The Story of King Talut (Saul),
Prophet Dawood (David) Alaihi
Salaam and Jalut (Goliath)
002-Al-Baqarah 2:246
Have you not considered the assembly of the Children of
Israel after [the time of] Moses when they said to a prophet of theirs,
"Send to us a king, and we will fight in the way of Allah "? He said,
"Would you perhaps refrain from fighting if fighting was prescribed for
you?" They said, "And why should we not fight in the cause of Allah
when we have been driven out from our homes and from our children?" But
when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, except for a few of
them. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
(But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allah is All-Aware of the wrongdoers.)
(Mujahid said that the Prophet (mentioned in the Ayah
2:246 above) is Shamwil (Samuel). Wahb bin Munabbih said: The Children of
Israel remained on the straight path for a period of time after Moses. They
then innovated in the religion and some of them even
worshipped the idols. Yet, there were always Prophets sent among them who would
command them to work righteous deeds, refrain from doing evil and who would
rule them according to the commands of the Torah. When they (Israelites)
committed the evil that they committed, Allah caused their enemies to overwhelm
them, and many fatalities fell among them as a consequence. Their enemies also
captured a great number of them, and took over large areas of their land.
Earlier, anyone who would fight the Israelites would lose, because they had the
Torah and the Tabut, which they inherited generation after generation ever
since the time of Moses, who spoke to Allah directly. Yet, the Israelites kept
indulging in misguidance until some king took the Tabut from them during a
battle. That king also took possession of the Torah, and only a few of the
Israelites who memorized it remained. The prophethood halted among their
various tribes and only a pregnant woman remained of the offspring of Lavi (Levi),
in whom the prophethood still appeared. Her husband had been killed, so the
Israelites kept her in a house so that Allah may give her a boy, who would be
their Prophet. The woman also kept invoking Allah to grant her a boy. Allah
heard her pleas and gave her a boy whom she called `Shamwil’ meaning `Allah has
heard my pleas.’ Some people said that the boy’s name was Sham`un (Simeon),
which also has a similar meaning.
As that boy grew, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ raised him to be a
righteous person. When he reached the age of Prophet hood, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ revealed to him and commanded him to call
(his people) to Him and to His Tawhid (Oneness). Shamwil called the Children of
Israel (to Allah) and they asked him to appoint a king over them so that they
could fight their enemies under his command. The kingship had also ended among
them. Their Prophet ﷺ said to them, “What if
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ
appoints a king over you, would you fulfill your vow to fight under his
command”
(They said, “Why should we not fight in Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ way while we have been driven out of our homes and our children”) meaning, `After our land had been confiscated and our children had been taken from us’ Allah said: سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ (But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allah is All-Aware of the wrongdoers) meaning; only a few of them kept their promise, but the majority abandoned Jihad and Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ has full knowledge of them.
{002-Al-Baqarah 2|247} And their prophet said to
them, "Indeed, Allah has sent to you Saul as a king." They said,
"How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship
than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said,
"Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in
knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And
Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing."
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
When the Israelites asked their Prophet to appoint a king over them, he appointed Talut (Saul), who was then a soldier. But, Talut was not a descendant of the house of kings among them, which was exclusively in the offspring of Yahudha (Judah).
This is why they said:
(How can he be a king over us)
meaning, how can he be the king for us,
(when we are fitter than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth) They said that Talut was also poor and did not have the wealth that justifies him being king. Some people stated that Talut used to bring water to the people, while others stated that his profession was dyeing skins. The Jews, thus, disputed with their Prophet while they were supposed to obey him and to say good words to him.
Their Prophet (ﷺ) answered them:
(Verily, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ has chosen him above you) meaning, `Allah chose Talut from amongst you while having better knowledge about him.’ Their Prophet (ﷺ) stated, “I did not choose Talut to be your king on my own. Rather, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ has commanded that upon your request.” Further:
(…and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and
stature.) meaning, `Talut is more knowledgeable and honorable than you, and
stronger and more patient during combat, and has more knowledge of warfare. In
short, he has more knowledge and is stronger than you are. The king should have
sufficient knowledge, be fair looking and should have a strong soul and body.’
He then said:
(And Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ grants His kingdom to whom He wills.) meaning, Allah Alone is the Supreme Authority Who does what He wills and no one can ask Him about His actions, while they will be asked (about their actions by Him). This is because Allah has perfect knowledge, wisdom and kindness with His creation. Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
(And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’
needs, All-Knower.) meaning, His favor is encompassing and He grants His mercy
to whom He wills. He also knows those who deserve to be kings and those who do
not deserve it
002-Al-Baqarah 2|248|And their prophet said to them,
"Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest will come to you in
which is assurance from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Moses and
the family of Aaron had left, carried by the angels. Indeed in that is a sign
for you, if you are believers."
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Their Prophet (ﷺ) then proclaimed, “The sign of the blessings of Talut’s kingship over you is that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ will give you back the Tabut (wooden box) that has been taken from you.” Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
(wherein is Sakinah from your Lord) meaning, peace (or grace) and reassurance. `Abdur-Razzaq stated that Qatadah said:
(wherein is Sakinah) means grace. In addition, Ar-Rabi` said that Sakinah means mercy. This is also the meaning given by Ibn `Abbas, as Al-`Awfi narrated.
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ then said:
(…and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind,)
Ibn Jarir related that Ibn `Abbas said about this Ayah:
(…and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind, ) Meaning, Moses’ staff and the remnants of the Tablets. This is the same Tafsir of Qatadah, As-Suddi, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and `Ikrimah, who added, “And also the Torah.” `Abdur-Razzaq said that he asked Ath-Thawri about the meaning of, (…and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind,)
Ath-Thawri said, “Some said that it contained a pot of manna and the remnants of the Tablets, while some others said that it contained (Moses’) staff and two shoes (and refer to 20:12).”
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ then said:
(…carried by the angels.)
Ibn Jurayj stated that Ibn `Abbas said, “The angels came down while carrying the Tabut between the sky and the earth, until they placed it before Talut while the people were watching.” As-Suddi said, “The Tabut was brought to Talut’s house, so the people believed in the prophethood of Sham`un (Simeon) and obeyed Talut”
The Prophet (ﷺ) then said:
(Verily, in this is a sign for you) testifying to my truth in what I was sent with, my Prophethood and my command to you to obey Talut,
(If you are indeed believers. ) in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ and the Hereafter.”
002-Al-Baqarah 2|249|And when Saul
went forth with the soldiers, he said, "Indeed, Allah will be testing you
with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not
taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of
his hand." But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when
he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said,
"There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers."
But those who were certain that they would meet Allah said, "How many a
small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is
with the patient."
Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ states that Talut, the king of the Children of Israel, marched forth with his soldiers and the Israelites who obeyed him. His army was of eighty thousand then, according to As-Suddi, but Allah knows best. Talut said:
(So whoever drinks thereof, he is not of me;) meaning, shall not accompany me today,
(and whoever tastes it not, he is of me, except him who takes (thereof) in the hollow of his hand.) meaning, there is no harm in this case. Allah then said: (Yet, they drank thereof, all, except a few of them.)
Ibn Jurayj stated that Ibn `Abbas commented, “Whoever took some of it (the river’s water) in the hollow of his hand, quenched his thirst; as for those who drank freely from it, their thirst was not quenched.”
Ibn Jarir reported that Al-Bara’ bin `Azib said, “We used to say that the Companions of Muhammad who accompanied him on the battle of Badr were more than three hundred and ten, just as many as the soldiers who crossed the river with Talut. Only those who believed crossed the river with him.” Al-Bukhari also reported this.
This is why Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
(So when he had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: “We have no power this day against Jalut (Goliath) and his hosts.”)
This Ayah indicates that the Israelites (who remained
with Saul) thought that they were few in the face of their enemy who were many
then. So, their knowledgeable scholars strengthened their resolve by stating
that Allah’s promise is true and that triumph comes from Allah Alone, not from
the large numbers or the adequacy of the supplies. They said to them:
(“How often has a small group overcome a mighty host
by Allah’s leave” And Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ is with As-Sabirin (the patient).)
002-Al-Baqarah |250|And when they went forth to [face] Goliath and his soldiers, they said, "Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people." |251|So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him the kingship and prophethood and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allah checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allah is full of bounty to the worlds. |252|These are the verses of Allah which We recite to you, [O Muhammad], in truth. And indeed, you are from among the messengers.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir
When the faithful party, who were few under the command of Talut, faced their enemy, who were many under the command of Jalut,
(They invoked: “Our Lord! Pour
forth on us patience…”) meaning, send down patience on us from You.
(and set firm our feet) meaning, against the enemy and save us from running away and from feebleness,
(And make us victorious over the disbelieving people.)
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
(So they routed them by Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ
leave) meaning, they defeated and overwhelmed them by Allah’s aid and support.
Then,
(and Dawud killed Jalut)
Israelite accounts claimed that (Prophet) David killed Goliath with a slingshot that he had, which he launched at Goliath causing his death.
Talut promised that whoever killed Jalut, would marry his daughter and would share his kingship and authority. He kept his promise. Later, the kingship was transferred to Prophet Dawud in adefentddition to being granted Prophethood by Allah. So, Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
(…and Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ gave him (Dawud) the kingdom) that Talut had and, (and Al-Hikmah) that comes with the prophethood, meaning, after Shamwil.
[Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ then said:]
(and taught him of that which He willed.) meaning, what He willed of the knowledge that He bestowed on (Prophet) Dawud.
Next, Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
(And if Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief.)
This Ayah indicates that if it were not for the fact that Allah checks one set of people with another, such as when Talut and the bravery of Dawud helped the Children of Israel (against Goliath), then people would have perished. Similarly,
Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
{022 Al-Hajj 22:40}
[They are] those who have been evicted from their homes without right - only because they say, "Our Lord is Allah." And were it not that Allah checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of Allah is much mentioned. And Allah will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.
Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ then said:
(But Allah is full of bounty to the `Alamin (mankind, Jinn and all that exists)) meaning, by His mercy and favor He fixes some of them by some others. Surely, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ has the wisdom, the supreme authority and the clear proof against His creation in all of His actions and statements.
Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ said:
(These are the verses of Allah, We recite them to you (O Muhammad) in truth, and surely, you are one of the Messengers (of Allah).)
This Ayah states, ‘These Ayah (verses) of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ that We have narrated for you in truth conform to the exact manner that these stories have occurred and to the truth that still remain in the (Divine) Books that the scholars of the Children of Israel have and know. Allah said: O Muhammad, (you are)
(One of the Messengers (of Allahسُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ )) emphatically stating the truth of his prophethood)
