Commentaire de citation sur Rois 1 22:49

The thoughtful reader is left with many questions regarding this episode. First, why does the righteous king Yehoshafat join this battle? Perhaps it is because his son marries Achav’s daughter Ataliah (sister of Yehoram). Indeed, Yehoshafat allies himself with Achav in his war against Aram (Melachim I 22). However, Yehoshafat narrowly escapes death in that war and thus refuses to ally himself with Achav’s son Achaziah in his quest for gold, as recorded in Melachim I 22:49-50. Why, then, does Yehoshafat join Yehoram ben Achav in his quest to regain control over Moav? Moreover, why is Elisha clearly pleased with Yehoshafat’s participation in this war? ¹⁸²Similarly, Chazal (Avot DeRabbi Natan 9:4) strongly criticize Yehoshafat for partnering with Achav but do not criticize Yehoshafat for joining Yehoram’s war against Moav.

AND HE WENT INTO A LAND. According to Onkelos, the meaning of this expression is “into another land.” But Rashi explained, “He went to stay wherever he could find room” for he went to no particular country but sought a country where he would find room to settle, until he came to mount Se’ir and settled there. In my opinion, the correct interpretation is that Scripture is saying: “And he went to the land of Se’ir,” the name of the place being omitted from the verse as it is self-understood since it has already been mentioned that he dwelled in the land of Se’ir, and it is understood that he led his family there, and right nearby, it is mentioned, And Esau dwelled in mount Se’ir.²⁵²Verse 8 here. A similar case is found in this verse: He went into the castle of the king’s house, and burnt the king’s house over him with fire,²⁵³I Kings 16:18. which means that house of the king in which he was. Similarly, And he burned the high place and stamped it small to powder, and burned the Asherah,²⁵⁴II Kings 23:15. which means the high place which belonged to Jeroboam, who was mentioned in the beginning of the verse. So also: And Joab said to the Cushite: Go tell the king… And Cushite bowed down to Joab,²⁵⁵II Samuel 18:21. [which means “the Cushite” mentioned] ; And an ass and the lion,²⁵⁶I Kings 13:28. [which means “the ass” mentioned above in Verse 24]. So also: For ships were broken at Etzion-geber,²⁵⁷Ibid., 22:49. which means “the ships” [mentioned in the beginning of that verse] ; and there are many similar verses. Here also the expression, And he went into a land, is as if it said, “into the land,” i.e., the land of Se’ir which was mentioned.