David, Nathan, and the Lifted Head After Bathsheba

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Ki Tisa 3:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[(Exodus 30:12:) WHEN YOU LIFT UP <THE HEAD, i.e. take a census>.] This is what Scripture says (in Psalm 3:3 [2]): "MANY SAY OF MY SOUL …" This refers to David, when that deed came to his hand. They said: A man who carried off the ewe-lamb, and killed the shepherd, and felled Israel by the sword — does he have deliverance? (As that same verse continues:) "THERE IS NO SALVATION FOR HIM IN GOD." David said (in verse 3 [2]): And You, O Lord, agreed with them, and You wrote in the Torah (at Leviticus 20:10): "THE ADULTERER AND THE ADULTERESS SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH." Yet (according to Psalm 3:4 [3]) <You are> "A SHIELD ABOUT ME" — for You shielded me through the merit of my fathers, <You> who restored me to the kingship; and (the verse continues) "THE LIFTER OF MY HEAD." Instead of the lifting of the head that I owed You, You gave me an uplifted head, at the hands of Nathan the prophet, [who said to me] (in II Samuel 12:13): "THE LORD ALSO HAS PUT AWAY YOUR SIN; YOU SHALL NOT DIE."

Themes

DavidPsalmsWomenMusicHumor

Biblical References

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