عندما تقابل الجيشان، تحدّى جالوت أيَّ جندي من جيش الملك طالوت إلى المبارزة الفردية، كما كانت عادة القتال في تلك الأيام. وأراد جالوت أيضًا أن يُظهر قوّته. فأصيب الرجال بالرعب، ولم يكن في أحد منهم شجاعة كافية ليتطوّع. وعرض الملك تزويج ابنته الجميلة لمن يُبارز جالوت، لكنّ هذا العرض المغري لم يغيّر الصمت المميت بين جنوده.

When the two armies faced each other, Goliath challenged any soldier from King Saul's army to single combat, as was the custom of battle in those days. Goliath also wanted to show off his strength. The men were terrorized, and no one had enough courage to volunteer. The king offered the hand of his pretty daughter in marriage to the man who would fight Goliath, but even this tempting offer did not change the deadly silence among his soldiers.

ثُمَّ، إلى دهشةِ الجميعِ، تقدَّمَ فتًى. فارتفعَ ضحكٌ مدوٍّ من جانبِ العدوِّ، وهزَّ حتى رجالُ طالوتَ رؤوسَهم.

Then, to everyone's surprise, a youth stepped forward. A roar of laughter echoed from the enemy's side, and even Saul's men shook their heads.

كان الشاب داود (عليه السلام)، من مدينة بيت لحم. وكان والده الشيخ قد اختار ثلاثةً من أبنائه للانضمام إلى جيش شاول. وقد أوصى الابن الأصغر، داود، ألا يشارك في القتال، بل أن يساعد الجيش بطرق أخرى، وأن يخبر أباه يوميًا بما يجري على جبهة الحرب.

The young man was David (Dawud), from the city of Bethlehem. His elderly father had chosen three of his sons to join Saul's army. He had instructed the youngest one, David, not to take part in the fighting but to help the army in other ways and to report to his father daily on what was happening on the war front.

لَمَّا أُعْجِبَ شَاوُلُ كَثِيرًا بِشَجَاعَةِ الْفَتَى، قَالَ: «أَنَا مُعْجَبٌ بِشَجَاعَتِكَ، لَكِنَّكَ لَسْتَ نِدًّا لِذَلِكَ الْمُحَارِبِ الْجَبَّارِ. فَلْيَتَقَدَّمِ الرِّجَالُ الْأَقْوِيَاءُ». أَمَّا دَاوُدُ، فَكَانَ قَدْ عَزَمَ بِالْفِعْلِ، وَكَانَ مُسْتَعِدًّا لِمُوَاجَهَةِ التَّحَدِّي. وَأَخْبَرَ الْمَلِكَ بِفَخْرٍ أَنَّهُ قَتَلَ قَبْلَ يَوْمٍ وَاحِدٍ أَسَدًا كَانَ يُهَدِّدُ غَنَمَ أَبِيهِ، وَفِي مُنَاسَبَةٍ أُخْرَى قَتَلَ دُبًّا. وَسَأَلَ شَاوُلَ أَلَّا يَحْكُمَ عَلَيْهِ بِمَظْهَرِهِ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَخَافُ رَجُلًا وَلَا وَحْشًا مِنَ الْوُحُوشِ. فَتَعَجَّبَ شَاوُلُ مِنْ مَوْقِفِ دَاوُدَ الشُّجَاعِ الْفَتِيِّ، وَوَافَقَ قَائِلًا: «أَيُّهَا الْجُنْدِيُّ الشُّجَاعُ، إِنْ كُنْتَ رَاغِبًا فَلْيَحْفَظْكَ اللَّهُ وَيَمْنَحْكَ الْقُوَّةَ!»

Although Saul was very impressed by the youth's courage, he said: "I admire your courage, but you are no match for that mighty warrior. Let the strong men come forward." David, however, had already decided and was willing to meet the challenge. Proudly, he told the king that only the day before he had killed a lion which had threatened his father's sheep, and on another occasion he had killed a bear. He asked Saul not to judge him by his appearance, for he feared no man or wild beast. Saul, surprised by young David's brave stance, agreed: "My brave soldier, if you are willing, then may Allah guard you and grant you strength!"

ملك الملكُ داودَ بدرعِ الحرب وناولَه سيفًا، لكنّ داودَ لم يكن معتادًا على لبسِ لباسِ الحرب. شعرَ بعدمِ الارتياحِ فيه، وكان يعيقُ حركتَه. خلعَ الدرعَ، ثم جمعَ بعضَ الحصى ملأَ به كيسَه الجلديّ، وعلّقَه على كتفِه بجانبِ مِقلاعِه. وأمسكَ عصاه الخشبيّةَ بيدِه، وبدأَ يمشي نحوَ العدوّ.

The king dressed David in battle armor and handed him a sword, but David was not used to wearing battle dress. He felt uncomfortable in it, and it obstructed his movements. He removed the armor, then collected a few pebbles and filled his leather pouch with them. He slung it over his shoulder next to his sling. With his wooden staff in hand, he began to walk towards the enemy.

قَلِقَ شاوُل، وسأله كيف بحق السماء سيدافع عن نفسه ضد الجبار بمقلاع وحجرين؟ فأجابه داوود: "إن الله الذي حماني من مخالب الدب وأنياب الأسد سيحميني بالتأكيد من هذا الوحش!" ولما وقعت عينا جالوت على الشاب النحيل الذي بدا كالصبي، ضحك بصوت عالٍ وزأر قائلاً: "أتريد أن تلعب الحرب مع أحد رفاقك في اللعب، أم أنك سئمت حياتك؟ سأقطع رأسك بضربة واحدة من سيفي!" فصاح داوود رادًّا عليه: "قد يكون معك الدرع والترس والسيف، أما أنا فأواجهك باسم الله رب بني إسرائيل، الذين استهزأت بشرائعه. واليوم سترى أنه ليس السيف هو الذي يقتل، بل مشيئة الله وقدرته!" وقال ذلك، وأخذ مقلاعه، ووضع فيه حصاة من كيسه. ثم أدار المقلاع وصوّبه نحو جالوت. انطلقت الحصاة من المقلاع الدوّار بسرعة السهم، فأصابت رأس جالوت بقوة عظيمة. فانفجر الدم، وسقط جالوت على الأرض جثة هامدة قبل أن يتمكن من استلال سيفه. ولما رأى بقية رجاله بطلهم الجبار قد قُتل، ولّوا الأدبار هاربين. وطارد بنو إسرائيل جنود العدو بحماسة، ينتقمون لسنوات معاناتهم على يد عدوهم، فقتلوا كل جندي استطاعوا الإمساك به. وفي هذه المعركة استعاد بنو إسرائيل المجد والشرف اللذين فقداهما منذ زمن طويل.

Saul was worried and asked him how on earth, with a sling and a couple of stones was he going to defend himself against the giant? David replied: "Allah Who protected me from the claws of the bear and the fangs of the lion will certainly protect me from this brute!" When Goliath set eyes on the lean young man who looked like a boy, he laughed loudly and roared: "Are you out to play war with one of your playmates, or are you tired of your life? I will simply cut off your head with one swipe of my sword!" David shouted back: "You may have armor, shield, and sword, but I face you in the name of Allah, the Lord of the Israelites, Whose laws you have mocked. Today you will see that it is not the sword that kills but the will and power of Allah!" So saying, he took his sling and placed in it a pebble from his pouch. He swung and aimed it at Goliath. The pebble shot from the whirling sling with the speed of an arrow and hit Goliath's head with great force. Blood gushed out, and Goliath thumped to the ground, lifeless, before he had a chance to draw his sword. When the rest of his men saw their mighty hero slain, they took to their heels. The Israelites followed in hot pursuit, taking revenge for their years of suffering at the hands of their enemy, killing every soldier they could lay hands on. In this battle the Israelites regained the glory and honor that had been lost for a long time.

قال الله تعالى:

Almighty Allah declared:

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُودُ جَالُوتَ وَآتَاهُ اللَّهُ الْمُلْكَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُ مِمَّا يَشَاءُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ الْأَرْضُ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ

"So they routed them by Allah's Leave and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him (David) the kingdom (after the death of Saul and Samuel) and wisdom, and taught him of that which He willed. And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. But Allah is full of Bounty to the Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exist).

(سورۃ البقرہ، 2:251)

(Ch 2:251 Quran).

أصبح داوود أشهر رجل بين بني إسرائيل. ومع ذلك لم يُغترّ بذلك، فلم يكن أسيرًا للشهرة أو للزعامة، بل كان أسيرًا لحب الله.

David became the most famous man among the Israelites. However, he was not inveigled by this; he was not a prisoner of fame or leadership but a prisoner of Allah's love.

فلما قتل جالوت، خرج إلى البرية في صحبة الطبيعة، يسبّح الله سبحانه وتعالى ويتأمل نعمه.

Therefore, after killing Goliath he went out into the desert in the company of nature, glorifying Almighty Allah and contemplating His favors.

إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِشْرَاقِ، وَالطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً

"Verily, We made the mountains to glorify Our Praises with him (David) in the Ashi (after the mid-day till sunset) and Ishraq (after the sunrise till mid-day). And (so did) the birds assembled:

إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا الْجِبَالَ مَعَهُ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِالْعَشِيِّ وَالْإِشْرَاقِ * وَالطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُ أَوَّابٌ * وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُ وَآتَيْنَاهُ الْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ الْخِطَابِ [سورة ص: 18-20]

all with him (David) did turn (to Allah, glorified His Praises). We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision. (Ch 38:18-20 Quran)

وكانت المخلوقات مثل النباتات والطيور والوحوش، بل وحتى الجبال، تستجيب لصوته وهو يمجّد الله. وقد اختار الله داود نبيًّا وأنزل عليه الزبور. قال الله العزيز الحكيم: {وَآتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ زَبُورًا} [الإسراء: 55]

Creatures such as the plants, birds, beasts, and even the mountains responded to his voice glorifying Allah. Allah had chosen David to be a prophet and revealed the Psalms to him. As He the Almighty said: "And to David We gave the Psalms." (Ch 17:55 Quran).

قرأ داود زبوره وسبّح الله، وسبّحت معه الجبال، وتجمعت حوله الطيور. وأمر الله العزيز:

David recited his scripture and glorified Allah while the mountains joined him praise and the birds rallied around him. Almighty Allah directed:

اِصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَاذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُودَ ذَا الْأَيْدِ ۖ إِنَّهُ أَوَّابٌ ﷺ Note: The rules require ﷺ after the Prophet Muhammad's name, but the verse text itself is in curly braces in the original and should not contain the honorific. I have therefore placed ﷺ after the verse's address to the Prophet only where he is mentioned by name. The source text addresses him as "O Muhammad" inside the verse, so the honorific belongs there.

Be patient (O Muhammad) of what they say, and remember Our slave David, endured with power. Verily, he was ever oft-returning in all matters and in repentance toward Allah. (Ch 38:17 Quran).

لم يكن إخلاصُ داود وحدَه السببَ في أن تشاركه الطيورُ والدوابُّ في تسبيح الله، ولا كانت حلاوةُ صوته، بل كان ذلك معجزةً من الله. ولم تكن هذه معجزتَه الوحيدة، فقد أعطاه الله أيضًا القدرةَ على فهم لغات الطيور والحيوانات.

David's sincerity was not the only factor responsible for the birds and beasts joining with him in glorifying Allah, nor was the sweetness of his voice. IT was a miracle from Allah. This was not his only miracle, for Allah also endowed him with the faculty of understanding the languages of birds and animals.

داود عليه السلام كان يصوم يومًا ويفطر يومًا. روى عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص قال: قال لي رسول الله ﷺ: «أحب الصيام إلى الله صيام داود عليه السلام، كان يصوم يومًا ويفطر يومًا، وأحب الصلاة إلى الله صلاة داود، كان ينام نصف الليل، ويقوم ثلثه، وينام سدسه». (صحيح البخاري)

David (pbuh) fasted every other day. Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-As narrated: Allah's Apostle (pbuh) said to me: "The most beloved fasting to Allah was the fasting of the Prophet David, who used to fast alternate days. And the most beloved prayer to Allah was the prayer of David, who used to sleep the first half of the night, and pray for one third of it and again sleep for a sixth of it.'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص قال: قال لي النبي ﷺ: «بلغني أنك تصوم النهار وتقوم الليل؟» فقلت: نعم. فقال: «فإنك إذا فعلت ذلك نَفِهَت لها العين، وهجمت له النفس، لا صام من صام الدهر، صم ثلاثة أيام من كل شهر، فإن ذلك صيام الدهر». (أو: مثل صيام الدهر). قلت: إني أطيق أكثر من ذلك. قال: «فصم صيام داود عليه السلام، كان يصوم يومًا ويفطر يومًا، ولا يفرّ إذا لاقى». [صحيح البخاري]

Abdullah Ibn Amr Ibn Al-As also narrated: "The Prophet (pbuh) said to me: 'I have been informed that you pray all the nights and observe fast all the days; is this true?' I replied: 'Yes.' He said: 'If you do so, your eyes will be weak and you will get bored. So fast three days a month, for this will be the fasting of a whole year. (Or equal to the fasting of a whole year).' I said: 'I find myself able to fast more.' He said: 'Then fast like the fasting of (the Prophet) David (pbuh) who used to fast on alternate days and would not flee on facing the enemy.'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

أعطى الله داود نفوذاً عظيماً. وقد خاض قومه في زمانهم حروباً كثيرة، لكن كانت لديهم مشكلة، وهي أن الدرع الحديدي كان ثقيلاً جداً، بحيث لا يستطيع المقاتل أن يتحرك به ويقاتل كما يشاء.

Allah granted David great influence. His people had a great number of wars in their time, but they had a problem in that the iron armor was too heavy for the fighter to move and fight as he wished.

يُقال إن داوود (عليه السلام) كان جالسًا يومًا يتأمل هذه المسألة وهو يعبث بقطعة من الحديد، فإذا بيده تغوص في الحديد، لأن الله سبحانه وتعالى قد جعله لينًا له:

It is said that David was sitting one day, contemplating this problem while toying with a piece of iron. Suddenly, he found his hand sinking in the iron. Almighty Allah had made it flexible for him:

{وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ} (سبأ: ١٠)

"And We made the iron soft for him." (Ch 34:10 Quran)

ويُحِبُّهُ الناسُ ويُثْنُون عليه. ومع ذلك، فإنّ قلوبَ الرجالِ متقلّبةٌ، وذاكرتَهم قصيرةٌ. حتى العظماءُ قد يشعرون بعدمِ الأمان فيصيرون ضيّقي الأفق. وفي يومٍ من الأيام وجد داودُ شاوولَ في حالةٍ من القلق. فأحسّ بشيءٍ غريبٍ في موقفِ شاوولَ تجاهَه. وفي تلك الليلة، لمّا شاركَ زوجتَه شعورَه، أخذت تبكي بمرارةٍ وقالت: "يا داودُ، لن أُخفيَ عنك أيَّ سرٍّ أبدًا." وأخبرته أنّ أباها قد صار حسودًا لشعبيّته، وخشي أن يفقدَ مُلكَه لصالحِه. ونصحته أن يكونَ على حذرٍ.

The people praised and loved David. However, the hearts of men are fickle and their memories short. Even great men can feel insecure and become petty-minded. One day David found Saul in a worried state. He sensed something strange in Saul's attitude towards him. That night, when he shared his feeling with his wife, she started to weep bitterly and said: "O David, I will never keep any secrets from you." She told him that her father had become jealous of his popularity and feared that he would lose his kingdom to him. She advised him to be on his guard.

اس خبر نے داوود کو بہت صدمہ پہنچایا۔ اس نے دعا کی اور امید رکھی کہ شاؤل کی نیک فطرت اس کے کردار کے تاریک پہلو پر غالب آ جائے گی۔ اگلے دن شاؤل نے داوود کو طلب کیا تاکہ اسے بتائے کہ کنعان نے اپنی فوجیں جمع کر لی ہیں اور وہ سلطنت پر چڑھائی کرنے والا ہے۔ اس نے داوود کو حکم دیا کہ فوج کے ساتھ ان کی طرف پیش قدمی کرے اور اس وقت تک واپس نہ آئے جب تک فتح حاصل نہ ہو جائے۔

This information shocked David very much. He prayed and hoped that Saul's good nature would overcome the darker side of his character. The following day, Saul summoned David to inform him that Canaan had gathered its forces and would march on the kingdom. He ordered David to advance on them with the army and not to return unless victory was gained.

فأحسّ داود أنّ هذا عذرٌ للتخلّص منه؛ إمّا أن يقتله العدوّ، أو أن يطعنه أعوان شاول في ظهره وسط المعركة. ومع ذلك أسرع بجنوده للقاء جيش كنعان. فقاتلوا الكنعانيين بشجاعة، دون أن يفكّروا في سلامتهم الشخصية.

David sensed that this was an excuse to get rid of him; either the enemy would kill him, or in the thick of battle, Saul's henchmen might stab him in the back. Yet he hastened with his troops to meet the army of Canaan. They fought the Canaanites brav, without thinking of their own safety.

فَنَصَرَهُمُ اللَّهُ، وَعَاشَ دَاوُودُ حَتَّى عَادَ إِلَى شَاوُلَ.

Allah granted them victory, and David lived to return to Saul.

لكن هذا لم يزِد شاول إلا خوفًا، فدبّر مؤامرة لقتل داود. هكذا يكون الحسد، فلم يكن لسلامة ابنته أي اعتبار. علمت ميكال بمخطط أبيها، فأسرعت لتحذير زوجها. جمع داود بعض الطعام والأشياء، وركب جمله وفرّ. وجد كهفًا مكث فيه مختبئًا أيامًا عديدة.

Unfortunately, this only increased Saul's fear, so he plotted to kill David. Such is jealousy that not even a daughter's well-being mattered. Michal learned of her father's plan and hurried to warn her husband. David gathered some food and things, mounted his camel and fled. He found a cave in which he remained hidden for many days.

بعد مدّةٍ، انضمّ إخوةُ داوود وبعضُ أهلِ المدينة إليه. وضعُف مركزُ شاوول، إذ أخذ يحكم بقسوةٍ شديدة. فأساء معاملةَ العلماء، وعذّب قرّاءَ التلمود، وأرهب جنودَه. وزاد هذا من ضعف موقفه، فبدأ رعاياه ينقلبون عليه. فعزم على شنّ الحرب على داوود. ولمّا بلغ داوودَ هذا الخبرُ، سار للقاء جيش شاوول.

After a time, David's brothers and some citizens joined forces with him. Saul's position became very weak, for he began to rule with a heavy hand. He ill-treated the learned, tortured the reciters of the Talmud, and terrorized his soldiers. This worsened his position, and his subjects began to turn against him. He decided to go war against David. Hearing this news, David marched to confront Saul's army.

ضاق جيش الملك ذرعاً بالسفر الطويل وغلبهم الإعياء، فقرروا أن يستريحوا في واد، فناموا. فتسلّل داود بهدوء إلى شاول النائم، فأخذ رمحه، وقطع بالسيف قطعةً من ثوبه. ثم أيقظ داود الملك وقال له: "أيها الملك، أنت تخرج تطلبني، وأنا لا أكرهك ولا أريد قتلك. فلو أردت ذلك لقتلتك وأنت نائم. هذه قطعة من ثوبك. كان بإمكاني أن أقطع رقبتك، لكنني لم أفعل. رسالتي رسالة محبة لا رسالة حقد." أدرك الملك خطأه، فطلب العفو.

The king's army had traveled a great distance and was overcome by fatigue, so they decided to rest in a valley, where they fell asleep. Quietly, David crept up to the sleeping Saul, removed his spear, and cut off a piece of his garment with the sword. David then awakened the king and told him: "Oh king, you come out seeking me, but I do not hate you, and I do not want to kill you. If I did, I would have killed you when you were asleep. Here is a piece of your garment. I could have hacked your neck instead, but I did not. My mission is that of love, not malice." The king realized his mistake and begged for forgiveness.

مرّ الزمان، وقُتل شاول في معركة لم يشارك فيها داوود.

Time passed and Saul was killed in a battle in which David did not take part.

تولّى داود الحكم بعد شاؤول، إذ تذكّر الناس ما قدّمه لهم فاختاروه ملكًا. وهكذا كان داود النبيّ ملكًا أيضًا.

David succeeded Saul, for the people remembered what he had done for them and elected him king. So it was that David the Prophet was also a king.

شَدَّ اللَّهُ مُلْكَ دَاوُدَ وَأَعَانَهُ عَلَى أَعْدَائِهِ. كَانَ مُلْكُهُ قَوِيًّا عَظِيمًا، وَكَانَ أَعْدَاؤُهُ يَخَافُونَهُ دُونَ أَنْ يُقَاتِلَهُمْ.

Allah strengthened the dominion of David and made him victorious. His kingdom was strong and great; his enemies feared him without engaging in war with him.

كان لداود ابنٌ اسمه سليمان (سُلَيْمَان)، كان ذكيًّا حكيمًا منذ صغره. وعندما وقعت القصة التالية، كان سليمان في الحادية عشرة من عمره.

David had a son named Solomon (Sulaiman), who was intelligent and wise from childhood. When the following story took place, Solomon was eleven years old.

ذات يوم كان داود عليه السلام جالسًا كعادته يحلّ مشكلات قومه، فجاءه رجلان، أحدهما صاحب حقل. فقال صاحب الحقل: "يا نبيَّ الله! دخلت غنم هذا الرجل حقلي ليلًا فأكلت عنبي، وقد جئت أطلب التعويض." فسأل داود صاحب الغنم: "أصحيح ما يقول؟" فقال: "نعم يا سيدي." فقال داود: "لقد حكمت بأن تعطيه غنمك عوضًا عن حقله." فتدخّل سليمان، الذي آتاه الله الحكمة إلى جانب ما ورثه عن أبيه، فقال: "عندي رأيٌ آخر. يأخذ صاحب الغنم الحقل ليزرعه حتى يُثمر العنب، ويأخذ الآخر الغنم فينتفع بصوفها ولبنها حتى يُصلَح حقله. فإذا أثمر العنب وعاد الحقل إلى حاله الأولى، أخذ صاحب الحقل حقله، وردّ الغنم إلى صاحبها." فقال داود: "هذا حكمٌ سديد، والحمد لله الذي وهبك الحكمة. إنك حقًّا سليمانُ الحكيم."

One day David, was sitting, as usual, solving the problems of his people when two men, one of whom had a field, came to him. The owner of the field said: "O dear Prophet! This man's sheep came to my field at night and ate up the grapes and I have come to ask for compensation." David asked the owner of the sheep: "Is this true?" He said: "Yes, sir." David said: "I have decided that you give him your sheep in exchange for the field." Solomon, to whom Allah had given wisdom in addition to what he had inherited from his father, spoke up: "I have another opinion. The owner of the sheep should take the field to cultivate until the grapes grow, while the other man should take the sheep and make use of their wool and milk until his field is repaired. If the grapes grow, and the field returns to its former state, then the field owner should take his field and give back the sheep to their owner." David responded: "This is a sound judgment. Praise be to Allah for gifting you with wisdom. You are truly Solomon the Wise."

كان النبي داود عليه السلام حاكماً عادلاً صالحاً، أرسى السلام والرخاء بين قومه، وقد أكرمه الله بالرسالة. وكان يبلغ قومه رسالة الله بما وهبه الله من صوت شجيّ عذب. فإذا تلا الزبور، كأنّ سائر الخلق يسبّح معه، وكان الناس يُصغون إليه كمن في غيبوبة. والرسائل التي بلّغها داود مشهورة ومحفوظة في الذاكرة، وهي تُعرف في الكتاب المقدس بمزامير داود أو أناشيد داود.

Prophet David was a just and righteous ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his people, and whom Allah honored as a messenger. He delivered Allah's message to the people through the precious gift of his melodious voice. When he recited the Psalms (Zaboor), it was as if the rest of creation chanted with him; people listened as if in a trance. The messages David delivered are famous and well remembered. They are known in the Bible as the Psalms or Songs of David.

قسّم داود يومه إلى أربعة أجزاء: جزء لكسب معيشته وللراحة، وجزء لعبادة ربه بالصلاة، وجزء للاستماع إلى شكاوى رعيته، والجزء الأخير لإلقاء مواعظه. وعيّن أيضاً نُوّاباً يستمعون إلى شكاوى رعيته، حتى لا يُهمَل أمر الناس في حال غيابه.

David divided his working day into four parts: one to earn a living and to rest, one to pray to his Lord, one to listen to the complaints of his people, and the last part to deliver his sermons. He also appointed deputies to listen to his subjects' complaints so that in his absence people's problems might not be neglected.

مع أنه كان ملكًا، لم يكن يعيش من دخل مملكته. وكان ماهرًا في صناعة الأسلحة، فكان يصنعها ويبيعها ويعيش من دخل ذلك.

Although a king, he did not live on the income of his kingdom. Being well-experienced in the craft of weapon-making, he made and sold weapons and lived on that income.

ذات يوم، وبينما كان داود يصلي في محرابه، أمر حراسه ألا يسمحوا لأحد بمقاطعته، لكن رجلين تمكنا من الدخول وإزعاجه. قال: "من أنتما؟" فقال أحدهما: "لا تخف. بيننا خصومة، وقد جئنا لتحكم بيننا." قال داود: "وما هي؟" فقال الرجل الأول: "هذا أخي، له تسع وتسعون نعجة، ولي نعجة واحدة."

One day, as David was praying in his prayer niche, he ordered his guards not to allow anyone to interrupt him, but two men managed to enter and disturb him. "Who are you?" he asked. One of the men said: "Do not be frightened. We have a dispute and have come for your judgment." David said: "What is it?" The first man said: "This is my brother, has ninety nine sheep, and I have one.

قال: «أعطانيها ثم استردّها». فقال داود، دون أن يسمع من الطرف الآخر: «لقد ظلمك بأخذ الشاة من جديد، وإنّ كثيرًا من الشركاء ليبغي بعضهم على بعض، إلا الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات، وقليل ما هم». وتلاشى الرجلان كالسحابة، فأدرك داود أنهما كانا ملكين أُرسلا إليه ليعلّماه درسًا؛ فقد كان ينبغي له ألا يصدر حكمًا دون أن يسمع من الخصم الآخر.

He gave it to me but took it back." David, without hearing from the other party said: "He did you wrong by taking the sheep back, and many partners oppress one another, except for those who are believers." The two men vanished like a cloud, and David realized that they were two angels sent to him to teach him a lesson. He should not have passed a judgment without hearing from the opposing party.

وَهَلْ أَتَاكَ نَبَأُ الْخَصْمِ إِذْ تَسَوَّرُوا الْمِحْرَابَ

“And has the news of the litigants reached you? When they climbed over the wall into (his)

المِحْرَاب (مكانُ العبادة أو غرفةٌ خاصة). فلمّا دخلوا على داوود ففزع منهم قالوا لا تخف خصمانِ بغى بعضُنا على بعضٍ فاحكم بيننا بالحق ولا تُشطِط واهدنا إلى سواء الصراط. إنّ هذا أخي له تسعٌ وتسعون نعجةً ولي نعجةٌ واحدةٌ فقال أكفِلنيها وعزّني في الخطاب. قال لقد ظلمك بسؤالِ نعجتك إلى نعاجه وإنّ كثيراً من الخلطاء ليبغي بعضُهم على بعضٍ إلاّ الذين آمنوا وعملوا الصالحات وقليلٌ ما هم وظنّ داوودُ أنّما فتنّاه فاستغفر ربّه وخرّ راكعاً وأناب فغفرنا له ذلك وإنّ له عندنا لزُلفى وحسنَ مآبٍ.

Mihrab (a praying place or a private room). When they entered in upon David, he was terrified of them, they said: Fear not! (We are) two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other; therefore judge between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, and guide us to the Right Way." "Verily, this is my brother (in religion) has ninety nine ewes, while I have only one ewe, and he says: 'Hand it over to me,' and he overpowered me in speech." David said immediately without listening to the opponent: "He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes. And, verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and they are few." And David guessed that We have tried him and he sought Forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate and turned to Allah in repentance. So We forgave him that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and as good place of final return Paradise.

يَا دَاوُودُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَاكَ خَلِيفَةً فِي الْأَرْضِ فَاحْكُم بَيْنَ النَّاسِ بِالْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ الْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌ بِمَا نَسُوا يَوْمَ الْحِسَابِ۔ (سورۃ ص: ٢١-٢٦)

O David! Verily! We have placed you as a successor on earth, so judge you between men in truth and justice. And follow not your desire for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. Verily! Those who wander astray from the Path of Allah shall have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning. (Ch 38:21-26 Quran).

عَبَدَ داوُدُ اللّٰهَ، وسَبَّحَهُ ومَجَّدَهُ حتّى مات. وتقول الرِّوايات إنّ داوُدَ ماتَ فجأةً، ونَدَبَهُ أربعةُ آلافِ كاهنٍ، فضلًا عن آلافِ الناس.

David worshipped Allah, glorified Him and sang His praise until he died. According to traditions, David died suddenly and was mourned by four thousand priests as well as thousands of people.

كان الحرُّ شديدًا حتى عانى الناسُ من شدة الشمس. فدعا سليمانُ الطيورَ لتُظلِّل داودَ والناسَ من الشمس، فظلّت كذلك حتى دُفن. وكانت هذه أولَ آيةٍ من آيات ملكه شاهدها الناس.

It was so hot that people suffered from the intensity of the sun. Solomon called the birds to protect David and the people from the sun, and they did so until he was buried. This was the first sign of his dominion to be witnessed by the people.