伊本·哲里尔记载，以色列后裔的境况日益败坏，他们犯下许多罪过，还杀害了他们想杀的一些先知。因此，安拉派来一位暴虐的君王，他虐待他们，流了他们的血，并且还让外部的敌人来攻打他们。

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.

他们过去出征时，都会随身携带约柜。他们这样做是为了借助约柜的福佑而获胜，约柜也成了平安的象征，是摩西之民留下的圣物。当他们与迦萨和亚实基伦的人作战时，因为约柜被对方夺走，他们遭到了失败。以色列人的国王听到这个消息后，当场就死了。

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.

以色列的子孙像没有牧人的羊群一样,直到全能的真主派遣了一位名叫撒母耳(Shammil)的先知给他们。他们请求他为他们立一位国王,带领他们对抗敌人作战。

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.

根据伊本·阿萨基尔的说法,以色列人认为他们的约柜非常神圣,是其历史的重要象征。他们即便在战场上也随身携带约柜,并相信正是因为有了它,真主会保护他们免受敌人的侵害。这种信念给了他们内心的安宁和巨大的勇气,而敌人则因此而心生恐惧。敌人也相信约柜被真主赋予了特殊的力量。 渐渐地,以色列人开始无视真主的律法,恶习成为了他们生活的一部分。真主便派了一个敌人来惩罚他们,即非利士人。非利士人打败了以色列人,夺走了他们的约柜,把他们赶出家园,并掳走他们的孩子,用来役使或出售为奴。他们的权势就此瓦解,彼此分离,内心也十分沮丧。

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.

随后，先知撒母耳（愿主赐其平安）来到他们中间，带来了一些安慰。他们请求先知帮助他们任命一位强有力的领袖，即一位国王，好让他们能在其旗帜之下团结起来，与非利士人作战。先知撒母耳（愿主赐其平安）了解他们的软弱，便对他们说："我担心，到了作战的时候，你们可能会退缩。"但他们向他保证，他们已经受够了屈辱，现在准备为主的道路而战，即使付出生命也在所不惜。

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.

先知撒姆尔向安拉祈求指引。安拉启示他,祂已选定扫罗(塔鲁特)为他们的君王。先知想知道如何辨认未来的君王。他得到的启示是:扫罗会自己来到他面前,那时他们应当把王权交给他,因为他将率领他们对抗非利士人。

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.

扫罗身材高大健壮，虔诚敬畏，且非常聪明。他与父亲一同生活、在农场劳作。一天，他们有几头驴走失了。扫罗带着仆人去寻找。他们走了许多天，都非常疲惫。扫罗对仆人说："我们还是回去吧，因为我确信父亲现在一定很担心，其他的牲畜也需要有人照料。"仆人建议说，既然他们已经身处先知撒母耳的地界，不妨去拜访他，询问那些走失的驴的下落。

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.

扫罗同意了,二人继续前行。途中,他们向一些提水的少女问路。她们告诉他们应朝着山的方向走。那里聚集着一大群人,正在等候先知撒母耳。扫罗一看见他,就凭着其中的圣洁之人立刻认出他是一位先知。撒母耳也认出扫罗就是真主为他们选定的君王。扫罗恭敬地向先知问候。当他询问自己走失的驴时,撒母耳叫他不要担心,那些驴已经在前往他父亲农场的路上了。

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.

然后他告诉扫罗,安拉已经选定他为以色列子孙的君王。他的职责是掌管他们的事务,把他们团结在同一面旗帜之下,并保护他们免受敌人的侵害。如果他遵行安拉的命令,就会获得胜利。扫罗对这突如其来的殊荣感到惊讶,这同时也是一份沉重的责任。他向先知表示异议,说自己只是便雅悯支派的一个人,而便雅悯是雅各各支派中最不为人知的一支;他对领导和王权一无所知,也没有任何财富。撒母耳告诉他,安拉的旨意是让他做君王,他应当感谢安拉的恩典,并坚定自己的信仰。

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.

撒母耳拉着扫罗的手，带他来到以色列的众子面前，但他们坚持要求真主赐下一个明确的迹象。先知撒母耳ﷺ吩咐他们走出城外去看那个迹象，他们便照做了。

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.

全能的安拉启示说：

Almighty Allah revealed:

你难道没有注意到以色列后裔中，在穆萨（Moses）之后的那些人吗？当时他们对他们的一位先知说："为我们立一位君王，我们就为主道而战。"他说："如果战争已被规定给你们，你们会不会不去作战呢？"他们说："我们已被逐出家园，子女（家人）也被掳去，我们为何不为主道而战呢？"然而，当战斗的命令降临到他们身上时，他们除了少数人之外都转身退缩了。真主是完全知晓不义者的。

"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).

他们的先知(撒慕尔)对他们说:"真主已经任命扫禄为你们的君王。"他们说:"他凭什么做我们的君王呢?我们比他更有资格担任王位,而且他也没有得到足够的财富。"他说:"真主确已在你们之上拣选了他,并使他在知识和体魄上大有增益。真主将国权赐给他所意欲的人。真主是宽广的,是全知的。"他们的先知(撒慕尔)对他们说:

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:

你难道没有想过以色列的后裔在穆萨（摩西）之后的那群人吗？当时他们对他们的一位先知说："为我们立一位君王，我们就能为真主之道而战。"他说："如果战斗已经为你们规定，你们还会不去战斗吗？"他们说："我们被赶出了家园，我们的子女也被掳走了，我们为什么不为真主之道而战呢？"然而，当战斗被命令降临到他们身上时，除了少数人外，他们都转身退缩了。真主是全知不法者（多神教徒和作恶者）的。

"Have you not thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Mus (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight in AllÂh's Way." He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight in AllÂh'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 AllÂh is All-Aware of the ZÂlimÛn (polytheists and wrong-doers).

他们的先知（撒慕尔）对他们说："真主已经任命塔鲁特（扫罗）做你们的君主。"他们说："我们比他更有资格担任王位，而他又没有足够的财富，他怎么能做我们的君主呢？"他说："真主确已拣选他胜过你们，并使他在知识和体魄上获得充分的增益。真主把主权赐给他所意欲的人。真主是宽大的，是全知的。"他们的先知（撒慕尔）对他们说："确实，他的主权的迹象是：约柜（一个木箱）将来到你们那里，其中有来自你们主的安宁与安慰，以及穆萨和哈伦所遗留之物的残余，由天使们负载着。如果你们确是信士，这里面对你们确有一个迹象。"（第2章：246-250节）

当扫罗率军出发时,他说:"真的!安拉要在一条河边考验你们。谁喝了它的水,谁就不是我的人;谁不喝它,他就是我的人,只是用手捧一捧的除外。"然而,他们除了少数人之外,都喝了河水。当他(扫罗)和与他一同信道的人渡过河后,他们说:"今天我们没有力量对抗歌利亚和他的军队。"但那些确信自己将要见到主的人说:"多少次,一小群人凭借安拉的许可战胜了强大的军队!"安拉与坚忍者同在。

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.

当他们向歌利亚及其军队挺进时,他们祈求说:

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

然而,当扫忽勒(Saul)率领军队出发时,他说:"真主必借一条河来考验你们。凡饮其水者,便不是我的人;凡不尝其水者,便是我的人,但用手掌捧一捧的除外。"然而,他们除少数人外,都饮了那河水。当他与信士们渡过河后,他们说:"今日我们无力对抗查鲁特(Goliath)及其军队。"但那些确信自己将与主相见的人说:"以真主的许可,少数的队伍战胜强大军队的事,是何等频繁啊!"真主与忍耐者同在。

"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.).

当他们出发迎战扫罗（Jalut，即歌利亚）及其军队时，他们祈求说：“我们的主啊！求你赐给我们坚忍，使我们战胜那些不信道的民众。”

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."

扫罗开始以坚定的信念和智慧组织他的军队。他下令，只有没有其他责任的人才能参军。那些正在建造房屋的人、即将结婚的人以及忙于生意的人，都不应参军。

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.

在组建了一支训练有素的军队之后,他决定对他们进行考验。他告诉他们,途中会经过一条河流,他们只应饮水至解渴为止,不可超过此量。令他失望的是,他发现大多数人饮水都超过了应有的量。他以违抗命令为由遣散了他们,只留下了那少数听从他命令的人,因为他们证明了自己的诚意。这导致了军队的分裂,但他并不在意。他相信质量而非数量;一小群他可以依靠的真正信士,胜过一支庞大却不可靠的军队。

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.

扫罗的士兵在河对岸看到了敌人。他们的对手身材强壮，装备着更好的武器。他们由勇猛的战士歌利亚（Galut）率领，此人以身材魁梧、力大无穷而闻名。看到这支强大的军队，扫罗的大部分士兵纷纷逃走。留下来的那一小队人则愿意战斗，不论结果如何，因为他们听说过去曾有许多事例，真主让小股军队战胜了人数更多的军队。

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.