- Arabic Verses:
(246) أَلَمْ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَإِ مِنۢ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَـٰٓءِيلَ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مُوسَىٰٓ إِذْ قَالُوا۟ لِنَبِىٍّ لَّهُمُ ٱبْعَثْ لَنَا مَلِكًا نُّقَـٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ ۖ قَالَ هَلْ عَسَيْتُمْ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلْقِتَـٰلُ أَلَّا تُقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ۖ قَالُوا۟ وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نُقَـٰتِلَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ وَقَدْ أُخْرِجْنَا مِن دِيَـٰرِنَا وَأَبْنَآئِنَا ۖ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْقِتَـٰلُ تَوَلَّوْا۟ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ عَلِيمٌۢ بِٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
(247) وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلْمَالِ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسْطَةً فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ وَٱلْجِسْمِ ۖ وَٱللَّـهُ يُؤْتِى مُلْكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّـهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
(248) وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ءَايَةَ مُلْكِهِۦٓ أَن يَأْتِيَكُمُ ٱلتَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٌ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَبَقِيَّةٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَىٰ وَءَالُ هَـٰرُونَ تَحْمِلُهُ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
(249) فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّى وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّى إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةًۢ بِيَدِهِۦ ۚ فَشَرِبُوا۟ مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا مِّنْهُمْ ۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ قَالُوا۟ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَـٰقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٍ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةً كَثِيرَةً بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّـهِ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ
(250) وَلَمَّا بَرَزُوا۟ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَآ أَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرْنَا عَلَى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَ
(251) فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّـهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُۥدُ جَالُوتَ وَءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّـهُ ٱلْمُلْكَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُۥ مِمَّا يَشَآءُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ ٱللَّـهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ
- Translation (from Maududi’s Tafheem-ul-Quran):
(246) Have you not reflected on the story of the leaders of Israel after Moses? They said to a Prophet of theirs: “Appoint for us a king that we may fight in the way of Allah.” The Prophet said: “Might it be that you will not fight, if fighting is prescribed for you?” They replied: “How can we refuse to fight in the way of Allah when we have been expelled from our homes and separated from our children?” But when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned back, except a few of them. Allah knows the wrong-doers well.
(247) And their Prophet said to them: “Allah has appointed Saul (Talut) as king for you.” They said: “How can he have kingdom over us when we are more deserving of kingdom than he, and he has not been given abundance of wealth?” He said: “Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you, and has given him abundant knowledge and physical prowess. Allah grants His kingdom to whom He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.”
(248) And their Prophet further told them: “The sign of his kingdom shall be that you will be given a chest (the Ark) carried by the angels, containing tranquility from your Lord, and the relics left by the family of Moses and the family of Aaron. Indeed, in this there is a sign for you if you are true believers.”
(249) Thereafter, when Saul (Talut) set out with his forces, he said: “Allah will now test you with a river: he who drinks from it will not be of me, and he who does not drink from it shall be of me. But forgiven is he who scoops up a mere handful.” Yet, save for a few, they all drank from it. And when Saul and those who believed with him had crossed the river, they said: “We have no strength today against Goliath (Jalut) and his forces.” But those who were certain that they would meet their Lord said: “How often has a small party overcome a large party by the command of Allah! And Allah is with the steadfast.”
(250) And when they faced Goliath and his forces, they prayed: “Our Lord, shower us with patience, make firm our feet, and grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”
(251) So they defeated them by Allah’s command, and David (Dawud) killed Goliath. And Allah gave David kingship and wisdom and taught him of what He willed. Were it not for Allah’s repelling some people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted. But Allah is bountiful to all worlds.
- Tafseer (Key Explanations from Maududi’s Tafheem-ul-Quran):
Historical Context:
These verses recount the story of the Israelites after Prophet Musa (Moses). They had become weak, lost the Ark of the Covenant, and were oppressed by neighboring tribes (like the Philistines). They asked their Prophet (likely Samuel) to appoint a king to lead them in jihad.
Key Lessons:
Verse 246:
· Highlights the hypocrisy of those who demand leadership and claim readiness for sacrifice but retreat when tested.
· Teaches that verbal commitment is meaningless without action.
Verse 247–248:
· Divine Selection vs. Human Standards: The Israelites objected to Talut (Saul) because he lacked wealth and noble lineage. Allah’s criteria for leadership are knowledge, physical ability, and moral character—not worldly status.
· The Ark’s return was a divine sign to confirm Talut’s legitimacy, containing relics of Musa and Harun (Aaron) and divine Sakina (tranquility).
Verse 249:
· The River Test: A small test of obedience and self-control. Most failed by drinking excessively, showing lack of discipline.
· True Faith vs. Fear: When facing Jalut (Goliath), the faithful remembered Allah’s support—”a small group can overcome a large one by Allah’s will.”
Verse 250–251:
· The believers’ prayer before battle exemplifies reliance on Allah.
· Dawud (David), a young soldier, defeats Jalut with a sling—showing that victory comes from Allah, not numbers or weapons.
· The conclusion emphasizes Allah’s wisdom in permitting struggles to maintain balance on earth; otherwise, tyranny would prevail.
- Core Messages in Tafheem-ul-Qaan:
- Leadership in Islam is based on piety and capability, not wealth or lineage.
- True Faith requires obedience and sacrifice, not just claims.
- Divine Help comes to those who trust Allah, even in seemingly impossible situations.
- Trials are meant to distinguish sincere believers from hypocrites.
- Historical Narratives in the Quran are not mere stories but lessons for all times.
These lessons were relevant to the early Muslims facing persecution and remain so for believers today in facing challenges with faith and perseverance.
Messages from Quran 