Saul Versus Jezebel and the Warning Elijah Received

Midrash Shmuel 22:3

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And Saul sent messengers to David's house to watch him..." (1 Samuel 19:11). This is what Scripture says: "Therefore thus says the Lord God: Because you have multiplied [your transgressions] more than the nations that are around you, [and have not walked in My statutes, nor kept My ordinances, neither have you acted according to the ordinances of the nations that are around you]" (Ezekiel 5:7). The Rabbis and Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Simon [differ]. The Rabbis say: You acted like the wicked, but you did not act like the good. Rabbi Yehuda son of Rabbi Simon said: You did not even act like the wicked. Jezebel, the daughter of idolatrous priests—she sends and says to Elijah, "About this time tomorrow I will make your life like the life of one of them" (1 Kings 19:2), and she opens for him an opening [so that he may flee]. But here, "And Saul sent messengers"—thus, you did not even act like the wicked.

Themes

ElijahWarAdam EveSinDavid

Biblical References

Continue Reading

Yalkut ShimoniYou Have Made Peace Between Israel and Me in This WorldRabbi Shim'on ben Lakish, the third-century sage known as Resh Lakish, makes one of the boldest identifications in rabbinic literature: Pinhas is Elijah. PinhasBook of JubileesAbram's TransgressionBook of Jubilees turns to Abram's Transgression. It seems he was experiencing a moment of intense emotion, perhaps witnessing suffering or injustice. And here'sLegends of the JewsThe Seven Divisions of ParadiseWhile readers often imagine it as a single, unified place, Jewish tradition offers a far more intricate and fascinating vision. Some accounts say Paradise. Or GLegends of the JewsThe Canaanites Who Squatted on the Promised LandLegends of the Jews turns to The Canaanites Who Squatted on the Promised Land. It first appears that ABRAHAM, arriving later, would simply assert his claim. AftLegends of the JewsMoses Composed Eleven Psalms Later Found in David's BookThe sages saw it as a collection of voices, a chorus echoing through generations. In Legends of the Jews, Moses himself contributed a significant portion! Just Legends of the JewsAccount of JoabLet me tell you a story that’s practically ripped from the pages of a spy thriller, only this one is ancient. It all begins with Joab, a key figure in the Israe