Rambam: Laws of Kings (Year 9)

Study Notes

According to the Rambam, a Jewish king is anointed with special oil and granted the monarchy forever.
The king must be treated with great honor and respect, and his possessions and symbols of authority (e.g., throne, crown, scepter) are not to be used by others.
The king is expected to conduct himself with modesty, wear attractive garments, and protect the honor of even the humblest of men.
The king is required to write a Torah scroll for himself, but may not amass silver and gold for personal gain.
The king is forbidden to drink wine to the point of intoxication, and anyone who rebels against him may be executed.

A Melech (king) is a political leader, both in and out of Israel, and a role model in all areas.
A Shofet (judge) is a military leader and a judge, ensuring the people behave correctly.
Both are appointed by Hashem.

Shaul was the son of Kish, a tall and handsome man from the tribe of Benjamin.
He became the first king of Israel after being anointed by Shmuel.
Shaul's modesty and humility were notable qualities, but he also showed excessive modesty that was unbefitting a king.

Shaul was introduced to the people at Mizpah, where they came from every tribe.
Shaul was initially embarrassed and hid, but the people shouted "Long live the king!"

Amalek was an ancient biblical nation that attacked the Jewish people after they left Egypt.
The Torah commands the Jews to wipe out the nation of Amalek and to never forget their evil deeds.
Amalek's actions are comparable to a boiling tub of water that others were afraid to enter, but Amalek's evil actions "cooled" the fear of the Jews, allowing other nations to attack them.
The command to destroy Amalek is impossible to fulfill today, as their national identity has dissolved.
The Amalekite ideology lives on, and intense hatred against the Jews still exists in the world, as seen in the example of Hitler and the Holocaust.

Shaul was instructed by Hashem to destroy Amalek, but he disobeyed and spared the nicest animals and King Agag's life.
This mistake allowed the seed of Amalek to continue, leading to future evils, such as Haman.
Shaul's mercy was seen as cruelty in disguise, and his decision was rejected by Hashem.
Hashem rejected Shaul as king and told Shmuel to anoint a new king, who would be chosen by Hashem.

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