And it came to pass when they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing — the *va'tetzena nashim*, the women came out, represents a spontaneous popular response to David's victory, an eruption of celebration from the domestic sphere. The *benot Yisrael*, women from all the cities of Israel, indicates a national movement, not a local celebration; Israel's women perceive in David the embodiment of deliverance. The *shirot u'meshachqot*, songs and dances, are traditional forms of victory celebration (cf. Miriam's song after the Red Sea crossing), yet here directed toward a human hero rather than directly toward God.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse