Difference between revisions of "David's Deathbed Instructions to Shelomo/2"
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| − | <point><b>"שְׁלֹמֹה בְנִי נַעַר וָרָךְ"</b> – Abarbanel claims that since Shelomo was just a young boy it does not make sense that David would have instructed him to do what he himself had been loathe to do when he was in a similar position.  Thus, | + | <point><b>"שְׁלֹמֹה בְנִי נַעַר וָרָךְ"</b> – Abarbanel claims that since Shelomo was just a young boy it does not make sense that David would have instructed him to do what he himself had been loathe to do when he was in a similar position.  Thus, David must not in fact be commanding Shelomo to assassinate either Yoav or Shimi.</point> |
<point><b>"...וְגַם אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה"</b> – David tells Shelomo to be wary of Yoav's past deeds, not so that he can punish them, but so that if he should recognize the type of person he is.  Thus, if he does similar acts during Shelomo's reign, Shelomo should know to respond appropriately.</point> | <point><b>"...וְגַם אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֵת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה"</b> – David tells Shelomo to be wary of Yoav's past deeds, not so that he can punish them, but so that if he should recognize the type of person he is.  Thus, if he does similar acts during Shelomo's reign, Shelomo should know to respond appropriately.</point> | ||
<point><b>"וְלֹא תוֹרֵד שֵׂיבָתוֹ בְּשָׁלֹם שְׁאֹל"</b></point> | <point><b>"וְלֹא תוֹרֵד שֵׂיבָתוֹ בְּשָׁלֹם שְׁאֹל"</b></point> | ||
Version as of 10:19, 22 April 2018
David's Deathbed Instructions to Shelomo
Exegetical Approaches
Changing Circumstances
David asked Shelomo to deal with his opponents even though he himself had not done so because he realized that with the change of monarch, there was to be an accompanying change in the strength of the kingdom. This approach subdivides regarding the direction of this change and whether it views David or Shelomo as the stronger king:
From Weakness to Strength
As much of David's reign was marked by turmoil and attempted rebellions, he never found himself in the position of strength needed to assassinate his opponents.
From Strength to Weakness
As David was a strong king, he had no need to kill his opponents and could keep them in check without bloodshed. Shelomo, though, was a young boy who would need to rid himself of any threats to his kingdom.
Change of Heart
During most of his reign, David intentionally maintained a policy of clemency towards his enemies, refusing to kill them. The stresses of the end of his life, however, hardened him, making him rethink this policy and instruct Shelomo to act differently.
No Change
David's instructions to Shelomo were not a request to exterminate his enemies, and did not reflect a reversal of the policies of his own reign.
- Since Yoav killed Avner without witnesses and warning, he did not meet the criteria for capital punishment. Even though David could have exercised his unique rights as king, being newly anointed and relatively weak,1 he did not feel that it was an opportune time to do so, especially considering that Yoav and his brothers were willing and capable of acting against him.
