מראה־מקום אויף שמואל א 17:18

Anyone who is familiar with the Bible is acquainted with the story of Saul who sought a young man who could play well in order to soothe his melancholy. On that occasion one of Saul’s servants answered that the son of Jesse was “skilful as a player and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and intelligent in speech, and a person of a good form, and the Lord is with him.” (Sam. I, 17:18.) Rabbi Avahu interpreted this verse to mean that “skilful as a player” indicated that David was versed in the Scriptures; “a mighty valiant man,” that he was strong in Mishna; “a man of war,” that he was skilled in the battles of the Torah; “intelligent in speech,” that he understood the value of good deeds; “a person of good form,” that he understood the Talmud. Another interpretation of Rabbi Avahu to the same verse declared that “intelligent in speech” indicated that David could deduce conclusions; “a man of good form,” that his face shone in Halacha; and “the Lord is with him,” that the law was established according to his opinion.