How the People Redeemed Jonathan After the Honey Oath

Midrash Shmuel 17:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And the people said to Saul: Shall Jonathan die, who has wrought this great salvation in Israel?" (1 Samuel 14:45). Rabbi Elazar said: They gave his weight in gold and redeemed him. Rabbi Yochanan said: But did he eat bread? He did not eat bread, rather he ate honey. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: But did he even eat? It was only a tasting. Did not Rabbi Ba the Pious, son of Rabbi Ze'ira, say thus: A tasting is not subject to the law of eating, nor to the law of drinking, nor does it break a fast, and it does not require a blessing. ("So the people redeemed Jonathan, and he did not die.")

Themes

RedemptionCovenantAdam EveMusicKings

Biblical References

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