Comentários de Citação sobre I Samuel 25:25

“Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side” [2:1]. One can ask about this verse, why does it say, “and his name was Boaz” [2:1]. Normally we find “Goliath was his name” [I Samuel, 17:4] or “Naval was his name” [I Samuel, 25:25]. However, we find concerning evildoers that their name always comes first, when we find “Goliath was his name” or “Naval was his name.” We find concerning the righteous that the name is written last. We find concerning Mordecai “his name was Mordecai” [Esther, 2:5], “his name was Elkanah” [I Samuel, 1:1] and “his name was Boaz.” This because he compares the righteous to the Creator of the world, as it says concerning God, blessed be He, “And my name YHVH, I did not make known” [Exodus, 6:3]. Here also, the name is written last. First the word “and his name” is written and afterwards YHVH.⁴³Ruth Rabbah, 4.3.

Moreover, one may suggest, based on his name, that Yonah was deeply devoted to truth. Shmuel I 25:25 states “Ki Chishmo Kein Hu,” “a person’s essence is captured by his name.” Many have noted that Yonah is described in 1:1 as Yonah ben Amittai. His father’s name Ammitai derives from the word “Emet”, truth¹⁰On the other hand, a “Yonah” is a dove, representing peace, yet Yonah fights that peace by working towards Nineveh’s death, trying to die himself, and raging against Hashem during the Kikayon episode. Elsewhere we discuss the meaning of the name Yonah. , which indicates this trait was a fundamental part of Yonah’s name.

עם נבל ולא חכם, “a vile people, one devoid of wisdom.” Rashi explains this to refer to their having forgotten all the Good Hashem had done for them. Nachmanides, refers to Onkelos’ translation “a nation that had received the Torah and had not become wise by observing it but had treated it as if it tired them out, had exhausted them instead of uplifting them.” They failed to benefit from what was designed to ensure their enduring success. Ibn Ezra says that the word נבל refers to their deed, whereas the words ולא חכם refers to their heart. Personally, (Nachmanides continuing) I believe that when someone does good without expecting or wanting compensation by the recipient, he is described as נדיב, generous. If someone repays favours done to him with ingratitude, or worse, instead, he is described as נבל. This is the meaning of Isaiah 32,5 לא יקרא עוד לנבל נדיב , “no more shall the villain be called noble;” This is why it was said about נבל of Mount Carmel, [first husband of Avigail, a notoriously bombastic and tightfisted individual, compare Samuel I chapter 25. Ed.] ונבלה עמו, (Samuel I 25,25) that his name aptly expressed his vile character. David had protected his property at a time when he was hunted and had to survive as best he could. Instead of being grateful, Naval repaid him with animosity and disdain. Not only were the Israelites ingrates, they were also foolish by putting their trust instead of in Hashem in all kinds of impotent idols, the ones worshipped by the neighbouring peoples. Did they not even realise that by sinning they could not harm the G’d against Whom they sinned?

My master, with me lies the sin. First she said this so that he would pay attention to her words.¹⁸And thereby protect her household from Dovid and his men. At the end, however, she told him the truth, that "I, your handmaid, did not see my master's youths."¹⁹Below, verse 25.