Comentario sobre I Samuel 11:16

Each right eye. Explain it literally.¹As a symbol of everlasting defeat. But the Midrash Aggadah [explains it figuratively, that he said,] "Bring me your Torah scroll which was given by the right hand [of God],²See Devarim 33:2. and I will burn it, because He wrote in it, "Neither an Ammonite nor a Moavite may enter [into Adonoy's community]."³Devarim 23:4. Therefore, Nochosh said that he cannot accept any form of peace treaty with the Bnei Yisroel when the Torah specifically forbids to seek peace with Ammon. In Devarim 23:7 the Torah stated with regard to Ammon and Moav, “You shall not seek their peace or welfare, all your days, forever.” Nochosh therefore wanted to burn the Torah.

A sign of shame. An insult.

Behind the cattle. After the appointed time that the cattle come in from the field.

To his cattle. To his animals.

He counted them in Bezek. Our Rabbis said that he counted them using earthenware shards.⁴ See Maseches Yoma 22b. According to this rendering, Bezek is not a name of a place, but rather a description of the means used by which to count the people. Another explanation is that בְּבָזֶק means 'with pebbles,' i.e., he took a pebble from each one, and counted them, similar to, "And he counted them with lambs,"⁵Below 15:4. i.e., he took a lamb from each one, and counted them with the lambs, just as they would count them with half shekels.⁶ See Rashi Ibid. Targum reders, in the verse, "as one who loads a pebble [אֶבֶן] for throwing in a slingshot,"⁷ Mishlei 26:8. as one who loads a בִּזְקָא into a slingshot. And in [Midrash] Yelam'denu, "And he counted them with lambs," [is explained as,] "when they were poor, [they were counted] with pebbles and when they became rich, [they were counted] with lambs. Another explanation is that בָזֶק is the name of a place, mentioned in Shoftim, "they found Adoni Bezek in Bezek."⁸Shoftim 1:5.

Who is it that says. Derisively, "Shaul will reign over us?" Give them over and we will execute them.

Will reign over us. As a question.

And Shmuel said, "…and renew the kingdom there." Because at first there was opposition in the matter, but now they unanimously agreed.⁹ Shmuel merely invited them to Gilgol; it was not a command. See above 9:9 for a similar expression וְנֵלְכָה. However, now that Shaul saved the people of Yoveish Gilad from the Ammonites; all the people rallied behind him and accepted him as their king.