
TORAH
NEVI'IM
KETUVIM
I - Chapter 26
Translation and Transliteration of
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1The Ziphites came to Shaul at Giva and said, “David is hiding in the hill of Hachilah facing Jeshimon.”
vai-ya-VO-u ha-zi-FEEM el sha-UL ha-gi-BA-ta lay-MOR: ha-LO da-VID mis-ta-TEER b'-gi-BA-at ha-cha-ki-LAH al p'-NAY ha-y'-shi-MON
אוַיָּבֹ֤אוּ הַזִּפִים֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל הַגִּבְעָ֖תָה לֵאמֹ֑ר הֲל֨וֹא דָוִ֤ד מִסְתַּתֵּר֙ בְּגִבְעַ֣ת הַחֲכִילָ֔ה עַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃
2Shaul went down at once to the wilderness of Ziph, together with three thousand picked men of Yisrael, to search for David in the wilderness of Ziph,
vai-YA-kom sha-UL va-YAY-red el mid-BAR-zeef v'-i-TO she-LO-shet a-la-FEEM eeSH b'-khoo-ray yis-ra-AYL l'-va-KAYSH et da-VID b'-mid-BAR-zeef
בוַיָּ֣קׇם שָׁא֗וּל וַיֵּ֙רֶד֙ אֶל־מִדְבַּר־זִ֔יף וְאִתּ֛וֹ שְׁלֹשֶׁת־אֲלָפִ֥ים אִ֖ישׁ בְּחוּרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ אֶת־דָּוִ֖ד בְּמִדְבַּר־זִֽיף׃
3and Shaul encamped on the hill of Hachilah which faces Jeshimon, by the road. When David, who was then living in the wilderness, learned that Shaul had come after him into the wilderness,
vai-YI-khan SHA-ul b'-gi-va-at ha-kha-ki-LAH a-SHER al p'-NAY ha-y'-shi-MON al ha-DA-rekh, v'-da-VID yo-SHEV ba-mid-BAR, vai-YAR ki va SH'-ul a-kha-RAV ha-mid-BA-rah
גוַיִּ֨חַן שָׁא֜וּל בְּגִבְעַ֣ת הַחֲכִילָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֛ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַיְשִׁימֹ֖ן עַל־הַדָּ֑רֶךְ וְדָוִד֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וַיַּ֕רְא כִּ֣י בָ֥א שָׁא֛וּל אַחֲרָ֖יו הַמִּדְבָּֽרָה׃
4David sent out scouts and made sure that Shaul had come.
vai-YISH-lakh da-VID m'-ra-G'-lim, va-YAY-da KEE-va SHAW-ul el na-KHON
דוַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח דָּוִ֖ד מְרַגְּלִ֑ים וַיֵּ֕דַע כִּי־בָ֥א שָׁא֖וּל אֶל־נָכֽוֹן׃
5David went at once to the place where Shaul had encamped, and David saw the spot where Shaul and his army commander, Avner son of Ner, lay asleep. Shaul lay asleep inside the barricade and the troops were posted around him.
vai-YA-kom da-VID va-ya-VO el ha-ma-KOM a-SHER kha-NAH-sham sha-UL, vai-YAR da-VID et ha-ma-KOM a-SHER sha-KHAV-sham sha-UL, v'-av-NER ben-NER sar-tz'-va-O, v'-sha-UL sho-KHEV ba-ma-GAL, v'-ha-AM kho-NEEM se-vee-vo-TAV
הוַיָּ֣קׇם דָּוִ֗ד וַיָּבֹא֮ אֶֽל־הַמָּקוֹם֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָנָה־שָׁ֣ם שָׁאוּל֒ וַיַּ֣רְא דָּוִ֗ד אֶת־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁכַב־שָׁ֣ם שָׁא֔וּל וְאַבְנֵ֥ר בֶּן־נֵ֖ר שַׂר־צְבָא֑וֹ וְשָׁאוּל֙ שֹׁכֵ֣ב בַּמַּעְגָּ֔ל וְהָעָ֖ם חֹנִ֥ים סְבִיבֹתָֽו׃
6David spoke up and asked Achimelech the Hittite and Avishai son of Tzeruya, Yoav's brother, “Who will go down with me into the camp to Shaul?” And Avishai answered, “I will go down with you.”
vai-YA-an da-VID va-YO-mer el a-khi-ME-lekh ha-khi-TEE v'-el a-vee-SHAI ben t'-ru-YAH a-KHI yo-AV lay-MOR: mee ya-RAYD it-TEE el sha-UL el ha-ma-kha-NEH? va-YO-mer a-vee-SHAI, a-NEE e-RAYD i-MAKH
ווַיַּ֨עַן דָּוִ֜ד וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ אֶל־אֲחִימֶ֣לֶךְ הַחִתִּ֗י וְאֶל־אֲבִישַׁ֨י בֶּן־צְרוּיָ֜ה אֲחִ֤י יוֹאָב֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מִֽי־יֵרֵ֥ד אִתִּ֛י אֶל־שָׁא֖וּל אֶל־הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִישַׁ֔י אֲנִ֖י אֵרֵ֥ד עִמָּֽךְ׃
7So David and Avishai approached the troops by night, and found Shaul fast asleep inside the barricade, his spear stuck in the ground at his head, and Avner and the troops sleeping around him.
vai-YA-vo da-VID va-a-vee-SHAI el ha-A-AM la-Y'-LAH, v'-hi-NEH sha-UL sho-KHAYN ba-ma-GAL, va-kha-NEE-to me-u-KHA va-A-rets me-ra-a-SHO-tav, va-AV-nayr v'-ha-A-AM sho-K'-VEEM se-vee-vo-TAV. (s)
זוַיָּבֹא֩ דָוִ֨ד וַאֲבִישַׁ֥י ׀ אֶל־הָעָם֮ לַ֒יְלָה֒ וְהִנֵּ֣ה שָׁא֗וּל שֹׁכֵ֤ב יָשֵׁן֙ בַּמַּעְגָּ֔ל וַחֲנִית֥וֹ מְעוּכָֽה־בָאָ֖רֶץ מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑ו וְאַבְנֵ֣ר וְהָעָ֔ם שֹֽׁכְבִ֖ים סְבִיבֹתָֽו׃
8And Avishai said to David, “Hashem has delivered your enemy into your hands today. Let me pin him to the ground with a single thrust of the spear. I will not have to strike him twice.”
vai-YO-mer a-vee-SHAI el da-VID, si-GAR e-lo-HEEM ha-YOM et o-yiv-KHA b'-ya-DE-kha, v'-a-TAH a-KHE-nu NA ba-kha-NEET u-va-A-rets pa-AM a-KHAT, v'-LO e-sh'-NEH LO
חוַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲבִישַׁי֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֔ד סִגַּ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים הַיּ֛וֹם אֶת־אוֹיִבְךָ֖ בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְעַתָּה֩ אַכֶּ֨נּוּ נָ֜א בַּחֲנִ֤ית וּבָאָ֙רֶץ֙ פַּ֣עַם אַחַ֔ת וְלֹ֥א אֶשְׁנֶ֖ה לֽוֹ׃
9But David said to Avishai, “Don't do him violence! No one can lay hands on Hashem's anointed with impunity.”
vai-YO-mer da-VID el a-vee-SHAI al tash-KHEE-te-HU, KEE mee sha-LAKH ya-DO b'-m'-shee-AKH a-do-NAI v'-ni-KAH. Pe
טוַיֹּ֧אמֶר דָּוִ֛ד אֶל־אֲבִישַׁ֖י אַל־תַּשְׁחִיתֵ֑הוּ כִּ֠י מִ֣י שָׁלַ֥ח יָד֛וֹ בִּמְשִׁ֥יחַ יְהֹוָ֖ה וְנִקָּֽה׃
10And David went on, “As Hashem lives, Hashem Himself will strike him down, or his time will come and he will die, or he will go down to battle and perish.
vai-YO-mer da-VID, khai a-do-NAI, KEE im a-do-NAI yi-go-FE-nu, o-yo-MO ya-VO va-MET, o va-mil-kha-MA ye-RED v'-nis-PAH
יוַיֹּ֤אמֶר דָּוִד֙ חַי־יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּ֥י אִם־יְהֹוָ֖ה יִגֳּפֶ֑נּוּ אֽוֹ־יוֹמ֤וֹ יָבוֹא֙ וָמֵ֔ת א֧וֹ בַמִּלְחָמָ֛ה יֵרֵ֖ד וְנִסְפָּֽה׃
11But Hashem forbid that I should lay a hand on Hashem's anointed! Just take the spear and the water jar at his head and let's be off.”
kha-LEE-lah lee may-a-do-NAI, mi-sh'-LO-akh ya-DEE b'-m'-shee-AKH a-do-NAI, v'-a-TAH kakh-NA et ha-kha-NEET a-SHER m'-ra-a-SHO-tav, v'-et tza-PA-khat ha-MA-yim, v'-ne-l'-kha-LA-nu
יאחָלִ֤ילָה לִּי֙ מֵיְהֹוָ֔ה מִשְּׁלֹ֥חַ יָדִ֖י בִּמְשִׁ֣יחַ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֠עַתָּ֠ה קַח־נָ֨א אֶֽת־הַחֲנִ֜ית אֲשֶׁ֧ר מְרַאֲשֹׁתָ֛ו וְאֶת־צַפַּ֥חַת הַמַּ֖יִם וְנֵלְכָה־לָּֽנוּ׃
12So David took away the spear and the water jar at Shaul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew or woke up; all remained asleep; a deep sleep from Hashem had fallen upon them.
vai-YI-kakh da-VID et ha-kha-NEET v'-et tza-PA-khat ha-MA-yim me-ra-a-SHO-tei sha-UL vai-YEL-khu la-HEM v'-AYN ro-EH v'-AYN yo-DE-a v'-AYN me-KEETZ kee KU-lam ye-SHE-neem kee tar-DAY-mat a-do-NAI na-FE-la a-LE-hem
יבוַיִּקַּח֩ דָּוִ֨ד אֶֽת־הַחֲנִ֜ית וְאֶת־צַפַּ֤חַת הַמַּ֙יִם֙ מֵרַאֲשֹׁתֵ֣י שָׁא֔וּל וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם וְאֵ֣ין רֹאֶה֩ וְאֵ֨ין יוֹדֵ֜עַ וְאֵ֣ין מֵקִ֗יץ כִּ֤י כֻלָּם֙ יְשֵׁנִ֔ים כִּ֚י תַּרְדֵּמַ֣ת יְהֹוָ֔ה נָפְלָ֖ה עֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
13David crossed over to the other side and stood afar on top of a hill; there was considerable distance between them.
vai-ya-a-VOR da-VID ha-E-ver va-ya-a-MOD al rosh-ha-HAR may-ra-KHOK, RAV ha-ma-KOM bay-NAY-hem
יגוַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר דָּוִד֙ הָעֵ֔בֶר וַיַּעֲמֹ֥ד עַל־רֹאשׁ־הָהָ֖ר מֵרָחֹ֑ק רַ֥ב הַמָּק֖וֹם בֵּינֵיהֶֽם׃
14And David shouted to the troops and to Avner son of Ner, “Avner, aren't you going to answer?” And Avner shouted back, “Who are you to shout at the king?”
vai-YIK-ra da-VID el ha-AHM v'-el a-v'-NER ben-NER lay-MOR: ha-LO ta-a-NEH a-v'-NER? vai-YA-an a-v'-NER vai-YO-mer: mee a-TAH ka-RA-ta el ha-ME-lekh.
ידוַיִּקְרָ֨א דָוִ֜ד אֶל־הָעָ֗ם וְאֶל־אַבְנֵ֤ר בֶּן־נֵר֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר הֲל֥וֹא תַעֲנֶ֖ה אַבְנֵ֑ר וַיַּ֤עַן אַבְנֵר֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר מִ֥י אַתָּ֖ה קָרָ֥אתָ אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
15And David answered Avner, “You are a man, aren't you? And there is no one like you in Yisrael! So why didn't you keep watch over your lord the king? For one of [our] troops came to do violence to your lord the king.
vai-YO-mer da-VID el av-NAYR, ha-LO a-ISH a-TAH, u-mee kha-MO-kha b'-yis-ra-AYL, v'-la-MA lo sha-MAR-ta el a-do-NE-kha ha-ME-lekh, kee-VA a-KHAD ha-AHM l'-ha-sh'-KHEET et ha-ME-lekh a-do-NE-kha
טווַיֹּאמֶר֩ דָּוִ֨ד אֶל־אַבְנֵ֜ר הֲלוֹא־אִ֣ישׁ אַתָּ֗ה וּמִ֤י כָמ֙וֹךָ֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלָ֙מָּה֙ לֹ֣א שָׁמַ֔רְתָּ אֶל־אֲדֹנֶ֖יךָ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ כִּי־בָא֙ אַחַ֣ד הָעָ֔ם לְהַשְׁחִ֖ית אֶת־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ אֲדֹנֶֽיךָ׃
16You have not given a good account of yourself! As Hashem lives, [all of] you deserve to die, because you did not keep watch over your lord, Hashem's anointed. Look around, where are the king's spear and the water jar that were at his head?”
lo-TOV ha-DA-var ha-ZEH a-SHER a-SEE-ta, khai a-do-NAI, KEE b'-NAY ma-VET a-TEM, a-SHER lo sh'-mar-TEM al a-do-NAY-khem al m'-shee-AKH a-do-NAI, v'-a-TAH re-EH ay-kha-NEET ha-ME-lekh v'-et-tza-PA-khat ha-MA-yim a-SHER m'-ra-a-SHO-tav
טזלֹא־ט֞וֹב הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּה֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֒יתָ֒ חַי־יְהֹוָ֗ה כִּ֤י בְנֵי־מָ֙וֶת֙ אַתֶּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־שְׁמַרְתֶּ֛ם עַל־אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֖ם עַל־מְשִׁ֣יחַ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְעַתָּ֣ה ׀ רְאֵ֗ה אֵֽי־חֲנִ֥ית הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ וְאֶת־צַפַּ֥חַת הַמַּ֖יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר מְרַאֲשֹׁתָֽו׃
17Shaul recognized David's voice, and he asked, “Is that your voice, my son David?” And David replied, “It is, my lord king.”
vai-YA-kayr sha-UL et-KOL da-VID va-YO-mer ha-KOL-kha ZEH b'-NEE da-VID va-YO-mer da-VID KO-lee a-do-NEE ha-ME-lekh
יזוַיַּכֵּ֤ר שָׁאוּל֙ אֶת־ק֣וֹל דָּוִ֔ד וַיֹּ֕אמֶר הֲקֽוֹלְךָ֥ זֶ֖ה בְּנִ֣י דָוִ֑ד וַיֹּ֣אמֶר דָּוִ֔ד קוֹלִ֖י אֲדֹנִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃
18And he went on, “But why does my lord continue to pursue his servant? What have I done, and what wrong am I guilty of?
vai-YO-mer la-MA z'-EH a-do-NEE ro-DEEF a-kha-RAY av-DO, KEE MEH a-SEE-TEE u-MAH b'-ya-DEE ra-AH
יחוַיֹּ֕אמֶר לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֛ה אֲדֹנִ֥י רֹדֵ֖ף אַחֲרֵ֣י עַבְדּ֑וֹ כִּ֚י מֶ֣ה עָשִׂ֔יתִי וּמַה־בְּיָדִ֖י רָעָֽה׃
19Now let my lord the king hear his servant out. If Hashem has incited you against me, let Him be appeased by an offering; but if it is men, may they be accursed of Hashem! For they have driven me out today, so that I cannot have a share in Hashem's possession, but am told, ‘Go and worship other gods.'
v'-a-TAH yish-ma NA a-do-NEE ha-ME-lekh AYT div-RAY av-DO im a-do-NAI he-see-t'-KHA VEE ya-RAKH min-KHAH v'-IM b'-NAY ha-a-DAM a-ru-REEM HAYM lif-NAY a-do-NAI kee gay-r'-SHU-nee ha-YOM may-his-ta-PAY-akh b'-na-kha-LAT a-do-NAI lay-MOR LAYKH a-VOD e-lo-HEEM a-khay-REEM
יטוְעַתָּ֗ה יִֽשְׁמַֽע־נָא֙ אֲדֹנִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אֵ֖ת דִּבְרֵ֣י עַבְדּ֑וֹ אִם־יְהֹוָ֞ה הֱסִֽיתְךָ֥ בִי֙ יָרַ֣ח מִנְחָ֔ה וְאִ֣ם ׀ בְּנֵ֣י הָאָדָ֗ם אֲרוּרִ֥ים הֵם֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה כִּֽי־גֵרְשׁ֣וּנִי הַיּ֗וֹם מֵהִסְתַּפֵּ֜חַ בְּנַחֲלַ֤ת יְהֹוָה֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֵ֥ךְ עֲבֹ֖ד אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִֽים׃
26:19 Go and worship other gods
As Rashi explains, David makes the surprising claim that God told him to go and worship other gods, because he was compelled to run away to the land of the Philistines, and in a certain sense, leaving the Land of Israel is tantamount to worshipping idols. This is reflected in the Talmudic statement (Ketubot 110a), “one who lives outside of Eretz Yisrael is like one who has no God.” The Rabbis make this dramatic statement because the People of Israel are commanded to live in Eretz Yisrael, and it is the only place in the world where one can fulfill all of the commandments. It is also the place that Hashem has chosen to reveal Himself through awe inspiring miracles, from biblical through modern times. Hence, leaving the Land of Israel greatly reduces a person’s relationship with God, and is somewhat similar to idolatry.
20Oh, let my blood not fall to the ground, away from the presence of Hashem! For the king of Yisrael has come out to seek a single flea—as if he were hunting a partridge in the hills.”
v'-a-TAH al yi-POL da-MEE ar-TZAH mi-NE-ged p'-NAY a-do-NAI, kee ya-TZAH me-LEKH yis-ra-AYL l'-va-KAYSH et par-OSH e-KHAD ka-a-SHER yir-DOf ha-ko-RAY b'-ha-REEM
כוְעַתָּ֗ה אַל־יִפֹּ֤ל דָּמִי֙ אַ֔רְצָה מִנֶּ֖גֶד פְּנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּֽי־יָצָ֞א מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לְבַקֵּשׁ֙ אֶת־פַּרְעֹ֣שׁ אֶחָ֔ד כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יִרְדֹּ֥ף הַקֹּרֵ֖א בֶּהָרִֽים׃
21And Shaul answered, “I am in the wrong. Come back, my son David, for I will never harm you again, seeing how you have held my life precious this day. Yes, I have been a fool, and I have erred so very much.”
vai-YO-mer sha-UL kha-ta-TEE shuv b'-nee da-VEED, kee lo a-RA l'-KHA od TA-khat a-SHER ya-ko-RAH naf-SHEE b'-ay-NE-kha ha-YOM ha-ZEH, hi-NEH his-KAL-tee va-e-sh'-GEH har-BEH m'-OD
כאוַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ שָׁא֨וּל חָטָ֜אתִי שׁ֣וּב בְּנִֽי־דָוִ֗ד כִּ֠י לֹֽא־אָרַ֤ע לְךָ֙ ע֔וֹד תַּ֠חַת אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָקְרָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֛י בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה הִנֵּ֥ה הִסְכַּ֛לְתִּי וָאֶשְׁגֶּ֖ה הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
22David replied, “Here is Your Majesty's spear. Let one of the young men come over and get it.
vai-YA-an da-VID va-YO-mer hi-NEH (ha-KHA-neet) [kha-NEET] ha-ME-lekh v'-ya-a-VOR e-KHAD me-ha-ne-a-REEM v'-yi-ka-KHE-ha
כבוַיַּ֤עַן דָּוִד֙ וַיֹּ֔אמֶר הִנֵּ֖ה (החנית) [חֲנִ֣ית] הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְיַעֲבֹ֛ר אֶחָ֥ד מֵהַנְּעָרִ֖ים וְיִקָּחֶֽהָ׃
23And Hashem will requite every man for his right conduct and loyalty—for this day Hashem delivered you into my hands and I would not raise a hand against Hashem's anointed.
va-a-do-NAI ya-SHEEV la-EESH et-tzid-KA-to v'-et-e-mu-NA-to a-SHER ne-ta-N'-KHA a-do-NAI ha-YOM b'-YAD v'-LO a-VEE-tee lish-LO-akh ya-DEE b'-m'-shee-AKH a-do-NAI
כגוַֽיהֹוָה֙ יָשִׁ֣יב לָאִ֔ישׁ אֶת־צִדְקָת֖וֹ וְאֶת־אֱמֻנָת֑וֹ אֲשֶׁר֩ נְתָנְךָ֨ יְהֹוָ֤ה ׀ הַיּוֹם֙ בְּיָ֔ד וְלֹ֣א אָבִ֔יתִי לִשְׁלֹ֥חַ יָדִ֖י בִּמְשִׁ֥יחַ יְהֹוָֽה׃
24And just as I valued your life highly this day, so may Hashem value my life and may He rescue me from all trouble.”
v'-hi-NEH ka-a-SHER gad-LAH naf-SHE-kha ha-YOM ha-ZEH b'-ay-NAY, KEN ti-G'-DAL naf-SHEE b'-ay-NAY a-do-NAI, v'-ya-tsi-LAY-nee mi-KOL tza-RAH.
כדוְהִנֵּ֗ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר גָּדְלָ֧ה נַפְשְׁךָ֛ הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה בְּעֵינָ֑י כֵּ֣ן תִּגְדַּ֤ל נַפְשִׁי֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה וְיַצִּלֵ֖נִי מִכׇּל־צָרָֽה׃
25Shaul answered David, “May you be blessed, my son David. You shall achieve, and you shall prevail.” David then went his way, and Shaul returned home.
vai-YO-mer sha-UL el da-VID, ba-ROOKH a-TAH be-NEE da-VID, GAM a-SO ta-a-SEH, v'-GAM ya-KHOL tu-KHAL, vai-YAY-lekh da-VID le-da-r'-KO, v'-sha-UL shaV lim-KO-mo. (Pe)
כהוַיֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֜וּל אֶל־דָּוִ֗ד בָּר֤וּךְ אַתָּה֙ בְּנִ֣י דָוִ֔ד גַּ֚ם עָשֹׂ֣ה תַעֲשֶׂ֔ה וְגַ֖ם יָכֹ֣ל תּוּכָ֑ל וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ דָּוִד֙ לְדַרְכּ֔וֹ וְשָׁא֖וּל שָׁ֥ב לִמְקוֹמֽוֹ׃