Section 4ד׳
אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה וגו', הֲדָא הוּא דִּכְתִיב (תהלים קלח, ד): יוֹדוּךָ ה' כָּל מַלְכֵי אָרֶץ כִּי שָׁמְעוּ אִמְרֵי פִיךָ, אָמַר רַבִּי פִּינְחָס שְׁנֵי דְּבָרִים שָׁמְעוּ מַלְכֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם מִפִּי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְעָמְדוּ מִכִּסְאוֹתָם וְהוֹדוּ, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁנָּתַן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא תּוֹרָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַר (שמות כ, ב): אָנֹכִי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ, אָמְרוּ מַלְכֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם זֶה כָּמוֹנוּ אוֹמֵר, אֵיזֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁיְהֵא אַחֵר מַכְּחִישׁ, וְכֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, ג): לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ, אָמְרוּ, אֵי זֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ שֻׁתָּף וְכֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, ז): לֹא תִשָֹּׂא, אָמְרוּ, אֵי זֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁיִּהְיוּ נִשְׁבָּעִים בּוֹ וּמְשַׁקְּרִים וְכֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, ח): זָכוֹר אֶת יוֹם הַשַּׁבָּת, אָמְרוּ, אֵי זֶה מֶלֶךְ רוֹצֶה שֶׁלֹא יִהְיוּ הַבְּרִיוֹת מְכַבְּדִים אֶת יוֹם שֶׁשָּׁבַת, אֲבָל בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר (שמות כ, יב): כַּבֵּד, אָמְרוּ בַּנִּימוֹסוֹת שֶׁלָּנוּ כָּל מִי שֶׁמַּכְתִּיב אֶת עַצְמוֹ סֶגְרוֹן לַמֶּלֶךְ, הוּא כּוֹפֵר בַּאֲבוֹתָיו, וְזֶה מַכְרִיז וְאוֹמֵר: כַּבֵּד אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמֶּךָ, עָמְדוּ מִכִּסְאוֹתָם וְהוֹדוּ לוֹ. בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא (ויקרא ה, טז): וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר חָטָא מִן הַקֹּדֶשׁ יְשַׁלֵּם, אָמְרוּ בַּנִּימוֹסוֹת שֶׁלָּנוּ כָּל דְּאָכֵיל צִנּוֹרָא מִן קֵיסָר יָהֵב בֵּיהּ סַכִּין דְּפַדָּן, וְזֶה מַכְרִיז וְאוֹמֵר: וְאֵת אֲשֶׁר חָטָא מִן הַקֹּדֶשׁ יְשַׁלֵּם, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁהֶחְמִיר בְּהֶדְיוֹט יוֹתֵר מִגָּבוֹהַּ, שֶׁבְּגָבוֹהַּ כְּתִיב (ויקרא ה, טו): נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תִמְעֹל מַעַל וגו', וּבְהֶדְיוֹט כְּתִיב (ויקרא ה, כא): נֶפֶשׁ כִּי תֶחֱטָא וגו', עֲשָׂאוֹ כַּמֵּזִיד, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁבָּזֶה הִקְדִּים מְעִילָה לַחֵטְא, וּבָזֶה הִקְדִּים חֵטְא לַמְּעִילָה. וְלֹא עוֹד לְיִשְׂרָאֵל אֶלָּא אֲפִלּוּ בְּגוֹזֵל הַגֵּר כֵּן, מִי הוּא אֱלוֹהַּ כָּזֶה הָאוֹהֵב אֶת אוֹהֲבָיו וּמְקָרֵב רְחוֹקִים כַּקְּרוֹבִים הַבָּאִים לִשְׁמוֹ, עָמְדוּ מִכִּסְאוֹתָם וְהוֹדוּ לוֹ. וְלֹא תֹאמַר בְּגֵרֵי הַצֶּדֶק שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְרוּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם קֵרַב הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, אֶלָּא אֲפִלּוּ אוֹתָן שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרוּ שֶׁלֹא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, מָצִינוּ שֶׁתָּבַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עֶלְבּוֹנָם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, א): וַיְהִי רָעָב בִּימֵי דָוִד וגו', מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, א): שָׁנָה אַחֲרֵי שָׁנָה, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהָיוּ שָׁלשׁ שָׁנִים רְצוּפוֹת, כְּשֶׁרָאָה דָּוִד שֶׁהִתְחִיל הָרָעָב לָבוֹא בְּיָמָיו, אָמַר בַּעֲוֹן חֲמִשָּׁה דְּבָרִים הַגְּשָׁמִים אֵינָן יוֹרְדִין, בַּעֲוֹן עוֹבְדֵי כּוֹכָבִים, וּמְגַלֵּי עֲרָיוֹת, וְשׁוֹפְכֵי דָמִים, וּפוֹסְקֵי צְדָקָה בָּרַבִּים וְאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין, וּבַעֲוֹן שֶׁאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין מַעַשְׂרוֹתֵיהֶם כְּתִקְּנָן. בַּעֲוֹן עוֹבְדֵי עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים יא, טז): הִשָּׁמְרוּ לָכֶם פֶּן יִפְתֶּה וגו', וְאוֹמֵר (דברים יא, יז): וְחָרָה אַף ה' בָּכֶם וגו'. בַּעֲוֹן מְגַלֵי עֲרָיוֹת מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ירמיה ג, ב): וַתַּחֲנִיפִי הָאָרֶץ בִּזְנוּתַיִּךְ וגו', וְאוֹמֵר (ירמיה ג, ג): וַיִּמָּנְעוּ רְבִבִים וּמַלְקוֹשׁ וגו'. בַּעֲוֹן שׁוֹפְכֵי דָמִים מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר לה, לג): כִּי הַדָּם הוּא יַחֲנִיף אֶת הָאָרֶץ, כִּי הַדָּם הוּא יַחַן אַף עַל הָאָרֶץ. בַּעֲוֹן פּוֹסְקֵי צְדָקָה בָּרַבִּים וְאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי כה, יד): נְשִׂיאִים וְרוּחַ וְגֶשֶׁם אָיִן, לָמָּה (משלי כה, יד): אִישׁ מִתְהַלֵּל בְּמַתַּת שָׁקֶר. בַּעֲוֹן שֶׁאֵין נוֹתְנִין מַעְשְׂרוֹתֵיהֶן כְּתִקְּנָן מִנַּיִן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (מלאכי ג, י): הָבִיאוּ אֶת כָּל הַמַּעֲשֵׂר אֶל בֵּית הָאוֹצָר וגו'. שָׁנָה רִאשׁוֹנָה הִתְחִיל דָּוִד לְהוֹכִיחַ דּוֹרוֹ בְּעֵת הָרֶגֶל וְאָמַר לָהֶן שֶׁמָּא יֵשׁ בָּכֶם בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁהֵן עוֹבְדִים עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים שֶׁאֵין הַשָּׁמַיִם נֶעֱצָרִים מֵהוֹרִיד טַל וּמָטָר, אֶלָּא בְּעָוֹן זֶה יָצְאוּ וּבִקְּשׁוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ. שָׁנָה שְׁנִיָּה אָמַר לָהֶם שֶׁמָּא גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת יֵשׁ בָּכֶם, שֶׁאֵין הַשָּׁמַיִם נֶעֱצָרִים אֶלָּא מִפְּנֵי כָּךְ, יָצְאוּ וּבִקְּשׁוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ. שָׁנָה שְׁלִישִׁית אָמַר לָהֶם שֶׁמָּא שׁוֹפְכֵי דָמִים אוֹ פּוֹסְקֵי צְדָקָה בָּרַבִּים וְאֵינָן נוֹתְנִין יֵשׁ בָּכֶם, אוֹ מוֹנְעֵי הַמַּעַשְׂרוֹת יֵשׁ בָּכֶם, שֶׁאֵין הַגְּשָׁמִים נֶעֱצָרִים אֶלָּא עֲלֵיהֶם, יָצְאוּ וּבִקְּשׁוּ וְלֹא מָצְאוּ, מִכָּאן וָאֵילָךְ אָמַר דָּוִד אֵין הַדָּבָר תָּלוּי אֶלָּא בִּי, הִתְחִיל שׁוֹאֵל בָּאוּרִים וְתֻמִּים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, א): וַיְבַקֵּשׁ דָּוִד אֶת פְּנֵי ה', אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ שֶׁשָּׁאַל בָּאוּרִים וְתֻמִּים. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר טַעֲמֵיהּ דְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן לָקִישׁ אַתְיָא פְּנֵי פְּנֵי, כְּתִיב הָכָא: וַיְבַקֵּשׁ דָּוִד אֶת פְּנֵי ה', וּכְתִיב הָתָם (במדבר כז, כא): וְלִפְנֵי אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן יַעֲמֹד וְשָׁאַל לוֹ וגו', אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא דָּוִד מֻצָּל אַתָּה אֶלָּא עַל שָׁאוּל וְעַל בֵּית הַדָּמִים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, כ): וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל שָׁאוּל וְאֶל בֵּית הַדָּמִים וגו', עַל שָׁאוּל, שֶׁלֹא עֲשִׂיתֶם עִמּוֹ חֶסֶד וְלֹא נִסְפַּד כַּהֲלָכָה, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא דָּוִד אֵינוֹ שָׁאוּל שֶׁנִּמְשַׁח בְּשֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה, אֵינוֹ שָׁאוּל שֶׁבְּיָמָיו לֹא נַעֲשָׂה עֲבוֹדַת כּוֹכָבִים בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, אֵינוֹ שָׁאוּל שֶׁחֶלְקוֹ עִם שְׁמוּאֵל הַנָּבִיא, וְאַתָּה בָּאָרֶץ וְהוּא בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ, וְאֶל בֵּית הַדָּמִים עַל אֲשֶׁר הֵמִית אֶת הַגִּבְעֹנִים, וְהֵיכָן מָצִינוּ שֶׁהֵמִית גִּבְעוֹנִים, אֶלָּא מִתּוֹךְ שֶׁהָרַג נוֹב עִיר הַכֹּהֲנִים שֶׁהָיוּ מַסְפִּיקִין לָהֶם מַיִם וּמָזוֹן, מַעֲלֶה עָלָיו הַכָּתוּב כְּאִלּוּ הֲרָגָן. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר כְּתִיב (צפניה ב, ג): בַּקְּשׁוּ אֶת ה' כָּל עַנְוֵי הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר מִשְׁפָּטוֹ פָּעָלוּ, מַהוּ אֲשֶׁר מִשְׁפָּטוֹ פָּעָלוּ, שֶׁהוּא עוֹשֶׂה מִשְׁפָּטוֹ וּפָעֳלוֹ כְּאַחַת, אַתְּ מוֹצֵא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא תּוֹבֵעַ מִשְׁפָּטָן שֶׁל גִּבְעוֹנִים מִן שָׁאוּל וְזוֹכֵר פְּעֻלָּתוֹ שֶׁל שָׁאוּל לְשַׁלֵּם לוֹ שָׂכָר טוֹב, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר דָּוִד וְכִי בִּשְׁבִיל הַגֵּרִים הַלָּלוּ עָשָׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְעַמּוֹ כֵּן, אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אִם תַּרְחִיק אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים סוֹפְךָ לְרַחֵק אֶת הַקְּרוֹבִים, צֵא וּלְמַד מִיהוֹשֻׁעַ רַבָּךְ שֶׁבְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמְרוּ הַגִּבְעוֹנִים (יהושע י, ו): עֲלֵה אֵלֵינוּ מְהֵרָה וְהוֹשִׁיעָה לָנוּ וְעָזְרֵנוּ, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְכִי בִּשְׁבִיל הַגֵּרִים הַלָּלוּ אָנוּ מַטְרִיחִים עַל הַצִּבּוּר. אָמַר לוֹ הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אִם תַּרְחִיק אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים סוֹפְךָ לְרַחֵק אֶת הַקְּרוֹבִים, צֵא וּלְמַד מֵהֵיכָן הוּא מַטָּעֲךָ לֹא מִן הַגֵרִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (בראשית מו, כ): וַיִּוָּלֵד לְיוֹסֵף בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם וגו', וּכְתִיב (במדבר יג, ח): לְמַטֵּה אֶפְרָיִם הוֹשֵׁעַ בִּן נוּן, מִיָּד (שמואל ב כא, ב): וַיִּקְרָא הַמֶּלֶךְ לַגִּבְעֹנִים וַיֹּאמֶר אֲלֵיהֶם וְהַגִּבְעֹנִים וגו', מַה שֶּׁאָמַר הַכָּתוּב: וְהַגִּבְעֹנִים לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה, וְכִי מָה עִנְיָן זֶה לָזֶה, אֶלָּא כָּךְ אָמַר הַכָּתוּב לְפִי שֶׁקָּרָא דָּוִד לַגִּבְעֹנִים וְאָמַר אֲלֵיהֶם מַה שֶּׁאָמַר וְלֹא קִבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ, לְכָךְ וְהַגִּבְעֹנִים לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה, שֶׁעָמַד דָּוִד וְרִחֲקָן שֶׁלֹא יָבוֹאוּ בַּקָּהָל, וְזוֹ הִיא שֶׁשָּׁנִינוּ (גמרא יבמות עט-א): שֶׁנְּתִינִים אֲסוּרִים לָבוֹא בַּקָּהָל, בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר דָּוִד שָׁלשׁ מַתָּנוֹת נָתַן הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, רַחֲמָנִין וּבַיְשָׁנִין וְגוֹמְלֵי חֲסָדִים. רַחֲמָנִין, דִּכְתִיב (דברים יג, יח): וְנָתַן לְךָ רַחֲמִים וְרִחַמְךָ וְהִרְבֶּךָ. בַּיְשָׁנִים, דִּכְתִיב (שמות כ, יז): וּבַעֲבוּר תִּהְיֶה יִרְאָתוֹ עַל פְּנֵיכֶם לְבִלְתִּי תֶחֱטָאוּ, זֶה סִימָן לַבַּיְשָׁן שֶׁאֵינוֹ חוֹטֵא, וְכָל מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בּשֶׁת פָּנִים דָּבָר בָּרִי שֶׁלֹא עָמְדוּ אֲבוֹתָיו עַל הַר סִינַי וגו'. גּוֹמְלֵי חֲסָדִים מִנַּיִן, דִּכְתִיב (בראשית יח, יט): לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר יְצַוֶּה אֶת בָּנָיו וְאֶת בֵּיתוֹ וגו', וּכְתִיב (דברים ז, יב): וְשָׁמַר ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ לְךָ אֶת הַבְּרִית וְאֶת הַחֶסֶד, וְאֵלּוּ אֵין בָּהֶם אֶחָד מֵאֵלֶּה, מִיָּד עָמַד וְרִחֲקָן, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: וְהַגִּבְעוֹנִים לֹא מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל הֵמָּה, אֵין רְאוּיִן אֵלֶּה לְהִתְעָרֵב עִמָּהֶם אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁגֵּרִים הֵם לֹא עָמְדוּ אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם עַל הַר סִינַי, כִּי עַל שֵׁם כְּנַעֲנִים מִתְחַשְּׁבִים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ב): כִּי אִם מִיֶּתֶר הָאֱמֹרִי. מַה כְּתִיב בָּהֶם (דברים ז, ג): וְלֹא תִתְחַתֵּן בָּם וגו', אַף אֵלּוּ כְּמוֹתָן אֵינָן רְאוּיִן לִדָּבֵק בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. כָּתוּב אֶחָד אוֹמֵר (יהושע ט, ז): וַיֹּאמֶר אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶל הַחִוִּי וגו', וְכָאן קָרֵי לֵיהּ אֱמוֹרִי, אֶלָּא מִן הָאֱמוֹרִי הָיוּ וְלָמָּה קוֹרֵא אוֹתָן חִוִּי, עַל שֶׁעָשׂוּ מַעֲשֵׂה חִוִּי, מַעֲשֵׂה נָחָשׁ. הַנָּחָשׁ אָמַר יוֹדֵעַ אֲנִי שֶׁאָמַר לָהֶם הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא (בראשית ב, יז): כִּי בְּיוֹם אֲכָלְךָ מִמֶּנּוּ מוֹת תָּמוּת, אֶלָּא הֲרֵינִי הוֹלֵךְ וּמְרַמֶּה בָּהֶם וְהֵם אוֹכְלִין וְנֶעֱנָשִׁים וַאֲנִי יוֹרֵשׁ אֶת הָאָרֶץ לְעַצְמִי, כָּךְ עָשׂוּ הַגִּבְעוֹנִים, אָמְרוּ יוֹדְעִים אָנוּ שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְיִשְׂרָאֵל (דברים כ, יז): כִּי הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִימֵם הַחִתִּי וְהָאֱמֹרִי וגו' (דברים ז, ב): לֹא תִכְרֹת לָהֶם בְּרִית וגו', אֶלָּא הֲרֵי אָנוּ הוֹלְכִין וּמְרַמִּין בָּהֶם וְהֵם כּוֹרְתִים אִתָּנוּ בְּרִית, מַה נַּפְשָׁךְ, יַהַרְגוּ אוֹתָנוּ יַעַבְרוּ עַל הַשְּׁבוּעָה, יְקַיְּמוּ אוֹתָנוּ עוֹבְרִים עַל הַגְּזֵרָה, בֵּין כָּךְ וּבֵין כָּךְ נֶעֱנָשִׁים וְאָנוּ יוֹרְשִׁין אֶת הָאָרֶץ לְעַצְמֵנוּ, לְפִיכָךְ כְּשֶׁרָאָה יְהוֹשֻׁעַ כֵּן, אָמַר לָהֶם (יהושע ט, כב): לָמָּה רִמִּיתֶם אֹתָנוּ וגו', אָמַר לָהֶם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אַתֶּם עֲשִׂיתֶם מַעֲשֵׂה נָחָשׁ לְפִיכָךְ תִּטְלּוּ שְׂכָרוֹ שֶׁל נָחָשׁ. אָמַר רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר אֵרֲרָן כְּנָחָשׁ, דִּכְתִיב (יהושע ט, כג): וְעַתָּה אֲרוּרִים אַתֶּם, כְּשֵׁם שֶׁכָּתוּב בַּנָּחָשׁ (בראשית ג, יד): אָרוּר אַתָּה מִכָּל הַבְּהֵמָה, מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, ב): וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נִשְׁבְּעוּ לָהֶם, אָמַר דָּוִד בְּעֵת שֶׁבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נִשְׁבְּעוּ לָהֶם תָּלוּ הַדָּבָר בִּי, שֶׁאִם אֶחְפֹּץ לְרַחֲקָן וּלְקָרְבָן הָרְשׁוּת בְּיָדִי, הֲרֵינִי מְרַחֲקָן. וּמִנַּיִן שֶׁתָּלוּ הַדָּבָר בְּדָוִד, דִּכְתִיב (יהושע ט, כז): וַיִּתְּנֵם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא חֹטְבֵי עֵצִים וְשֹׁאֲבֵי מַיִם וגו', אָמַר רַבִּי אַמֵּי בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי אַחַר שֶׁאָמַר (יהושע ט, כז): לָעֵדָה וּלְמִזְבַּח ה', מַה צֹּרֶךְ לוֹמַר (יהושע ט, כז): אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחָר, אֶלָּא תְּלָאוֹ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בְּדָוִד, אָמַר אֲנִי אֵינִי לֹא מְקָרְבָן וְלֹא מְרַחֲקָן, אֶלָּא מִי שֶׁהוּא עָתִיד לִבְנוֹת בֵּית הַבְּחִירָה, אִם רָאֲתָה דַּעְתּוֹ לְקָרֵב יְקָרֵב, לְרַחֵק יְרַחֵק, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁבָּא דָּוִד וְרָאָה שֶׁהָיוּ אַכְזָרִים רִחֲקָן, אַף עֶזְרָא רִחֲקָן, דִּכְתִיב (נחמיה יא, כא): וְהַנְּתִינִים ישְׁבִים בָּעֹפֶל וגו'. אַף לֶעָתִיד לָבוֹא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מְרַחֲקָן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יחזקאל מח, יט): וְהָעֹבֵד הָעִיר יַעַבְדוּהוּ מִכֹּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, יְאַבְּדוּהוּ מִכֹּל שִׁבְטֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, (שמואל ב כא, ב): וַיְבַקֵּשׁ שָׁאוּל לְהַכֹּתָם, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹא הִכָּם נִתְאַכְזְרוּ עָלָיו, לְלַמֶּדְךָ שֶׁלֹא עַל חִנָּם רִחֲקָן דָּוִד (שמואל ב כא, ב): בְּקַנֹּאתוֹ לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה, אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹא כָּעַס עֲלֵיהֶם שָׁאוּל אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל קִנְאָה שֶׁהָיָה לוֹ עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל וִיהוּדָה וְלֹא עָשָׂה בִּשְׁבִיל שִׂנְאָה שֶׁהָיָה שׂוֹנְאָם, וְלֹא רִחֲמוּ עַל בָּנָיו. מַה הִיא הַקִּנְאָה, שֶׁלֹא הָיוּ מְגַלִּים לוֹ הֵיכָן דָּוִד מִתְחַבֵּא, מִיָּד שָׁלַח דָּוִד וְקָרָא לָהֶם מַה לָּכֶם וּלְבֵית שָׁאוּל, אֲמַרוּן לֵיהּ עַל שֶׁפָּסַק מְזוֹנֵנוּ וְעַל שֶׁהֵמִית מִמֶּנּוּ שִׁבְעָה אֲנָשִׁים, שְׁנֵי חוֹטְבֵי עֵצִים, וּשְׁנֵי שׁוֹאֲבֵי מַיִם, וְחַזָּן, וְסוֹפֵר, וְשַׁמָּשׁ. אֲמַר לוֹן וּמָה אַתּוּן בָּעֲיִן כַּדּוּן, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ג): וַיֹּאמֶר דָּוִד אֶל הַגִּבְעֹנִים מָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם וּבַמָּה אֲכַפֵּר וּבָרְכוּ אֶת נַחֲלַת ה', אָמַר לָהֶם מָה הֲנָיָה לֶהֱוֵי לְכוֹן אִם תִּקְטְלוּן מִן בֵּית שָׁאוּל נַפְשָׁא, אֶלָּא אִמְרוּ לִי מַה תַּקָנָה אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם שֶׁאַתֶּם מִתְפַּיְסִין וְכַמָּה כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב אֶתֵּן לָכֶם כֹּפֶר נַפְשְׁכֶם, וּבַמָּה אֲכַפֵּר, כְּמָה דְתֵימָא (שמות כא, ל): אִם כֹּפֶר יוּשַׁת עָלָיו וְנָתַן פִּדְיֹן נַפְשׁוֹ, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּפְסֹק הָרָעָב, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: וּבָרְכוּ אֶת נַחֲלַת ה', וּכְמָה דְתֵימָא (בראשית מז, ז): וַיְבָרֶךְ יַעֲקֹב אֶת פַּרְעֹה, שֶׁבֵּרֲכוֹ שֶׁיִּכְלֶה הָרָעָב. (שמואל ב כא, ד): וַיֹּאמְרוּ לוֹ הַגִּבְעֹנִים אֵין לָנוּ כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עִם שָׁאוּל וְעִם בֵּיתוֹ, לִי כְתִיב לָנוּ קְרִי, לָמָּה כֵן, אָמַר לָהֶם דָּוִד, מָה הֲנָיָה לְכוֹן דְּאִנּוּן מִתְקַטְלִין, סְבוּ לְכוֹן כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב. אָמְרוּ לוֹ אֵין אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁין כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב עִם שָׁאוּל וְעִם בְּנֵי בֵיתוֹ, לֹא הָיָה לָנוּ חַיָּב מָמוֹן שֶׁמָּמוֹן נִטֹּל מִמֶּנּוּ, אֶלָּא נְפָשׁוֹת חַיָּב לָנוּ, וּנְפָשׁוֹת אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁין. אָמַר דָּוִד דִּלְמָא דְּאִנּוּן בָּהֲתִין פַּלְגוֹן מִן פַּלְגוֹן, נְסַב כָּל חַד וְחַד מִנְּהוֹן וַהֲוָה מְפַיֵּס לֵיהּ, קֳבֵל גַּרְמֵיהּ, וְהוּא אֲמַר לֵיהּ מָה הֲנָיָה לָךְ וְאִינוּן מִתְקַטְּלִין סַב לָךְ מָמוֹן, וְהוּא אֲמַר לֵיהּ: אֵין לִי כֶסֶף וְזָהָב עִם שָׁאוּל וְעִם בֵּיתוֹ, וְאֵין לָנוּ לַחֲזֹר עַל אֲחֵרִים אֶלָּא עָלָיו, שֶׁעֲבָדָיו לֹא רָצוּ לִשְׁלוֹחַ יָד בַּכֹּהֲנִים וְלֹא בָּנוּ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א כב, יז): וְלֹא אָבוּ עַבְדֵּי הַמֶּלֶךְ לִשְׁלוֹחַ אֶת יָדָם לִפְגֹּעַ בְּכֹהֲנֵי ה', הֱוֵי (שמואל ב כא, ד): וְאֵין לָנוּ אִישׁ לְהָמִית בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה דָּוִד שֶׁלֹא קִבְּלוּ מִמֶּנּוּ, אָמַר לָהֶם מָה אַתֶּם אוֹמְרִים אֲנִי עוֹשֶׂה לָכֶם, אִם נְפָשׁוֹת אַתֶּם מְבַקְּשִׁים אֲנִי אֶעֱשֶׂה, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ד): וַיֹּאמֶר מָה אַתֶּם אֹמְרִים אֶעֱשֶׂה לָכֶם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁאָמַר לָהֶם דָּוִד כֵּן, אָמְרוּ לוֹ אֵין אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁים לִפְרֹעַ לוֹ כְּכָל מִדָּתוֹ, הוּא כִּלָּנוּ וְחָשַׁב לְהַשְׁמִידֵנוּ שֶׁלֹא יִהְיֶה לָנוּ עֲמִידָה בְּכָל גְּבוּל יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֵין אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁין מִכָּל בָּנָיו אֶלָּא שִׁבְעָה, כְּנֶגֶד הַשִּׁבְעָה אֲשֶׁר הֲרָגָם מִמֶּנּוּ, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ה): וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֶל הַמֶּלֶךְ הָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר כִּלָּנוּ וַאֲשֶׁר דִּמָּה לָנוּ וגו', אֲשֶׁר כִּלָּנוּ שֶׁבַע אוֹתִיּוֹת הֵן, כְּנֶגֶד שֶׁבַע נְפָשׁוֹת שֶׁהָרַג מֵהֶם, לְפִיכָךְ (שמואל ב כא, ו): יֻתַּן לָנוּ שִׁבְעָה אֲנָשִׁים מִבָּנָיו וְהוֹקַעֲנוּם לַה' בְּגִבְעַת שָׁאוּל בְּחִיר ה' וגו', כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּרְאוּ כָּל הָעוֹלָם וְיִתְיָרְאוּ וְלֹא יוֹסִיפוּ עוֹד לְהָרַע לַגֵּרִים, לְכָךְ כְּתִיב לַה', שֶׁהוּא צִוָּה לְהֵיטִיב לַגֵּרִים, וְהוּא הֵרַע לָהֶם, לָמָּה בְּגִבְעַת שָׁאוּל, כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּדְעוּ אִם לַמֶּלֶךְ לֹא נָשָׂא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא פָּנִים קַל וָחֹמֶר לָהֶדְיוֹטִים. בְּחִיר ה', אֶתְמְהָה, הֵם מְקַטְרְגִים עָלָיו, וְקָרְיִין לֵיהּ בְּחִיר ה'. אֶלָּא הֵם אָמְרוּ: בְּגִבְעַת שָׁאוּל, יָצְתָה בַּת קוֹל וְאָמְרָה: בְּחִיר ה'. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה דָּוִד צָרָתוֹ צָרָה, הִתְחִיל אוֹמֵר לָהֶם אֲנִי אֶתֵּן, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, ו): וַיֹּאמֶר הַמֶּלֶךְ אֲנִי אֶתֵּן, (שמואל ב כא, ז): וַיַּחְמֹל הַמֶּלֶךְ עַל מְפִיבשֶׁת בֶּן יְהוֹנָתָן וגו', עַל שֶׁהָיָה אָדָם גָּדוֹל בַּתּוֹרָה נָתַן דָּוִד עֵינָיו בּוֹ לְהַצִּילוֹ מִיָּדָם, אָמַר דָּוִד הֲרֵינִי מַעֲבִירָן לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְכָל מִי שֶׁהַמִּזְבֵּחַ קוֹלְטוֹ הֲרֵי הוּא שֶׁלּוֹ, וְהֶעֱבִירָן לִפְנֵי הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, וְנִתְפַּלֵּל עָלָיו וְהָלַךְ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ וּקְלָטוֹ, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים נז, ג): אֶקְרָא לֵאלֹהִים עֶלְיוֹן לָאֵל גֹּמֵר עָלָי, שֶׁהִסְכִּים הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עִם דָּוִד. (שמואל ב כא, ח): וַיִּקַּח הַמֶּלֶךְ אֶת שְׁנֵי בְּנֵי רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָה לְשָׁאוּל וגו', וְהָכְתִיב (שמואל ב ו, כג): וּלְמִיכַל בַּת שָׁאוּל לֹא הָיָה לָהּ יָלֶד עַד יוֹם מוֹתָהּ, וּמֵרַב הֵיכָן הִיא, אֱמֹר מֵעַתָּה בְּנֵי מֵרַב הָיוּ וְגִדְּלָתַם מִיכַל וְנִקְרְאוּ עַל שְׁמָהּ. (שמואל ב כא, ט): וַיִּתְּנֵם בְּיַד הַגִּבְעֹנִים וַיֹּקִיעֻם בָּהָר לִפְנֵי ה' וַיִּפְּלוּ שְׁבַעְתָּם יָחַד, שְׁבַעְתָּם כְּתִיב חָסֵר יו"ד, זֶה מְפִיבשֶׁת בֶּן יוֹנָתָן שֶׁנִּצַּל, שֶׁהָיָה חָסֵר מִן הַשִּׁבְעָה. (שמואל ב כא, ט): וְהֵמָּה הֻמְתוּ בִּימֵי קָצִיר בָּרִאשֹׁנִים בִּתְחִלַּת קְצִיר שְׂעֹרִים, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהוּמְתוּ בְּשִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּנִיסָן, יוֹם שֶׁהָיוּ מַקְרִיבִים אֶת הָעוֹמֶר. (שמואל ב כא, י): וַתִּקַּח רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה אֶת הַשַֹּׂק וַתַּטֵּהוּ לָהּ אֶל הַצּוּר, מַהוּ אֶל הַצּוּר, אָמַר רַבִּי הוֹשַׁעְיָא שֶׁהָיְתָה אוֹמֶרֶת (דברים לב, ד): הַצּוּר תָּמִים פָּעֳלוֹ. (שמואל ב כא, י): מִתְּחִלַּת קָצִיר עַד נִתַּךְ מַיִם עֲלֵיהֶם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם, רַבִּי אַחָא בַּר זְבִינָא אָמַר בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי הוֹשַׁעְיָא גָּדוֹל הוּא קִדּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם מֵחִלּוּל הַשֵּׁם, בְּחִלּוּל הַשֵּׁם כְּתִיב (דברים כא, כג): לֹא תָלִין נִבְלָתוֹ עַל הָעֵץ, וּבְקִדּוּשׁ הַשֵּׁם כְּתִיב: מִתְּחִלַת קָצִיר עַד נִתַּךְ מַיִם עֲלֵיהֶם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁעָמְדוּ תְּלוּיִם מִשִׁשָּׁה עָשָׂר בְּנִיסָן עַד שִׁבְעָה עָשָׂר בְּמַרְחֶשְׁוָן. וְהָכְתִיב (דברים כד, טז): לֹא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים, וּבָנִים מֵתוּ בַּעֲוֹן אֲבִיהֶם, אָמַר רַבִּי חִיָּא בַּר אַבָּא בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן מוּטָב שֶׁתֵּעָקֵר אוֹת אַחַת מִן הַתּוֹרָה וְאַל יִתְחַלֵּל שֵׁם שָׁמַיִם בְּפַרְהֶסְיָא, וְהָיוּ אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם אוֹמְרִים תּוֹרָתָן שֶׁל אֵלּוּ פְּלַסְטוֹן הִיא, כָּתוּב בְּתוֹרָתָן: לֹא תָלִין נִבְלָתוֹ, וְאֵלּוּ תְּלוּיִם שִׁבְעָה חֳדָשִׁים. כָּתוּב בְּתוֹרָתָן אֵין דָּנִים שְׁנַיִם בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, וְאֵלוּ שְׁבַעְתָּם יָחַד. כָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה: לֹא יוּמְתוּ אָבוֹת עַל בָּנִים, וְאֵלּוּ מֵתִים בַּעֲוֹן אֲבוֹתָם. וְהָיוּ שׁוֹאֲלִים עֲלֵיהֶם מֶה חָטְאוּ אֵלּוּ שֶׁנִּשְׁתַּנֵּית מִדַּת הַדִּין, וְהָיוּ יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹמְרִים לָהֶם אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם שֶׁל אֵלּוּ פָּשְׁטוּ יְדֵיהֶם בְּגֵרִים גְּרוּרִים, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם וְכִי מַה טִּיבָן, אָמְרוּ לָהֶם אֵלּוּ הַגֵּרִים שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרוּ בִּימֵי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ. אָמְרוּ לָהֶם וְכִי בִּשְׁבִיל הַגֵּרִים הַגְּרוּרִים הָאֲרוּרִים הַלָּלוּ עָשָׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְעַמּוֹ כֵן, מַה בִּבְנֵי מְלָכִים כֵּן בְּהֶדְיוֹטוֹת עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, מָה אִם אֵלּוּ שֶׁלֹא נִתְגַּיְּרוּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם רְאוּ הֵיאַךְ תָּבַע הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת דָּמָן, הַמִּתְגַּיֵּר לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, וַדַּאי אֵין אֱלוֹהַּ כֵּאלֹהֵיהֶם וְאֵין אֻמָּה כְּאֻמָּתָם, וְאֵין לָנוּ לִדָּבֵק אֶלָּא בְּאֻמָּה זוֹ שֶׁאֱלֹהֶיהָ גָּדוֹל מִכָּל אֱלֹהִים. מִיָּד נִתְגַּיְּרוּ הַרְבֵּה גֵרִים מֵאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים ב ב, טז): וַיִסְפֹּר שְׁלֹמֹה כָּל הָאֲנָשִׁים הַגֵּירִים אֲשֶׁר בְּאֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל אַחֲרֵי הַסְּפָר אֲשֶׁר סְפָרָם דָּוִיד אָבִיו וַיִּמָּצְאוּ מֵאָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וּשְׁלשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת. מֵהֶם עָשָׂה שְׁלֹמֹה שִׁבְעִים אֶלֶף נוֹשֵׂא סַבָּל, וּשְׁמוֹנִים אֶלֶף חוֹצֵב בָּהָר, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברי הימים ב ב, א): וַיִּסְפֹּר שְׁלֹמֹה שִׁבְעִים אֶלֶף אִישׁ סַבָּל וגו'. וְכָל כָּךְ לָמָּה לְהוֹדִיעַ שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, הוּא מְקָרֵב אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים, וְסָמַךְ לָרְחוֹקִים כַּקְּרוֹבִים, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁמַּקְדִּים שָׁלוֹם לָרְחוֹקִים מִן הַקְּרוֹבִים, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נז, יט): שָׁלוֹם שָׁלוֹם לָרָחוֹק וְלַקָּרוֹב, הֱוֵי: עַד נִתַּךְ מַיִם עֲלֵיהֶם מִן הַשָּׁמָיִם. מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, י): וְלֹא נָתְנָה עוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם לָנוּחַ עֲלֵיהֶם, בּוֹא וּרְאֵה הַחֶסֶד שֶׁעָשְׂתָה רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה עִמָּהֶם, שֶׁהָיְתָה שׁוֹמַרְתָּם בַּיּוֹם מֵעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם וּבַלַּיְלָה מֵחַיַּת הַשָֹּׂדֶה שִׁבְעָה חֳדָשִׁים, וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁאָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לְדָוִד עַל שָׁאוּל שֶׁלֹא נִסְפַּד כַּהֲלָכָה וְהוּא נִקְבַּר בְּחוּצָה לָאָרֶץ, הָיָה דָּוִד מִתְעַצֵּל בְּהֶסְפֵּדוֹ, שֶׁאָמַר שָׁאוּל כְּבָר עָבְרוּ עָלָיו תְּרֵיסַר יַרְחֵי שַׁתָּא וְלָא אָרְחֵיהּ לְאַסְפּוּדֵיהּ, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּידוּ לוֹ מַעֲשִׂים שֶׁל רִצְפָּה בַת אַיָּה, נָשָׂא קַל וָחֹמֶר בְּעַצְמוֹ, וְאָמַר: מַה זּוֹ שֶׁהִיא אִשָּׁה כָּךְ עָשְׂתָה לִגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, אֲנִי שֶׁאֲנִי מֶלֶךְ עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, מִיָּד הָלַךְ לִגְמֹל חֶסֶד עִמָּהֶם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמואל ב כא, יא): וַיֻּגַּד לְדָוִד אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשְׂתָה וגו', (שמואל ב כא, יב יג): וַיֵּלֶךְ דָּוִד וַיִּקַּח אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וגו' וַיַּעַל מִשָּׁם אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וגו'. מֶה עָשָׂה דָּוִד, עָמַד וְכִנֵּס כָּל זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּגְדוֹלֵיהֶם, וְעָבְרוּ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן וּבָאוּ לְיָבֵישׁ גִּלְעָד, וּמָצְאוּ אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וִיהוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ וְנָתְנוּ אוֹתָם בְּתוֹךְ אֲרוֹן הַמֵּת וְעָבְרוּ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּן, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל ב כא, יד): וַיִּקְבְּרוּ אֶת עַצְמוֹת שָׁאוּל וִיהוֹנָתָן בְּנוֹ וגו', מַהוּ (שמואל ב כא, יד): בְּצֵלָע בְּקֶבֶר קִישׁ אָבִיו, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁהֱבִיאוּהוּ לִגְבוּל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם וּקְבָרוּהוּ שָׁם, וְצֵלָע הִיא בְּצַד יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (יהושע יח, כח): וְצֵלַע הָאֶלֶף וְהַיְבוּסִי הִיא יְרוּשָׁלָיִם וגו'. (שמואל ב כא, יד): וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ, וּמַה צִּוָּה הַמֶּלֶךְ, צִוָּה לִהְיוֹת מַעֲבִירִים אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל שָׁאוּל בְּכָל שֵׁבֶט וְשֵׁבֶט וְהָיָה הַשֵּׁבֶט שֶׁהָיָה נִכְנַס בּוֹ אֲרוֹנוֹ שֶׁל שָׁאוּל יוֹצְאִים הֵם וּנְשֵׁיהֶם וּבְנֵיהֶם וּבְנוֹתֵיהֶם וְגוֹמְלִים חֶסֶד עִם שָׁאוּל וּבָנָיו, כְּדֵי שֶׁיֵּצְאוּ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל יְדֵי חוֹבָתָן בִּגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, עַד שֶׁבָּאוּ לְאֶרֶץ אֲחֻזָּתוֹ לִגְבוּל יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁרָאָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שֶׁגָּמְלוּ לוֹ כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל חֶסֶד וְעָשׂוּ דִּינָם שֶׁל גִּבְעוֹנִים, מִיָּד נִתְמַלֵּא רַחֲמִים וְנָתַן מָטָר עַל הָאָרֶץ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל ב כא, יד): וַיֵּעָתֵר אֱלֹהִים לָאָרֶץ אַחֲרֵי כֵן, הָא לָמַדְנוּ כַּמָּה קֵרַב הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים, אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁנִּתְגַּיְּרוּ שֶׁלֹא לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, וְאֵין צָרִיךְ לוֹמַר עַל גֵּרֵי הַצֶּדֶק, הֱוֵי: יוֹדוּךָ ה' כָּל מַלְכֵי אָרֶץ וגו'.
“A man or woman...” – this is what is written: “All the kings of the earth will praise You [yodukha], Lord, as they heard the words of Your mouth” (Psalms 138:4). Rabbi Pinḥas said: The kings of the nations of the world heard three matters from the Holy One blessed be He, and they stood from their thrones and praised [vehodu]. When the Holy One blessed be He gave the Torah to Israel and said: “I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:2), the kings of the nations of the world said: He is saying as we would. What king would want another to reject him? Likewise, the Holy One blessed be He, when He said: “You shall have no [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3), they said: What king would want to have a partner? Likewise, when He said: “You shall not take [the name of the Lord your God in vain]” (Exodus 20:7), they said: What king would want people taking oaths in his name and lying? Likewise, the Holy One blessed be He, when He said: “Remember the Shabbat day” (Exodus 20:8), they said: What king would want people not to honor the day that he rested? But when He said: “Honor [your father and your mother]” (Exodus 20:12), they said: According to our protocols, anyone who registers himself to be subservient to the king, he renounces his parents; but this One declares and says: “Honor your father and your mother”? They arose from their thrones and praised him. When the Holy One blessed be He said: “For what he misappropriated from the sacred he shall pay” (Leviticus 5:16), they said: According to our protocols, anyone who misappropriates a spinning hook from the emperor must give him the blade of a plow, but this One declares and says: “For what he misappropriated from the sacred he shall pay”? Moreover, He was more stringent regarding [sins against] with the commoner than He was regarding [sins against] the Most High, as regarding the Most High it is written: “A person who will commit a trespass, [and sins unwittingly]…” (Leviticus 5:15), and regarding a commoner it is written: “A person who shall sin, [and commit a trespass against the Lord]” (Leviticus 5:21); the Torah renders it as though it were intentional. Moreover, regarding this one, it precedes trespass to sin, while regarding that one, it precedes sin to trespass. This is true not only regarding an Israelite, but it is so even regarding one who robs a proselyte. Who is a God like this who loves those who love Him, and draws near the distant like those who come near in His name? They stood from their thrones and praised him. Do not say it is only righteous proselytes who converted for the sake of Heaven that the Holy One blessed be He draws near; but even those who converted not for the sake of Heaven, the Holy One blessed be He demands an accounting for the affront to them. That is what is written: “There was a famine in the days of David [for three years, year after year, and David entreated of the Lord. The Lord said: For Saul, and for the bloody house, in that he put the Givonites to death]” (II Samuel 21:1). What is “year after year”? It teaches that they were three consecutive years. When David saw that the famine began to come in his days, he said: Due to the iniquity of five matters rain does not fall: It is due to the iniquity of idolaters, of engagers in illicit relations, of shedders of blood, of pledgers of charity in public who do not give, and due to the iniquity of those who do not distribute their tithes properly. Due to the iniquity of idolaters, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Beware, lest your heart be seduced [and you stray and serve other gods]” (Deuteronomy 11:16), and it says: “The wrath of the Lord will be enflamed against you, [and He will restrain the heavens and there will be no rain]” (Deuteronomy 11:17). Due to the iniquity of engagers in illicit relations, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “You defiled the land with your licentiousness…” (Jeremiah 3:2), and it says: “Raindrops were withheld and [there was no] late rain” (Jeremiah 3:3). Due to the iniquity of shedders of blood, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “For blood defiles [yaḥanif] the land” (Numbers 35:33); blood will cause wrath to settle [yiḥan af] upon the land. Due to the iniquity of pledgers of charity in public who do not give, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Clouds and wind but no rain” (Proverbs 25:14). Why? [Because of] “a man who glories in a false gift” (Proverbs 25:14). Due to the iniquity of those who do not distribute their tithes properly, from where is it derived? It is as it is stated: “Bring all the tithe to the storehouse…[test Me now with this…if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out an endless blessing for you]” (Malachi 3:10). During the first year, David began admonishing his generation during the pilgrimage festival, and he said to them: Are there, perhaps, people among you who are idolaters, as the heavens are restrained from having rain fall only due to that iniquity? They went out and sought, but did not find. The second year, he said to them: Are there, perhaps, illicit sexual relations among you, as the heavens are restrained only due to that? They went out and sought, but did not find. The third year, he said to them: Are there, perhaps, shedders of blood, pledgers of charity in public who do not give, or withholders of tithes among you, as the heavens are restrained only due to them? They went out and sought, but did not find. From then on, David said: The matter is dependent solely upon me. He began consulting the Urim and the Tumim. That is what is written: “David entreated of the Lord” (II Samuel 21:1). Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: That [indicates] he consulted the Urim and the Tumim. Rabbi Elazar said that the source of Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish is that he derives a verbal analogy: penei, penei. Here it is written: “David entreated of the Lord [penei Hashem],” and there it is written: “Before [velifnei] Elazar the priest he shall stand, and he will inquire for him [regarding the judgment of the Urim before the Lord]” (Numbers 27:21). The Holy One blessed be He said to him: David, you are protected from sin; rather, it is due to Saul and the bloody house. That is what is written: “The Lord said: For Saul, and for the bloody house, [in that he put the Givonites to death]” (II Samuel 21:1). “For Saul” – because you did not perform kindness with him and he was not eulogized properly. The Holy One blessed be He said to him: David, is he not Saul who was anointed with the anointing oil? Is he not Saul, who, during his reign, no idol worship was performed in Israel? Is he not Saul, whose portion is with Samuel the prophet, and you are in the land [of Israel] and he is outside the land? “And for the bloody house in that he put the Givonites to death” (II Samuel 21:1) – Where do we find that he put the Givonites to death? Rather, due to the fact that he killed [the residents] of Nov, the city of priests, to whom they would supply water and food, the verse ascribes to him as though he put them to death. Rabbi Elazar said: It is written: “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, who have performed his judgment” (Zephaniah 2:3). What is “who performed his judgment”? It is that he implements His judgment and His reward for performance simultaneously. You find the Holy One blessed be He demanding justice for the Givonites from Saul, and remembering Saul’s deeds in order to pay him a good reward. At that moment, David said: Is it on behalf of these proselytes that the Holy One blessed be He did so to His people? The Holy One blessed be He said to him: If you distance the distant, ultimately, you will distance those who are near. Come and learn from your master Joshua, who, when the Givonites said: “Come up to us quickly, and save us and help us” (Joshua 10:6), Joshua said: Will we burden the community on behalf of these proselytes? The Holy One blessed be He said to Joshua: If you distance the distant, ultimately, you will distance those who are near. Go out and learn from where are your origins? Are they not from strangers, as it is stated: “To Joseph in the land of Egypt were born…[Manasseh and Ephraim]” (Genesis 46:20), and it is written: “For the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun (Numbers 13:8)? Immediately, “the king summoned the Givonites and spoke with them. The Givonites [were not of the children of Israel…and the children of Israel had taken an oath to them]” (II Samuel 21:2). “The Givonites were not of the children of Israel” – how is this matter relevant here? Rather, this is what the verse is saying: Because David summoned the Givonites and spoke with them, but they did not accept it from him, that is why “the Givonites were not of the children of Israel,” as David arose and distanced them that they may not marry with the congregation [of Israel]. That is what we learned: The netinim may not enter the congregation. At that moment, David said: The Holy One blessed be He gave three gifts to Israel: Being merciful, self-effacing, and performers of acts of kindness. Merciful, as it is stated: “He will give you mercy, and He will be merciful to you, and He will increase you” (Deuteronomy 13:18). Self-effacing, as it is written: “So that His fear will be on your faces, so that you will not sin” (Exodus 20:17) – this is a sign for the self-effacing that they do not sin. Anyone who does not have the quality of self-effacement, it is a certainty that his ancestors did not stand at Mount Sinai. Performers of acts of kindness, as it is stated: “So that he shall command his children and his household [after him…to perform righteousness and justice]” (Genesis 18:19), and it is written: “The Lord your God will maintain for you the covenant and the kindness” (Deuteronomy 7:12). And these have none of these qualities in them. Immediately, he arose and distanced them. That is what is written: “The Givonites were not of the children of Israel” – they are not worthy to become intermingled with them. Even though they are proselytes, their ancestors did not stand at Mount Sinai, because they are considered to be of the Canaanites. That is what is written: “But rather from the remnant of the Emorites” (II Samuel 21:2). What is written in their regard? “You shall not marry them” (Deuteronomy 7:3). These too, like them, are not worthy to cleave to Israel. One verse says: “The men of Israel said to the Hivites…” (Joshua 9:7), but here, it calls them Emorites. Rather, they were from the Emorites. Why, then, does it call them Hivite? It is because they performed the act of the serpent. The serpent said: I know that the Holy One blessed be He said to you: “As on the day that you eat of it you will die” (Genesis 2:17). Rather, I will go and deceive them. They will eat and be punished, and I will inherit the earth for myself. The Givonites did the same. They said: We know that the Holy One blessed be He said to Israel: “Rather, you shall destroy them, the Hittites, the Emorites…” (Deuteronomy 20:17), “You shall not make a covenant with them…” (Deuteronomy 7:2). Rather, we will go and deceive them, and they will make a covenant with us. Perforce, either they will put us to death and will violate the oath or they will sustain us and will violate the decree. In any case they will be punished, and we will inherit the land for ourselves. Therefore, when Joshua saw that this was so, he said to them: “Why did you deceive us…?” (Joshua 9:23). Joshua said to them: You performed the act of the serpent; therefore, you will receive the retribution of the serpent. Rabbi Elazar said: He cursed them like the serpent, as it is written: “Now, you are accursed” (Joshua 9:23), just as it is written regarding the serpent: “You are more accursed than all the animals” (Genesis 3:14). What is, “the children of Israel took an oath to them” (II Samuel 21:2)? David said: When the children of Israel took an oath to them, they left the matter dependent upon me, so that if I wish to distance them or to draw them near, I have license to do so. I am distancing them. From where is it derived that they left the matter dependent upon David? It is written: “Joshua rendered them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water [for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord to this day, in the place that He would choose]” (Joshua 9:27). Rabbi Ami said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: After it said: “For the congregation and for the altar of the Lord,” what need was there to say: “In the place that He would choose [yivḥar]”? Rather, Joshua left it dependent upon David. He said: I will neither draw them near nor distance them. Rather, the one who is destined to build the Temple [beit habeḥira], if he arrives at the decision to draw them near, he will draw them near; to distance them, he will distance them. When David came and saw that they were cruel, he distanced them. Ezra, too, distanced them, as it is written: “The netinim lived in the Ofel…” (Nehemiah 11:21). In the future, too, the Holy One blessed be He will distance them, as it is stated: “Those who labor in the city, will till it [yaavduhu], from all the tribes of Israel.” (Ezekiel 48:19) – they will be eradicated [ye’abeduhu] from all the tribes of Israel. “Saul sought to smite them” (II Samuel 21:2) – even though he did not smite them, they acted cruelly toward him. This is to teach you that David did not distance them for naught. “In his zeal on behalf of the children of Israel and Judah” (II Samuel 21:2) – even though Saul became angry at them only due to the zeal that he had on behalf of Israel and Judah, and he did so not due to hatred that he hated them. Nevertheless, they did not have mercy on his offspring. What is that zeal? It is due to the fact that they did not reveal to him where David was hiding. Immediately, David sent and summoned them: What is with you and the house of Saul? They said to him: It is because he put an end to our livelihood, and he put seven of our people to death; two hewers of wood, two drawers of water, an official, a scribe, and an attendant. He said to them: What do you seek now? That is what is written: “David said to the Givonites: “What shall I do for you? With what shall I atone, so that you will bless the inheritance of the Lord” (II Samuel 21:3)? He said to them: What benefit will there be for you if you kill a person from the house of Saul? Rather, tell me with what remedy shall I provide you so you will be placated? How much silver and gold shall I give you as ransom for your lives? “With what shall I atone [akhaper],” just as it says: “When ransom [kofer] is imposed upon him, he shall give redemption of his life” (Exodus 21:30), so that the famine will cease? That is what is written: “So that you will bless the inheritance of the Lord”; just as it says: “Jacob blessed Pharaoh” (Genesis 47:7), he blessed him that the famine would cease. “The Givonites said to him: We have [lanu] no silver or gold with Saul or with his house” (II Samuel 21:4) – li is written, but it is read lanu. Why is it so? David said to them: ‘What benefit would there be for you in their being killed? Take silver and gold for yourselves.’ They said to him: ‘We do not seek silver and gold from Saul and from his house. He did not owe us any money so that we should take money from him, but rather, he owes us lives and we seek lives.’ David said: Perhaps this half of them is intimidated by the other half. He took each one separately and sought to placate him by himself. He said to him: ‘What benefit would there be for you in their being killed? Take money.’ He said to him: ‘I have no silver or gold with Saul or with his house. We have no interest in seeking any others, but only him, as his servants did not wish to extend their hand against the priests, nor against us,’ as it is stated: “But the king's servants were unwilling to extend their hand to harm the priests of the Lord” (I Samuel 22:17). That is, “We would not have any man in Israel put to death” (II Samuel 21:4). When David saw that they did not accept it from him, he said to them: ‘What do you say that I should do for you? If it is lives that you seek, I will do it.’ That is what is written: “What do you say that I shall do for you?” (II Samuel 21:4). When David said that to them, they said to him: ‘We do not seek to exact retribution against him for his full measure. He sought to destroy us all, so we would have no standing within the entire boundary of Israel; we are not demanding all his offspring, but only seven, corresponding to the seven that he killed from us.’ That is what is written: “They said to the king: The man who eradicated us [asher kilanu], and who devised against us, [so that we would be destroyed from standing within the entire border of Israel]” (II Samuel 21:5). Asher kilanu contains seven letters, corresponding to the seven people among them whom he put to death. “Let seven men of his offspring be given to us, and we will impale them before the Lord in Giva of Saul, chosen of the Lord” (II Samuel 21:6) – so that the entire world will see, will be afraid, and will no longer continue to mistreat proselytes. That is why it is written: “Before the Lord,” as He commanded to treat proselytes well, but he mistreated them. Why in Giva of Saul? So that they will know that if the Holy One blessed be He did not show favor to the king, all the more so to commoners. “Chosen of the Lord” (II Samuel 21:6)? They are denouncing him and calling him “chosen of the Lord”? Rather, they said: “In Giva of Saul,” and a Divine Voice emerged and said: “Chosen of the Lord.” When David saw that his problem was a problem, he told them: ‘I will give.’ That is what is written: “The king said: I will give” (II Samuel 21:6). “The king had compassion for Mefivoshet son of Yonatan [son of Saul]” (II Samuel 21:7) – because he was a great Torah personality, David set his sights on rescuing him from their hand. David said: I will pass them before the altar. Anyone whom the altar accepts will be under its auspices. He passed them before the altar and prayed on his behalf, and the altar went and accepted him. That is what is written: “I cry out to God Most High, to the Almighty who accomplishes for me” (Psalms 57:3); the Holy One blessed be He agreed with David. “The king took the two sons of Ritzpa daughter of Aya, whom she bore to Saul…[and the five sons of Mikhal daughter of Saul, whom she bore to Adriel son of Barzilai the Meḥolatite]” (II Samuel 21:8). But is it not written: “Mikhal daughter of Saul did not have a child until the day of her death” (II Samuel 6:23)? And where is Merav? Say now that they were the sons of Merav, but Mikhal raised them and they are attributed to her name. “He gave them into the hand of the Givonites, and they impaled them on the mountain before the Lord. The seven of them [shevatam] fell together” (II Samuel 21:9). Shevatam is written without a yod; this is Mefivoshet, who was spared, who was lacking from the seven. “And they were put to death during the first days of harvest, at the beginning of barley harvest” (II Samuel 21:9) – it teaches that they were killed on the sixteenth of Nisan, the day on which the omer is sacrificed. “Ritzpa daughter of Aya took sackcloth, and spread it for herself over the rock [hatzur]” (II Samuel 21:10) – what is “over the rock”? Rabbi Hoshaya said: “As she would say: “The Rock, His deeds are perfect” (Deuteronomy 32:4). “From the beginning of harvest until water dripped upon them from the heavens” (II Samuel 21:10) – Rabbi Aḥa bar Zevina said in the name of Rabbi Hoshaya the Great: Sanctifying the Name is greater than profaning the Name. Regarding profaning the Name, it is written: “His corpse shall not remain overnight upon the tree” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Regarding sanctifying the Name, it is written: “From the beginning of harvest until water dripped upon them from the heavens.” It teaches that they remained hanging from the sixteenth of Nisan until the seventeenth of Marḥeshvan. But is it not written: “Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, [and sons shall not be put to death for the fathers]” (Deuteronomy 24:16)? But sons died for the sin of their father. Rabbi Ḥiyya bar Abba said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: It is preferable for one letter to be uprooted from the Torah than to have the name of Heaven profaned in public. The nations of the world were saying: The Torah of these is fraudulent; it is written in their Torah: “His corpse shall not remain overnight” (Deuteronomy 21:23), and these are hanging for seven months. It is written in their Torah: Two are not sentenced on one day, and these seven were [sentenced] together. It is written in the Torah: “Fathers shall not be put to death for sons, [and sons shall not be put to death for the fathers],” but these were killed for the sin of their fathers. They were asking: What did these do that the attribute of justice was altered in their regard? Israel would say to them: ‘It is because their ancestors extended their hand to mistreat unsought proselytes.’ They said to them: ‘What is their nature?’ They [Israel] said to them: ‘These are the proselytes who converted in the days of Joshua.’ They said to them: ‘It is on behalf of these accursed unsought proselytes that the Holy One blessed be He did so to His people? If this is so for the sons of kings, all the more so for commoners. If for these who did not convert for the sake of Heaven, see how the Holy One blessed be He exacted punishment for their blood, one who converts for the sake of Heaven, all the more so. Certainly, there is no god like their God, and there is no nation like their nation, and we should cleave only to this nation, whose God is greater than any god.’ Immediately, many proselytes converted from the nations of the world, at that moment, one hundred fifty thousand, as it is stated: “Solomon counted all the proselytes who were in the Land of Israel, after the count that David his father counted them; and they were found to be one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred” (II Chronicles 2:16). Solomon rendered from among them seventy thousand porters and eighty thousand quarriers in the mountains, as it is stated: “Solomon counted seventy thousand porters [and eighty thousand quarriers in the mountains.]” (II Chronicles 2:1). Why to that extent? It is to inform that the Holy One blessed be He draws the distant near and supports the distant like the near. Moreover, he gives precedence to the distant over the near, as it is stated: “Peace, peace, for the distant and the near” (Isaiah 57:19). That is, “until water dripped upon them from the heavens” (II Samuel 21:10). What is “she did not allow the birds of the heavens to rest upon them” (II Samuel 21:10)? Come and see the kindness that Ritzpa daughter of Aya performed on their behalf, as she protected them during the day from the birds of the heavens and at night from the beasts of the field, for seven months. Although the Holy One blessed be He had said to David that it was for Saul, because he was not eulogized properly and he is buried outside the land, David was dilatory regarding the eulogy, as he said: Twelve months of the year have passed already, and it is not customary to mourn for him. When they told him of the actions of Ritzpa daughter of Aya, he reasoned an a fortiori inference himself: If she, who is a woman, acted so in performance of kindness, I, who am king, all the more so. Immediately, he went to perform kindness for them. That is what is written: “It was reported to David what [Ritzpa daughter of Aya] had done.… David went and took the bones of Saul [and the bones of Yonatan his son].… He took up from there the bones of Saul [and the bones of Yonatan his son, and they collected the bones of the impaled]’ (II Samuel 21:11–13). What did David do? He stood and assembled all the elders of Israel and the eminent among them, and they crossed the Jordan and came to Yavesh Gilad. They located the bones of Saul and Yonatan, placed them in a coffin, and crossed the Jordan, as it is stated: “They buried the bones of Saul and Yehonatan his son [in the land of Benjamin in Tzela, in the grave of Kish his father. They did everything that the king commanded]” (II Samuel 21:14). What is “in Tzela, in the grave of Kish his father”? It teaches that they brought him to the border of Jerusalem and buried him there, as Tzela is alongside Jerusalem, as it is stated: “And Tzela, HaElef, and the Yevusite, which is Jerusalem…” (Joshua 18:28). “They did everything that the king commanded” (II Samuel 21:14) – what did the king command? He commanded that they should circulate Saul’s coffin to each and every tribe. The tribe into which Saul’s coffin entered would emerge, they, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, and they performed kindness for Saul and his sons, so that all of Israel would fulfill their obligation with the performance of acts of kindness. They did so until they reached his ancestral land, to the border of Jerusalem. When the Holy One blessed be He saw that all of Israel had performed acts of kindness for him and had executed justice for the Givonites, He immediately became filled with mercy and provided rain on the land, as it is stated: “God acceded to the entreaty of the land thereafter” (II Samuel 21:14). We learned the extent to which the Holy One blessed be He draws the distant near, even though they converted not for the sake of Heaven, and it goes without saying regarding righteous proselytes. That is, “all kings of the earth will praise You, Lord…” (Psalms 138:4).