Prophet Shammil (Samuel)
The State of the Israelites After Joshua
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.
The Ark of the Covenant
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.
Samuel Comes to the Israelites
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 is Appointed King
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.
Saul is Appointed King - Quranic
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:
"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).
And their Prophet (Samuel) said
to them, "Indeed AllÂh has appointed TalÛt (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, AllÂh has chosen him above you and has increased him
abundantly in knowledge and stature. And AllÂh grants His Kingdom to whom He
wills. And AllÂh is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower."
And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them: Verily! The sign of His Kingdom is
that there shall come to you At-TÂbÛt (a wooden box), wherein is Sakinah (peace
and reassurance) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Mus (Moses) and
HÂrÛn (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sign for
you if you are indeed believers." (Ch. 2: 246-250)
Saul Leads an Army - Quranic
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:
"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.).
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."
Saul Leads an Army
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
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 Army Sees the Enemy
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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