Saul Contends with His Creator over Smiting Amalek

Midrash Shmuel 18:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them with lambs (in Telaim), etc." (1 Samuel 15:4). Before he reigned [he numbered them] with Bezek (pebbles); once he reigned, with lambs. "And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and contended in the valley" (1 Samuel 15:5). Rabbi Binai in the name of Rav Huna [said]: he began to contend concerning the heifer whose neck is broken. He said: this one [the murderer] kills, and that one [the heifer] has its neck broken and atones. And the Rabbis say: he began to contend against the Holy One, blessed be He. He said: Thus did Samuel say to me, "Now go and smite Amalek, etc. [from ox to sheep, from camel to ass]" (1 Samuel 15:3). He said: If a person sinned, in what way has the animal sinned? A heavenly voice went forth and said to him: Saul, do not be more righteous than your Creator.

Themes

HumorWitSinKingsLove

Biblical References

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