Shabbat: Weekly Synopsis
» Chayei Sarah
Synopsis of the Torah Portion
Genesis 23:1 -- 25:18
1. The death of Sarah and the purchase of her burial plot (23:1-20).
2. Finding a wife for Yitzchak; Eliezer on his mission (24:10-14).
3. Enter Rebecca; she fulfills the test that Eliezer has devised (24:15-27).
4. Rebecca and her family; the decision for her to accompany Eliezer to meet Yitzchak (24:28-61).
5. Rebecca and Yitzchak meet (24:62-66).
6. Avraham marries Keturah (Hagar); has six sons.
7. Avraham dies; Yitzchak and Yishma'el bury him; God blesses Yitzchak.
8. Genealogy of Yishma'el.
Synopsis of the Prophetic Reading
I Kings 1:1 -- 31

Just as our Torah portion is concerned with the succession of Avraham, this Haftarah is concerned with the succession of King David. His son, Adoniyah, schemes to succeed David, garnishing support and performing deeds so as to present himself as king as a fait accompli. Nathan, the prophet, and Bathsheva, David's wife, remind David of his promise that the son of Bathsheva, Shlomo (Solomon), will reign, and inform him of the scheming going on without his knowledge. David then formally designates Shlomo as his successor. This selection is taken from the end of the section:

28. Then King David answered and said: Call me Bathsheva. And she came to the king's presence, and stood before the king. 29. And the king swore, and said, As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all distress. 30. As I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel , saying, Assuredly Solomon, your son, shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my place; so will I certainly do this day. 31. Then Bathsheva bowed with her face to the earth, and prostrated herself to the king, and said: Let my lord King David live forever!