The Holy Quran 2:247 — Surah Al-Baqarah

Arabic text

وَقَالَ لَهُمْ نَبِيُّهُمْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ بَعَثَ لَكُمْ طَالُوتَ مَلِكًا ۚ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ ٱلْمَالِ ۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصْطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسْطَةً فِى ٱلْعِلْمِ وَٱلْجِسْمِ ۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤْتِى مُلْكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Translation

Their Nabi said to them, “Allaah has appointed Taaloot as king over you." They said, "How can he be given kingship over us when we are more deserving of kingship than he and he has not been given any wealth?" (They objected because Taaloot was neither from a family of kings nor from a family of prophets) He (the Nabi عليه الصلاة والسلام) replied, "Verily Allaah has chosen him over you (because kingship is not the exclusive right of anyone) and increased him abundantly in wisdom and (physical) stature (Taaloot was the most knowledgeable person among them and the most physically able). Allaah gives His rule to whoever He wills (Allaah causes the strong to become weak and vice versa). Allaah is All Embracing (Surrounding), All Knowing."

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

There had been no kingship in Talut's family before; they were poor, hard-working people. In their (the Children of Israel's) eyes he did not appear fit for kingship, and because of their wealth and riches they considered themselves worthy of kingship.

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