The background of Prophet Dawud as a descendant of Prophet Yaqub and the story of the appointment of Thalut as king of the Children of Israel by Prophet Samuel before the time of Dawud, including Islam's rejection of the accusations of adultery and murder attributed to Dawud in the Torah.
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
Dawud is a prophet and messenger believed to have lived around 1000 years before the Common Era. He is known as a righteous king in the kingdom of Israel. A similar figure (commonly called David) is also found in the Torah and the Old Testament. Dawud is very famous as the conqueror of Jalut (Goliath) in a battle, when he was still a soldier under the command of King Thalut (King Saul).
The lineage of Prophet Dawud is believed to descend from Prophet Yaqub (approximately 10 generations below Prophet Yaqub). The figure of Dawud is very important in Islam, because he is one of the prophets who received the sacred scripture recognized by Islam. It is mentioned in the Qur'an that Dawud received revelation in the form of the Psalms (Zabur) (called Psalm in the Gospel). After Prophet Dawud died, the task of prophethood was then continued by Sulaiman who also succeeded him as king of Israel.
Although it is believed that Dawud and David are the same figure, Islam and Judeo-Christianity have very different views about them. Islam absolutely does not accept that Dawud, as a prophet chosen by Allah, ever committed the sins of adultery and murder, as mentioned in the Torah and the Old Testament. (In the Torah and the Old Testament it is mentioned that David impregnated the wife of his general, and later the general himself was also killed by David).
The following is a narrative about Dawud derived from the Qur'an and the Torah
Many years passed from the death of Musa. After Prophet Musa, prophets came and they died and the children of Israel after Musa were defeated. Their scripture was lost, namely the Torah. When the Torah was lost from their hearts, it was also taken from their hands. Their enemies controlled the Ark of the Covenant which contained the legacy of the family of Musa and Harun (the Ark). The Children of Israel were expelled from their families and their homes. Their condition was truly tragic. Prophethood was cut off from the descendants of Levi, and nothing remained of them except a pregnant woman who prayed to Allah the Most High to give her a son. Then she gave birth to a son and named him Asymu'il which in Hebrew means Samuel. That is, Allah the Most High heard my prayer.
When the boy grew up, his mother sent him to the mosque and entrusted him to a righteous man to learn goodness and worship from him. The boy was at his side. One night—when he had come of age—he slept, and then he heard a voice coming from the side of the mosque. He woke up in fear and thought that his teacher or master was calling him. He quickly went to his teacher and asked: 'Are you indeed calling me?' The teacher did not want to frighten him so he said: 'Yes, yes.' The boy went back to sleep. Then the voice called him again for the second and third time until he woke up and saw the angel Gabriel calling him: 'Your Lord has sent you to your people.' On one day, the Children of Israel met this noble prophet. They asked him: 'Are we not an oppressed people?' He answered: 'Yes.' They said: 'Are we not an expelled people?' He answered: 'Yes.' They said: 'Send to us a king who can gather us under one banner so that we can fight in the way of Allah the Most High and so that we can restore our land and our dignity.' Their prophet said to them, and certainly he knew better than they: 'Are you certain that you will fight if fighting is made obligatory upon you?'
They answered: 'Why would we not fight in the way of Allah the Most High when we have been expelled from our land, and our children have been expelled as well and our condition is worsening.' Their prophet said: 'Indeed, Allah the Most High has sent Thalut as a ruler for you.' They said: 'How can he be a ruler over us when we have more right to power than him. Besides, he is not a wealthy person, and among us there are people wealthier than him.'
Their prophet said: 'Indeed, Allah the Most High has chosen him over you because he possesses excellence in knowledge and physical strength. And Allah the Most High grants His power to whomever He wills.' They said: 'What is the sign of His power?' The prophet answered: 'The Ark that was seized by your enemy will return to you. It will be brought by the angels and delivered to you. This is a sign of His power.' This miracle truly came to pass, on one day the Ark returned to them.
"The Ark of the Covenant (Hebrew: אָרוֹן הָבְרִית Ārōn Hāb'rīt [modern pronunciation Aron Habrit]; Arabic:تابوت العهد Tābūt Al-ʿahd; English: Ark of the Covenant or Ark of Testimony; also called the Ark of God) is a container described in the Bible containing the Tablets of Stone on which are written the Ten Commandments of Allah, the Staff of Harun, and manna bread. According to the Pentateuch, the Ark was made by the command of Allah, in accordance with the prophetic vision of Musa on Mount Sinai."
After the Children of Israel entered Palestine and conquered it under the leadership of Yusha bin Nun, they were always targets of raids and attacks from the nations around them, such as the Amaliq tribe from the Arab nation, the Philistine nation itself, and the Aramean nation. Victories and defeats alternated among them.
At one time the Philistine nation, inhabitants of Ashdod, a region near Gaza, attacked and assaulted them, and a battle ensued that ended with the Philistine victory, which succeeded in scattering the Children of Israel and seizing their sacred object called the Ark, which was a chest for storing the Torah.
The chest called the Ark was indeed one of many blessings that Allah had given to the Children of Israel. They regarded the Ark as a sacred object that could inspire strength and courage in them when facing the enemy. Therefore, in every battlefield they would bring the Ark to give them spiritual strength and fighting spirit, to give them courage and to instill fear in the enemy. So when the Philistines seized the Ark, their support was lost and their ranks were scattered, their unity was shattered, so they became like livestock abandoned by their shepherd.
And indeed since the time of Prophet Musa, the Children of Israel did not have a king or an authoritative leader who could unite them under one banner and gather them under one command when attacked from outside or raided by the enemy. They were only led by judges and chiefs who gave them guidance in religious matters and sometimes served as peacemakers if disputes and conflicts arose among themselves. Among these chiefs was one chief who was most respected and honored, named Samuel. His words were always heard and his advice was always accepted and obeyed.
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
Some youths of the Children of Israel came to Samuel feeling sad seeing the condition of their people become chaotic and scattered after being defeated by the Philistines and expelled from their land and the Ark being seized, which was the Ark of the Covenant and a sacred object for them. They expressed to Samuel that they needed a strong and authoritative leader who possessed the power of a king to gather them and furthermore to be a military commander.
Samuel, who well knew their character and points of weakness as well as the cunning and rebellious traits that lay in them, said: 'I fear that you will be afraid and reluctant to fight against the enemy if you are commanded to go to war to drive the enemy from your land.'
They answered: 'How could we refuse such a command and be reluctant to go forward and fight against the enemy when we have been humiliated, expelled from our homes, and separated from our relatives. Is it not shameful and degrading for us as a nation, if in the condition we are experiencing now, we are still reluctant to fight against the enemy that comes to attack and raid our land. We will go forward and will not hesitate to enter the battlefield, as long as we have a leader who is capable, brave, and authoritative so that his command and all his orders will be obeyed by all our people.'
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
Samuel said: 'If such is your resolve and your desire to obtain a king who will lead and guide you, then give me time to consult with Allah the Most High, asking for His guidance to show me someone who is fitting and worthy to be a king for you.'
In his consultation, Samuel received inspiration and guidance from Allah the Most High to choose and appoint someone named Thalut as king of the Children of Israel. And although he had never heard that name or knew the person, Allah would give him the way and signs that would enable him to meet face to face with that person and recognize him immediately.
Thalut was a man with a stout and tall build, upright, strong, and handsome-faced. From the radiance of his two eyes people could discern that he was an intelligent, capable, and wise person, possessing a steadfast and courageous heart. He lived and dwelt in a somewhat remote village so he was not well known to people. He lived with his father cultivating the land and raising livestock.
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
One day when Thalut was busy with his father tending to his farmland, a donkey escaped from his livestock and went missing. Thalut went with a servant of his to search for the lost donkey in the valleys and hills around his village, but he could not find the escaped animal. Finally he asked his servant to return because he feared his father would become anxious if he stayed away from home longer searching for the lost donkey.
The servant said to Thalut: 'We are now in the region of Suph where Samuel is. How good it would be if we went to him and asked whether he could give us information and guidance on where we might find our donkey. He is a prophet who receives guidance from his Lord through the angels, and he has many times revealed hidden matters that people have asked him about.'
Thalut accepted his servant's suggestion and the two of them set out toward the dwelling of Samuel. During their journey, they asked some girls they met drawing water from a well: 'Where does Prophet Samuel dwell?' 'You need not hurry to continue your journey. Samuel will soon come here. His arrival is being awaited on the hill by the people of this place,' the girls answered.
It turned out that before the girls had finished giving their information, Samuel appeared with his radiant face shining with prophetic light and knowledge that was evident.
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
Thalut quickly approached Samuel and after they had looked at each other, Thalut spoke: 'O Prophet of Allah, we come to meet you to seek your help. Can you perhaps give us information and guidance on where we might find our donkey that escaped from its enclosure and disappeared and we could not find any trace of it although we have been searching for three days.'
Samuel, after looking carefully at Thalut's face, realized that this was the one whom Allah had appointed to be king, leader, and ruler of the Children of Israel. He said to Thalut: 'The donkey you are seeking is already on its way back to its enclosure at your father's place. Do not trouble your mind and burden yourself with the matter of the donkey. Because I was indeed looking for you and wanted to meet you for a matter much greater and more important than the matter of the donkey. You have been chosen by Allah to lead the Children of Israel as king, to unite their scattered ranks, and to free them from the enemies who are currently invading and occupying their land. And by the permission of Allah, your Lord will be with you, giving you protection and granting you victory and good fortune in all your endeavors.'
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
Thalut answered: 'How can I be a king and leader of the Children of Israel when I am a poor villager from the descendants of Benjamin, the poorest, isolated from the society of people, a farmer's son and a herder of animals unknown to people?'
Samuel said: 'That is the will and command of Allah. And He knows best to whom He places His trust and His responsibilities. He is the One who appoints and He is the One who will complete all your deficiencies. Be grateful for this blessing and favor from Allah. Accept this sacred duty with steadfastness and full confidence in Allah's help and protection for you.' Then he took Thalut's hand, raised it up while facing his people and said: 'O my people, this is the one whom Allah has chosen to be your king. He is obligated to lead you and manage all your affairs in the best and most proper manner, and you are obligated to obey him, follow all his commands, and stand firm behind his leadership. Unite yourselves under the banner of King Thalut and prepare to struggle against your enemies.'
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
The Children of Israel who were gathered around Samuel listening to his speech installing Thalut as king were astonished and shocked, and with gaping mouths they looked at one another, shifting their gaze from Samuel's face to Thalut's face which indicated their bewilderment and dissatisfaction with the appointment. It never even occurred to them that someone like Thalut who was poor and miserable and unknown to people would be the one selected by Samuel for the selection and appointment of a king for them.
They said to Samuel: 'How can someone like Thalut lead us as a king when he is someone who is poor and unknown to people and his daily interaction is limited only to his village. Besides, he is not from the descendants of Levi who produced the prophets of the Children of Israel, nor is he from the descendants of Judah who produced the kings of the Children of Israel from ancient times. He also does not possess the experience and capability required of a king to manage and maintain his kingdom. Why not select someone from those in the city who are knowledgeable, experienced, and of sufficient means?' Samuel replied to address the objections raised by his people: 'Managing a kingdom and leading warfare does not require nobility or wealth. It requires capability, wisdom, intelligence of thought, and skill in action. These qualities are present in Thalut, and besides he possesses a strong body, a tall, upright, and robust build, and a handsome face that makes a good impression on those who meet him. Beyond all that, he is the choice and selection of Allah Who is All-Knowing and Who knows His servants best. Therefore, it is not fitting for us to choose anyone else after Allah has made His choice.'
The Story of Prophet Dawud: The Origins of Prophet Dawud
'Very well,' they said, 'If this is Allah's choice and will, then we can do nothing but accept this reality. However, to remove our doubts about Thalut, give us a sign that can convince us that Thalut is truly Allah's choice.'
Samuel answered: 'Indeed, Allah has known your rigid and stubborn character. Your faith is not in your heart but in your eyes. You do not believe in anything without proof that you can perceive with your senses. Therefore, as proof that Allah approves of the appointment of Thalut as your king, you will find your sacred chest, the Ark, that has been lost and seized by the Philistines. You will find it come to you brought by the angels. Go out of the city right now to receive it.'
After it became evident to them that Samuel's words were true by finding the Ark again, which had been in the hands of the Philistines for seven months, they accepted the appointment of Thalut as their king by pledging allegiance to him and promising to obey and follow all his advice and commands.
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