Ibn Jarir reported that the condition of the Israelites
deteriorated. They committed many sins and killed whom they wished of the
prophets. Consequently Allah sent them tyrannous king who ill-treated them and
spilled their blood, and set their enemies from outside against them as well.
They used to go war, taking with them The Ark of the Covenant. They did this so
that they would be victorious by its blessings, and it became a symbol of calm
and a relic left behind by Moses's people. When they went to war with the people
of Gaza and Askalon, they were defeated because the Ark of the Covenant was
captured from them. When the king of the Israelites heard of this he died on the
spot.
The children of Israel remained like sheep without a shepherd
until Almighty Allah sent them a prophet named Samuel (Shammil) (pbuh). They
asked him to appoint a king over them to lead in a war against their enemies.
According to Ibn 'Asaker, the Israelites believed their Ark of
the Covenant to be very holy and an important symbol of their history. The
carried the Ark even in battle and believed that, because of it, Allah would
protect them from their enemies. This belief gave them peace of mind and great
courage, and their enemies were terrified by it. Their enemies also believed
that it was given special power by Allah. Gradually the Israelites started to
ignore Allah's law; evil habits became part of their lives. Allah sent upon them
an enemy, the Philistines, who defeated the Israelites, captured their Ark,
drove them out of their homes, and took away their children to use or sell as
slaves. Their power was broken. They separated from one another and were very
disheartened.
Then came Prophet Samuel (pbuh) among them to bring some relief.
They asked the prophet's help in appointing a strong leader, a king under whose
banner they could unite and fight the Philistines. Prophet Samuel (pbuh),
knowing their weakness, told them: "I fear that when the time comes to fight you
may refuse." But they assured him that they had suffered enough insults and were
now ready to fight in the way of Allah, even if they lost their lives.
Prophet Samuel prayed to Allah for guidance. Allah revealed to
him that He had chosen one, Saul (Talut), to be their king. The prophet wanted
to know how to recognize the future king. He was told that Saul would come to
him by himself and that they should then hand over the control of kingdom to
him, for he would lead them in battle against the Philistines.
Saul was tall and sturdy, pious, and very intelligent. He lived
and worked with his father on their farm. One day, several of their donkeys were
lost. Accompanied by his servant, Saul went in search of them. They traveled for
many days and were very tired. Saul said to his servant: "Let us rather go back,
for I am sure that my father will be worried by now, and the other animals must
also be cared for." His servant suggested that as they were already in the land
of Samuel the prophet, they should go to him to inquire about the lost donkeys.
Saul agreed, and they carried on. On their way, they asked
directions from some maidens carrying water. They were told to go in the
direction of the mountain. Here, a vast crowd was waiting for the Prophet
Samuel. When Saul set eyes on him, he instantly recognized him as a prophet by
his holy men. Samuel also recognized Saul as the king that Allah had chosen for
them. Saul greeted the prophet respectfully. When he asked about his missing
donkeys, Samuel told him not to worry, his donkeys were already on their way to
his fat's farm.
He then told Saul that Allah had chosen him as the king of the
children of Israel. His duty would be to take charge of their affairs, to unite
them under one banner, and to protect them from their enemies. If he carried out
Allah's commands, he would be given victory. Saul was surprised by this sudden
honor offered to him. It was also a heavy responsibility. He protested to the
prophet that he was a of the children of Benjamin, the least famous of the
tribes of Jacob; he did not know anything of leadership or kingship and had no
wealth. Samuel told him that it was the will of Allah that he should be the
king, that he should thank Allah for His favor and be strong in faith.
Taking Saul by the hand, Samuel led him to the children of
Israel, but they insisted on a direct sign from Allah. Prophet Samuel told them
to go outside the city to see the sign, which they did. Almighty Allah revealed:
"Have you not thought about the group of children of Israel after (the time
of ) Moses? When they said to a Prophet of theirs: "Appoint for us a king and we
will fight in Allah's Way."
He said: "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was
prescribed for you?"
They said: "Why should we not fight in Allah's Way while we have
been driven out of our homes and our children (families have been taken as
captives)?"
But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all
except a few of them. And Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimeen (polytheists, and
wrongdoers).
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them: "Indeed Allah has
appointed Saul as a king over you."
They said: "How can he be a king over us when we are better
fitted than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth."
He said: "Verily, Allah has chosen him above you and has
increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah grants His Kingdom
to whom He wills. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs,
All-Knower."
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them: "Verily! The sigh of
His kingdom is that there shall come to you At Tabut (a wooden box), wherein is
Sakinah (peace and reassurance) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Moses
and Aaron left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sigh for you
if you are indeed believers."
Then when Saul set out with the army, he said: "Verily! Allah
will try you by a river. So whoever drinks thereof, he is not of me, and whoever
tastes it not, he is of me, except him who takes thereof in the hollow of his
hand."
Yet, they drank thereof, all, except a few of them. So when he
had crossed it (the river), he and those who believed with him, they said: "We
have no power on this day against Goliath and his hosts."
But those who knew with certainty that they were to meet their
Lord, said: "How often a small group overcame a mighty host by Allah's Leave?"
And Allah is with the patient.
And when they advanced to meet Goliath and his forces, they
invoked. "Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and make us victorious over the
disbelieving people." (Ch 2:246-250)
Saul set about organizing his army with strong faith and wisdom.
He ordered that only men free from responsibilities should join. Those engaged
in building homes, men who were about to be married and those occupied with
business should not join.
After establishing a well-trained army, he decided to put them
to the test. He told them that along the route they would pass a river where
they should drink enough water to quench their thirst but not more than that. To
his disappointment, he discovered the majority of them drank more water than
they should have. He discharged them for disobedience and kept only the few who
had obeyed him, as they were the ones who proved their sincerity. This resulted
in a split in the army, but he was not bothered. He believed in quality and not
numbers; better a small band of true believers he could rely on than a huge army
of unreliable men.
Saul's men sighted the enemy on the other side of the river.
Their opponents appeared physically strong and were armed with better weapons.
They were led by the mighty warrior Goliath (Galut), known for his huge build
and brute strength. A great number of Saul's men ran away on seeing this strong
force. The small band that remained was willing to fight, whatever the outcome,
for they had heard that there had been many incidents in the past in which Allah
had caused a small force to defeat a larger one.
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