Why David's Ruddiness Differs From Esau's at His Anointing

Midrash Shmuel 19:6

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And he sent and brought him in. And he was ruddy, etc." (1 Samuel 16:12). When Samuel saw David, he began to flush red and to rise up. He said: This one too is a shedder of blood, as you say, "And the first came out ruddy" (Genesis 25:25). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: "with beautiful eyes" — David kills by the consent of the Sanhedrin, but Esau kills by his own consent. "And the LORD said: Arise, anoint him, for this is he" (1 Samuel 16:12, ibid.). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Arise from before him. Rabbi Shmuel bar Nachman said: "This is he" in this world, and "this is he" in the world to come; therefore he praises the Holy One, blessed be He, with ten psalms: "I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress, etc." (Psalms 18:2). Rabbi Simon said: Even at the end of the book he praises the Holy One, blessed be He, with ten psalms: "Hallelujah. Praise God in His sanctuary, etc." (Psalms 150:1).

Themes

DavidPsalmsPatriarchsJacobMusic

Biblical References

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