When David sees Bat Sheva and âHer beauty and the moonlight overthrew youâ, he doesnât take her immediately. He investigates:
× ×××× ×עת ××¢×š× ×××§× ××× ××¢× ×ש××× ××ת××× ×¢× ×× ××ת ×××× ×××š× ××©× ×š×׊ת ××¢× ×××; ××××©× ×××ת ×ך×× ××××
× ××ש×× ××× ×××ךש ××ש×; ××××ך ×××× ××ת ×ת ש××¢ ×ת ××××¢× ×שת ××ך×× ××ת××
And then he decides itâs OK: (ש×××× × ××:×)â ××ש×× ××× ×××××× ×××§××. Who were these relatives, and what do they have to do with the story?
At the end of ס׀ך ש××××, there is an appendix with a list of Davidâs lieutenants from the days before he became king. Uriah is the last mentioned:
× ×Öµ×ÖŒÖ¶× ×©×Ö°××ֹת ×Ö·×֌֎×֌ֹך֎×× ×ֲש×ֶך ×Ö°×Öž×ÖŽ×âŠ
×× ××֌ך֎×ÖŒÖž× ×Ö·×ÖŽ×ªÖŒÖŽ× ×ÖŒÖ¹× ×©×Ö°×ֹש×ÖŽ×× ×ְש×ÖŽ×Ö°×¢Öž××
We have no patronymic for him, so he may have been a convert:
××ך×× ××ת×: ×׀שך ×× ×ך ××× ×× ×שך×× ××× ×קך×× ××ª× ××€× ×©×ך ×¢× ×× × ×ת ××× ××ª× ××ת×.
And Rav Medan speculates that this may be part of the reason David feels it acceptable to take his wife:
××š× × ×ס׀ת (ש××××Ž× ×××׀ךש×× ×× ×׊××ª× ×× ×× ××××××) ××× ×©××ך××, ××¢×× ×©×
×ת-ש××¢, ×× ××× ×××××, ×××€× ×©× ××ך ש××â××ך×× ××ת×. ××××ª× ×××ª× ××× ××£ ××× ×××××ך×
××× ××£ ש××× × ×ך×, ×ך ת×ש×âŠ×× × ×שעך××, ש××׀ךש×× ×תע××× ××׀שך×ת ×× ×ש×× ×©×× ××¢×× ×׀שך×ת
ש×ת-ש××¢ ××××ª× × ×©××× ×× ×ך×âŠ
But as he says, there is no textual support for this, and no classical commentator proposes it. There is a fascinating aggadah about Uriah and his history:
× ×××Š× ××ש ××× ×× ×××× ×ת ×€×שת×× ×××ת ש×× ××ת; ×××× ×©×© ×××ת ××ךת×
× ×××××¢ × ×שת ×¢× ×š××©× ×שך××× ×§×©×§×©×× ××× ×××ש; ×××©×§× ×שך××× ××שת ×××€×× ×©×§××× × ×שת×
× ××׊×ת × ×שת ×¢× ×š××××; ×××××× × ×שת ××× ×ת׀×××
× ×××¥ (××¢×¥) ×× ××ª× ××× ×ך ×ך××× ××××ת ×× ××ª× ×©×© ×××ת שק××× ×ך××; ×× ×©× ××Š× × ××× ××€× ×××
âŠ
× ×××××§ ××× ×× ××€××©×ª× ××§××¢ ××××× ××× ×ת ××€××©×ª× ×××ת××; ×××š× ××× ××× ××××
× × ××ךץ ××× ×××¢×× ×× ××€××©×ª× ×××§× ×ת ×ך×× ××ש××€× ××ª×¢×š× ×××תת×× ×××ךת ×× ×ת ך×ש×; ××ך×× ××€×שת×× ×× ×ת ××××š× ××× ×¡××
The Kli Yakar cites what Ginzberg (Legends of the Jews, volume VI, p. 252) calls âan unknown Midrashâ:
×××׳׳ש ××ש××€× ××ª×¢×š× ×š×× ××׎ש ××׎×
ש×××ª× ×¡××ךת ××ס××ךת ×××× ×€××ª× ×××ª× ×ש××€× ×תעך×, ×× ×¢×š× ×©× ××€××©×ª× ××××¢
×׀ת×× ×× ×ך ×× ××× ×תת ×× ×ת ×שך×× ×××©× ××× ×©××€×ª× ×××š× ××ש××€× ××ª×¢×š× ×××
×¢× ×© ×ש×׎ת ×××× ×©××§× ×× ×¢×š ××©×ª× ×©× ×××, ××× ×ת ש××¢, ×× ×× ×¢×š × ××©× ×׊×× ×
××ך×× ×××.
ע׎×. ××× ×× × ×š×× ×××××š× â××ש××€× ×תעך×â ××××××¢ ש××ך ×××× ××ת×
ש×××€×ª× ×תעך×.
We talked last time about how, when David sees Bat Sheva, it is a sign from G-d, but that doesnât justify sinning:
××× ×ª× × ××× ×š×× ×ש××¢××: ך×××× ×××ª× ×××× ×ת ש××¢ ×ת ××××¢×, ××× ×©×××× ×€××.
We discussed how, in Davidâs eyes, his vision of Bat Sheva echoed the experience of his ancestor, Yehudah, with Tamar:
× ×šÖ·×ÖŒÖŽ× ×©×Ö°××ÖŒ×Öµ× ×֌ַך × Ö·×Ö°×Öž× ×€ÖŒÖž×ªÖ·× (×ך××× ××:××): ×ÖŒÖŽ× ×Öž× Ö¹×ÖŽ× ×Öž×Ö·×¢Ö°×ªÖŒÖŽ× ×ֶת ×Ö·×֌ַ×ֲש×Öž×ֹת, ש×Ö°×Öž×ÖŽ×× ×Öž××ÖŒ עֲס×֌ק֎×× ×֌֎×Ö°×ÖŽ×ך֞ת×Ö¹ ש×Ö¶× ××ֹסֵף, ×Ö°××ֹסֵף ×Öž×Öž× ×¢Öž×¡×֌ק ×֌ְש×Ö·×§ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×ÖŒ×Ö°×ªÖ·×¢Ö²× ÖŽ×ת×Ö¹, ךְ××ÖŒ×Öµ× ×Öž×Öž× ×¢Öž×¡×֌ק ×֌ְש×Ö·×§ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×Ö°×ªÖ·×¢Ö²× ÖŽ×ת×Ö¹, ×Ö°×Ö·×¢Ö²×§Ö¹× ×Öž×Öž× ×¢Öž×¡×֌ק ×֌ְש×Ö·×§ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×ÖŒ×Ö°×ªÖ·×¢Ö²× ÖŽ×ת×Ö¹, ×ÖŽ×××ÖŒ×Öž× ×Öž×Öž× ×¢Öž×¡×֌ק ×ÖŽ×§ÖŒÖ·× ××Ö¹ ×֎ש֌×Öž×, ×Ö°×ַק֌֞××Ö¹×©× ×֌֞ך×ÖŒ×Ö° ××ÖŒ× ×Öž×Öž× ×¢×ֹסֵק ×ÖŒ×Ö¹×šÖµ× ××ֹך×Ö¹ ש×Ö¶× ×Ö¶×Ö¶×Ö° ×Ö·×֌֞ש×ÖŽ××Ö·, ×Ö·×Ö°×ÖŽ× ×֌֞עֵת ×Ö·×ÖŽ×× ×Ö·×ÖŒÖµ×šÖ¶× ×Ö°××ÖŒ×Öž×.
âŠ
× ×Öž×ַך ךַ×ÖŒÖŽ× ××Ö¹×Öž× Öž× ×ÖŒÖŽ×§ÖŒÖµ×©× ×Ö·×¢Ö²×ֹך ×Ö°×ÖŽ×ÖŒÖµ× ××Ö¹ ×ַק֌֞××Ö¹×©× ×֌֞ך×ÖŒ×Ö° ××ÖŒ× ×Ö·×Ö°×Öž×Ö° ש×Ö¶××ÖŒ× ×Ö°×Ö»× ÖŒÖ¶× ×¢Ö·× ×ַת֌ַ×Ö²×Öž×, ×Öž×ַך ××Ö¹, ×Ö°××ÖŒ×Öž×, ×Öµ××Öž× ×Ö·×ªÖŒÖž× ××Ö¹×Öµ×Ö° ×Öµ×Öµ××Öž× ×Ö°×Öž×ÖŽ×× ×¢×Ö¹×Ö°×ÖŽ××, ×Öµ×Öµ××Öž× ×֌ְ××Ö¹×ÖŽ×× ×¢×Ö¹×Ö°×ÖŽ××. (×ך×ש×ת ××, ××): ×Ö·×ÖŒÖµ× ×Öµ×Ö¶××Öž ×Ö¶× ×Ö·×֌ֶךֶ×Ö°, ×ÖŒÖ°×¢Ö·× ×֌֞ךְ××Ö¹ ש×Ö¶×Ö¹× ×Ö°××Ö¹×֞ת×Ö¹.
âŠ××ת×× ×× × ××©× ××× ×× ×¡××× ××, ש××©× ×©×š×Š×× ×׳ ש×××ת × ×©×ת ×ש×× ×××× ×××§× ××××€× ×××âŠ×××€×š× ×©×š×× ×©×× × × ××©× ×ך××× ×× ×©× ×ת-ש××¢ ש×××ª× ×š××׊ת ×ת×× ××××׊×, ××׀תע × ×©××š× ×××××Š× ×× ×ª×××ª× ××€× ××âŠ××¢×× ×š×× ×©× ×ª×¢××š×š× ×׊×× ×ת××× ××¢× ×× ××, ×××× ×©× ××ך ××Š× ××××× ×©×××× ××××× × ×¢× ×ת××× ×××€×âŠ×××× ×©×š×Š×× ×ש×׎ת ×××.
So when David sees this beauty before him, he âlogicallyâ concludes that this is also ×Ö°×ַק֌֞××Ö¹×©× ×֌֞ך×ÖŒ×Ö° ××ÖŒ× ×Öž×Öž× ×¢×ֹסֵק ×ÖŒ×Ö¹×šÖµ× ××ֹך×Ö¹ ש×Ö¶× ×Ö¶×Ö¶×Ö° ×Ö·×֌֞ש×ÖŽ××Ö·, and he is driven ×ÖŒÖ°×¢Ö·× ×֌֞ךְ××Ö¹ to take her.
The irony is that, as one of Davidâs heroes, he was a leader of the army:
××©×¢× ×©××ª× ××× ××××× (ש×××× × ××:××) ×Öž××ÖŒ ×ֶת ××֌ך֎×ÖŒÖž× ×Ö¶× ××ÖŒ× ×€ÖŒÖ°× Öµ× ×Ö·×֌֎×Ö°×Öž×Öž× ×Ö·×Ö²×Öž×§Öž× ×ְש×Ö·×Ö°×ªÖŒÖ¶× ×Öµ×Ö·×ֲך֞×× ×Ö°× ÖŽ×ÖŒÖž× ×Öž×ֵת, ×¢×©× ×× ×× ×ך×. × ×ª×§××Š× ×× ×š××©× ×××××× ×¢× ×××× ××ך×× ×©××× ×š×ש ××××ך×× ×©×× ×ת×× ×× â××ך×× ×××ª× ×¢× ×©×ש×× ×ש××¢×â.
And he would have gladly gone on a suicide mission and thanked David for marrying Bat Sheva after his death. This could have been an act of ××¡× that established David as the true ××× ×שך××.
And who was ××××¢×, the father of Bat Sheva? He is also one of Davidâs ×֌֎×֌ֹך֎××:
×Ö±×ÖŽ××€Ö¶×Ö¶×
×ÖŒÖ¶× ×Ö²×ַסְ×ÖŒÖ·× ×ÖŒÖ¶× ×Ö·×֌ַעֲ×֞ת֎×; ×Ö±×ÖŽ××¢Öž× ×ÖŒÖ¶× ×Ö²×ÖŽ×תֹ׀ֶ×
×Ö·×֌֎×Ö¹× ÖŽ××
We have nothing more about him, but we know a lot about his father, ×××ת׀×. He was one of Davidâs chief advisors (who will end up betraying him and joining with Avshalom):
×ע׊ת ××××ª×€× ×שך ××¢×¥ ××××× ××× ××שך ×ש×× ××ש ×××ך ××××§××; ×× ×× ×¢×Š×ª ××××ª×€× ×× ×××× ×× ×××ש×××
×× ×××××ª×€× ×××¢×¥ ××××; ××××©× ××ך×× ×š×¢ ××××× ×× ××××š× ××××ª×€× ××××××¢ ×× ×× ××× ××××תך ×שך ׊×× ×××× ×××××
××ך ×××: ××× ×€×©×× ××××× ×××××. ××× ××ע׊×× ××××ת××€× ×× ××××× ××¡× ××ך×× ×ש××××× ×××ך×× ×ת××××. ××ך ×š× ××סף: ××× ×§×š×?
â××××š× ×××ת××€× ×× ××× ×× ××××××¢ ××××תך ×שך ׊×× ×××× ××××â. ×××ת××€×, ×× ×××¢×¥; ××× ××× ×××ך â×ע׊ת ×××ת××€× ×שך ××¢×¥ ×××׳â. ××× ××× ×× ××××××¢ ×× ×¡× ××ך××. ×××תך ××× ××ך×× ×ת××××.
The ×××Ž× saw Achitophel as Davidâs ××ך×ת×:
×× ××× ××× ×××× ×××× ××תך ×××××ת××€× ×××× ××× ××¢× ××××קת ש××. ×××× ×××¢×Š× ×× ×ע׊×ת.
×Ö·×ÖŒ×Ö¹×Öµ× ×Öµ×Ö²×ֵך×Ö¹ ׀֌ֶךֶק ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×Ö²×Öž×Öž× ×Ö·×ַת ××Ö¹ ׀֞ס×֌ק ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×ÖŽ×ÖŒ×֌ך ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×Ö²×€ÖŽ×ÖŒ×ÖŒ ××ֹת ×Ö·×ַת, ׊֞ך֎××Ö° ×ÖŽ× Ö°××Ö¹× ×ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×Öž××Ö¹×, ש×Ö¶×ÖŒÖµ× ×֞׊֎×× ×ÖŒ ×Ö°×Öž×ÖŽ× ×Ö¶×Ö¶×Ö° ×֎ש×ְך֞×Öµ×, ש×Ö¶×ÖŒÖ¹× ×Öž×Ö·× ×Öµ×Ö²×ÖŽ××ªÖ¹×€Ö¶× ×Ö¶×ÖŒÖž× ×©×Ö°× Öµ× ×Ö°×֞ך֎×× ×֌֎×Ö°×Öž×, קְך֞××Ö¹ ךַ×ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×Ö·×ÖŒ×֌׀×Ö¹ ×ÖŒ×Ö°×Ö»×֌֞ע×Ö¹, ש×Ö¶× ÖŒÖ¶×Ö±×ַך (ת×××× × ×) ×Ö°×Ö·×ªÖŒÖž× ×Ö±× ×Ö¹×©× ×֌ְעֶךְ×ÖŒÖŽ× ×Ö·×ÖŒ×ÖŒ×€ÖŽ× ×ÖŒ×Ö°×Ö»×֌֞ע֎×. ×Ö·×Ö²×Ö¹× ×Ö°×֞ך֎×× ×§Ö·× ×Öž×Ö¹×ֶך, ×ÖŒ×Ö·× ×֌֞×ÖŽ× ×Ö¶×Ö¶×Ö° ×֎ש×ְך֞×Öµ×, ש×Ö¶×ÖŒÖ¹× ×Öž×Ö·× ×Öµ×Ö²×ÖŽ××ªÖ¹×€Ö¶× ×Ö¶×ÖŒÖž× ×©×Ö°× Öµ× ×Ö°×֞ך֎×× ×֌֎×Ö°×Ö·× ×§Ö°×šÖž××Ö¹ ךַ×ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×Ö·×ÖŒ×֌׀×Ö¹ ×ÖŒ×Ö°×Ö»×֌֞ע×Ö¹, ×Ö·×ÖŒ×Ö¹×Öµ× ×Öµ×Ö²×ֵך×Ö¹ ׀֌ֶךֶק ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×Ö²×Öž×Öž× ×Ö·×ַת ××Ö¹ ׀֞ס×֌ק ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×ÖŽ×ÖŒ×֌ך ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×Ö²×€ÖŽ×ÖŒ×ÖŒ ××ֹת ×Ö·×ַת, ×¢Ö·× ×Ö·×ַת ×֌ַ×ÖŒÖž× ×Ö°×Ö·×ÖŒÖž× ×©×ֶ׊֌֞ך֎××Ö° ×ÖŽ× Ö°××Ö¹× ×ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×Öž××Ö¹×. ×Ö°×Öµ×× ×֌֞××Ö¹× ×Ö¶×ÖŒÖž× ×ª×ֹך֞×, ש×Ö¶× ÖŒÖ¶×Ö±×ַך (×ש×× ×) ×֌֞××Ö¹× ×Ö²×Öž×ÖŽ×× ×ÖŽ× Ö°×Öž××ÖŒ, (×ש×× ××) ×֌תְ×ÖŽ××ÖŽ×× ×ÖŽ× Ö°×Ö²××ÖŒ ××Ö¹×, ×Ö°×Öµ×× ××Ö¹× ×Ö¶×ÖŒÖž× ×ª×ֹך֞×, ש×Ö¶× ÖŒÖ¶×Ö±×ַך (×ש×× ×) ×ÖŒÖŽ× ×Ö¶×§Ö·× ××Ö¹× × Öž×ªÖ·×ªÖŒÖŽ× ×Öž×Ö¶× ×ªÖŒ×Ö¹×šÖž×ªÖŽ× ×Ö·× ×ªÖŒÖ·×¢Ö²×Ö¹××ÖŒ:
(We will deal with the logical problem of this ×§Ö·× ×Öž×Ö¹×ֶך later.)
ש×× ××× ××××ת××€× ××× ×©× × ××ך×× ××××:
ש×× ××××× ×××××, ×ש×× ××× ×¡ ××××××Ž× ××§××× ××§××€×.
And Rashi connects this to a chapter of ת××××× that we will understand deals with Achitophel:
×Ö°×€ÖŽ× ×©×Ö¶×֌ְ׊֞××Ö¹ ×Ö²×ÖŽ××ªÖ¹×€Ö¶× ×Ö°×Öž×ÖŽ× ×©×Ö¶×Öž×Öž× ××ֹש×Öµ× ×Ö°×ÖŽ××ÖŽ× ×Ö°×¢×ֹסֵק ×֌ַת֌×ֹך֞×, ×Öž×ַך ××Ö¹ ×Öž×ÖŒÖž× ×Ö·×ªÖŒÖž× ××Ö¹×Öµ× ×Ö°×ÖŽ××ÖŽ×âŠ×©××ÖŒ× ×€ÖŒÖ·×¢Ö·× ×Ö·×ֶךֶת ×ְ׊֞××Ö¹ ש×Ö¶×Öž×Öž× × ÖŽ×Ö°× Ö·×¡ ×Ö°×Öµ×ת ×ÖŽ×ְך֞ש××Ö¹ ×֌ְק×Ö¹×Öž× ×Ö°×§×֌׀֞×, ×Öž×ַך ××Ö¹ ×Ö·×Ö²×Ö¹× ×֌ְ×֞ך × Ö¶×Ö±×ַך (×Ö·×ÖŽ×§Ö°×šÖž× ××) ×ÖŒ×֎קְ×֌֞ש×ÖŽ× ×ªÖŒÖŽ×ך֞××ÖŒ, ש×ֶ׊֌֞ך֎××Ö° ××Ö¹ ×Öž×Öž×Öž× ×ÖŽ×ÖŒÖž× Öµ×¡ ש×Öž× ×֌ְ××Ö¹×šÖž× ×֌ְ×Öµ× ×©×ֶת֌ְ×Öµ× ×Öµ××ַת ש×Öž×Ö·×ÖŽ× ×¢Öž×Öž××, ×Ö°×Öµ× ××ÖŒ× ××Ö¹×ֵך (ת֌ְ×ÖŽ×֌֎×× × ×) ×֌ְ×Öµ×ת ×Ö±×Ö¹×§ÖŽ×× × Ö°×Ö·×֌ֵ×Ö° ×֌ְך֞×Ö¶×©× ×ְש××Ö¹× ×Öµ××Öž× ×Öž×€Ö·×Ö·×.
The Rema brings another fascinating aggadah (that he clearly has some doubts about, citing only ס׀ך ××× ××©× ×××), but itâs cool:
×××¢ ×× ×š×××ª× ×ס׀ך ×××
××©× ××× ×××× ×׊×××ך×× ×× ×× ××€×××ס××€×× ×׊××š×ª× ×××××ª× ××× ××׊××× ×××× ×ת×× ××
שס×קך×× ×©××× ×§×š××××
××€××××××€×× ×¡×§×š×× ×××××
×××××ª× ×©××× ××׊×× ×ך×ש×× ×
××€××ס××€×× ×©×ש × ××Š× × ×××.
×××ך×× × ×ש×× ××€×××ס××€×× ×××ך××, ×××ª× ×©× ×©××× ×§××
××××× ××סף ×קך×× ×××××ת××€×.
The safest general characterization of the European philosophical tradition is that it consists of a series of footnotes to Plato.
I wouldnât say itâs literally true that Achitophel was the father of Western philosophy, he clearly was seen as a very wise man, an adviser to the king.
In R. Moshe Yoshorâs Chafetz Chaim : The Life and Works of Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan of Radin it is related that a 17-year old yeshiva bachur of German origin was arrested during WWI by the Czarist police, as were many German nationals in Russia, under suspicion of spying for the enemy. The boy was put on trial and faced death. His lawyer wished to enlist the Hafetz Hayyim to testify as a character witness. Before the Hafetz Hayyim took the stand, the lawyer introduced him to the court as a man of great moral stature and he related a story about him. One time, said the lawyer, this rabbi was robbed. As the robber ran away R. Kagan chased after him shouting, âI forgive you, I forgive youâ for he didnât wish that even his own robber should face divine retribution on his account. The judge, not sure if he should bite or not, asked the lawyer if it had really happened. The lawyer admitted that he wasnât certain that it had, but âYour honor, they donât say things like that about me or you.â
So it makes sense that when David finds out that this mysterious woman is the granddaughter of Achitophel himself, he thinks that this would be a perfect match, marrying ××××ת to ת×ך×.
But itâs clear that Achitophel didnât see it that way:
×Ö°×Öž×ÖŽ× ×ÖŽ×֌֎×× ×Öµ××ֹך ×Ö²×ÖŽ××ªÖ¹×€Ö¶× ×֌ַק֌ֹש×ְך֎×× ×¢ÖŽ× ×Ö·×ְש×Öž××Ö¹×; ×Ö·×֌ֹ××ֶך ×֌֞×ÖŽ× ×¡Ö·×ÖŒÖ¶× × Öž× ×ֶת עֲ׊ַת ×Ö²×ÖŽ××ªÖ¹×€Ö¶× ×׳×
ש××€× ×× ×š×× ×©× ×ת ×××ת××€× ×××× ××§×©×š× ×¢× ××ש××× × ×§××¢ ×¢× ××× ××¢×©× ××, שש×ך ×× ×××× ×¢××ך ש××§× ×ת × ××× ××××§×. ×× ×××× ××ת, ך×××§ ××× ×××€×× ×©×××ת××€× ×©×××¢ ש×××××ת ש×××š× ×ש××× ×× × ××× ×××× ××§×שך×× ×¢× ××ש××× ×××¡× ×××××× ××××.
×××Ž× further saw in Achitophel a profound misunderstanding of what kingship was all about:
×ª× × ×š×× ×: ש××©× × ×××× ××× ×š×× ×××× ××: × ××, ××××ת××€×, ×××׊××× ×× × ×€×š×¢×âŠ×××ת××€× ×š×× ×Š×š×¢×ª ש×ך×× ×× ×¢× ××ת×, ××× ×¡×ך ×××× ×××
××× ×××; ×ת ש××¢ ××ª× ××× ×× ×€×§× ××× × ×©×××.
×× ×ש ××עת ×××××× ×× ×××× ×××× ××××š× ××
××׊×ךע, ×× ××׊×ךע × ××× ×× ××¢× ××ת××
×׊×× (×××§×š× ××:××) ×ÖŽ××֌ץ ×Ö·×Ö·ÖŒ×Ö²× Ö¶× ××ֹש֞×××Ö¹. ×××× ×ס×××§
×× ×××× ×××× × × × ××× ××××. ××× ×××× ×× ×× ×××
×ס×××§ ×× ×××× ×××× × × ××××âŠ×××€××× ×ש
×× ××××× ×× ××׊×ךע ש××× × ××× ×× ××××.
But the × ××× ×× ×××× that goes with ׊ךעת is incompatible with the × ××× ×× ×××× that goes with ××××ת:
× ××©× ×ª עשך×× ×ש××¢ ×©× × ××ך××¢× ××× ×שך×× ××× ×¢×ך×× ×× ××׊×× ××× ××××××
âŠ
× ××× ××¢ ×׳ ×ת ×××× ×××× ×׊ךע ×¢× ××× ××ª× ×××©× ×××ת ××׀ש×ת; ××××ª× ×× ×××× ×¢× ×××ת ×©×€× ×ת ×¢× ××ךץ×
×ª× × ×š×× ×: ×שך × ×©×× ××××âŠ××ך ×š× ×××××× ×ך ×××: ×€×š× ×× ×©×× ×©× ×Š×ךע, ×©× ××ך: ××× ××¢ ×׳ ×ת ×××× ×××× ×׊×ךע ×¢× ××× ×××ª× ×××©× ×××ת ××׀ש×ת ××××ª× ×× ×××× ×¢× ×××ת. ×××§××ך ×××ת ××׀ש×ת, ×××× ××¢× ××©×ª× ×¢×× ×××.
×××× ××¢× ××©×ª× ×¢×× ×××: ×שךך×ת ×¢×××ת ××× ×× ××€× ×©×××× ×¢××× ×¢×× ×š×××.
[×××] ××תך ×׀ש×
×× ×©×ך ××ך××ת ש×ש ×¢×××× ×©××¢××× ×× ××ך
××× ×××× ××× ××€×©× ×××× ×¢××× ×©×¢××× ××× ××׊×ךע
ש××× ×׀ש×, ךק ך××× ×©×× ×× ×ע׊×× ×¢×××ת ×××××
×שע×× ×¢×Š×× ××¢× ××××ת ×ש××¢×× ××××× ××× ××¢××.
Achitophel becomes the symbol of the king who doesnât feel himself a servant of the people, who wants the power but not the responsibility of leadership. This is Avshalomâs failing, and it will be the failing of Davidâs own grandson and will lead to the division of the kingdom:
× ××××¢×¥ ×××× ×š×××¢× ×ת ×××§× ×× ×שך ××× ×¢×××× ×ת ×€× × ×©××× ×××× ××××ª× ×× ×××ך; ××× ××ª× × ×ע׊×× ××ש×× ×ת ××¢× ××× ××ך×
× ××××ך (××××ך×) ×××× ×××ך ×× ×××× ×ª××× ×¢×× ××¢× ××× ××¢×××ª× ××¢× ××ª× ×××ךת ××××× ××ך×× ××××× ×××× ×× ×¢×××× ×× ××××××
× ×××¢×× ×ת ע׊ת ×××§× ×× ×שך ×ע׊××; ××××¢×¥ ×ת ×××××× ×שך ×××× ××ª× ×שך ××¢×××× ××€× ×××âŠ
There is another aggadah that connects Achitophel to the building of the ××ת ×××§×ש:
××©×¢× ×©××š× ××× ×©×ת××, ×§×€× ×ª×××× ×××¢× ××ש××€× ×¢×××. ××ך ×××: ×× ×××× ××××¢ ×× ×©×š× ××××ª× ×©×
×××¡×€× ×× ×©××× ×ת×××× ××× ×? ×××× ××§××ך ××× ××××. ××ך ×××: ×× ××××¢ ××××ך ×××× × ×××ך ××× ×§ ××ך×× ×. × ×©× ×××ת××€× ×§×Ž× ×ע׊××: ××× ×עש×ת ש××× ××× ××ש ××שת×, ×××š× ×ª××š× ×©×× ×©× ××ª× ××§×××©× ×××× ×¢× ××××; ×עש×ת ש××× ××× ××¢××× ×××× ×¢× ××ת ××× ××××! ××ך ×××: שך×. ××ª× ×©× ×××¡×€× ×ש×× ×ת×××× ×× ××ת ת×××× ×©×תסך ×××€× ×ך××××.
Incidentally, David doesnât start building the ×××× until ש×××× × ×€×š×§ ××, well after the story of Achitophelâs death in ׀ךק ××. This is evidence that ׀ךק ×× is an appendix, describing a story that happened well before.
Itâs a very strange aggadah. Rav Medan makes the connection to the last time the ת××××ת threatened to flood the world:
× ×××× ×× ××× ×××× ××š× ×¢× ×€× × ×××××; ××× ×ת ×××× ××××
× ××ך×× ×× × ×××××× ×ת ×× ×ת ×××× ×× ××ת ×× ×; ×××§×× ××× × ×©×× ××× ×שך ××ך××
âŠ
× ××× ×× ×׳ ×× ×¢×©× ×ת ×××× ××ךץ; ×××ª×¢×Š× ×× ××××
× ××××ך ×׳ ×××× ×ת ×××× ×שך ×ך××ª× ××¢× ×€× × ××××× ×××× ×¢× ×××× ×¢× ×š×ש ××¢× ×¢××£ ×ש×××; ×× × ×××ª× ×× ×¢×©×ת××
××× ×שך ××ך×: ××£ ××¢××ת ××¢×âŠ
In Rav Medanâs reading, David is guilty of the same sin as the ×× × ××××××âthe people of power. He also ך×× ×ת ×ת ×××× ×× ××× ×× ×; ×××§× ×× ××× ×שך ××ך. And ×׳ threatens to flood the world again. Achitophel âpaskensâ that their (and Davidâs) sin was one of עך××, immorality, and is similar to the sin of the ס×××. a religious ritual like the ס××× can alleviate the threat.
×קשך ××× ×€×š×©×ª ס××× ××××× ××××ך ××£ ×××. × ×©×× ×©× ×××× ×××¢×××× ×× ×××¢×××
××׊×××× ××תךâ×× × ×××××××, ×× ××××¢×××× ××××× ×ת ×××××.
×× ××§××Ž× × ×©××¢ ×ש×× ×¢× ×Öµ× × × ×©×× ×××× ×¢×× ×××× (×שע×× × ×:×), ××ס×××
××××¢××, ×××§×× ××××× ×××× × ×סף, ××ך××× ××× ×©×©×× ×©× ××§××Ž× ×©×× × ×©××¢ ×¢× ×× × ×,
××× ×©××××× ×¢× ×××× ×××§×× ×××§×× ××××.
×××£ ×××â××× ×ת ש×× ×©× ××§××Ž× ×¢× ×××× ×©×¢×× ×× ×ת×××, ×¢× ×©×× × ××× ×××§××
××××.
But this analogy of the generation of the flood to the ס××× is wrong, and Achitophel is wrong. The sin of the ×× × ×××××× and of David is not עך××, adultery. David and Bat Sheva are not two star-crossed lovers. Bat Sheva never consents to be with David. The crime is ××ס, violence, rape.
âŠ×××Ž× × ×ª×××× ×××× ××ך ××××× ××× ×¢×קך×Ö¹ עך××תââ×× ×ש××ת ×× ×שךââ×× ××ס ââ×ת××× ××ךץ ××סâ. ×××ך××¢× ×××Ž× (×š×©×Ž× ×ך×ש×ת ×:×): â×× × ××ª× ××ך ××× × ××× ×¢× ×××סâ
× ×©×× ×××× ×××× ×. ××£ ×× × Ö¹××ך, ש×× ×©× ×ª× ××ך×× ×× ×שך ×××âŠ×× ×¢× ××××ת עך××ת
× ××ª× ××ך ××× × ×©× ××ך ×××××âŠ××× ×¢× ×× × ××ª× ××ך ××× × ×©× ×××.
×× × ××ª× ××ך ××× × ××× ×¢× ×××ס.
× ××ª× ×××ך, ש×ת-ש××¢ ××××ª× ×× ×ס×, ×××××× ××× ×× ×××× ×¢×× ×¢× ×××§× ××¢× ×××. ×× ×
×× ××××, ש××××× ×× ×¢×× ×¢× ××עת ש××× ×× ×¡ ×ת ×ת-ש××¢ ××××. ××× ××× ×©× Ö¹××ך ש×ת-ש××¢ ×€××× ××××× ×ס××××ª× ××××.
As if to emphasize this point, Bat Sheva as a literary character is consistently portrayed as passive. In the examples of the Biblical antecedents of this story, the woman is active: Tamar goes out to Yehudah, Ruth goes out to Boaz, Avigail goes out to David. Bat Sheva is always just following someone else:
×× ××××ך × ×ª× ×× ×ת ש××¢ ×× ×©××× ×××ך ×××× ×©×עת ×× ××× ××× ××× ×× ×××ת; ×××× ×× × ××× ×× ×××¢×
×× ××¢×ª× ××× ×××¢×Š× × × ×¢×Š×; ××××× ×ת × ×€×©× ××ת × ×€×© ×× × ×©××××
×× ××× ×××× ×× ×××× ××× ×××ךת ×××× ××× ××ª× ××× × ×××× × ×©×עת ××××ª× ×××ך ×× ×©××× ×× × ×××× ×××š× ×××× ××©× ×¢× ×ס××; ×××××¢ ××× ××× ××××
×× ×× × ×¢××× ×××ךת ×©× ×¢× ××××; ××× × ×××× ××ך×× ×××××ª× ×ת ××ך×××
×× ×ת×× ×ת ש××¢ ×× ×××× ××××š× ××××× ××§× ×××; ×××××©× ×ש×× ××ת ×שךת ×ת ×××××
×× ××ª×§× ×ת ש××¢ ×תשת×× ××××; ××××ך ×××× ×× ×××
×× ×ת××ך ×× ××× × ××ª× × ×©×עת ××׳ ××××× ××××ª× ×× ×©××× ×× × ×××× ××ך×; ×××× ××©× ×¢× ×ס×××
×× ××¢×ª× ×× × ××× ×× ×××; ××¢×ª× ××× × ×××× ×× ××עת×
×× ×××× ××× ××× ×× ×××ת ×× ×ת ש××¢ ×× ×©××× ×ת××ך ×ש××× ×××; ××××ך ש××××
×× ××××ך ××ך ×× ××××; ×ת××ך ××ך×
×× ××××ך ×ת ××עת ×× ×× ×××ª× ×××××× ××¢×× ×©×× ×× ×שך×× ×€× ××× ××××; ××ª×¡× ×××××× ×ת×× ×××× ×× ××׳ ×××ª× ×××
×× ××¢×ª× ×©××× ××ת ×× ×× ×©×× ×××ª× ×× ×ª×©×× ×ת ×€× ×; ×ת××ך ×××× ××ך×
×× ××××ך ×××š× × × ×ש××× ×××× ×× ×× ×ש×× ×ת ×€× ××; ×××ª× ×× ×ת ××××©× ×ש×× ××ת ××ש××
×× ×ת××ך ×ת ש××¢ ×××; ×× ×× ×××ך ×¢××× ×× ×××××
×× ×ת×× ×ת ש××¢ ×× ×××× ×©××× ×××ך ×× ×¢× ××× ×××; ×××§× ×××× ×קך××ª× ××שת×× ×× ×××©× ×¢× ×ס×× ×××©× ××¡× ××× ×××× ××ª×©× ××××× ××
× ×ת××ך ש××× ××ת ×§×× × ×× ×× ×©××ת ×××ª× ×× ×ª×©× ×ת ×€× ×; ××××ך ×× ×××× ×©××× ××× ×× ×× ×ש×× ×ת ×€× ×××
×× ×ת××ך ××ª× ×ת ××××©× ××©× ××ת ×××× ××× ×××× ××ש××
×× ×××¢× ×××× ×©××× ××××ך ×××× ×××× ×ת ש××ת ×ת ××××©× ××©× ××ת ×××× ××× ×ש××× ×× ×ת ×××××× ×× ××× ××× ××××× ××× ×; ××× ×××××תך ×××× ×××××× ×× ×Š×š××××
If, in the eyes of the midrash, Achitophel is willing to see Davidâs sin as ס×××-like, and thus allow ש×× ×©× ××ª× ××§×××©× ×××× ×¢× ××××, then why does he turn on David after? Because of the outcome: it becomes clear that in the eyes of G-d, this was a case of rape, not adultery. David marries Bat Sheva, and, with the birth of Shlomo, ×׳ approves of the marriage. Adulterers can never marry, but in the society of ×ª× ×Ž×, a violated woman is damaged; through no fault of her own, she will be unable to get married. The Torah mandates that the perpetrator marry her (she has the option of refusing, but he does not) to continue to support her:
×× ×× ×××Š× ××ש × ×¢×š ×ת××× ×שך ×× ××š×©× ××ª×€×©× ×ש×× ×¢××; ×× ×׊××× ×× ×× ×ª× ×××ש ×ש×× ×¢×× ×××× ×× ×¢×š ××ש×× ×סף; ××× ×ª××× ×××©× ×ª×ת ×שך ×¢× × ×× ×××× ×©××× ×× ×××××
And that is how the gemara understands how David can marry Bat Sheva:
××× ×ª××× ××¢×©× ×©××× ××€× × ×× ×× ×סך×× [ךש׎×: ×¢× ××× ×©××š× ×¢××× ×ך×× ×××¢×] ××ª× ××× ×¡ ×××; ×××××¢×ת ×××× ×× ×× ×××ך ך×× ×©×××× ×ך × ××× × ××ך ך×× ××× ×ª× ×× ××××Š× ×××××ת ××ת ××× ×× ×ך×ת×ת ×××ª× ××שת×.
The question of ×× ××××Š× ×××××ת ××ת ××× ×× ×ך×ת×ת ×××ª× ×××©×ª× we will look at laterâwas Bat Sheva technically not married to Uriah, or was David guilty of adultery as well?âbut Achitophel turns on David ×¢××ך ש××§× ×ת × ××× ××××§×.
There is a ׀ךק ת××××× that ×××Ž× associate with Achitophel and Davidâs relationship with him: ת××××× ×€×š×§ × ×. The middle section is what makes it clear that the perek is about Achitophel, so I will start there.
×× ×× ×× ×××× ×××š×€× × ××ש×;
×× ××©× ×× ×¢×× ×××××; ××סתך ××× ××
×× ×××ª× ×× ×ש ×עך××; ××××€× ×××××¢××
×× ×שך ×××× × ×ת××§ ס××; ×××ת ×××§×× × ××× ×ך×ש×
The only person that David could call ××××€× ×××××¢× who betrays him is Achitophel. And as we said above, this section is the source of the Mishna that says David learned two things from Achitophel:
×Ö·×ÖŒ×Ö¹×Öµ× ×Öµ×Ö²×ֵך×Ö¹ ׀֌ֶךֶק ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×Ö²×Öž×Öž× ×Ö·×ַת ××Ö¹ ׀֞ס×֌ק ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×ÖŽ×ÖŒ×֌ך ×Ö¶×Öž× ××Ö¹ ×Ö²×€ÖŽ×ÖŒ×ÖŒ ××ֹת ×Ö·×ַת, ׊֞ך֎××Ö° ×ÖŽ× Ö°××Ö¹× ×ÖŒ×Ö¹ ×Öž××Ö¹×, ש×Ö¶×ÖŒÖµ× ×֞׊֎×× ×ÖŒ ×Ö°×Öž×ÖŽ× ×Ö¶×Ö¶×Ö° ×֎ש×ְך֞×Öµ×, ש×Ö¶×ÖŒÖ¹× ×Öž×Ö·× ×Öµ×Ö²×ÖŽ××ªÖ¹×€Ö¶× ×Ö¶×ÖŒÖž× ×©×Ö°× Öµ× ×Ö°×֞ך֎×× ×֌֎×Ö°×Öž×âŠ
ש×× ××× ××××ת××€× ××× ×©× × ××ך×× ××××:
ש×× ××××× ×××××, ×ש×× ××× ×¡ ××××××Ž× ××§××× ××§××€×.
×שך ××××: ×× × ×××ª× ×××× × ××ת××§×× ×ס××, ××××ך ש××××ª× ×ת×××¢×¥ ×¢×× ××××š× ×¡××× ××¢×× ××××ª× ××ת××§ ×ס××, ××××ך, ×× ×× ××× ×¡××× ×ת××§ ××שך ××¢×× × ×¢× ×©××××ª× × ××©× ×× ××ª× ×× ×¢××.
The question everyone asks about this mishna is that the ×§× ××××ך makes no sense. Achitophel teaches two things, so you should respect someone who teaches you one? Rav Chaim miVolozhin explains that in the eyes of ××׎×, Achitophel may have known a lot but was not a ת×××× ××× in the sense that he did not internalize the lessons of the Torah. If he had, he would never have betrayed David. Therefore, his lessons did not have the essetnial unity that true Torah has:
×××§× ××××ך ×××× ×©×× ××× ××××ת××€× ×š×§ ×©× × ××ך×× ××××, ×××××š× ××× ××××× ××× × ×¢× ××ת ××ת. ××× ××¢× ×× ××× ××× ×©×ת×× ××××ך ××§××ש: ×§×××Ž× ×××ך×××ª× ××¢×סק×× ×× ×××. ×× ××××¢ ש××× ×ך׊×× × ×× ××ת××š× ××× ×š×Š×× ×âŠ×× ××× ×××ת ××× ×× ×ת××š× ×©×××¢× ××× ××¢××××ת ×××× ×× ×©×ª×ש×× ×××× ×¢× ××××âŠ××× ×©×ת×× ××§× ××××ך
×ÖŒ×Ö·× ×֌֞×ÖŽ× ×Ö¶×Ö¶×Ö° ×֎ש×ְך֞×Öµ×, ש×Ö¶×ÖŒÖ¹× ×Öž×Ö·× ×Öµ×Ö²×ÖŽ××ªÖ¹×€Ö¶× ×Ö¶×ÖŒÖž× ×©×Ö°× Öµ× ×Ö°×֞ך֎×× ×֌֎×Ö°×Ö·×,
×××× × ××××ת××€× ×©××× ×× ×××§ ××¢××× ×××. ×××× ××× × ×©× × ××ך×× ××××.
×ך׊×× × ×××ך ×××× ×©×××ª× ××©× × ××ך×× ×× ××× ×××§ ע׊××ת × ×€×©× ××××××§ ×ש×ךש, ×× ×× ××ך×× ×××Š× ×× ×× ×× ××× ×× ×××§ ×ת×ך×âŠ××¢× ×× ×× × ×× ×× ××××, ×§× ××××ך
××××× ×××××š× ×©×× ×©× ××× ××× ×××ך×× ×××××§×× ×קשך ×××§××Ž× ××ת×ך×âŠ
Going back to the beginning, this is a prayer, but a prayer of despair. David does not ask for the defeat of his enemies, but to be allowed to give up:
× ××××× × ×××§×× ×ª×€×ת×; ××× ×ª×ª×¢×× ×ת×× ×ª××
× ×קש××× ×× ××¢× × ×; ×ך×× ×ש××× ×××××××
× ××§×× ×××× ××€× × ×¢×§×ª ךשע; ×× ××××× ×¢×× ××× ××××£ ×ש×××× ××
× ××× ×××× ×קך××; ×××××ת ××ת × ×€×× ×¢×××
× ×ך×× ××š×¢× ××× ××; ×ת××¡× × ×€×׊×ת×
× ×××ך ×× ××ª× ×× ××ך ×××× ×; ××¢××€× ××ש×× ××
× ×× × ×ך×××§ × ××; ×××× ××××ך ס×××
But if this is a sad song, the ××תךת is very strange:
××× ×Š× ×× ××× ×ª ×ש××× ×××××
A ×ש××× weâve translated as lecture, which is fine, but ×ÖŒÖŽ× Ö°×ÖŽ×× Ö¹×ª âwith musical instrumentsâ sounds very happy. The Alshich says that is the point; David needs cheering up:
×ך×× ×©××× ×¢× ×××× × ×××§× × ×¢×Š××ת ×××Š×š× ××× × ×××× ×××תך ××¢×ךך ש××× ×××× ×š×× ××§×ש, ×××× â××× ×Š× ×× ××× ×תâ.
But really the word â× ××× ×ªâ can mean âbrokenâ; this is a song of Davidâs depression:
××ך ××× (ת×××× ×¢×:×) ×Ö¶×Ö°×Ö°ÖŒ×šÖž× × Ö°×ÖŽ×× Öž×ªÖŽ× ×Ö·ÖŒ×ÖžÖŒ×Ö°×Öž×, ×××š× ×× ×¡×ª ×שך×× × ××ךת ×× × ×ת ×ש×ך×× ×©×××ת ש××ך ×ת ××××××× ××¢×××š× ×××××, ×××× × Ö°×ÖŽ×× Öž×ªÖŽ× ××× ×ש×× ×©×Ö¶×ֶך, ×××Ž× (×××× ×:ס×) ×Ö²× ÖŽ× ×Ö·× Ö°×ÖŽÖŒ×× Öž×ªÖž×.
And he is depressed because the enemy here is internal, part of the Jerusalem he loves:
× ××××©× ××€×× ×× ×ך×× ×¡×¢× ×סעך×
× ×××¢ ××× ÖŸ× ×€×× ×ש×× ×; ×× ×š×××ª× ××ס ×ך×× ××¢×ך×
×× ×××× ××××× ×ס×××× ×¢× ×××ת××; ×××× ××¢×× ×קך×××
×× ×××ת ×קך××; ××× ×××ש ×ך××× ×ª× ××ך×××
The irony here is of David looking at his city and seeing ××ס in Achitophelâs and Avshalomâs behavior, when it was his ××ס that started the cycle of violence. ך×××ª× ××ס ×ך×× ××¢×ך really started with the story of Bat Sheva. Then in the perek we have the reveal that he is speaking of ××××€× ×××××¢×, about Achitophel his teacher and friend. But after that, we have the volta:
×× ×ש×××ת (××©× ××ת) ×¢×××× ×ך×× ×©××× ××××; ×× ×š×¢×ת ×××××š× ×קך×××
×× ×× × ×× ×××§×× ×קך×; ××׳ ××ש××¢× ××
×× ×¢×š× ××קך ×׊×ך×× ×ש××× ×××××; ××ש××¢ ×§××××
David goes from ×ך×××§ × ×× to ×ך×× ×©×××, when he realizes that the very fact that he can call out to ×׳ means not all hope is lost and his enemies can be defeated. This is one of the sources of our thrice-daily prayer, and the gemara attributes it to Achitophel:
ך׳ ×××× ××©× ×š×Ž×: ××××× ×©×× ××× ××§×ך×
××××ךת. ך׳ ××× ××©× ×š×³ ××ס×: ׊ך×× ×××ש ×× ××ך ××× ×××; ×××ת××€× ××× ×ת׀×× ×©×ש ת׀××ת ××ש×ת ××× ×××.
And then the poetic tense changes, from the future (×ש××¢ ×§×××) to the past: ×€ÖžÖŒ×Öž× ×ְש֞×××Ö¹× × Ö·×€Ö°×©ÖŽ××.
×× ×€×× ×ש××× × ×€×©× ××§×š× ××; ×× ×ך××× ××× ×¢××××
× ×ש××¢ ×ÖŸ× ×××¢× × ×××©× ×§×× ×¡××;
×שך ××× ××××€×ת ×××; ××× ×ך×× ×××§×××
The gemara understands that David is composing this perek after the entire story of Avshalomâs rebellion and Achitophelâs betrayal.
PoetryâŠtakes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.
He looks back when composing ת×××××, and realizes that ×׳ had guided his words. He was literally saved with the word ×֌ְש×Öž××Ö¹×:
× ×Ö·×Ö°×ÖŽ× ×֎ק֌ֵץ ×ַךְ×֌֞ע֎×× ×©×Öž× Öž×; ×Ö·×֌ֹ××ֶך ×Ö·×ְש×Öž××Ö¹× ×Ö¶× ×Ö·×֌ֶ×Ö¶×Ö° ×Öµ×Ö°×Öž× × ÖŒÖž× ×Ö·×ֲש×Ö·×ÖŒÖµ× ×ֶת × ÖŽ×Ö°×šÖŽ× ×ֲש×ֶך × Öž×Ö·×šÖ°×ªÖŒÖŽ× ×Ö·×׳ ×֌ְ×Ö¶×ְך×Ö¹××
âŠ
× ×Ö·×֌ֹ××ֶך ××Ö¹ ×Ö·×֌ֶ×Ö¶×Ö° ×Öµ×Ö° ×֌ְש×Öž××Ö¹×; ×Ö·×ÖŒÖž×§Öž× ×Ö·×֌ֵ×Ö¶×Ö° ×Ö¶×ְך×Ö¹× Öž××
× ×Ö·×֌֎ש×Ö°×Ö·× ×Ö·×ְש×Öž××Ö¹× ×ְךַ×֌ְ×ÖŽ×× ×֌ְ×Öž× ×©×ÖŽ×Ö°×Öµ× ×֎ש×ְך֞×Öµ× ×Öµ××ֹך; ×֌ְש×Öž×Ö°×¢Ö²×Ö¶× ×ֶת ×§×Ö¹× ×ַש֌×ֹ׀֞ך ×Ö·×Ö²×Ö·×šÖ°×ªÖŒÖ¶× ×Öž×Ö·×Ö° ×Ö·×ְש×Öž××Ö¹× ×֌ְ×Ö¶×ְך×Ö¹××
×××ך ך×× ×××× ××××: ×× ×€×ך ××××š× ×× ×××ך ×× ×× ×ש×××, ××× ×× ×ש×××. ש××š× ××ª×š× ×©××ך ×× ×××©× (ש××ת ×:××) ×Öµ×Ö° ×ְש֞×××Ö¹×â×¢×× ××׊×××, ××× ×©××ך ×× ×××ש××× ×Öµ×Ö° ×֌ְש×Öž××Ö¹×â××× ×× ×ª××. ×××ך ך×× ×××× ××××: ×× ×€×ך ×× ××ת ×× ×××ך ×× ×× ×ש××× ××× ×× ×ש×××, ×©× ××ך (×ך×ש×ת ××:××) ×Ö°×Ö·×ªÖžÖŒ× ×ªÖžÖŒ××Ö¹× ×Ö¶× ×Ö²×ֹתֶ××Öž ×ְ֌ש֞×××Ö¹×.
And the other reason that he had to turn back and not give up was because ×ך××× ××× ×¢×××, people depended on him. So he turns back to his enemy, his best friend:
×× ×©×× ×××× ×ש××××; ××× ×ך×ת××
×× ×××§× ××××ת ×€×× ××§×š× ×××;
ך×× ××ך×× ×ש××; ×××× ×€×ª××ת×
×× ×ש×× ×¢× ×׳ ×××× ×××× ××××××;
×× ××ª× ××¢××× ××× ×׊×××§×
×× ×××ª× ×××§×× ×ª×ך×× ×××ך ש×ת
×× ×©× ×××× ××ך×× ×× ×××Š× ×××××;
××× × ×××× ×××
And we quote those words when we complete a section of learning Torah. Achitophel, Bat Shevaâs grandfather, is the symbol as well of those who learn Torah but not ×ש××:
××Ö¹×ÖŽ×× ×Ö²× Ö·×Ö°× ×ÖŒ ×Ö°×€Öž× Ö¶××Öž ×׳ ×Ö±×Ö¹×§Öµ×× ×ÖŒ שֶ×שַ֌××ְת֞֌ ×Ö¶×Ö°×§Öµ× ×ÖŒ ×ÖŽ×ÖŒ×ֹשְ××Öµ× ×ÖµÖŒ×ת ×Ö·×ÖŽÖŒ×Ö°×šÖž×©× ×Ö°×Ö¹× ×©Ö·××ְת֞֌ ×Ö¶×Ö°×§Öµ× ×ÖŒ ×ÖŽ×ÖŒ×ֹשְ××Öµ× ×§Ö°×šÖž× ×ֹת. שֶ××Öž× ×ÖŒ ×ַשְ××ÖŽÖŒ××ÖŽ×× ×Ö°×Öµ× ×ַשְ××ÖŽÖŒ××ÖŽ××: ×Öž× ×ÖŒ ×ַשְ××ÖŽÖŒ××ÖŽ×× ×Ö°×ÖŽ×Ö°×šÖµ× ×ª×ֹך֞×, ×Ö°×Öµ× ×ַשְ××ÖŽÖŒ××ÖŽ×× ×ÖŽ×Ö°×֞ך֎×× ×Ö°ÖŒ×Öµ×ÖŽ××. ×Öž× ×ÖŒ ×¢Ö²×Öµ×ÖŽ×× ×Ö°×Öµ× ×¢Ö²×Öµ×ÖŽ××: ×Öž× ×ÖŒ ×¢Ö²×Öµ×ÖŽ×× ×ÖŒ×Ö°×§Ö·×Ö°ÖŒ×ÖŽ×× ×©Öž××֞ך, ×Ö°×Öµ× ×¢Ö²×Öµ×ÖŽ×× ×Ö°×Öµ×× Öž× ×Ö°×§Ö·×Ö°ÖŒ×ÖŽ×× ×©Öž××֞ך. ×Öž× ×ÖŒ ך֞׊֎×× ×Ö°×Öµ× ×šÖž×ŠÖŽ××: ×Öž× ×ÖŒ ך֞׊֎×× ×Ö°×Ö·×ÖµÖŒ× ×Öž×¢×Ö¹×Öž× ×Ö·×ÖžÖŒ×, ×Ö°×Öµ× ×šÖž×ŠÖŽ×× ×ÖŽ×Ö°×ֵך ש֞××ַת, שֶ×× Ö¶ÖŒ×Ö±×ַך (ת×××× × ×:××): ×Ö°×Ö·×ªÖžÖŒ× ×Ö±×Ö¹×§ÖŽ×× ×ªÖŒ×ֹך֎×Öµ× ×ÖŽ×Ö°×ֵך שַ××ַת ×Ö·× Ö°×©Öµ×× ×Öž×ÖŽ×× ×ÖŒ×֎ךְ×Öž× ×Ö¹× ×Ö¶×ֱ׊×ÖŒ ×Ö°×Öµ××Ö¶× ×Ö·×Ö²× ÖŽ× ×Ö¶×Ö°×Ö·× ×ÖžÖŒ×Ö°.
Achitophel, while he never appears in the Bat Sheva story, is the thematic glue that ties it all together, from the wars that start in ׀ךק × to the return of David as ××× ×שך×× in ׀ךק ××.