ב"ה

ChabadU History A Biblical History of the Jews

Samuel the Prophet

A biblical history of the Jews

Autoplay Next

Samuel the Prophet: A biblical history of the Jews

Following the passing of Samson, the Jewish people were led by a high priest named Eli, who ministered in the sanctuary in Shiloh. After Eli’s death, the prophet Samuel becomes the leader of the Jewish people, until he anoints Saul as the first king of Israel. Saul’s reign does not last, however, as G‑d decrees that the crown will be taken from him for having allowed the Amalekite king Agag to live.

Audio:	Listen to Audio \| Download this MP3
Topics:	History, Shiloh, Agag, Jonathan, Saul, Samuel

Rabbi Mendel Dubov is the director of Chabad in Sussex County, NJ, and a member of faculty at the Rabbinical College of America in Morristown, NJ.

Join the Discussion

Sort By:

NewestOldest

14 Comments

Christine California April 15, 2018

Thank you rabbi for your information on the history of the jewish community as to say i have friends whom are jewish your video is most informative Reply

Kevin O'Neil London May 3, 2016

Wimbledon Thankyou for your response, Rabbi. I thought that I recognised your face, and the name was familiar.
I too was at Wimbledon on that special morning, the only non-Jew present, and we very briefly spoke. I have in my hand the booklet entitled Birkat Hachama that your father kindly said I could keep as he said it wouldn't be needed for another 28 years! The shul I attend is in Sutton.
Kol tov!
Reply

Mendel Dubov Sparta, NJ May 1, 2016

Kevin O'Neil I would say so as well. Enjoy. Yes - I was. Reply

Kevin O'Neil London April 11, 2016

Much appreciated Perfectly clear, Rabbi Dubov, thankyou.
We have the curious situation, however, that G-d advised the selection of a man who proved to be less than successful. I sense that this now enters into the mysterious realm of predestination and freewill.
Thankyou for this rich and enjoyable series.
On another subject, may I ask if you were in Wimbledon in 2009 for the Birkat Hachama? Reply

Mendel Dubov Sparta, NJ April 11, 2016

To Kevin O'Neil I don't think so...
1) Samuel 1 9:15: "Now, the Lord had revealed to Samuel one day before Saul's coming, saying, "At this time tomorrow, I shall send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be a ruler of my people Israel . . And Samuel saw Saul, and the Lord said to him, "Behold, the man about whom I said to you, 'This one will rule over My people.' "
2) After the signs Samuel gave him were to be fulfilled he was told (ibid. 10:8): "And you shall come down before me to Gilgal, and behold, I shall go down to you to offer up burnt offerings, and to slaughter peace-offerings. Seven days shall you wait until I come to you, and I shall let you know what you shall do." He did not wait out the full time. Reply

Kevin O'Neil London April 4, 2016

A Mistake? Thankyou, Rabbi, for another excellent video.
Could a reasonable and respectful case be made that Samuel made two mistakes: one, in his choice of Saul and, two, in arriving late at the rendezvous with Saul that prompted the latter to make the unsanctified offering? Reply

Mendel Dubov Sparta, NJ July 29, 2013

To Anonymous This happened once. It was a repetition i made. Reply

Anonymous May 30, 2013

Thank you for this program. You said that Shaul brought the korban instead of Shmuel and was punished. Later you mentioned this a second time. Did this happen twice or was it a mistake? Reply

Mendel Dubov Sparta, NJ March 29, 2013

In Response to Anonymous, Arizona, USA Ark is Aron and Aaron (the person) is AHAron. Why did Saul hide - Please see below in the comments posted. Why did Shaul have to kill the oxen? Well i think i stressed that this was for a very specific reason. He was not there to "inform" he Jews to come to war - he would not have gotten the response he needed. He needed to scare them. So he said that if you don't show up your herd will look like this ox. That is killing an animal for a very needed purpose. War is life and death. Many questions is a virtue. Keep asking. Reply

katrin p. March 11, 2013

@ Malkie Janowski Thank you for your kind response. Reply

Anonymous Arizona, USA March 10, 2013

Samuel The Pophet Dear Rabbi Dubov, how do you spell the name of the Ark in Hebrew? It sound a little like the name Aaron the priest of Hashem. Another question: Why did Shaul hide after he was declared king? Another thing I do not understand is why did a poor oxen had to be killed by Shaul to inform the people to join him in the war? This action shows pretty much, to my belief, that he was a very violent man. Maybe i have too many questions? But I would like to understand more TaNak teachings. Thank you Rabbi Dubov, you are a great historian for the Jewish people. I am very happy with your teachings. Reply

Malkie Janowski for Chabad.org Coral Springs November 9, 2012

Saul was extremely modest, and didn't want the public acclaim and attention that would come with being crowned king. He hid to try escaping that unwanted fame. Reply

Katrin P. Germany November 8, 2012

Thank you for this great lecture! But why did Saul hide underneath the bags and suitcases? Does anyone know? Reply

Ron Faulk Leesburg, Fl. November 7, 2012

Samuel the Prophet Thank you! Once again, the insights you've shared have increased my understanding, and I've been challenged to more study. I'm disabled and have the time to explore the Tanach. I love to study Torah, but haven't spent as much time with the rest of the Bible. Your teaching is a great help, and is showing me additional applications that I haven't considered before. I'm looking forward to the next class, and again, THANK YOU!! Reply

Samuel the Prophet: A biblical history of the Jews

More in this section

You may also be interested in...

Join the Discussion