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Our approach to this question and in general (as cited many times in the past) is that even a divine decree for a king’s rule does not take effect until the people accept his candidacy. Thus, Yaakov’s promise only took effect after David was accepted by the people.
We continue with another famous question about Shaul’s rule. "Shaul was one year old when he ascended to the throne, and he was king over Israel for two years" (Shmuel I:13:1). The gemara (Yoma 22b) does not seriously consider the possibility that Shaul was literally a year old at his ascension and explains it as hinting at his being without sin. Rashi, though, understands the statement that he reigned for two years literally, as is posited in Seder Olam Rabba. While more plausible than the matter of a year, it is still extremely difficult to fit the entire chain of events into two years. The Ralbag claims that the year is a reference to the time from his original anointing until the people gathered to fully accept him in Gilgal, and that the two years started from there. The Ri MiTrani and the Abarbanel say that the two years of reign cease to be counted once David was anointed as his successor.
True to our aforementioned thesis about kingdom in Israel, we present a different answer. The year was indeed the time from when he was anointed to be, in theory, the king until the time when the people accepted him as such after his initial successes in saving the people of Yavesh Gilad. During the next two years, Shaul enjoyed the full support of the people. He had a standing army of 3,000 soldiers who accompanied him, but he also could draw on the entire populace at times of need. Two years later, Shaul’s son Yonatan attacked the Philistine outpost in Geva, an act that was equivalent to a declaration of independence from Philistine dominance. The Philistines immediately responded with an invasion by a large force throughout the heartland of the country. While some men heeded Shaul’s call to gather to thwart off an attack, it appears that the great majority of the people did not come. Rather, some hid throughout the countryside instead (see Shmuel I, 13:6), while others hid on the other side of the Jordan River (ibid. 7). Shmuel, who was to give Shaul support, came late, and when Shaul went on without him, he lost Shmuel’s support. It is at this point that the pasuk declares that Shaul ruled for two years. After all, with the people no longer accepting his kingdom as binding, Shaul also lost his halachic standing as potential king.
From this analysis, we see that support of the people, especially through elections, in Israel is not just a component of democracy but a part of the State of Israel operating as a Jewish state.
Rabbis in Midrash
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
