Prophet Samuel, known as Shammil, was sent to guide the Israelites during a difficult period in their history.
The State of the Israelites After Joshua
Ibn Jarir reported that after the time of Joshua, the condition of the Israelites grew worse. They fell into many sins and even killed some of their own prophets. Because of this, Allah allowed a tyrannous king to rule over them, one who mistreated them and shed their blood, and He also set their enemies against them from outside. Whenever they went to war, they carried the Ark of the Covenant with them, believing its blessing would bring them victory, since it had become a symbol of calm and a relic left behind from the time of Moses' people. When they went to war against the people of Gaza and Askalon, however, they were defeated and the Ark was captured from them. When their king heard the news, he died on the spot.
After this, the children of Israel were left like sheep without a shepherd, until Allah sent them a prophet named Samuel. They came to him and asked that he appoint a king to lead them into battle against their enemies.
The Ark of the Covenant
According to Ibn Asaker, the Israelites regarded the Ark of the Covenant as something deeply holy, an important symbol of their history which they carried even into battle. They believed that because of it, Allah would protect them from their enemies, and this belief gave them peace of mind and great courage while striking fear into their enemies, who also believed the Ark carried special power from Allah. Over time, though, the Israelites began to neglect Allah's law, and evil habits crept into their lives. As a result, Allah sent the Philistines against them as an enemy. The Philistines defeated the Israelites, captured their Ark, drove them from their homes, and carried off their children to be used or sold as slaves. Their strength was broken, they scattered from one another, and they fell into deep despair.
Samuel Comes to the Israelites
It was at this low point that Prophet Samuel came among them to bring relief. They asked for his help in appointing a strong king who could unite them under one banner to fight the Philistines. Knowing their weakness, Samuel warned them, "I fear that when the time comes to fight, you may refuse." They assured him that they had endured enough humiliation and were now ready to fight in the way of Allah, even if it cost them their lives.
Samuel prayed to Allah for guidance, and Allah revealed to him that He had chosen a man named Saul, or Talut, to be their king. When the prophet asked how he would recognize this future king, he was told that Saul would come to him on his own, and that the Israelites should then hand him control of the kingdom, for he would lead them in the battle against the Philistines.
Saul is Appointed King
Saul was a tall, sturdy man, pious and highly intelligent, who lived and worked with his father on their farm. One day several of their donkeys went missing, and Saul, together with his servant, set out to search for them. After days of travel, exhausted, Saul suggested they turn back, worried that his father would be anxious and that the remaining animals needed care. His servant pointed out that since they were already near the land where the prophet Samuel lived, they might as well visit him to ask about the lost donkeys.
Saul agreed, and along the way they asked some maidens carrying water for directions, who pointed them toward a mountain where a large crowd had gathered to see Prophet Samuel. The moment Saul saw Samuel, he recognized him as a holy man and a prophet. Samuel, in turn, recognized Saul as the very man Allah had chosen to be king. Saul greeted him respectfully and asked about his lost donkeys, and Samuel reassured him that the donkeys were already making their way back to his father's farm.
Samuel then told Saul that Allah had chosen him to be king over the children of Israel, with the duty of taking charge of their affairs, uniting them under one banner, and protecting them from their enemies. If he followed Allah's commands, he would be granted victory. Saul was taken aback by this sudden honor and the heavy responsibility it carried. He protested that he came from the tribe of Benjamin, the least prominent among the tribes of Jacob, that he had no experience in leadership or kingship, and that he possessed no wealth. Samuel told him that this was Allah's will, and that he should be thankful for such favor and remain strong in his faith.
Saul is Appointed King, as Told in the Qur'an
Samuel took Saul by the hand and presented him to the children of Israel, but they demanded a direct sign from Allah before accepting him. Samuel told them to go outside the city to witness this sign. Allah recounts this whole episode in the Qur'an: "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 have been taken captive? But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allah is All Aware of the wrongdoers. And their Prophet 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 said to them, verily the sign of his kingdom is that there shall come to you a wooden box wherein is peace and reassurance from your Lord, and a remnant of that which Moses and 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, as Told in the Qur'an
Allah also describes what happened once Saul set out with his army: "Then when Saul set out with the army, he said, verily Allah will try you by a river. So whoever drinks thereof is not of me, and whoever tastes it not is of me, except him who takes a scoop in the hollow of his hand. Yet they drank thereof, all except a few of them. So when he had crossed it, he and those who believed with him, they said, we have no power 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 has overcome a mighty host by Allah's leave? And Allah is with the patient." When they advanced to face Goliath and his forces, they prayed, "Our Lord, pour forth on us patience and make us victorious over the disbelieving people."
Saul Leads an Army
Saul organized his army with strong faith and wisdom, ordering that only men free of pressing responsibilities should join him. Those who were busy building homes, about to be married, or occupied with business were excluded. Once he had gathered a well trained army, he decided to test them. He told them that along their route they would come to a river, and that they should drink only enough to quench their thirst and no more. To his disappointment, most of the men drank far more than they needed. He dismissed them for their disobedience and kept only the small number who had shown restraint, since they were the ones who had proven their sincerity. This caused a split within the army, but Saul was not troubled by it. He believed firmly that quality mattered more than numbers, and that a small band of true believers he could depend on was worth more than a large army of unreliable men.
Saul's Army Sees the Enemy
When Saul's remaining men reached the other side of the river, they caught sight of the enemy. The Philistine forces looked physically powerful and were armed with superior weapons, led by the mighty warrior Goliath, known for his enormous size and brute strength. At the sight of this formidable army, a great number of Saul's men fled in fear. Yet the small group that remained stood ready to fight regardless of the outcome, holding on to the knowledge that there had been many times in the past when Allah had allowed a small force to defeat a much larger one.