Close To Torah

David explores the sad fact that many people spread slander and negative words about one another. David saw evil people who were willing to fabricate tales in order to take advantage of their adversaries. In David’s own life this had happened with grave and tragic consequences.

On the Run

In one of the most famous incidents in Tanach David was forced to flee from his father-in-law King Shaul who was trying to kill him. David found himself without food and unarmed and thus he went to Nov, the city of the Kohanim where the Mishkan was situated. David asked Achimelech the priest for bread and a sword to protect himself with. Assuming that David was on a mission endorsed by King Shaul, the priest unknowingly provided the “fugitive” with supplies. The evil Doeg the Edomite was the head of Sanhedrin, the Jewish Supreme Court, and Shual’s closest adviser. He was present at the Mishkan and witnessed the transaction. Doeg then went and reported this event in a slanderous manner that implied that the unknowing Achimelech was in fact a conspirer with David.

Shual, already insecure about his rule, used this slander as an opportunity to make a powerful statement and decreed annihilation upon the entire city of Nov. Doeg eagerly carried out this decree. This became known as the Nov incident and Shaul and Doeg were severely punished for their inappropriate actions. King David composed this psalm as an expression of his sadness and pain regarding the event.

Like His Name

The Ben Ish Chai points out what brought Doeg to be the one behind this horrific sin and massacre. Doeg’s name is quiet strange; it translates as: the worrier. Doeg’s life was filled with worry. Although he established himself as a Torah scholar externally, his internal demeanor was removed from the proper path. His learning was not taken to heart and he did not strive for truth and closeness with Hashem (See Sanhedrin 106b). One who learns Torah with sincerity gains faith and closeness with Hashem. Torah is meant to bring one to true emunah, reliance in Hashem. Doeg did not internalize the lessons of faith and thus he was always in a state of anxiety and despair. It was this aspect that led him to commit such a horrific act of turning in and murdering an entire city. He wasn’t a believer in God’s providence and thus he felt that he had to promote himself and make himself look good in front of the king. His frail ego and despicable worldview led him to commit the most severe crime. His life was filled with worry and anxiety.

David’s Mission

King David lived his life in the exact opposite manner. He strived to connect with Hashem and to establish a vibrant relationship and reliance in Hashem’s salvation. Tehillim is the book most widely known and recited by those who wish to gain faith and comfort in Hashem. David publicized this incident because he was not afraid to speak up for the honor of Hashem. David expressed that Doeg’s selfish perspective and attitude brought terrible destruction to the world. Doeg had a personal vendetta against David as well. He was jealous of the fact that David was chosen to be the successor of Shaul and that Shmuel Hanavi had given David the secret traditions concerning the construction of the Beis HaMikdash (Zevachim 54b). David implores his readers to work on their ego and to align themselves with the will of Hashem to promote world peace and personal fulfillment.

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