Melachim II Perek 15

Melachim II Perek 15-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Azaryah became king of Judah at the age of 16 and he was a righteous king. Like his predecessors, however, he did not dispose of the private altars that people were accustomed to using. He became a leper, so he had to be isolated for the rest of his life. Azaryah reigned for 52 years and was succeeded by his son Yotam. Zecharyah succeeded his father Yaravam as king of Israel. He was an evil king and reigned just six months. Zecharya was assassinated in public and nobody seems to have protested. His assassin, Shalum ben Yaveish, claimed the throne in his place. Shalum reigned for one month before he was assassinated by Menahem ben Gadi, who became king in his place. Menahem was another evil king. Menahem tried to subjugate Tifsach, an adjacent city in Aram. Because they would not submit, he used unnecessary and unacceptable levels of force. (Rashi explains verse 16 to mean that Menahem cut open the pregnant women.) Pul, king of Assyria, made inroads into Israel, so Menahem paid him off not to invade. He taxed his citizens heavily to cover costs. Pul left. Menahem reigned ten years and was succeeded by his son Pekahyah.

Pekahya was also evil. He reigned two years and was assassinated by Pekah, one of his own officers.

Pekah reigned for twenty years and was yet another evil king. During his reign, Tiglas Pileser, king of Assyria, captured the Tribe of Naftali and exiled them. (This was Assyria’s modus operandi; they would exile conquered peoples to other conquered lands, mixing them up in the process. It’s how ten Tribes later came to be “lost.”) As we will see in Isaiah chapter 8, the Tribe of Zebulon was exiled at this time, as well. Hoshea ben Eilah assassinated Pekah and became the last king of the Northen Kingdom of Israel.

Back to Judah: As mentioned above, Azaryah, AKA Uziyah, died and was succeeded by his son Yotam. Yotam was righteous but, again, he did not remove the private altars. He did make improvements to the Temple gate. Yotam reigned sixteen years and was succeeded by his son Ahaz.

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Melachim II Perek 14

Melachim II Perek 14-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Yehoash, king of Judah, was succeeded by his son Amasyah. (Remember, there were two kings named Yehoash. The one from Judah was the last surviving descendant of Solomon, who was hidden and raised in the Temple.) Amasyah was like his father – overall good, but not righteous to the extent David had been. When his position was secure, he executed the assassins who had killed his father. He did not kill the assassins’ sons, because the Torah prohibits such behavior. (Such action could have been justified as a deterrent to future rebels, but Amasyah wouldn’t have it.) Amasyah defeated Edom in battle and became haughty; he thereupon challenged Yehoash, king of Israel, to war. Yehoash, king of Israel, replied with a metaphor. “The thornbush wanted to marry his children to the cedar’s children. Not only is the thought ridiculous, the thornbush got trampled by an animal.” (In short, Yehoash was telling Amasyah not to think too much of himself or he would come to regret it.) Amasyah wouldn’t listen, so they went to war. Sure enough, Israel completely routed Judah. Yehoash captured Amasyah, he breached the wall of Jerusalem, and he plundered the Temple and palace. (Even if the kingdoms of Israel and Judah were at war, Yehoash should still have refrained from plundering the Temple.) Yehoash of Israel reigned for 16 years. He died and was succeeded by his son Yaravam (Jeroboam).

Amasyah lived for fifteen years after Yehoash died. There was a plot against him and he ran away to Lachish, but his enemies pursued him and killed him there. He was succeeded by his son Azaryah, who was 16 years old.

Yaravam (the second king of Israel to bear that name) was just as sinful as his namesake. He reclaimed land that had been captured from Israel in accordance with a prophecy from Jonah (which is not recorded). Even though Yaravam was evil, G-d saw the people were suffering and sent salvation through him. Yaravam reigned for 41 years and was succeeded by his son, Zecharyah.

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Melachim II Perek 13

Melachim II Perek 13-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Yehoahaz, son of Yehu, had become king of Israel and he was one of the bad kings, perpetuating the evil of his predecessors. The people were led into idolatry and G-d became angry with them, so He allowed Aram to invade and oppress them. Yehoahaz pleaded to G-d, so G-d provided relief and they dwelled securely again. Nevertheless, the golden calves of Yaravam and the Ashera trees remained in place. The army of Israel was all but destroyed by Aram. Yehoahaz reigned 17 years and was succeeded by his son Yehoash (not the same as the king of Judah by the same name). Yehoash the son of Yehoahaz was an evil king, who sinned and led his nation to sin. The prophet Elisha became sick with what would be his final illness. Even though he was a wicked king, Yehoash of Israel went to visit him. Yehoash mourned the loss of Elisha’s merits from the nation. Elisha had Yehoash take a bow and shoot an arrow in the direction of Aram. He then prophesized that Israel would beat Aram into submission. (A prophecy accompanied by a physical act is irrevocable.) Elisha then told Yehoash to shoot the remaining arrows into the ground. Yehoash shot three, then stopped. Elisha became angry. “Had you emptied the quiver, you would have totally destroyed Aram! Now you will only strike them three times!” Elisha died and was buried.

Later, some people were burying a body when soldiers from Moab started approaching. They quickly threw the body into Elisha’s tomb and ran away. When the body touched Elisha’s bones, the corpse woke up and walked out of the tomb.

Hazael, king of Aram, oppressed Israel throughout the reign of Yehoahaz, but G-d did not permit the Jewish nation to be destroyed. Hazael died and was succeeded by his son, Ben-Hadad. Yehoash, son of Yehoahaz, struck Aram three times, as Elisha had said, and retrieved the cities that Hazael had captured from Israel.

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Melachim II Perek 12

Melachim II Perek 12-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Yoash – also known as Yehoash – became king of Judah at the age of seven. He was a righteous king, but he did not remove the private altars. When Yehoash saw the Temple in a state of disrepair, he decided that it was time to fix things up. He instructed the Kohanim (“priests”) to solicit donations and to use them to repair the Temple. Many years passed and the work still was not done. (The Kohanim were not motivated to act as fundraisers.) Yehoash therefore hit upon a new plan. Yehoyada the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) took a chest and drilled a hole in the top, effectively inventing the pushka. The donation box was placed next to the altar. When it was full, the money would be counted out and given to the workmen, who would buy lumber and stones. In this way, the repairs of the Temple were finally carried out. Hazael, king of Aram, conquered Gath and then set his eye on Jerusalem. Yehoash took all the treasures of the Temple and his palace and sent them to Hazael as a pay-off not to invade. Yehoash then fled Jerusalem. His own men rebelled against him and murdered him. Yehoash reigned for forty years and was succeeded by his son, Amasyah.

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Melachim II Perek 11

Melachim II Perek 11-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Atalya, mother of Ahaziyah, saw her son was dead and took the opportunity to eradicate his heirs, her own grandchildren. She wiped out all the descendants of Solomon, through whom the throne is transmitted, except for one. This one was saved by Yehosheva. Who was Yehosheva? She was: Yehoram’s daughter, Ahaziyah’s sister, wife of Yehoyada, the Kohen Gadol (High Priest). She was Atalya’s own daughter. So, Yehosheva took her infant nephew Yoash and hid him from Atalya. He was hidden in the Temple for six years, while Atalya usurped the throne. In the seventh year, Yehoyada called together the leaders of the people and revealed to them that a rightful heir was still alive. It was time to restore him. Yehoyada divided his forces so as to protect the young king from any who would harm him. With everyone in place, Yehoyada crowned Yoash with David’s ceremonial crown (see II Samuel 12) and gave him the Torah scroll that all kings must carry. The people cheered, “Long live the king!”

Atalya heard the commotion coming from the Temple and went to investigate. When she saw what was going on, she tore her clothes and shouted, “It’s a coup!” Yehoyada had Atalya arrested, so that she wouldn’t be executed in the Temple. She was marched through the back streets to the service entrance of the palace and was executed there.

Yehoyada then forged a covenant between the people and G-d, and between the people and the king. The people tore down the temple of Baal in Judah and smashed the idols. They marched the new king to the palace via the public thoroughfare and placed him on the throne. The Navi doesn’t tell us any specifics of Atalya’s reign, except that the people rejoiced that it was over.

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Melachim II Perek 10

Melachim II Perek 10-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Izebel may have been the queen, but Ahab had other wives and concubines. Through them, he had 70 sons and grandsons, most of whom were in Samaria. Yehu wrote to the governors of Yizreel and Samaria asking if they were going to support him or try to prop up one of Ahab’s descendants as a successor. Seeing that Yehu had defeated both Yehoram and Ahaziyah, the elders of the cities decided not to oppose him. Yehu said, “If so, you must send me the heads of Ahab’s heirs.” Having no alternative, the elders complied. Yehu had the heads placed in two piles by the gates. He addressed the nation assuring them that they were guiltless in the death of these men, as it had been ordained by G-d in Eliyahu’s prophecy (I Kings 21). Yehu struck down Ahab’s remaining descendants in Yizreel, as well as Ahab’s supporters, until none remained. Yehu was returning to Samaria when he met some relatives of Ahaziyah, the king of Judah he had killed. Yehu had them captured and killed as part of his purge. (Remember that Ahab’s children had married into the royal line of Judah, as well.) Next, Yehu met Yehonadav, a distinguished person. He asked Yehonadav if he had his support. When Yehonadav said yes, Yehu brought him into his chariot. They came to Samaria where Yehu finished the job of wiping out Ahab’s heirs. He then did a seemingly-bizarre thing. “Ahab only worshipped Baal a little,” he proclaimed. “Just wait until you see how much I’M going to worship Baal!”

He called all the priests of Baal to him, but he was really “working undercover” in order to trap them. He called a big “Baal festival” and Baal-worshippers came from all over the country to the Temple of Baal in Samaria. No G-d-worshippers allowed. Yehu gave each attendee a special garment to wear (this enabled them to be identified). Yehu posted 80 guards and charged them, on pain of death, not to let any of the Baal-worshippers escape. Yehu waited until after the sacrifice was completed, then he had his men strike them down. They burned the idols and demolished the temple of Baal. The site where it stood was turned into a public restroom, for good measure.

He may have destroyed the worship of Baal in Israel, but Yehu left the golden calves of Yeravam in place. His intention wasn’t religious but political: like Yeravam, he didn’t want the Jews of Israel going to the Temple in Judah. Nevertheless, this was a grievous oversight. However, he had done very well in destroying the house of Ahab and the worship of Baal, so G-d sent word through a prophet (Rashi says Jonah again) that Yehu’s dynasty would last four more generations. With this assurance, he could have then safely removed the golden calves without fear, but he still didn’t. This displeased G-d, which led to Yehu’s kingdom being weakened, not strengthened. Hazael, king of Aram, started making incursions on Israel’s borders.

Yehu reigned 28 years and was succeeded by his son Yehoahaz.

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R' Harold Sutton - Elisha HaNavi

Elisha, who we see as the personal navi, performing miracles for the most simple people (in contrast to Eliyahu, who only performed national miracles), seems to take a 180 degree turn. Why? Why does he seemingly neglect the Shunamite Woman to the point where he doesn't even know she's barren? Even when he does find out he never really speaks to her directly; everything is done through Gehazi, his assistant. Why and how does Elisha perform miracles without God? Does God approve? Or does the fact that He killed the child show disapproval? Elisha goes through a transformation in these perakim, rids himself of the surrounding corruption, and reestablishes himself as the personal navi for the nation. This class was graciously sponsored by Rachel Tawil in loving memory of her grandmother Miriam bat Leah A"H. Recorded on Monday Mar. 23rd, 2015 at 8:45 PM in Congregation Hohma U'Mussar, Brooklyn, NY, 11223.   

Melachim II Perek 9

Melachim II Perek 9-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Elisha called one of his students. (Rashi says this is Yonah – Jonah, who was later swallowed by a fish. We’ll officially meet Yonah later, in chapter 14.) Elisha instructed him to take a flask of oil and anoint Yehu as king of Israel. After doing so, Yonah was to run away, before Yehoram, the current king, could find out about it. Yonah found Yehu, a commander in the army, sitting with the other officers. He took him aside privately to give him a message. When they were alone, Yonah anointed Yehu and informed him that G-d was making him king. Part of his job was to strike down the house of Ahab, as per G-d’s word. Yonah then ran away, as instructed. Yehu’s colleagues thought Yonah was a lunatic. “What did that meshugga want?” they asked. (The Navi actually uses the word “meshugga,” by the way.) Yehu replied, “Nothing – just the ramblings of a crazy person.” They didn’t believe him and pressed for details. He told them what happened and they proclaimed him king. Yehu said, “Fine, if it’s what you want, then I’ll be king. But no one may leave the city so that Yehoram doesn’t find out yet.”

Yehu rode to Yizreel, where Yehoram was recuperating from his wounds and Ahaziyah, king of Judah, was visiting him. The city watchman reported to Yehoram that a group on horses was coming. Yehoram sent a rider to ask if they came in peace. When asked, Yehu said, “What’s it to you? Get in the back of my ranks!” The watchman reported that the messenger hadn’t returned, so Yehoram sent a second and the same thing happened again. As the invading force drew closer, the watchman recognized the leader as Yehu. Hearing this, Yehoram got out of his sickbed and took his chariot to meet Yehu. They crossed paths by the vineyard that Yehoram’s parents, Ahab and Izebel, had killed Naboth to acquire.

Yehoram asked Yehu if he came in peace. Yehu replied, “What does peace mean to your idolatrous witch of a mother?” From this antagonistic response, Yehoram knew it was a trap. He tried to flee, but Yehu killed him with an arrow. He then had the body thrown into Naboth’s field as a sort of retribution for the murder.

Ahaziyah, king of Judah, had accompanied Yehoram and had also fled. Yehu pursued him and had him killed, as well. He was brought back to Jerusalem and buried with the other kings of Judah.

Yehu entered the city. Izebel knew he was coming, so she got dressed and put on make up. Izebel stood there looking out her window, nonchalantly. When he entered, she said, “Is that you, Zimri?” referring to the Zimri who assassinated King Elah and seized the throne for himself in I Kings chapter 16. Yehu instructed his men to push Izebel out the window. Her blood ran down the wall and Yehu trampled her with his horse. After eating and drinking, Yehu ordered that Izebel be given a proper burial, but it was too late. Dogs had eaten her, as prophesized. The only parts remaining were her skull, feet and hands.

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Melachim II Perek 8

Melachim II Perek 8-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Before the famine of the previous chapter, Elisha told the Shunnamite woman (see chapter 4) that it was coming and that her family should relocate. They went and lived in the land of the Philistines for a few years. When they returned, they found squatters living on their land, who wouldn’t move. The Shunnamite woman went to the king so he would force the squatters to vacate. Gehazi was telling King Yehoram about his adventures with Elisha, including how Elisha revived the dead boy. In walked the Shunnamite woman and Gehazi said, “Speak of the devil! This is the mother of the boy I was just telling you about!” The king questioned the woman, who corroborated Gehazi’s stories, then the king ordered her property returned to her. Meanwhile, Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, had become ill and Elisha went to visit him. The king sent his servant Hazael to Elisha with forty camels, laden with gifts. Hazael was to ask Elisha if Ben-Hadad would recover from this illness. Elisha told Hazael, “Tell him yes, but he will indeed die.” Elisha started crying and Hazael asked why. Elisha replied, “I can see the evil you will wreak on Israel.” “Me?” asked Hazael, “What can I do?” Elisha replied, “G-d has shown me you as king of Aram.”

Hazael returned to Ben-Hadad, who asked what Elisha had said. “He told me you’ll recover,” said Hazael. The next day, Hazael smothered Ben-Hadad in his bed and became king.

In the fifth year of the reign of Ahab’s son Yehoram as king of Israel, Yehoshafat’s son, also named Yehoram, became king of Judah. The kings of Israel were generally a pretty rotten bunch, but the kings of Judah were usually okay. Yehoram of Judah was an exception. He married Ahab’s daughter who was the same kind of influence on him as Izebel had been on Ahab (i.e., not a good one). Yehoram of Judah reigned for eight years. During that time, Edom, which had been a vassal state, rebelled and appointed a king over themselves. Yehoram of Judah went to fight, but they were unable to re-conquer Edom.

Yehoram of Judah died and was succeeded by his son Ahaziyah. (This is our second Ahaziyah; the first was king of Israel before the other Yehoram.) Ahaziyah’s mother was Atalya, granddaughter of Omri (Ahab’s father). We don’t normally tell you about the mothers of the kings, but Atalya will be important to us in chapter 11. Like his father, Ahaziyah was an evil king, comparable to the family of Ahab, to whom they were related by marriage.

Ahaziyah (of Judah) and Yehoram (of Israel) went to war against Hazael, king of Aram. Yehoram was wounded and was sent to recuperate. Ahaziyah went to visit Yehoram. This sets the stage for what happens in the next chapter.

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Melachim II Perek 7

Melachim II Perek 7-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Elisha said “Listen up! At this time tomorrow, a single shekel will buy a seah of flour or two seah of barley!” (A seah is a measure between three and four gallons. Contrast this with the previous chapter in which a half gallon container of pigeon dung for fuel cost five silver pieces and a donkey’s head cost eighty silver pieces!) One of the king’s officers mocked this prophecy, saying, “Even if G-d opened windows in the sky, could such a thing happen?” Elisha replied, “You will see it, but you will not benefit from it.” There were four lepers outside the city gates. They said, “Why sit here until we starve to death? Let’s go to the camp of Aram – they’ll either save us or kill us quickly.” They entered the camp at twilight and found it empty. G-d had caused the army of Aram to hear the sound of a great invading force and they had run away. The lepers ate and drank and helped themselves to valuables, which they hid. Then one of them said, “You know, it’s only a matter of time before people find out about this. We should go and report it so we don’t get in trouble.” They went and reported it to the authorities. Yehoram suspected a trap. “They’re hiding. They’re waiting for us to come for food, then they’ll ambush us.” So, they sent two horsemen to check it out. The soldiers followed the tracks of the army of Aram all the way to the Jordan; they found the way littered with equipment that Aram had discarded in their haste to escape. They reported to the king that things were indeed as they seemed. The people looted the camp of Aram and, sure enough, a seah of flour and two seah of barley went for a shekel each.

The officer who mocked the prophecy was assigned duty at the gate and was trampled by the people in their haste for food. As Elisha said, he saw the prophecy come true, but he did not live long enough to enjoy it himself.

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Melachim II Perek 6

Melachim II Perek 6-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

The student prophets said to Elisha that their study hall was too small. They went to go build themselves a new school. When they arrived at the Jordan to cut down trees, one of the prophets suffered a mishap. The head of the axe flew off into the water and sank like a stone. This made the prophet especially distraught, as it was borrowed and he couldn’t afford to replace it. “No worries,” said Elisha. He cut a new axe-handle and threw it into the water. It floated back up with the axe-head attached to it. The King of Aram planned a series of raids on Israel and he set an ambush. Elisha knew about it prophetically and sent word to Yehoram, king of Israel, to avoid certain places. When the king of Aram saw that his traps were being avoided, he asked his advisors which of his subjects was tipping off the Jews. “None of us, your majesty!” they replied. “There is a prophet named Elisha who knows even what you discuss in private!” The king of Aram sent his soldiers to arrest Elisha. Elisha got up in the morning and saw the army of Aram waiting for him. His attendant was worried, but Elisha was unconcerned. He prayed to G-d to “open the eyes” of the attendant. He did, and the servant saw that they were protected by a fiery Heavenly army. Elisha then prayed to G-d to blind the army of Aram, which He did. But, just as “opening the eyes” of the attendant enabled him to perceive certain thing, “blinding” the army kept them from seeing certain things. Elisha said to the army, “You’re going the wrong way! Let me lead you to the one you seek.” He led them to the capital in Samaria, where he prayed that G-d enable them to see. Their vision restored, they found themselves surrounded by the fully-armed Israelite army.

King Yehoram asked Elisha whether they should strike down the army of Aram, but Elisha said no. “You wouldn’t kill prisoners you captured with conventional weapons. Rather, feed them well and send them home.” They served the army of Aram a feast and sent them back in safety. Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, heard about what happened and decided that sending raiding parties into Israel was a strategy that was not going to work, so it was discontinued.

There was a period of peace for a while, but then Ben-Hadad laid siege to Samaria. There was a famine in the land and people were starving. Such normally disgusting things as a donkey’s head (for food) and pigeon dung (for kindling) were going for exorbitant prices. Yehoram was walking on the city wall, when a woman cried out to him. He assumed she was going to ask for food (which he didn’t have); instead, she wanted him to judge a case. “This woman said to me that we should cook and eat my son today and then we’d cook and eat her son tomorrow. Well, we ate my son, now it’s her turn and she’s hidden him!” This so upset the king that he tore his clothes and people could see he was wearing sackcloth under his robes. Yehoram swore that he would execute Elisha. (Why? What did Elisha do? Well, Yehoram reasoned that Elisha had the power to end the famine just as Eliyahu had ended the drought in his day.)

The king sent a messenger to Elisha, who was sitting with the Sanhedrin. Of course, Elisha, being a prophet, already knew what was going on and he said to his companions, “Do you see what that son of a murderer has done? He sent this man to chop off my head! When he gets here, throw him out, because his master is no doubt behind him!” However, when the messenger arrived and heard this, Yehoram realized that the famine was due to his own evil, not due to inaction on Elisha’s part.

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Melachim II Perek 5

Melachim II Perek 5-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Naaman was a general in Aram, but he had Sara’at. Naaman’s wife had a Jewish servant girl, who suggested that Elisha might be able to cure him. Naaman approached the king of Aram, who wrote Naaman a letter of introduction to Yehoram, king of Israel. Naaman brought with him silver, gold and clothes. When Yehoram got the letter asking him to have Naaman cured, he was worried that Aram was merely seeking a pretext to go to war. Elisha heard about Naaman and sent word to the king that he should sent Naaman to him so that he’ll know there’s a prophet in Israel. Elisha instructed Naaman to bathe seven times in the Jordan and he would be healed. Naaman scoffed at this. “We have better rivers in Damascus and they haven’t cured me!” Naaman’s servant said to him, “If the prophet told you to do a difficult thing, wouldn’t you have listened? This is so easy, it’s at least worth a shot!” So Naaman bathed in the Jordan. Not only was he cured of his leprosy, his skin was completely rejuvenated, like a young boy’s.

Naaman returned to Elisha and offered him the riches he had brought, but Elisha declined. Naaman pressed him to take a gift, but Elisha stood firm.

“Well, I’m asking YOU for a gift,” said Naaman. “Please let me load my caravan with the earth of the Holy Land so that I can build an altar. From now on, I will only worship Hashem and no other god.” (Naaman stipulated that, when the king of Aram would take him to worship his gods, he would have to let the king think he was doing so. Elisha told him not to worry about it; a Jew would not be permitted to do so, but it was okay for Naaman.)

Naaman departed. It was at this point that Gehazi revealed his true colors. He thought it was foolish of Elisha to let all that treasure get away and he resolved to get some of it. He ran after Naaman and said, “Elisha sent me. We just got some guests. Could you send a talent of silver and two sets of clothes?” (A talent is about 150 lbs.) “Please, take TWO talents of silver,” Naaman insisted, so Gehazi did. He hid his ill-gotten gain and sent his attendants away.

The problem with working for a prophet is that they know things. If you think you can sneak around behind their backs, forget about it! Elisha asked Gehazi where he had gone and Gehazi said, “Nowhere.” Elisha was livid. He had refused payment in order to sanctify G-d’s Name, which Gehazi had now desecrated. He cursed Gehazi and his descendants with Naaman’s leprosy

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Melachim II Perek 4

Melachim II Perek 4-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

A summary by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

A prophet’s widow came to Elisha crying that she couldn’t pay her debts and that the creditor was going to take her children as servants to work it off. Elisha asked her what she had in the house; all she had was oil. “No problem,” he said. “Go to all your neighbors and borrow vessels – as many as you can! Pour oil into all these vessels until they’re all full.” This she did. She poured oil until she ran out of jugs to hold it. She sold the oil, paid off her debt, and was able to live on the balance. Elisha traveled to a place called Shunem. A local woman invited him for a meal. Eventually, he became a regular guest at this woman’s table, as he passed her house on his travels. The woman asked her husband to build an addition to their home so that Elisha could have his own room there. One time, when Elisha was staying there, he told his servant Gehazi to get their hostess. He told Gehazi to ask the woman, “You have done so much for us, what can we do for you?” Gehazi reported back that the woman had no children and would like one. Elisha told the woman that in a year’s time she would have a son. She said, “Don’t tease me,” but he was serious and, sure enough, she had a son.

The boy grew. One day in the field, he called out “My head! My head!” and he collapsed. The boy’s father had him carried to his mother, who held him in her lap until noon, when he died. She put the boy on Elisha’s bed and told her husband to get her a donkey and an attendant so she could go see Elisha.

“Why?” asked the man. “It’s not a special day.” “Just do it.” she said. She traveled to Elisha at Mt. Carmel.

When she saw Elisha, she threw herself at his feet. Gehazi took the role of body guard and pushed her away. Elisha saw that the woman was distressed and told Gehazi to let her be.

The woman said, “I didn’t come to you asking for a son – I asked you not to toy with me!” Elisha had Gehazi get his things and accompany the woman. Gehazi was to lay Elisha’s staff on the boy’s face. The woman insisted on staying with Elisha. Gehazi ran ahead and put the staff on the boy’s face, but nothing happened. He ran back and told Elisha.

Elisha arrived. He entered the room with the boy and shut the door behind him. He prayed and stretched himself over the boy, warming him. He walked around, then stretched himself over the boy again. The boy sneezed seven times, then opened his eyes. Elisha called the woman to come and get her son.

Returning to Gilgal, Elisha passed a band of prophets who had a problem: they made a stew with some poisonous mushrooms and it was making everyone violently ill. There was a famine and they had no other food. Elisha had them pour the stew back into the pot. He added some flour and cooked it together. Then he told them to dish it out because it was now wholesome food.

A man came with bread for the prophets, but it wasn’t nearly enough. Elisha told them not to worry, just start handing out bread and not only would everyone be fed, but there would be leftovers! Sure enough, that’s what happened.

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R' Harold Sutton - Eliyahu Disappears in a Whirlwind

Lecture by R' Harold Sutton

This lecture discusses the transition of leadership from Eliyahu to Elisha, and how Elisha succeeds his predecessor. Lecture was given on Monday night, March 16th, 2015.   

Melachim II Perek 3

Melachim II Perek 3-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

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Melachim II Perek 2

Melachim II Perek 2-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed”.

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Melachim II Perek 1

Melachim II Perek 1-
Sefer Melachim II is taught by Adele Chabot, Judaic Studies teacher at Barkai Yeshiva; Author of “The Best Secret Revealed".

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Melachim I Perek 22 Part 2

Melachim I Perek 22-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 22 Part 1

Melachim I Perek 22-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 21

Melachim I Perek 21-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 20

Melachim I Perek 20-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 19

Melachim I Perek 19-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 18

Melachim I Perek 18-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 17

Melachim I Perek 17-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 16

Melachim I Perek 16-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 15

Melachim I Perek 15-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 14

Melachim I Perek 14-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 13

Melachim I Perek 13-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 12

Melachim I Perek 12-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 11

Melachim I Perek 11-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi, world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel; Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 10

Melachim I Perek 10-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim 1 Perek 9

Melachim I Perek 9-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 8 - Part 2

Melachim I Perek 8 - Part 2-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 8 - Part 1

Melachim I Perek 8 - Part 1-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 7

Melachim I Perek 7-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teacher in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 6

Melachim I Perek 6-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teach in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 5

Melachim I Perek 5-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teach in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 4

Melachim I Perek 4-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teach in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 3

Melachim I Perek 3-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teach in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 2

Melachim I Perek 2-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teach in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Melachim I Perek 1

Melachim I Perek 1-
Sefer Melachim I is taught by Rabbi Gad Dishi; world renowned Tanach scholar and teach in Israel, Author of "Jacob's Family Dynamics"

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Shemuel II Perek 24

Shemuel II Perek 24-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 23

Shemuel II Perek 23-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 22

Shemuel II Perek 22-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 21

Shemuel II Perek 21-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 20

Shemuel II Perek 20-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 19

Shemuel II Perek 19-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 18

Shemuel II Perek 18-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 17

Shemuel II Perek 17-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 16

Shemuel II Perek 16-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 15

Shemuel II Perek 15-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 14

Shemuel II Perek 14-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 13

Shemuel II Perek 13-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 12

Shemuel II Perek 12-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 11

Shemuel II Perek 11-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 10

Shemuel II Perek 10-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 9

Shemuel II Perek 9-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 8

Shemuel II Perek 8-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 7

Shemuel II Perek 7-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 6

Shemuel II Perek 6-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 5

Shemuel II Perek 5-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 4

Shemuel II Perek 4-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 3

Shemuel II Perek 3-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 2

Shemuel II Perek 2-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel II Perek 1

Shemuel II Perek 1-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 31

Shemuel I Perek 31-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 30

Shemuel I Perek 30-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 29

Shemuel I Perek 29-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 28

Shemuel I Perek 28-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 27

Shemuel I Perek 27-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 26

Shemuel I Perek 26-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 25

Shemuel I Perek 25-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 24

Shemuel I Perek 24-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 23

Shemuel I Perek 23-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 22

Shemuel I Perek 22-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 21

Shemuel I Perek 21-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 20

Shemuel I Perek 20 -
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 19

Shemuel I Perek 19 -
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 18

Shemuel I Perek 18 -
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 17

Shemuel I Perek 17 -
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 16

Shemuel I Perek 16-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary

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Shemuel I Perek 15

Shemuel I Perek 15-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Now that the nation had settled the land and appointed a king, G-d sent word through Shemuel that it was time to fulfill the obligation of eradicating the nation of Amalek, who attacked Israel after they left Egypt. G-d commanded to destroy the entire nation of Amalek, including the livestock. Shaul sent word to the Keni, descendants of Yitro (Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses) who lived in Amaleki territory, that they should evacuate, after which time Shaul attacked. They destroyed the Amaleki city, but they captured Agag, king of Amalek, and kept the best livestock to use for sacrifices to G-d. G-d was displeased and he sent Shemuel to Shaul. Shaul beamed that he had fulfilled G-d’s command. Shemuel then asked, “So then what are all these cattle and sheep doing here?” Shaul replied that they were intended as sacrifices. (Agag would be publicly executed.) “G-d told you to kill all the livestock,” Shaul countered. “Do you think He wants sacrifices or do you think He wants you to listen to what He tells you?” Since Shaul

rejected G-d’s word, Shemuel said, G-d has rejected Shaul as king. (Yes, he already cost himself the kingdom in chapter 13, but there he cost himself a lasting dynasty. Here he cost himself the throne altogether.)

Shaul admitted that he had sinned, but he tried to explain his actions. Shemuel was having none of it. He turned to leave and Shaul grabbed the hem of Shemuel’s garment, which tore. Shemuel told him that this symbolized how Hashem has torn the kingdom from Shaul.

Shemuel personally executed Agag. Unfortunately, in the time between his capture and execution, Agag had a conjugal visit and was able to continue the Amaleki bloodline.

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Shemuel I Perek 14

Shemuel I Perek 14-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

On his own initiative, Shaul’s son Yonatan took his armor-bearer and went to spy out the Pelishti camp. Nobody knew that they had gone. Yonatan knew that, when they saw Pelishtim, if the enemy said “Halt – we’ll come to you” that they were strong and confident, but if they said, “Hey, come here,” then they were afraid of an ambush and that G-d would allow the Jews to defeat them. They approached the Pelishti camp and the guards saw them. They said, “Hey, come here! We want to tell you something!” Yonatan knew from the sign that G-d would deliver the Pelishti army into the Jews’ hands, no matter how unevenly matched they appeared to be. Yonatan and his armor-bearer then ran through the camp, routing the Pelishti army, whom G-d had struck with fear. Shaul’s army saw the Pelishti camp panicking and running amok. Clearly, something was up. They looked to see who was missing and realized that it was Yonatan and his attendant. Meanwhile, the crazed Pelishtim were wiping each other out in their panic and the Jews who had gone into hiding returned to fight.

In order to keep the people focused on the task at hand, Shaul decreed a fast. On pain of death, no man was to eat until nightfall. The battle raged into the forest where honey was dripping, but nobody tasted it because of Shaul’s oath. Yonatan, however, hadn’t been with the rest of the army at the time, so he didn’t know about the oath. He ate some honey, which reinvigorated him. One of the other soldiers told him about his father’s oath, with which Yonatan disagreed.

The Jews defeated the Pelishtim – clearly with G-d’s help. They settled down to eat, but they ate “on the blood.” The exact meaning of “on the blood” is unclear. It does NOT appear that they ate the blood itself (which is a very serious sin). More likely, they ate the meat of the sacrifices before the blood was sprinkled on the altar (commentators differ). Shaul saw this and put a stop to it. He set up an altar for the sprinkling of blood to obviate the problem.

Shaul then had the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) consult G-d via the Urim and Tumim as to whether or not they should pursue the remaining Pelishtim. G-d did not reply, which had never happened before. Shaul knew from this that there was still a sin hanging over the heads of the nation and he was determined to find out what it was. He said, “No matter who it is, even my own son Yonatan, shall die.”

Shaul was able to determine that it was, in fact, Yonatan. He asked his son what he had done and Yonatan told him that he violated his father’s oath of a fast. Shaul was prepared to carry out his word, But the people rallied to Yonatan’s defense, as the victory had been brought about through his actions. Because the people stood up for him, Yonatan was spared.

Shaul broke off pursuit of the Pelishtim, who retreated to their territory. Shaul strengthened his army and consolidated his rule. He fought against the nation’s enemies on all sides.

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Shemuel I Perek 13

Shemuel I Perek 13-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Shaul selected 3,000 troops for his standing army and sent the rest of the people home. Shaul’s son Yonatan, looking to provoke a battle with the Pelishtim, assassinated a Pelishti commander. Saul gathered his army in Gilgal, while the Pelishtim mounted their forces. The people of Israel were massively intimidated by the size of the Pelishti army, with 30,000 chariots and endless foot soldiers. Many of the Jews hid in caves, pits and towers. Some even ran to Trans-Jordan. Shaul was instructed by Shemuel to wait seven days for him. When Shemuel didn’t arrive, people started to desert. Shaul took matters into his own hands and offered the sacrifice to G-d. As he was finishing, Shemuel arrived. Shemuel became angry because Shaul had “jumped the gun.” Shaul had what he felt was the best of reasons, but he didn’t follow the instructions of G-d’s prophet. This was the first step in Shaul losing the kingship. Shemuel informed Shaul that G-d had chosen another to succeed him as king, then he departed. Shaul counted what remained of his army and it was only 600 men. Furthermore, the Pelishtim had kept the Jews from employing blacksmiths, so the army of Israel had no swords or spears. (They had to go to Pelishti blacksmiths to sharpen their farm tools.) So things looked pretty bleak, but appearances can be deceiving.

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Shemuel I Perek 12

Shemuel I Perek 12-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

Now that Shaul had been crowned king, Shemuel was ready to withdraw from his role as Judge. (He would still serve as prophet, but he was no longer the head of the government or the military.) Shemuel asked if anyone had any complaints against him; nobody did. Shemuel then reminded the people that it was G-d Who sent Moses and Aaron, and Who saved them from Egypt. But when the nation forgets G-d, He allows foreign powers like Sisera and the Pelishtim to oppress them. However, when the people return to G-d, He sends redemption through great leaders. Here Shemuel named the lesser Judges: Gideon, Samson and Yiftah. However, Shemuel still maintained that the people erred in demanding a king to lead them, rather than Hashem Himself. The fact that G-d had granted their request was no proof that it was necessarily a good thing, as Shemuel would proceed to demonstrate. It was summer, when it doesn’t rain in Israel, and the wheat was standing in the fields. Shemuel called out to Hashem and a heavy thunderstorm rained down. The people were afraid that they had sinned by asking for a king and they asked Shemuel to pray for them. He told them not to worry, just to continue by listening to the Word of Hashem. If they follow Hashem, they will be His people. If they stray, both they and the king they requested are done for.

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Shemuel I Perek 11

Shemuel I Perek 11-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem, teacher at Allegra Franco Teachers Seminary
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A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Nahash, ruler of Ammon, attacked the city of Yavesh. They asked for a pact, in which case they would agree to serve him. He said, “One one condition – each of you must put out his right eye.” The people of Yavesh asked for a week’s time. They then sent messengers to get help. 

When the people heard of the attack, they wept. Shaul came in from plowing his field and asked what the commotion was. When he heard what occurred, he took charge. He cut two oxen into pieces and had them sent throughout the land, saying that’s what would be done to the oxen of anyone who doesn’t join the fight. 

330,000 troops gathered and they sent word to Yavesh that they would be saved by the next afternoon. The people of Yavesh told Nahash, “We’re coming to you tomorrow.” Nahash took that to mean they would surrender the next day, so he was unprepared for attack. 

Shaul divided his forces into three companies, which entered the Ammonite camp at dawn. They routed the Ammonites and the few survivors scattered. The Jews were so inspired by Shaul’s leadership that they wanted to execute those who had bad-mouthed Shaul for their treasonous slander. Shaul refused to have anybody executed on a day on which Hashem had wrought such a victory. Instead, they retired to Gilgal, where they crowned Shaul again, this time unanimously. They offered sacrifices to Hashem and rejoiced there.

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Shemuel I Perek 10

Shemuel I Perek 10-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
-
A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:
Shemuel anointed Shaul with oil – the commentators differ as to whether this was the shemen hamishha, the special oil prepared by Moses, which was used to anoint the kings of the Davidic dynasty. Then, Shemuel gave Shaul three signs. First, he would meet two men who would tell him that his lost donkeys were found, and that his father was now looking for him. Next, Shaul would meet three men, bringing kids, loaves of bread and a jug of wine for sacrifices. He was to take the bread that would be offered him. Finally, he would meet a band of prophets and would, himself, be overcome by a spirit of prophecy and become “a different person.” After all these signs came to pass, Shaul was to go to Gilgal, where he would be joined by Shemuel, who would offer sacrifices. 

All of these things came to pass. When Shaul was prophesying with the prophets, he was seen. The sight amazed the people who coined an expression, “Saul is one of the prophets now?” 

Shaul returned home and was met by his uncle. He told his uncle that Shemuel told him the donkeys had been found, but he didn’t say anything about being made king. 

Shemuel called a gathering at Mispah, where he announced that he was going to publicly anoint the king they had demanded. He drew lots Tribe by Tribe, family by family, until he came to Shaul, son of Kish. But when they called his name, the modest Shaul was hiding among the luggage. The people were impressed by the tall, handsome Shaul and proclaimed him their king. Shemuel repeated all the laws of the King, then sent them home. Some lowly people denigrated Shaul, saying he was unfit. He heard, but he let his natural humility win out.

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Shemuel I Perek 9

Shemuel I Perek 9-
Sefer Shemuel is taught by Mrs. Marjorie Salem
-
A Summary provided by Rabbi Jack Abramowitz of the Orthodox Union:

A man from the Tribe of Binyamin named Kish had a tall, handsome son named Shaul (Saul). One day, Kish’s donkeys went missing, so he sent Shaul and a servant to go look for them. Shaul traveled far and wide, but he didn’t find the donkeys. After a while, Shaul suggested that they return home, as by this point his father would probably be more worried about the search party than about the animals. The attendant pointed out that they were not far from Shemuel’s residence in Tzuf and suggested they go to him for guidance. They got directions from some locals, They informed Shaul that Shemuel was presiding over a sacrifice and directed him to the location of the altar. (At this point, subsequent to the destruction of the Tabernacle and prior to the construction of the Temple, private altars were permitted.) The day before, G-d had spoken to Shemuel, telling him that Shaul would arrive and that he would be the man Shemuel should annoint king of Israel. Shaul arrived and asked for Shemuel. Shemuel identified himself and told him not to worry about the donkeys, as they had been found. As an aside he added, “Why are you so worried about some donkeys when the entire wealth of the nation lies before you?” This comment was confusing to Shaul, who considered himself a member of a minor family from the smallest Tribe. Shemuel then gave Shaul a seat at the head of his table and had Shaul served a portion of great honor. (The portion had been set aside for Shaul, as G-d had told Shemuel to expect him.) Shaul stayed overnight and the next morning, Shemuel gave him instructions from G-d.

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