y'-ho-NA-tan v'-da-VID b'-REET b'-a-ha-VA-to o-TO k'-naf-SHO
גוַיִּכְרֹ֧ת יְהוֹנָתָ֛ן וְדָוִ֖ד בְּרִ֑ית בְּאַהֲבָת֥וֹ אֹת֖וֹ כְּנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃
4Yehonatan took off the cloak and tunic he was wearing and gave them to David, together with his sword, bow, and belt.
va-yit-pa-SHAYT y'-ho-na-TAN et ha-m'-EEL a-SHER a-LAV va-yi-t'-NAY-hu l'-da-VID u-ma-DAV v'-ad khar-BO v'-ad kash-TO v'-ad kha-go-RO
דוַיִּתְפַּשֵּׁ֣ט יְהוֹנָתָ֗ן אֶֽת־הַמְּעִיל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָלָ֔יו וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖הוּ לְדָוִ֑ד וּמַדָּ֕יו וְעַד־חַרְבּ֥וֹ וְעַד־קַשְׁתּ֖וֹ וְעַד־חֲגֹרֽוֹ׃
18:4 Yehonatan took off the cloak and tunic he was wearing and gave them to David
The Sages view the mutual affection shared by Yehonatan and David as the epitome of true love between friends, as neither has any ulterior motives (Ethics of the Fathers 5:16). Indeed, as the heir apparent, Yehonatan has every reason to be jealous of David who was destined to be the new king of Israel. But instead, Yehonatan accepts the decree. He not only protects David from his father, King Shaul, but also gives him the symbol of his position as heir to the throne. Yehonatan recognizes that David is to be the founder of the eternal dynasty of Israel.
5David went out [with the troops], and he was successful in every mission on which Shaul sent him, and Shaul put him in command of all the soldiers; this pleased all the troops and Shaul's courtiers as well.
vai-YAY-tzay da-VID b'-KOL a-SHER yish-la-KHE-nu sha-UL yas-KIL va-y'-si-MAY-hu sha-UL al an-SHAY ha-mil-KHA-mah va-YI-tav b'-ay-NAY kol-ha-AM v'-GAM b'-ay-NAY av-DAY sha-UL. (pey)
הוַיֵּצֵ֨א דָוִ֜ד בְּכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁלָחֶ֤נּוּ שָׁאוּל֙ יַשְׂכִּ֔יל וַיְשִׂמֵ֣הוּ שָׁא֔וּל עַ֖ל אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֑ה וַיִּיטַב֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י כׇל־הָעָ֔ם וְגַ֕ם בְּעֵינֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֥י שָׁאֽוּל׃
6When the [troops] came home [and] David returned from killing the Philistine, the women of all the towns of Yisrael came out singing and dancing to greet King Shaul with timbrels, shouting, and sistrums.
vai-Y'-hee b'-vo-AM b'-SHUV da-VEED me-ha-KHOT et ha-p'-lish-TEE, va-t'-TZE-nah ha-na-SHEEM mi-KOL a-REI yis-ra-AYL la-SHEER v'-ha-m'-KHO-lot lik-RA-at sha-UL ha-ME-lekh, b'-tu-PIM b'-sim-KHA u-v'-sha-li-SHEEM
ווַיְהִ֣י בְּבוֹאָ֗ם בְּשׁ֤וּב דָּוִד֙ מֵהַכּ֣וֹת אֶת־הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֔י וַתֵּצֶ֨אנָה הַנָּשִׁ֜ים מִכׇּל־עָרֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (לשור) [לָשִׁ֣יר] וְהַמְּחֹל֔וֹת לִקְרַ֖את שָׁא֣וּל הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ בְּתֻפִּ֥ים בְּשִׂמְחָ֖ה וּבְשָׁלִשִֽׁים׃
7The women sang as they danced, and they chanted: Shaul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands!
va-ta-a-NEE-na ha-na-SHEEM ha-m'-sa-KHOT va-to-MAR-na, hi-KA sha-UL ba-a-la-FAV, v'-da-VID b'-riv-vo-TAV
זוַֽתַּעֲנֶ֛ינָה הַנָּשִׁ֥ים הַֽמְשַׂחֲק֖וֹת וַתֹּאמַ֑רְןָ הִכָּ֤ה שָׁאוּל֙ בַּאֲלָפָ֔ו וְדָוִ֖ד בְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו׃
8Shaul was much distressed and greatly vexed about the matter. For he said, “To David they have given tens of thousands, and to me they have given thousands. All that he lacks is the kingship!”
vai-YI-khar l'-sha-UL m'-OD va-YAY-r' b'-ay-NAV ha-DA-var ha-ZEH va-YO-mer na-T'-NU l'-da-VID r'-va-VOT v'-LEE na-T'-NU ha-a-la-FEEM v'-OD LO akh ha-m'-lu-KHA
חוַיִּ֨חַר לְשָׁא֜וּל מְאֹ֗ד וַיֵּ֤רַע בְּעֵינָיו֙ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר נָתְנ֤וּ לְדָוִד֙ רְבָב֔וֹת וְלִ֥י נָתְנ֖וּ הָאֲלָפִ֑ים וְע֥וֹד ל֖וֹ אַ֥ךְ הַמְּלוּכָֽה׃
9From that day on Shaul kept a jealous eye on David.
vai-YA-hee sha-UL (ON) [o-YEN] et da-VID me-ha-YOM ha-HU va-ha-le-AH.
טוַיְהִ֥י שָׁא֖וּל (עון) [עוֹיֵ֣ן] אֶת־דָּוִ֑ד מֵֽהַיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא וָהָֽלְאָה׃
10The next day an evil spirit of Hashem gripped Shaul and he began to rave in the house, while David was playing [the lyre], as he did daily. Shaul had a spear in his hand,
vai-HI mi-mo-KHO-rat va-TITZ-lakh ru-akh e-lo-HEEM ra-AH el sha-UL va-yi-t'-NA-bay b'-to-KH ha-BA-yit v'-DA-vid m'-na-GAYN b'-ya-DO k'-YOM b'-YOm v'-ha-cha-NEET b'-yad sha-UL
יוַיְהִ֣י מִֽמׇּחֳרָ֗ת וַתִּצְלַ֣ח ר֩וּחַ֩ אֱלֹהִ֨ים ׀ רָעָ֤ה ׀ אֶל־שָׁאוּל֙ וַיִּתְנַבֵּ֣א בְתוֹךְ־הַבַּ֔יִת וְדָוִ֛ד מְנַגֵּ֥ן בְּיָד֖וֹ כְּי֣וֹם ׀ בְּי֑וֹם וְהַחֲנִ֖ית בְּיַד־שָׁאֽוּל׃
11and Shaul threw the spear, thinking to pin David to the wall. But David eluded him twice.
vai-YA-tel sha-UL et ha-kha-NEET va-YO-mer a-KHEH v'-da-VID u-va-KIR va-YI-sob da-VID mi-pa-NAV pa-a-MA-yim
יאוַיָּ֤טֶל שָׁאוּל֙ אֶֽת־הַחֲנִ֔ית וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אַכֶּ֥ה בְדָוִ֖ד וּבַקִּ֑יר וַיִּסֹּ֥ב דָּוִ֛ד מִפָּנָ֖יו פַּעֲמָֽיִם׃
12Shaul was afraid of David, for Hashem was with him and had turned away from Shaul.
vai-YI-ra SHA-ul mi-lif-NAY da-VID, KI-ha-YAH a-do-NAI i-MO u-mi-IM SHA-ul SAR
יבוַיִּרָ֥א שָׁא֖וּל מִלִּפְנֵ֣י דָוִ֑ד כִּֽי־הָיָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ עִמּ֔וֹ וּמֵעִ֥ם שָׁא֖וּל סָֽר׃
13So Shaul removed him from his presence and appointed him chief of a thousand, to march at the head of the troops.
vai-ye-si-RE-hu sha-UL me-i-MO, vai-si-ME-hu LO sar-a-LEF, vai-YAY-tze vai-YA-VO li-f'-NEI ha-AHM.
יגוַיְסִרֵ֤הוּ שָׁאוּל֙ מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ וַיְשִׂמֵ֥הוּ ל֖וֹ שַׂר־אָ֑לֶף וַיֵּצֵ֥א וַיָּבֹ֖א לִפְנֵ֥י הָעָֽם׃
14David was successful in all his undertakings, for Hashem was with him;
vai-HI da-VID l'-KOL d'-ra-KHAV mas-KIL va-a-do-NAI i-MO
ידוַיְהִ֥י דָוִ֛ד לְכׇל־דְּרָכָ֖ו מַשְׂכִּ֑יל וַיהֹוָ֖ה עִמּֽוֹ׃
15and when Shaul saw that he was successful, he dreaded him.
vai-YAR sha-UL a-SHER hu mas-KIL me-OD va-YA-gor mi-pa-NAV
טווַיַּ֣רְא שָׁא֔וּל אֲשֶׁר־ה֖וּא מַשְׂכִּ֣יל מְאֹ֑ד וַיָּ֖גׇר מִפָּנָֽיו׃
16All Yisrael and Yehuda loved David, for he marched at their head.
v'-KOL yis-ra-AYL vi-y'-hu-DA o-HEV et da-VID, kee-HU yo-TZE va-VA li-f'-NE-hem.
טזוְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וִֽיהוּדָ֔ה אֹהֵ֖ב אֶת־דָּוִ֑ד כִּי־ה֛וּא יוֹצֵ֥א וָבָ֖א לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃
17Shaul said to David, “Here is my older daughter, Merab; I will give her to you in marriage; in return, you be my warrior and fight the battles of Hashem.” Shaul thought: “Let not my hand strike him; let the hand of the Philistines strike him.”
vai-YO-mer sha-UL el da-VID, hi-NEH vi-TEE ha-ge-do-LAH me-RAV o-TAH e-TEEN l'-KHA l'-i-SHA, AKH he-YEH-lee l'-VEN-kha-YIL v'-hi-la-KHEM mil-kha-MOT a-do-NAI, v'-sha-UL a-MAR, al-t'-HEE ya-DEE BO u-t'-HEE-BO yad p'-lish-TEE-eem. (s)
יזוַיֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֜וּל אֶל־דָּוִ֗ד הִנֵּה֩ בִתִּ֨י הַגְּדוֹלָ֤ה מֵרַב֙ אֹתָהּ֙ אֶתֶּן־לְךָ֣ לְאִשָּׁ֔ה אַ֚ךְ הֱיֵה־לִ֣י לְבֶן־חַ֔יִל וְהִלָּחֵ֖ם מִלְחֲמ֣וֹת יְהֹוָ֑ה וְשָׁא֣וּל אָמַ֗ר אַל־תְּהִ֤י יָדִי֙ בּ֔וֹ וּתְהִי־ב֖וֹ יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
18David replied to Shaul, “Who am I and what is my life—my father's family in Yisrael—that I should become Your Majesty's son-in-law?”
vai-YO-mer da-VID el sha-UL, mee a-NO-khee u-mee kha-YAI, mish-PA-khat a-VEE b'-yis-ra-AYL, kee e-HE-yeh kha-TAN la-ME-lekh
יחוַיֹּ֨אמֶר דָּוִ֜ד אֶל־שָׁא֗וּל מִ֤י אָֽנֹכִי֙ וּמִ֣י חַיַּ֔י מִשְׁפַּ֥חַת אָבִ֖י בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּי־אֶהְיֶ֥ה חָתָ֖ן לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
19But at the time that Merab, daughter of Shaul, should have been given to David, she was given in marriage to Adriel the Meholathite.
vai-HI b'-ET tayt ET mer-av bat sha-OO-l l'-da-VID, v'-HEE ni-t'-NAH l'-ad-ri-A-yel ha-m'-kho-la-TEE l'-i-SHAH
יטוַיְהִ֗י בְּעֵ֥ת תֵּ֛ת אֶת־מֵרַ֥ב בַּת־שָׁא֖וּל לְדָוִ֑ד וְהִ֧יא נִתְּנָ֛ה לְעַדְרִיאֵ֥ל הַמְּחֹלָתִ֖י לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
20Now Michal daughter of Shaul had fallen in love with David; and when this was reported to Shaul, he was pleased.
va-te-e-HAV mi-KHAL bat-SHA-ul et-DA-vid va-yi-GI-du le-SHA-ul va-yi-SHAR ha-DA-var b'-ei-NAV
כוַתֶּאֱהַ֛ב מִיכַ֥ל בַּת־שָׁא֖וּל אֶת־דָּוִ֑ד וַיַּגִּ֣דוּ לְשָׁא֔וּל וַיִּשַׁ֥ר הַדָּבָ֖ר בְּעֵינָֽיו׃
21Shaul thought: “I will give her to him, and she can serve as a snare for him, so that the Philistines may kill him.” So Shaul said to David, “You can become my son-in-law even now through the second one.”
vai-YO-mer sha-UL et-NE-nah LO u-t'-hi-LO l'-mo-KESH u-t'-hi-VO yad p'-lish-TIM vai-YO-mer sha-UL el da-VID bish-TA-yim tit-cha-TAYN BEE ha-YOM
כאוַיֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֜וּל אֶתְּנֶ֤נָּה לּוֹ֙ וּתְהִי־ל֣וֹ לְמוֹקֵ֔שׁ וּתְהִי־ב֖וֹ יַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיֹּ֤אמֶר שָׁאוּל֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֔ד בִּשְׁתַּ֛יִם תִּתְחַתֵּ֥ן בִּ֖י הַיּֽוֹם׃
22And Shaul instructed his courtiers to say to David privately, “The king is fond of you and all his courtiers like you. So why not become the king's son-in-law?”
va-Y'-tzav sha-UL et-a-va-DAV, da-B'-RU el da-VID ba-LAT lay-MOR: hi-NEH kha-FAYTS b'-KHA ha-ME-lekh, v'-KOL a-va-DAV a-h'-VU-kha, v'-a-TAH hit-cha-TAYN ba-ME-lekh.
כבוַיְצַ֨ו שָׁא֜וּל אֶת־עֲבָדָ֗ו דַּבְּר֨וּ אֶל־דָּוִ֤ד בַּלָּט֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הִנֵּ֨ה חָפֵ֤ץ בְּךָ֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכׇל־עֲבָדָ֖יו אֲהֵב֑וּךָ וְעַתָּ֖ה הִתְחַתֵּ֥ן בַּמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
23When the king's courtiers repeated these words to David, David replied, “Do you think that becoming the son-in-law of a king is a small matter, when I am but a poor man of no consequence?”
vai-da-BRU av-DAY sha-UL b'-o-Z'-NAY da-VID et ha-d'-va-REEM ha-EL-leh va-YO-mer da-VID ha-n'-ka-LAH b'-ay-NAY-khem hit-cha-TAYN ba-ME-lekh v'-a-NO-khee eesh-RAKH v'-nik-LAH
כגוַֽיְדַבְּר֞וּ עַבְדֵ֤י שָׁאוּל֙ בְּאׇזְנֵ֣י דָוִ֔ד אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר דָּוִ֗ד הַֽנְקַלָּ֤ה בְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ הִתְחַתֵּ֣ן בַּמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְאָנֹכִ֖י אִֽישׁ־רָ֥שׁ וְנִקְלֶֽה׃
24Shaul's courtiers reported to him, “This is what David answered.”
va-yag-GI-du av-DAY sha-UL lo lay-MOR: ka-d'-va-REEM ha-E-leh di-BER da-VID
כדוַיַּגִּ֜דוּ עַבְדֵ֥י שָׁא֛וּל ל֖וֹ לֵאמֹ֑ר כַּדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה דִּבֶּ֥ר דָּוִֽד׃
25And Shaul said, “Say this to David: ‘The king desires no other bride-price than the foreskins of a hundred Philistines, as vengeance on the king's enemies.'”—Shaul intended to bring about David's death at the hands of the Philistines.—
vai-YO-mer sha-UL ko-to-MERU l'-da-VID, AYN-khe-FETZ la-ME-lekh b'-mo-HAR, KEE b'-me-AH or-LOT p'-lish-TIM l'-hi-NA-kem b'-o-y'-VAY ha-ME-lekh, v'-sha-UL kha-SHAV l'-ha-FEEL et da-VID b'-yad p'-lish-TIM
כהוַיֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֜וּל כֹּה־תֹאמְר֣וּ לְדָוִ֗ד אֵֽין־חֵ֤פֶץ לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ בְּמֹ֔הַר כִּ֗י בְּמֵאָה֙ עׇרְל֣וֹת פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים לְהִנָּקֵ֖ם בְּאֹיְבֵ֣י הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְשָׁא֣וּל חָשַׁ֔ב לְהַפִּ֥יל אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד בְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃
26When his courtiers told this to David, David was pleased with the idea of becoming the king's son-in-law. Before the time had expired,
vai-ya-GI-du a-va-DAV et ha-d'-va-RIM ha-EL-leh, vai-SHAR ha-DA-var b'-ay-NAY da-VID, l'-hit-cha-TEN ba-ME-lekh, v'-lo mal-U ha-ya-MEEM
כווַיַּגִּ֨דוּ עֲבָדָ֤יו לְדָוִד֙ אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה וַיִּשַׁ֤ר הַדָּבָר֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י דָוִ֔ד לְהִתְחַתֵּ֖ן בַּמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְלֹ֥א מָלְא֖וּ הַיָּמִֽים׃
27David went out with his men and killed two hundred Philistines; David brought their foreskins and they were counted out for the king, that he might become the king's son-in-law. Shaul then gave him his daughter Michal in marriage.
vai-YA-kom DA-vid va-YAY-lekh HU va-a-NA-shav va-YAKH ba-p'-lish-TEEM ma-a-TAY-yim EEsh, va-YA-VEH DA-vid et o-r'-lo-TAY-hem va-y'-ma-LUHM la-ME-lekh l'-hit-cha-TAYN ba-ME-lekh, va-YI-ten LO sha-UL et mi-KHAL bi-TO l'-i-SHAH. (SELAH)
כזוַיָּ֨קׇם דָּוִ֜ד וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ ׀ ה֣וּא וַאֲנָשָׁ֗יו וַיַּ֣ךְ בַּפְּלִשְׁתִּים֮ מָאתַ֣יִם אִישׁ֒ וַיָּבֵ֤א דָוִד֙ אֶת־עׇרְלֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם וַיְמַלְא֣וּם לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לְהִתְחַתֵּ֖ן בַּמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּתֶּן־ל֥וֹ שָׁא֛וּל אֶת־מִיכַ֥ל בִּתּ֖וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃
28When Shaul realized that Hashem was with David and that Michal daughter of Shaul loved him,
vai-YAR sha-UL va-YAY-da KEE a-do-NAI im da-VID u-MEE-khal bat sha-UL a-hay-va-TE-hu
כחוַיַּ֤רְא שָׁאוּל֙ וַיֵּ֔דַע כִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה עִם־דָּוִ֑ד וּמִיכַ֥ל בַּת־שָׁא֖וּל אֲהֵבַֽתְהוּ׃
29Shaul grew still more afraid of David; and Shaul was David's enemy ever after.
vai-YO-sef sha-UL lay-RO d'-vid OD va-Y'-hee sha-UL o-YEV et da-VID kol ha-ya-MIM
כטוַיֹּ֣אסֶף שָׁא֗וּל לֵרֹ֛א מִפְּנֵ֥י דָוִ֖ד ע֑וֹד וַיְהִ֥י שָׁא֛וּל אֹיֵ֥ב אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃
30The Philistine chiefs marched out [to battle]; and every time they marched out, David was more successful than all the other officers of Shaul. His reputation soared.
vai-YAY-tz'-U sa-RAY p'-lish-TEEM va-Y'-hee, mi-DAY t'-ZAY-tam sa-KHAL da-VEED mi-KOL av-DAY sha-UL va-yi-KAR sh'-MO m'-OD. (S)
לוַיֵּצְא֖וּ שָׂרֵ֣י פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיְהִ֣י ׀ מִדֵּ֣י צֵאתָ֗ם שָׂכַ֤ל דָּוִד֙ מִכֹּל֙ עַבְדֵ֣י שָׁא֔וּל וַיִּיקַ֥ר שְׁמ֖וֹ מְאֹֽד׃