ذكر ابن جرير أن أحوال بني إسرائيل ساءت، فارتكبوا كثيراً من المعاصي، وقتلوا من شاؤوا من الأنبياء. فبعث الله عليهم ملكاً جباراً أذاقهم الهوان وسفك دماءهم، وسلّط عليهم كذلك أعداءهم من خارجهم.

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.

كانوا يخرجون إلى الحرب وهم يحملون معهم تابوت العهد، وكانوا يفعلون ذلك ليُنصروا ببركاته، وقد صار رمزًا للطمأنينة وبقيّةً تركها قوم موسى. فلما خرجوا لقتال أهل غزة وعسقلان هُزموا، لأن تابوت العهد أُخذ منهم. ولما بلغ ملكَ بني إسرائيل ذلك مات في الحال.

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.

ظلّ بنو إسرائيل كالغنم بلا راعٍ حتى بعث الله تعالى إليهم نبيًّا اسمه صموئيل (شَمِّيل) عليه السلام. فطلبوا منه أن يُعيّن عليهم ملكًا ليقودهم في الحرب ضد أعدائهم.

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.

ذكر ابنُ عساكر أن بني إسرائيل كانوا يعتقدون أن تابوت العهد مقدّسٌ جدًّا، وأنه رمزٌ مهمٌّ لتاريخهم. وكانوا يحملون التابوت حتى في المعارك، ويعتقدون أن الله سيحميهم من أعدائهم بسببه. وكان هذا الاعتقاد يمنحهم طمأنينة النفس وشجاعةً عظيمة، وكان أعداؤهم يرتعبون منه. وكان أعداؤهم أيضًا يعتقدون أن الله قد أعطاه قوةً خاصة. ثم شيئًا فشيئًا بدأ بنو إسرائيل يتجاهلون شريعة الله، وصارت العادات السيئة جزءًا من حياتهم. فأرسل الله عليهم عدوًّا، وهم الفلسطينيون، فهزموا بني إسرائيل، وأسروا تابوتهم، وأخرجوهم من ديارهم، وأخذوا أبناءهم ليستخدموهم أو يبيعوهم عبيدًا. فانكسرت شوكتهم، وتفرّقوا عن بعضهم، وأصابهم الإحباطُ الشديد.

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.

ثم جاءهم النبي صموئيل عليه السلام ليخفف عنهم، فطلبوا منه أن يعيّن لهم قائدًا قويًا، ملكًا يجتمعون تحت رايته ويقاتلون الفلسطينيين. فقال لهم النبي صموئيل عليه السلام، وهو يعلم ضعفهم: "أخشى أنكم إذا جاء وقت القتال أن تمتنعوا". فأكدوا له أنهم قد لقوا من الإهانات ما يكفي، وأنهم مستعدون الآن للقتال في سبيل الله، ولو فقدوا أرواحهم.

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.

دعا النبي صموئيل ربه أن يهديه، فأوحى الله إليه أنه قد اختار واحدًا، وهو طالوت، ليكون ملكًا عليهم. أراد النبي أن يعرف كيف يتعرف على الملك المستقبلي. فقيل له إن طالوت سيأتيه بنفسه، وإنهم بعد ذلك ينبغي أن يسلّموه زمام المُلك، لأنه سيقودهم في القتال ضد الفلسطينيين.

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.

كان شاوول طويل القامة، قوي البنية، تقياً، وذكياً جداً. عاش وعمل مع أبيه في مزرعتهم. وذات يوم ضاعت عدة حمير لهم. فخرج شاوول مع خادمه يبحث عنها. ساروا أياماً كثيرة وكانوا متعبين جداً. فقال شاوول لخادمه: "فلنرجع بالأحرى، فإني متيقن أن أبي سيكون قلقاً الآن، ويجب أن تُرعى الحيوانات الأخرى أيضاً." واقترح عليه خادمه أنهما بما أنهما كانا already في أرض صموئيل النبي، فينبغي أن يذهبا إليه ليسألاه عن الحمير الضائعة.

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.

فوافق شاول، وواصلا سيرهما. وفي طريقهما، سألا عن الطريق بعضَ الفتيات اللواتي كنّ يحملن الماء، فأخبرْنهما أن يذهبا باتجاه الجبل. وهناك كان جمعٌ كبير ينتظر النبيَّ صموئيل. فلما وقعت عينا شاول عليه، عرفه فورًا نبيًّا من خلال علامات أهل الصلاح. وعرف صموئيل بدوره أن شاول هو الملك الذي اختاره الله لهم. وحيّا شاول النبيَّ باحترام. ولما سأله عن حميره الضالة، طمأنه صموئيل ألا يقلق، فحميره كانت في طريقها بالفعل إلى مزرعة أبيه.

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.

ثم أخبر شاوول أن الله قد اصطفاه ملكاً على بني إسرائيل. وأن واجبه أن يتولى شؤونهم، ويوحّد صفوفهم تحت راية واحدة، ويحميهم من أعدائهم. فإن هو امتثل أوامر الله، أعطي النصر. وقد دهش شاوول لهذا الشرف المفاجئ الذي عُرض عليه، وكان أيضاً مسؤولية ثقيلة. فاعترض على النبي بأنه من أبناء بنيامين، أصغر أسباط يعقوب شهرةً، وأنه لا يعرف شيئاً عن القيادة والملك، ولا يملك مالاً. فأخبره صموئيل أن إرادة الله أن يكون هو الملك، وأن عليه أن يشكر الله على فضله، وأن يكون قوي الإيمان.

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.

أخذ صموئيل شاول بيده وقاده إلى بني إسرائيل، لكنهم أصرّوا على آية مباشرة من الله. فأمرهم النبي صموئيل بالخروج خارج المدينة لرؤية الآية، ففعلوا.

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.

قال الله تعالى:

Almighty Allah revealed:

أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى الْمَلَإِ مِن بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِن بَعْدِ مُوسَىٰ إِذْ قَالُوا لِنَبِيٍّ لَّهُمُ ابْعَثْ لَنَا مَلِكًا نُّقَاتِلْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۖ قَالَ هَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الْقِتَالُ أَلَّا تُقَاتِلُوا ۖ قَالُوا وَمَا لَنَا أَلَّا نُقَاتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَقَدْ أُخْرِجْنَا مِن دِيَارِنَا وَأَبْنَائِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوْا إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ [البقرۃ: ٢٤٦]

"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).

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ (شَمُوئِيلُ): «إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا». قَالُوا: «أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِالْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ الْمَالِ». قَالَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَاهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ، وَاللَّهُ يُؤْتِي مُلْكَهُ مَن يَشَاءُ، وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ». وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ (شَمُوئِيلُ):

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:

ألم تر إلى الملإ من بني إسرائيل من بعد موسى إذ قالوا لنبي لهم ابعث لنا ملكاً نقاتل في سبيل الله. قال هل عسيتم إن كتب عليكم القتال ألا تقاتلوا. قالوا وما لنا ألا نقاتل في سبيل الله وقد أخرجنا من ديارنا وأبنائنا فلما كتب عليهم القتال تولوا إلا قليلاً منهم والله عليم بالظالمين.

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِالْجُنُودِ قَالَ: ﴿إِنَّ اللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍ، فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي، وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي إِلَّا مَنِ اغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةً بِيَدِهِ﴾. فَشَرِبُوا مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ. فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُ هُوَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ قَالُوا: ﴿لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا الْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ﴾. قَالَ الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو اللَّهِ: ﴿كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ﴾، وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ.

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.

ولَمَّا بَرَزُوا لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُوا

And when they advanced to meet Goliath and his forces, they invoked:

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِالْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍ ۖ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنِّي إِلَّا مَنِ اغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةً بِيَدِهِ ۚ فَشَرِبُوا مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُ هُوَ وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مَعَهُ قَالُوا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا الْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ ۚ قَالَ الَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَاقُو اللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ

"Then when TalÛt (Saul) set out with the army, he said: "Verily! AllÂh 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 this day against JalÛt (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 AllÂh's Leave?" And AllÂh is with As-SÂbirin (the patient ones, etc.).

ولَمَّا بَرَزُوا لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِ قَالُوا رَبَّنَا أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْكَافِرِينَ

And when they advanced to meet Jalut (Goliath) and his forces, they invoked: "Our Lord! Pour forth on us patience and make us victorious over the disbelieving people."

أخذ شاول في تنظيم جيشه بإيمانٍ قوي وحكمةٍ بالغة. فأمر ألّا ينضمّ إليه إلا الرجال الخالون من الالتزامات. وألّا ينضمّ من كان مشغولًا ببناء بيوته، ولا الرجال الذين كانوا على وشك الزواج، ولا الذين انشغلوا بتجارتهم.

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.

بعد أن أسس جيشًا مدرّبًا جيدًا، قرّر أن يختبره. فأخبرهم أنهم سيمرّون في الطريق بنهرٍ، وعليهم أن يشربوا منه ما يكفي لإطفاء عطشهم، لا أكثر من ذلك. ومما أحزنه أنه اكتشف أن أغلبهم شرب أكثر مما ينبغي. فسرّحهم لعصيانهم، وأبقى فقط القلّة الذين أطاعوه، إذ هم من أثبتوا صدقهم. وقد نتج عن ذلك انقسامٌ في الجيش، لكنه لم يكترث لذلك. فقد آمن بالجودة لا بالعدد؛ فخيرٌ له فئةٌ قليلةٌ من المؤمنين الصادقين يعتمد عليهم، من جيشٍ كبيرٍ من رجالٍ غير موثوقين.

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.

رأى رجال شاوول العدو على الضفة الأخرى من النهر. وبدا خصومهم أقوياء في أجسامهم، ومسلحين بأسلحة أفضل. وكان يقودهم المحارب الجبار جالوت (جَلُوت)، المعروف بضخامة بنيته وشدة بطشه. فهرب عدد كبير من رجال شاوول حين رأوا هذه القوة الهائلة. أما الفرقة الصغيرة التي بقيت فقد كانت مستعدة للقتال، مهما كانت النتيجة، لأنهم سمعوا أن وقائع كثيرة حدثت في الماضي، جعل الله فيها فئةً قليلةً تغلب فئةً كثيرة.

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.