גַּם־תְּמ֣וֹל גַּם־שִׁלְשׁ֗וֹם גַּ֚ם בִּהְי֣וֹת שָׁא֣וּל מֶ֔לֶךְ אַתָּ֛ה הַמּוֹצִ֥יא וְהַמֵּבִ֖יא אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֹּאמֶר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ לְךָ֗ אַתָּ֨ה תִרְעֶ֤ה אֶת־עַמִּי֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאַתָּה֙ תִּהְיֶ֣ה נָגִ֔יד עַ֖ל עַמִּ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Sejak dahulu, bahkan ketika Saul masih menjadi raja, engkaulah yang memimpin Israel keluar dan masuk. Yang Mahakekal, Allahmu, telah berfirman kepadamu, ‘Engkaulah yang akan menggembalakan umat-Ku, Israel, dan engkaulah yang akan menjadi pemimpin atas umat-Ku Israel.’”
Midrash Tanchuma
Now Moses was keeping the flock (Exod. 3:1). Scripture states elsewhere: Every word of God is tried; He is a shield unto them that take refuge in Him (Prov. 30:5). The Holy One, blessed be He, does not confer greatness upon a man until He tests him in lesser things. Only then does He elevate him to greatness. Two great men in the world were tested and found to be faithful before He raised them to positions of greatness. He tested David by means of a sheep. What did David do? He led the sheep into the desert to keep them from feeding from the field of others, and that is why his brother Eliab said to him: With whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? (I Sam. 17:28). The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: Thou hast been found trustworthy with regard to sheep, and so now I shall entrust My flock to you that you may shepherd them, as it is written: Thou shalt shepherd My people Israel (I Chron. 11:2). And Scripture likewise says: From following the ewes that give suck He brought him to be shepherd over Jacob, His people, and Israel, His inheritance (Ps. 78:71).
Bereshit Rabbah
“You are fairer [yafyafita] than sons of man; grace flows…” (Psalms 45:3) – [this refers to Abraham]. You are fair13The word yafyafita, with a doubling of the syllable yaf, indicates two kinds of beauty. among the heavenly, as it is stated: “The angels cried outside” (Isaiah 33:7).14The angels cried for Abraham at the binding of Isaac (see Bereshit Rabba 56:5). You are fair among the earthly – “you are a prince of God in our midst” (Genesis 23:6). “Therefore, God has blessed you forever” (Psalms 45:3) – “the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.”
“Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord?” (Psalms 24:3). This refers to Abraham, [who experienced spiritual elevation atop Mount Moriah, where God told him:] “Now I know that you are God fearing” (Genesis 22:12). “Who will stand [yakum] in His holy place?” (Psalms 24:3) – this refers to Abraham, as it is stated: “Abraham arose [vayakom] early in the morning, to go to the place” (Genesis 19:27). “Clean of hands and pure of heart” (Psalms 24:4) – “[Abram said to the king of Sodom: I have raised my hand to the Lord…] that neither a thread nor a shoelace [nor anything of yours shall I take]” (Genesis 14:22–23); “and pure of heart” – [for he said to God:] “Far be it from You to do something like this, [to put the righteous to death along with the wicked]” (Genesis 18:25). “Who has not taken a soul in vain” (Psalms 24:4) – this refers to Nimrod’s soul;15Abraham slew Nimrod, but it was not without justification, because Nimrod was pursuing him to kill him. “nor taken an oath deceitfully” (Psalms 24:4) – “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High” (Genesis 14:22). “He will receive the blessing of the Lord, and righteousness [from the God of his salvation]” (Psalms 24:5) – “Abraham was old…and the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.”
Abraham was the source of blessing for everyone, as it is stated: “[All the families of the earth] shall be blessed in you” (Genesis 12:3). Who was the source of blessing for Abraham? The Holy One blessed be He was his source of blessing – “the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.” Moses was the source of miracles for Israel, as it is written: “With all the signs and the wonders…that Moses performed” (Deuteronomy 34:11–12). Who was the source of miracles for Moses? It was the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Moses built an altar and called its name; The Lord Is My Miracle” (Exodus 17:15).
David was Israel’s shepherd, as it is stated: “You will shepherd My people Israel” (I Chronicles 11:2). Who was David’s shepherd? It was the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1).
Jerusalem is the source of light for the world, as it is stated: “Nations will walk by your light” (Isaiah 60:3). Who is the source of light for Jerusalem? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is written: “The Lord will be an eternal light for you” (Isaiah 60:19).
“Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord?” (Psalms 24:3). This refers to Abraham, [who experienced spiritual elevation atop Mount Moriah, where God told him:] “Now I know that you are God fearing” (Genesis 22:12). “Who will stand [yakum] in His holy place?” (Psalms 24:3) – this refers to Abraham, as it is stated: “Abraham arose [vayakom] early in the morning, to go to the place” (Genesis 19:27). “Clean of hands and pure of heart” (Psalms 24:4) – “[Abram said to the king of Sodom: I have raised my hand to the Lord…] that neither a thread nor a shoelace [nor anything of yours shall I take]” (Genesis 14:22–23); “and pure of heart” – [for he said to God:] “Far be it from You to do something like this, [to put the righteous to death along with the wicked]” (Genesis 18:25). “Who has not taken a soul in vain” (Psalms 24:4) – this refers to Nimrod’s soul;15Abraham slew Nimrod, but it was not without justification, because Nimrod was pursuing him to kill him. “nor taken an oath deceitfully” (Psalms 24:4) – “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High” (Genesis 14:22). “He will receive the blessing of the Lord, and righteousness [from the God of his salvation]” (Psalms 24:5) – “Abraham was old…and the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.”
Abraham was the source of blessing for everyone, as it is stated: “[All the families of the earth] shall be blessed in you” (Genesis 12:3). Who was the source of blessing for Abraham? The Holy One blessed be He was his source of blessing – “the Lord blessed Abraham with everything.” Moses was the source of miracles for Israel, as it is written: “With all the signs and the wonders…that Moses performed” (Deuteronomy 34:11–12). Who was the source of miracles for Moses? It was the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “Moses built an altar and called its name; The Lord Is My Miracle” (Exodus 17:15).
David was Israel’s shepherd, as it is stated: “You will shepherd My people Israel” (I Chronicles 11:2). Who was David’s shepherd? It was the Holy One blessed be He, as it is stated: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalms 23:1).
Jerusalem is the source of light for the world, as it is stated: “Nations will walk by your light” (Isaiah 60:3). Who is the source of light for Jerusalem? It is the Holy One blessed be He, as it is written: “The Lord will be an eternal light for you” (Isaiah 60:19).