Navi Quiz 1 Y11 25-26

Who wrote the book of Melachim? (Talmud)

The book of Melachim(Kings) was written by the prophet Yirmiam(Jermiah)

What part of Jewish history does the book of Melachim cover?

This sefer covers the 19 kings that ruled over the portion of yehuda, as well as the 19 kings that ruled over the rest of Israel. This took place over 4 centuries.

How old was David at this point, and how long was he king for? (Radak)

David was 69 at this point. He was 30 when he became king, and ended up ruling for 40 years.

Why when talking about David aging, does it use a strange term of בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִ֑ים- literally “coming in days”? (Likutei Sichot)

A great person looks to grow every day, and learn from his past life’s mistakes and experiences. “Coming in days” implies that he would come out of each day with added spiritual growth than the day before.

Why was David punished that none of his clothing were able to warm him? (Talmud)

This was a punishment when David was running for his life from King Shaul. David found Shaul asleep, and rather than kill his chase, he cut a small piece off the royal garments to prove to Shaul that he was not a threat. Though David’s intention was noble, he showed disrespect to clothing, and was punished by being deprived of the warmth that clothing provides.

How many more times does Hashem reward than punish in this world?

Hashem rewards 500 times more than he punishes in this world. If David received such a punishment for mistreating cloth, the reward for treatg clothing (and people!) needs to be FAR greater.

The young servants suggested a young woman named Abishag to warm the king. Was the king intimate with her, and if not why? (Talmud)

Although Abishag was immensely beautiful, David was never with her in an intimate sense. David already had 18 wives, and the Torah forbids a Jewish king of having more than 18 wives. Although he was weak and older, David still retained his young vigor and controlled his Yetzer Hara in regards to being with Abishag.

What does the pasuk mean when it says that Abishag would be an “attendant”? ( Ralbag)

“Attendant” means that she would be put in charge of the king’s storagehouses. This allowed for her to come in and out of the palace without causing gossip amongst the people.

Adoniya (David’s son) looked at David’s aging as a chance to seize the throne. Why would he attempt this if it was already known that Shelomo would become the next king?

At this point, Shelomo was only 12 years old. Adoniya felt he was the oldest son who was fit to be king. According to the Malbim, Adoniya never intended to take away the rights to the throne from Shelomo, but rather he intended to split the kingdom with him.

Why were there people in the kingdom that did not support Shelomo? (Midrash)

Shelomo was born to Bat Sheva, who David put her previous husband Uria into the front lines of ware. While there is great depth to this story, to the masses this was very controversial.

Adoniya was actually the 4th oldest son. Why was he trying to be king, if there should have been 3 candidates in front of him?(Talmud)

David’s 1st and 3rd sons (Amnon and Abshalom) were killed. His second son, Chileab, was actually one of 4 men in history who NEVER sinned!!! He had no interest in becoming king.

What caused Adoniya to be so conceited and arrogant? (Radak)

David never reprimanded Adoniya for anything. This causes Adoniya to believe that David would not protest him trying to take over the kingship.

How did Adoniya convince two influential people in the kingdom, Yoab and Abiathar, to side with him over Shelomo? (Rashi)

Both had ample reason to believe that they would not fare well with Shelomo. Yoab killed Avner who was one of David’s generals at this point. Abiathar was the Kohen Gadol, but told by David that he would lose this high position. They both therefore sided with Adoniya, in order to keep their high positions.

Why was the throne that Adoniya brought korbanot from called the Zochelet stone? (Talmud)

The word Zochelet means poisonous snakes. This hints that one who opposes the proper Davidic Dynasty deserves to be bit by a snake.

Why did Nathan the Navi not go himself to David to stop Adoniya, instead of opting to send Bat Sheva? (Abarbanel)

Nathan was worried that if he would personally ask the king to honor his promise of making Shelomo king, David might think that Nathan was bias because he prophesied shelomo being king and did not want to look bad being wrong.

How can Nathan and Bat Sheva talk badly about Adoniya if this is lashon hara? (Yerushalmi)

One is permitted to talk lashon hara regarding people that are causing strife if it can help them be stopped.

King David asked for Bat Sheva to be summoned. This implies that she left the room when Nathan walked in. Why did she leave the kings chambers? (Mahari Kara)

She thought that it was disrespectful for her to be present while someone else has a private audience with the king (derech eretz!). Also, she wanted to avoid suspicion that her and Nathan were to colluding gain power together

David thanks Hashem for saving him from every trouble. Name the 3 primary crises in Davids life. (Abarbanel)

1- His war with the Philishtim. 2- Running from his son Abshalom trying to kill him. 3- Running away from King Shaul.

How did Bat Sheva’s bracha that the king should live forever come true, if he ended up dying shortly after?

Bat Sheva was not referring to David’s stay in his world, but rather in the next world. Also, she meant that the monarchy of the Davidic Dynasty should last forever.

How did David make his words concrete and official? (Malbim)

David summoned the most important person in the three most important positions to assure that Shelomo would become king with no issues. He appointed the Kohen Gadol, the prophet, and the head of the Sandhedrin (Jewish Supreme Court).