David’s Harp TB Sanhedrin 16

There are two kinds of war according to halakha. The first is a milkhekmet mitzvah  (מלחמת  מצוה), a war commanded by the Torah like the war against Amalek or the original war to conquer the land of Israel led by Joshua. The second is a milkhement rashut (מלחמת  רשות), and optional war like to expand the borders of Israel. The Sanhedrin HaGadol of 73 judges needs to give its consent to the king to engage in an optional war.

Today’s daf TB Sanhedrin 16 cites a very famous midrash as the proof text. “Rav Aḥa bar Bizna says that Rabbi Shimon Ḥasida says: A lyre hung above David’s bed, and once midnight arrived, the northern midnight wind would blow on it and cause the lyre to play on its own. David would immediately rise from his bed and study Torah until the dawn arrived. Once dawn arrived, the Sages of Israel would enter to advise him with regard to the various concerns of the nation and the economy.

“One time they said to him: Our master the king, your nation, Israel, requires sustenance. King David said to them: Go and sustain one another, i.e., provide each other with whatever is lacking. The Sages said to him in response, citing a parable: A single handful [hakometz] of food does not satisfy a lion, and a cistern will not be filled merely from the rain that falls directly into its mouth, but other water must be channeled in. So too, the nation cannot sustain itself using its own resources. King David then told them: Go and take up arms with the troops in battle in order to expand our borders and provide our people with the opportunity to earn a livelihood.  

“The Sages immediately sought advice from Ahithophel to determine whether or not it was appropriate to go to war at that time and how they should conduct themselves; and they consulted the Sanhedrin in order to receive the requisite permission to wage a war under those circumstances; and they asked the Urim VeTummim whether or not they should go to war, and whether or not they would be successful.” (Sefaria.org translation)

This is a good precedent for all leaders. Unilaterally they should not be able to send young people to the deaths at his/her whim.

“Rabbi Yitzḥak, son of Rav Adda, and some say Rabbi Yitzḥak bar Avudimi, said: What is the verse from which it is derived that David’s lyre would awaken him at midnight? “Awake, my glory; awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn-״עוּרָה כְבוֹדִי עוּרָה הַנֵּבֶל וְכִנּוֹר אָעִירָה שָּׁחַר״” (Psalms 57:9). This means that the self-playing lyre has already awoken, and now I must engage in Torah study until dawn.” (Sefaria.org translation)

You can learn this verse from Psalms and send it around you Shabbat table or just enjoy listening to it. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8pePefCcAk