One of the most complex figures in Jewish history is Sha'ul haMelech (King Saul), the first Jewish King. There are many aspects to Shaul and his Malkus (Kingship) that are difficult to understand, but perhaps the most difficult is the manner of his death.
On the last day of his life, he made himself into a gossess, someone who is about to die. According to the Halakah (Jewish Law), that is clearly and unequivocally forbidden. You are not allowed to kill yourself, nor make it inevitable that you are going to die quickly. Falling on your sword is just not allowed. However, the Sages have clearly stated that he was a Tzaddik (Righteous Person) and did not sin.
Something has to give here.
There have been several answers over the years on how to resolve this seeming paradox. I have a new one that I'd like to offer: Sha'ul used his Kingly authority to pronounce a death sentence on himself.
First, some background. A Jewish King has special powers that are not available to other Jews. Among these powers is the right to order an extra-judicial execution. We see King David do that right after Sha'ul died.
Secondly, Sha'ul had a history. Early in Sh'muel (Samuel), he had ordered the complete destruction of Nov, the city of Cohanim (Priests), based on libelous information. I hold that Sha'ul depression was in large part because he thought that he had lost his place in Heaven because of that.
Then, the day before he died, he had Sh'muel raised from the dead. Sh'muel told Sha'ul that he would be with him the next day. I hold that from that, Sha'ul realized that he hadn't necessarily lost his place in Heaven.
The day he died, he decided to take as many Pli'shtim (Philistines, Palestinians) with him as he could. Then, at the end of the day, when he saw that the decree would not be lifted (sometimes bad decrees are lifted), he decided to make a Kappara (Redemption) for himself by declaring himself liable for death. When his attendant wouldn't carry out the execution, he took it upon himself and cleaned the slate, so to speak, from his transgression at Nov, thereby regaining his place in Heaven.
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My one issue with this logic is that even a King can't judge himself (relatives etc.). And if you reason that the king has the power to order an execution on anyone-even himself, that is only for a matter of State. Meaning that the king may order something that will serve the klal - even orders to kill. How would King Shaul serve the klal by having himself killed. Another problem with this logic is that King Shaul 'knew' that Dovid was now king. He therefore should not be able to order the 'killing' of anyone.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think?
Where do you get that a King can't judge himself?
ReplyDeleteI do think that Sha'ul did retain the Powers of Kingship, as did Ish Boshes.
He did serve the K'lal by preventing his humiliation (a la Shimshon) at the hands of the P'lishtim.