Parshas Bamidbar 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- May 14
- 1 min read
ויאמר לו יהונתן מחר חדש ונפקדת כי יפקד מושבך ... (שמואל א' כ-יח)
In the Haftorah of Machar Chodesh this week, Dovid HaMelech and Yonason discuss the impact his absence from the royal table on Rosh Chodesh would have after Dovid suspected Shaul HaMelech of nefarious intentions toward him. Dovid and Yonason then devised a plan of action and discussed their brotherly love for one another. The Navi tells us, "ונפקדת כי יפקד מושבך" - “and you [Dovid] will be missed when your seat remains vacant.” Why would Dovid’s seat remain empty, and why would it matter at all?
Rashi says that Yonason’s message was two-fold, and it serves to clarify a long-believed assumption regarding Shaul HaMelech. By saying that Dovid would be missed, and Shaul would ask about him because his seat would be empty, Chazal were hinting at the extraordinary respect that the royal court held for Dovid despite Shaul’s attitude towards him. In fact, by stressing the words, “because your seat will be empty,” Yonason assumed that out of respect for Dovid, no one would occupy his seat.
This serves to prove the fact that despite the appearance of animosity from Shaul to Dovid, it was really only a momentary illness, and everyone knew that. They knew and understood that Shaul loved Dovid like a son, and all the hunting and attempts at Dovid’s life were merely the results of an external source pushing the agenda. It was this deep- seated belief that eventually helped ingratiate Dovid with the nation when his time came to serve as king.