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Rashi on the Former Prophets

CC BY · The Metsudah Tanach series (Metsudah Publications, Lakewood, NJ)
Chapter 12

1 Samuel 12

I have aged and become gray. Our Rabbis said that he aged prematurely, as stated in Maseches Ta'anis.

Whose ox have I taken? For my work.
Whose donkey have I taken? When I used to travel from city to city to judge them concerning their matters, I used to travel on my donkey, although I should have taken theirs.
Whom have I oppressed? Every expression of מְרַצֶּה which follows עשֶׁק [robbery], is an expression of "robbed and oppressed, one who robs the poor and oppresses them.
To look away from him. In order to hide my eyes from the judgment because of the money [bribe].
And I will give it back to you. Whatever you will say.

And they said [as one], "Witnessed." A heavenly voice came out and said, '[I am] a witness.' This is one of three places in which the holy spirit entered the earthly court, as it is stated in Maseches Makos.

Who produced Moshe and Aharon. To be prepared for His mission to bring your forefathers out of Egypt.

And I shall enter into judgment. I.e., I shall debate with you.

יְרֻבַּעַל. This is Gideon.
Bedan. This is Shimshon who came from the tribe of Don.
And Yiphtoch. Here are three insignificant leaders with three world-important leaders: Moshe, Aharon and Shmuel, to teach you that the insignificant leader in his generation is equal to the important leader in his generation. Every court which is appointed over the generation, must be followed as though its [members] were the mightiest of the nobility.

Then both you. You will live to a ripe old age, both you and the king.

Then Adonoy's hand will be against you and against your forefathers. Meaning it will be against you after it was against your fathers. Our Rabbis however said, "against you and against your fathers" refers to the digging up of the dead, which is a disgrace upon the dead.

Stand up and see… And just as through my prayer, I am able to change the seasons, similarly, if a war befell you, my prayer would have the power to protect you against the enemy, and you had no need to ask for a king during my lifetime, even though I am old.

Is today not the [season of the] wheat harvest? And rain is a sign of a curse, and the Holy One, Blessed is He, is reluctant to visit punishment unnecessarily. Nonetheless, I have power, and I shall call to 'ה, and He will make it thunder and rain.
Then you will know and see. That it was unnecessary for you to ask for a king and to show disrespect towards me.

For the sake of His great Name. For His fame has spread because of you, that He is your savior, and lest the fame of His greatness be lessened.
Adonoy has sworn.הוֹאִיל meaning he swore, as in, "And Shaul made the people swear ]וַיֹאֶל[."

And as for me, far be it from me. Since you will do your part by returning to 'ה, I also, far be it from me to stop praying on your behalf.

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