THE STORY OF THE PROPHET DAVID - From David Defeating Goliath until Become King

Thalut (Saul) led the Children of Israel to form an army ready to face the enemy forces led by Goliath. Then, Thalut and his troops set off to the battlefield to reclaim their Holy Land and defeat the oppressive nation. On the way, they almost arrived at the river. Thalut said to his troops that Allah SWT wanted to test them about their determination to fight the enemy. If anyone drinks river water, then he is not a member of Thalut's army. And those who do not drink the river water, then he is a member of the army of Talut who will fight in the way of Allah.

It turned out that many members of his army immediately headed to the river to drink river water. While those who don't drink it are only a few. This is a proof that who is weak in his faith so he wants to obey his desires, then his fighting spirit is also weak. Those who are weak in their faith feel unable to fight the Goliath forces. While who is obedient to Allah SWT and pious leaders, they are among those who are strong in their faith and have high fighting spirit, do not care about the temptations that exist.

Surah Al-Baqarah verse 249:

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلۡجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبۡتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٖ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنۡهُ فَلَيۡسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمۡ يَطۡعَمۡهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّيٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغۡتَرَفَ غُرۡفَةَۢ بِيَدِهِۦۚ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنۡهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ قَالُواْ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُواْ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٖ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتۡ فِئَةٗ كَثِيرَةَۢ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ  ٢٤٩

249.  And when Saul went forth with the soldiers, he said, "Indeed, Allah will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand." But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, "There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers." But those who were certain that they would meet Allah said, "How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient."

With a reduced number of troops, Thalut continued to be passionate in leading his troops through the river to the battlefield. These troops are troops who believe that even though they are few in number, Allah SWT will always protect them and believe they will win.

Arriving on the battlefield, Talut's troops looked at each other with Goliath's troops. Goliath troops are more in number, bigger, and taller. They have better and more adequate weapons and war equipment. Goliath is a warlord whose body is like a giant. He wears a sturdy headgear and strong armor as well as a shield so that it looks more dangerous and hard to defeat.

Seeing how powerful the Goliath forces looked, Thalut begged Allah SWT to be given patience, determination that was getting stronger, and help to his troops so that they could win. With the power of prayer and confidence, Thalut's army dared to attack Goliath. The battle was fierce. Apparently Thalut's troops were able to provide meaningful resistance.

Surah Al-Baqarah verse 250:

وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ  ٢٥٠

250.  And when they went forth to [face] Goliath and his soldiers, they said, "Our Lord, pour upon us patience and plant firmly our feet and give us victory over the disbelieving people."

The number of Goliath troops has diminished. Goliath still intends to defeat Thalut's army. Thalut and his troops did not dare to fight the giant Goliath. That said, Thalut announced that who could advance and defeat Goliath, he would be married to his daughter.

David, who was only in the back line which only served the needs of his brothers, was determined to defeat Goliath for the victory of the Children of Israel. Unexpectedly, the that teenager came forward. He asked permission from Thalut to fight Goliath. Thalut and others doubted David's ability, especially he was still a teenager. But David continued to urge Thalut and ensure that he would be protected by Allah SWT in fighting. Seeing David's courage and determination, Thalut allowed David to advance against Goliath. Thalut and his troops had relied on David and hoped to win.

Goliath was still waiting for the person who will challenge him. With pride, he also shouted disparagingly at the Children of Israel. Then David appeared before him. David stood up bravely and ready. Goliath was surprised to see David's small appearance. Goliath belittles David who does not carry dangerous weapons. David only holds weapons in the form of slingshots.

Their battle began. Goliath with his weapon attacked David, so did David look for a gap to defeat Goliath. The Goliath movement is good and dangerous, but David moves swiftly. David managed to throw a stone from his catapult and hit Goliath's forehead. Goliath was in pain, collapsed with his forehead broken and dead. The remaining Goliath troops were frightened when they saw Goliath dead, their spirits weakened and could not fight anymore so they lost. That way, Thalut's army managed to win this battle. For that moment, happiness has encompassed the life of the Children of Israel.

David became a hero to the Children of Israel at that time. People love and respect David. After Thalut died, David was made king of the Children of Israel.

Surah Al-Baqarah verse 251:

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُۥدُ جَالُوتَ وَءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُۥ مِمَّا يَشَآءُۗ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ  ٢٥١

251.  So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and David killed Goliath, and Allah gave him the kingship and prophethood and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allah checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allah is full of bounty to the worlds.

KISAH NABI DAUD AS. - Dari Daud Mengalahkan Jalut hingga Menjadi Raja

Thalut memimpin Bani Israil untuk membentuk pasukan yang siap menghadapi pasukan musuh yang dipimpin Jalut. Kemudian, Thalut dan pasukannya berangkat menuju ke medan perang untuk merebut kembali Tanah Suci mereka dan mengalahkan bangsa penindas. Dalam perjalanan, mereka hampir tiba di sungai. Thalut berkata kepada pasukannya bahwa Allah SWT ingin menguji mereka tentang tekad mereka untuk memerangi musuh. Jika ada yang meminum air sungai, maka dia bukanlah anggota pasukan Thalut. Dan orang yang tidak meminum air sungai itu, maka dia termasuk anggota pasukan Thalut yang akan berperang di jalan Allah.

Ternyata banyak anggota pasukannya yang segera menuju ke sungai untuk meminum air sungai. Sedangkan yang tidak ikut meminumnya hanya berjumlah sedikit. Ini adalah suatu bukti bahwa siapa yang lemah imannya sehingga ingin menuruti hawa nafsunya, maka semangat juangnya juga lemah. Mereka yang lemah imannya merasa tidak sanggup melawan pasukan Jalut. Sedangkan siapa yang patuh terhadap Allah SWT dan pemimpin yang alim, mereka termasuk orang yang kuat imannya dan memiliki semangat juang tinggi, tidak peduli terhadap godaan yang ada.

Surat Al-Baqarah ayat 249:

فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلۡجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبۡتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٖ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنۡهُ فَلَيۡسَ مِنِّي وَمَن لَّمۡ يَطۡعَمۡهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّيٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغۡتَرَفَ غُرۡفَةَۢ بِيَدِهِۦۚ فَشَرِبُواْ مِنۡهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ مَعَهُۥ قَالُواْ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلۡيَوۡمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُواْ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٖ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتۡ فِئَةٗ كَثِيرَةَۢ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ  ٢٤٩

249.  Maka tatkala Thalut keluar membawa tentaranya, ia berkata: "Sesungguhnya Allah akan menguji kamu dengan suatu sungai. Maka siapa di antara kamu meminum airnya; bukanlah ia pengikutku. Dan barangsiapa tiada meminumnya, kecuali menceduk seceduk tangan, maka dia adalah pengikutku". Kemudian mereka meminumnya kecuali beberapa orang di antara mereka. Maka tatkala Thalut dan orang-orang yang beriman bersama dia telah menyeberangi sungai itu, orang-orang yang telah minum berkata: "Tak ada kesanggupan kami pada hari ini untuk melawan Jalut dan tentaranya". Orang-orang yang meyakini bahwa mereka akan menemui Allah, berkata: "Berapa banyak terjadi golongan yang sedikit dapat mengalahkan golongan yang banyak dengan izin Allah. Dan Allah beserta orang-orang yang sabar".

Dengan jumlah pasukan yang berkurang, Thalut tetap semangat memimpin pasukannya melewati sungai itu menuju medan perang. Pasukan ini adalah pasukan yang yakin bahwa meskipun mereka berjumlah sedikit, Allah SWT akan selalu melindungi mereka dan yakin akan memperoleh kemenangan.

Sampai di medan perang, pasukan Thalut saling berpandangan dengan pasukan Jalut. Pasukan Jalut berjumlah lebih banyak dan bertubuh lebih tinggi dan besar. Mereka memiliki persenjataan dan peralatan perang yang lebih baik dan memadai. Jalut adalah seorang panglima perang yang tubuhnya seperti raksasa. Dia memakai pelindung kepala yang kokoh dan baju besi yang kuat sekaligus sebagai perisai sehingga semakin terlihat berbahaya dan sulit dikalahkan.

Melihat betapa terlihat perkasanya pasukan Jalut, Thalut memohon kepada Allah SWT agar diberi kesabaran, tekad yang semakin kuat, dan pertolongan kepada pasukannya sehingga memperoleh kemenangan. Dengan kekuatan doa dan keyakinan, pasukan Thalut berani menyerbu paaukan Jalut. Pertempuran berjalan dengan sengit. Ternyata pasukan Thalut mampu memberikan perlawanan yang berarti.

Surat Al-Baqarah ayat 250:

وَلَمَّا بَرَزُواْ لِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ قَالُواْ رَبَّنَآ أَفۡرِغۡ عَلَيۡنَا صَبۡرٗا وَثَبِّتۡ أَقۡدَامَنَا وَٱنصُرۡنَا عَلَى ٱلۡقَوۡمِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ  ٢٥٠

250.  Tatkala Jalut dan tentaranya telah nampak oleh mereka, merekapun (Thalut dan tentaranya) berdoa: "Ya Tuhan kami, tuangkanlah kesabaran atas diri kami, dan kokohkanlah pendirian kami dan tolonglah kami terhadap orang-orang kafir".

Jumlah pasukan Jalut semakin berkurang. Jalut masih tetap berniat mengalahkan pasukan Thalut. Thalut dan pasukannya tak berani melawan Jalut si raksasa. Konon, Thalut mengumumkan bahwa siapa yang dapat maju dan mengalahkan Jalut, dia akan dinikahkan dengan putrinya.

Daud yang hanya berada di garis belakang yang hanya melayani kebutuhan kakak-kakaknya telah bertekad untuk mengalahkan Jalut demi kemenangan Bani Israil. Tak disangka, remaja itu maju ke depan.  Dia meminta izin kepada Thalut untuk melawan Jalut. Thalut dan yang lainnya meragukan kemampuan Daud, terlebih dia masih remaja. Namun Daud terus mendesak Thalut dan meyakinkan bahwa dirinya akan dilindungi Allah SWT dalam berjuang. Melihat keberanian dan tekad kuat Daud, Thalut mengizinkan Daud untuk maju melawan Jalut. Thalut dan pasukannya telah mengandalkan Daud dan berharap memperoleh kemenangan.

Jalut masih menunggu orang yang akan menantangnya. Dengan sombongnya, dia juga berteriak merendahkan Bani Israil. Lalu muncullah Daud di hadapannya. Daud berdiri dengan sikap berani dan siap. Jalut merasa heran melihat penampilan Daud yang masih kecil. Jalut meremehkan Daud yang tidak membawa senjata yang berbahaya. Daud hanya memegang senjata berupa ketapel.

Pertarungan mereka berdua dimulai. Jalut dengan senjatanya menyerang Daud, begitu pula Daud mencari celah untuk dapat mengalahan Jalut. Gerakan Jalut memang baik dan berbahaya, namun Daud bergerak dengan gesit. Daud berhasil melontarkan batu dari ketapelnya dan mengenai dahi Jalut. Jalut merasa kesakitan, roboh dengan dahi pecah dan mati. Pasukan Jalut yang tersisa merasa ketakutan saat melihat Jalut mati, semangat mereka menjadi melemah dan tak sanggup berperang lagi sehingga mereka kalah. Dengan begitu, pasukan Thalut berhasil memenangkan pertempuran ini. Untuk saat itu, kebahagiaan telah meliputi kehidupan Bani Israil.

Daud menjadi pahlawan bagi Bani Israil pada saat itu. Orang-orang mencintai dan menghormati Daud. Setelah Thalut wafat, Daud diangkat menjadi raja Bani Israil.

Surat Al-Baqarah ayat 251:

فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُۥدُ جَالُوتَ وَءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُۥ مِمَّا يَشَآءُۗ وَلَوۡلَا دَفۡعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعۡضَهُم بِبَعۡضٖ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ذُو فَضۡلٍ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ  ٢٥١

251.  Mereka (tentara Thalut) mengalahkan tentara Jalut dengan izin Allah dan (dalam peperangan itu) Daud membunuh Jalut, kemudian Allah memberikan kepadanya (Daud) pemerintahan dan hikmah (sesudah meninggalnya Thalut) dan mengajarkan kepadanya apa yang dikehendaki-Nya. Seandainya Allah tidak menolak (keganasan) sebahagian umat manusia dengan sebagian yang lain, pasti rusaklah bumi ini. Tetapi Allah mempunyai karunia (yang dicurahkan) atas semesta alam.

THE STORY OF THE PROPHET DAVID - The Election of Thalut (Saul) to Become King of the Children of Israel

After the death of Prophet Moses and Prophet Aaron, the leadership of the Children of Israel was handed over to Yusya 'bin Nun. During this period, a new generation was born in the Children of Israel who were not afraid of war. Yusya 'bin Nun was able to lead the Children of Israel so they could master the promised Holy Land. But after Yusya 'bin Nun died, the Children of Israel became divided. They dare to change the contents of the Torah according to their own will. They like to disagree and fight so that the strength of their unity has been lost. Finally their Holy Land was invaded and controlled by other nations who were said are the people of Al-‘Amaliqah from among the residents of Ghazzah and ‘Asqalan. The Children of Israel became a weak and oppressed colony. Their "Tabut" (Ark) was seized by the oppressor nation.

Because of their defeat, the Children of Israel wanted a leader who was firm and brave to lead the Children of Israel in fighting against the invaders. So they went to the Prophet Samuel to ask for instructions.

They begged the Prophet Samuel to appoint one of the Children of Israel to be the king who was able to lead to defeat the invaders. But the Prophet Samuel actually worried that if there had been a leader chosen by Allah SWT then they would not go to war. The Children of Israel said that they truly could not bear the suffering of being an oppressed nation, they were determined to uphold the religion of God.

Surah Al-Baqarah verse 246:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلۡمَلَإِ مِنۢ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مُوسَىٰٓ إِذۡ قَالُواْ لِنَبِيّٖ لَّهُمُ ٱبۡعَثۡ لَنَا مَلِكٗا نُّقَٰتِلۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ هَلۡ عَسَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ أَلَّا تُقَٰتِلُواْۖ قَالُواْ وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نُقَٰتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَدۡ أُخۡرِجۡنَا مِن دِيَٰرِنَا وَأَبۡنَآئِنَاۖ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوۡاْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ  ٢٤٦

246.  Have you not considered the assembly of the Children of Israel after [the time of] Moses when they said to a prophet of theirs, "Send to us a king, and we will fight in the way of Allah "? He said, "Would you perhaps refrain from fighting if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "And why should we not fight in the cause of Allah when we have been driven out from our homes and from our children?" But when fighting was prescribed for them, they turned away, except for a few of them. And Allah is Knowing of the wrongdoers.

Because of the insistence of his people, the Prophet Samuel pleaded with Allah SWT for the determination of the Children of Israel. Allah SWT granted his prayer and the person who was chosen to be King of the Children of Israel was Thalut (Saul).

When they found out that Thalut was chosen, they refused. Thalut is not very well known. Thalut is just an ordinary farmer who can be called a poor person. He did not have power in the Children of Israel before. Even though there are many people who are more famous and richer in the Children of Israel. The Prophet Samuel explained that although Thalut was only an ordinary person but he was good at war strategy, his body was strong, and he was good at state administration.

Surah Al-Baqarah verse 247:

وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ نَبِيُّهُمۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ بَعَثَ لَكُمۡ طَالُوتَ مَلِكٗاۚ قَالُوٓاْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ عَلَيۡنَا وَنَحۡنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلۡمُلۡكِ مِنۡهُ وَلَمۡ يُؤۡتَ سَعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَالِۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسۡطَةٗ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَٱلۡجِسۡمِۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤۡتِي مُلۡكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٞ  ٢٤٧

247.  And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, Allah has sent to you Saul as a king." They said, "How can he have kingship over us while we are more worthy of kingship than him and he has not been given any measure of wealth?" He said, "Indeed, Allah has chosen him over you and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature. And Allah gives His sovereignty to whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing [in favor] and Knowing."

But the Children of Israel asked for proof that Thalut was truly appointed by Allah SWT to become king. The Prophet Samuel said that the evidence was the return of the Ark of the legacy of Prophet Moses and Aaron the Prophet to them. The Ark will be carried by angels. Then, the Children of Israel saw the arrival of the Ark. The ark reflected angelic light. The angel carefully placed the Ark on the ground. The Children of Israel felt calm in their hearts and their faith increased. The their Ark is in their hands. So the Children of Israel accepted and agreed that Talut would be their king. In their lives there has been a government that will regulate and lead them according to the Shari'a of Allah SWT.

Surah Al-Baqarah verse 248:

وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ نَبِيُّهُمۡ إِنَّ ءَايَةَ مُلۡكِهِۦٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلتَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَبَقِيَّةٞ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَىٰ وَءَالُ هَٰرُونَ تَحۡمِلُهُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ  ٢٤٨

248.  And their prophet said to them, "Indeed, a sign of his kingship is that the chest will come to you in which is assurance from your Lord and a remnant of what the family of Moses and the family of Aaron had left, carried by the angels. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers."

When Thalut had announced his people to fight against the invaders, there was a father who sent his sons to join in the battle on the battlefield, but his youngest child named David was not permitted to fight on the front lines. David was indeed very young and had no experience in combat. But David's father allowed David to bring food supplies to his old brothers and send news about the battle to his father. With pleasure, David accepted the assignment and was grateful for being able to participate in fighting in the way of Allah SWT

KISAH NABI DAUD AS. - Terpilihnya Thalut Menjadi Raja Bani Israil

Setelah wafatnya Nabi Musa dan Nabi Harun, kepemimpinan Bani Israil diserahkan kepada Yusya’ bin Nun. Pada masa tersebut, lahirlah generasi baru di Bani Israil yang tidak takut berperang. Yusya’ bin Nun mampu memimpin Bani Israil sehingga mereka dapat menguasai Tanah Suci yang dijanjikan. Namun setelah Yusya’ bin Nun wafat, Bani Israil menjadi terpecah belah. Mereka berani mengubah isi kitab Taurat sesuai kemauan mereka sendiri. Mereka suka berselisih pendapat dan bertengkar sehingga kekuatan persatuan mereka telah hilang. Akhirnya Tanah Suci mereka diserbu dan dikuasai bangsa lain yang konon adalah orang-orang Al-‘Amaliqah dari kalangan penduduk Ghazzah dan ‘Asqalan. Bani Israil menjadi bangsa jajahan yang lemah dan tertindas. Tabut milik mereka dirampas oleh bangsa penindas tersebut.

Karena kekalahan mereka, Bani Israil menginginkan adanya seorang pemimpin yang tegas dan gagah berani untuk memimpin Bani Israil dalam berperang melawan penjajah. Maka mereka menemui Nabi Samuel untuk meminta petunjuk.

Mereka memohon kepada Nabi Samuel untuk mengangkat salah seorang dari Bani Israil untuk menjadi raja yang mampu memimpin untuk mengalahkan penjajah. Namun Nabi Samuel justru khawatir jika telah ada pemimpin yang dipilih Allah SWT maka mereka tidak mau pergi berperang. Bani Israil mengatakan bahwa mereka benar-benar tidak tahan lagi menderita karena menjadi bangsa tertindas, mereka bertekad untuk menegakkan agama Allah.

Surat Al-Baqarah ayat 246:

أَلَمۡ تَرَ إِلَى ٱلۡمَلَإِ مِنۢ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ مُوسَىٰٓ إِذۡ قَالُواْ لِنَبِيّٖ لَّهُمُ ٱبۡعَثۡ لَنَا مَلِكٗا نُّقَٰتِلۡ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِۖ قَالَ هَلۡ عَسَيۡتُمۡ إِن كُتِبَ عَلَيۡكُمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ أَلَّا تُقَٰتِلُواْۖ قَالُواْ وَمَا لَنَآ أَلَّا نُقَٰتِلَ فِي سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَدۡ أُخۡرِجۡنَا مِن دِيَٰرِنَا وَأَبۡنَآئِنَاۖ فَلَمَّا كُتِبَ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلۡقِتَالُ تَوَلَّوۡاْ إِلَّا قَلِيلٗا مِّنۡهُمۡۚ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ  ٢٤٦

246.  Apakah kamu tidak memperhatikan pemuka-pemuka Bani Israil sesudah Nabi Musa, yaitu ketika mereka berkata kepada seorang Nabi mereka: "Angkatlah untuk kami seorang raja supaya kami berperang (di bawah pimpinannya) di jalan Allah". Nabi mereka menjawab: "Mungkin sekali jika kamu nanti diwajibkan berperang, kamu tidak akan berperang". Mereka menjawab: "Mengapa kami tidak mau berperang di jalan Allah, padahal sesungguhnya kami telah diusir dari anak-anak kami?". Maka tatkala perang itu diwajibkan atas mereka, merekapun berpaling, kecuali beberapa saja di antara mereka. Dan Allah Maha Mengetahui siapa orang-orang yang zalim.

Karena desakan kaumnya, Nabi Samuel memohon kepada Allah SWT demi tekad Bani Israil. Allah SWT mengabulkan doa beliau dan orang yang terpilih menjadi Raja bagi Bani Israil adalah Thalut.

Saat mengetahui bahwa nama Thalut yang terpilih, mereka justru menolaknya. Nama Thalut memang tidak begitu dikenal. Thalut hanyalah seorang petani biasa yang dapat disebut orang miskin. Dia tidak memiliki kekuasaan di Bani Israil saat sebelumnya. Padahal banyak orang-orang yang lebih terkenal dan lebih kaya di Bani Israil. Nabi Samuel menjelaskan bahwa meskipun Thalut hanyalah orang biasa namun dia pandai strategi perang, tubuhnya kekar dan kuat, dan dia pandai ilmu tata negara.

Surat Al-Baqarah ayat 247:

وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ نَبِيُّهُمۡ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ بَعَثَ لَكُمۡ طَالُوتَ مَلِكٗاۚ قَالُوٓاْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لَهُ ٱلۡمُلۡكُ عَلَيۡنَا وَنَحۡنُ أَحَقُّ بِٱلۡمُلۡكِ مِنۡهُ وَلَمۡ يُؤۡتَ سَعَةٗ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَالِۚ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ٱصۡطَفَىٰهُ عَلَيۡكُمۡ وَزَادَهُۥ بَسۡطَةٗ فِي ٱلۡعِلۡمِ وَٱلۡجِسۡمِۖ وَٱللَّهُ يُؤۡتِي مُلۡكَهُۥ مَن يَشَآءُۚ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٞ  ٢٤٧

247.  Nabi mereka mengatakan kepada mereka: "Sesungguhnya Allah telah mengangkat Thalut menjadi rajamu". Mereka menjawab: "Bagaimana Thalut memerintah kami, padahal kami lebih berhak mengendalikan pemerintahan daripadanya, sedang diapun tidak diberi kekayaan yang cukup banyak?" Nabi (mereka) berkata: "Sesungguhnya Allah telah memilih rajamu dan menganugerahinya ilmu yang luas dan tubuh yang perkasa". Allah memberikan pemerintahan kepada siapa yang dikehendaki-Nya. Dan Allah Maha Luas pemberian-Nya lagi Maha Mengetahui.

Namun kaum Bani Israil meminta bukti bahwa Thalut benar-benar ditunjuk Allah SWT untuk menjadi raja. Nabi Samuel mengatakan bahwa bukti tersebut adalah kembalinya Tabut peninggalan Nabi Musa dan Nabi Harun kepada mereka. Tabut itu akan dibawa oleh malaikat. Kemudian, kaum Bani Israil melihat kedatangan Tabut tersebut. Tabut itu memantulkan cahaya malaikat. Malaikat itu meletakkan Tabut di atas tanah dengan hati-hati. Bani Israil merasakan ketenangan pada hati mereka dan keimanan mereka semakin bertambah. Tabut yang merupakan kebanggaan mereka telah ada di tangan mereka. Maka Bani Israil menerima dan menyetujui Thalut menjadi raja mereka. Di dalam kehidupan mereka telah terdapat suatu pemerintahan yang akan mengatur dan memimpin mereka sesuai syariat Allah SWT.

Surat Al-Baqarah ayat 248:

وَقَالَ لَهُمۡ نَبِيُّهُمۡ إِنَّ ءَايَةَ مُلۡكِهِۦٓ أَن يَأۡتِيَكُمُ ٱلتَّابُوتُ فِيهِ سَكِينَةٞ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَبَقِيَّةٞ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ ءَالُ مُوسَىٰ وَءَالُ هَٰرُونَ تَحۡمِلُهُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَأٓيَةٗ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤۡمِنِينَ  ٢٤٨

248.  Dan Nabi mereka mengatakan kepada mereka: "Sesungguhnya tanda ia akan menjadi raja, ialah kembalinya tabut kepadamu, di dalamnya terdapat ketenangan dari Tuhanmu dan sisa dari peninggalan keluarga Musa dan keluarga Harun; tabut itu dibawa malaikat. Sesungguhnya pada yang demikian itu terdapat tanda bagimu, jika kamu orang yang beriman.

Ketika Thalut telah mengumumkan kaumnya untuk berjuang melawan penjajah, ada seorang ayah yang mengirimkan putra-putranya untuk ikut bertempur di medan perang, tapi anak bungsunya yang bernama Daud tidak diizinkan ikut bertempur di garis depan. Daud memang masih sangat muda dan belum berpengalaman dalam bertempur. Namun ayah Daud mengizinkan Daud untuk membawa bekal makanan untuk kakak-kakaknya dan mengirimkan kabar tentang pertempuran itu kepada ayahnya. Dengan senang hati, Daud menerima tugas itu dan bersyukur karena bisa ikut berpartisipasi dalam berjuang di jalan Allah SWT.

THE STORY OF THE PROPHET AARON

Prophet Aaron is a prophet who was asked by Prophet Moses to Allah SWT to help and accompany him in teaching and developing the religion of Allah. Prophet Aaron was born as the second child of three brothers and he was the brother of the Prophet Moses and had an older sister named Miriam. His genealogy is Aaron bin Imran bin Qahits bin Lawi ibn Ya'qub ibn Ishak ibn Ibrahim. So, Prophet Aaron came from the Lawy tribe.

Aaron was born three years before Moses. The Prophet Aaron was sent to help Prophet Moses in leading the Children of Israel to the right path. Prophet Aaron is a person who is fluent and has a fixed position. He often followed Prophet Moses in delivering da'wah to Pharaoh, Haman, and Qarun. Prophet Moses admitted that his brother was indeed fluent in speaking and arguing, so he relied on Prophet Aaron while arguing with others.

Surah Al-Qashash verse 34:

وَأَخِي هَٰرُونُ هُوَ أَفۡصَحُ مِنِّي لِسَانٗا فَأَرۡسِلۡهُ مَعِيَ رِدۡءٗا يُصَدِّقُنِيٓۖ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ  ٣٤

34.  And my brother Aaron is more fluent than me in tongue, so send him with me as support, verifying me. Indeed, I fear that they will deny me."

When the Children of Israel were left by the Prophet Moses to pray on Mount Sinai, the Prophet Moses gave a mandate to the Prophet Aaron to lead, guard, and supervise the Children of Israel to avoid the mischief and heresy, and so that they always worship Allah SWT. However, when Prophet Moses was on Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel were tested by Allah SWT and did what they wished. Some of them worshiped calf statues made of gold. The heretical act was from Samiri's actions, who were the Children of Israel. Samiri could make the calf statue sound so that many of the Children of Israel were affected by Samiri's invitation to worship it.

Surah Al-A'raf verse 142:

۞وَوَٰعَدۡنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَٰثِينَ لَيۡلَةٗ وَأَتۡمَمۡنَٰهَا بِعَشۡرٖ فَتَمَّ مِيقَٰتُ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَرۡبَعِينَ لَيۡلَةٗۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَٰرُونَ ٱخۡلُفۡنِي فِي قَوۡمِي وَأَصۡلِحۡ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ سَبِيلَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ  ١٤٢

142.  And We made an appointment with Moses for thirty nights and perfected them by [the addition of] ten; so the term of his Lord was completed as forty nights. And Moses said to his brother Aaron, "Take my place among my people, do right [by them], and do not follow the way of the corrupters."

Prophet Aaron had warned the Children of Israel that this heretical act was a big sin. However, all the advice of the Prophet Aaron towards goodness and truth was even opposed and ignored by them.

Surah Thaha verse 90:

وَلَقَدۡ قَالَ لَهُمۡ هَٰرُونُ مِن قَبۡلُ يَٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنتُم بِهِۦۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي وَأَطِيعُوٓاْ أَمۡرِي  ٩٠

90.  And Aaron had already told them before [the return of Moses], "O my people, you are only being tested by it, and indeed, your Lord is the Most Merciful, so follow me and obey my order."

After the Prophet Moses prayed for forty days to receive the call of Allah SWT on Mount Sinai, the Prophet Moses returned to his people and was surprised to know that they had worshiped other than Allah SWT, namely the statue of a calf. The Prophet Moses was not only angry with his people, but also rebuked the Prophet Aaron by pulling his head and beard.

Surah Thaha verses 92-94:

قَالَ يَٰهَٰرُونُ مَا مَنَعَكَ إِذۡ رَأَيۡتَهُمۡ ضَلُّوٓاْ  ٩٢ أَلَّا تَتَّبِعَنِۖ أَفَعَصَيۡتَ أَمۡرِي  ٩٣ قَالَ يَبۡنَؤُمَّ لَا تَأۡخُذۡ بِلِحۡيَتِي وَلَا بِرَأۡسِيٓۖ إِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَن تَقُولَ فَرَّقۡتَ بَيۡنَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَمۡ تَرۡقُبۡ قَوۡلِي  ٩٤

92.  [Moses] said, "O Aaron, what prevented you, when you saw them going astray,

93.  From following me? Then have you disobeyed my order?"

94.  [Aaron] said, "O son of my mother, do not seize [me] by my beard or by my head. Indeed, I feared that you would say, 'You caused division among the Children of Israel, and you did not observe [or await] my word.' "

Prophet Moses rebuked his brother and wanted to know about the cause he had let the Children of Israel go astray. Prophet Aaron told Prophet Aaron not to pull his beard. The word "my mother's son" shows that Prophet Harun wanted to explain well about the matter as a familiar brother. They are siblings who must be able to solve their problems well. The prophet Aaron spoke that he was worried that he would be called a person who divided the Children of Israel and was unable to maintain the mandate.

After that, Prophet Moses immediately approached Samiri and sent him away as a punishment for teaching heresy. The calf statue was burned and the ashes were thrown into the sea.

According to history, Prophet Aaron lived for 122 years. He died 11 months before the death of Moses in the land of Tiih, which was when the Children of Israel had not entered al-Ardh al-muqaddasah.

The Children of Israel are indeed stubborn, many problems, and difficult to lead. But thanks to the patience of Prophet Moses and Prophet Aaron in leading his people, the Children of Israel can follow the Shari'a of Allah contained in the Torah.

KISAH NABI HARUN AS.

Nabi Harun adalah seorang nabi yang telah diminta oleh Nabi Musa kepada Allah SWT untuk membantu dan mendampinginya dalam mengajarkan dan mengembangkan agama Allah. Nabi Harun lahir sebagai anak kedua dari tiga bersaudara dan beliau adalah kakak kandung Nabi Musa dan memiliki kakak perempuan bernama Miryam. Silsilah beliau adalah Harun bin Imran bin Qahits bin Lawi bin Ya'qub bin Ishak bin Ibrahim. Jadi, Nabi Harun berasal dari suku Lawy.

Harun dilahirkan tiga tahun sebelum Musa. Nabi Harun diutus untuk membantu Nabi Musa dalam memimpin Bani Israil menuju ke jalan yang benar. Nabi Harun adalah seorang yang fasih berbicara dan memiliki pendirian tetap. Beliau sering mengikuti Nabi Musa dalam menyampaikan dakwah kepada Fir'aun, Haman, dan Qarun. Nabi Musa mengakui bahwa saudaranya itu memang fasih berbicara dan berdebat, sehingga beliau mengandalkan Nabi Harun saat berdebat kepada orang lain.

Surat Al-Qashash ayat 34:

وَأَخِي هَٰرُونُ هُوَ أَفۡصَحُ مِنِّي لِسَانٗا فَأَرۡسِلۡهُ مَعِيَ رِدۡءٗا يُصَدِّقُنِيٓۖ إِنِّيٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ  ٣٤

34.  Dan saudaraku Harun dia lebih fasih lidahnya daripadaku, maka utuslah dia bersamaku sebagai pembantuku untuk membenarkan (perkataan)ku; sesungguhnya aku khawatir mereka akan mendustakanku".

Saat Bani Israil ditinggal oleh Nabi Musa untuk berkhalwat di gunung Sinai, Nabi Musa memberikan amanah kepada Nabi Harun untuk memimpin, menjaga, dan mengawasi Bani Israil agar terhindar dari perbuatan mungkar dan sesat, serta agar mereka selalu menyembah Allah SWT saja. Akan tetapi, saat Nabi Musa sedang di gunung Sinai, Bani Israil mendapat ujian dari Allah SWT dan berbuat semaunya sendiri. Sebagian dari mereka malah menyembah patung anak sapi yang terbuat dari emas. Tindakan sesat itu adalah dari ulah Samiri yang merupakan orang Bani Israil. Samiri dapat membuat patung anak sapi itu bisa bersuara sehingga banyak orang Bani Israil yang terpengaruh ajakan Samiri untuk menyembah benda itu.

Surat Al-A'raf ayat 142:

۞وَوَٰعَدۡنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَٰثِينَ لَيۡلَةٗ وَأَتۡمَمۡنَٰهَا بِعَشۡرٖ فَتَمَّ مِيقَٰتُ رَبِّهِۦٓ أَرۡبَعِينَ لَيۡلَةٗۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَٰرُونَ ٱخۡلُفۡنِي فِي قَوۡمِي وَأَصۡلِحۡ وَلَا تَتَّبِعۡ سَبِيلَ ٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ  ١٤٢

142.  Dan telah Kami janjikan kepada Musa (memberikan Taurat) sesudah berlalu waktu tiga puluh malam, dan Kami sempurnakan jumlah malam itu dengan sepuluh (malam lagi), maka sempurnalah waktu yang telah ditentukan Tuhannya empat puluh malam. Dan berkata Musa kepada saudaranya yaitu Harun: "Gantikanlah aku dalam (memimpin) kaumku, dan perbaikilah, dan janganlah kamu mengikuti jalan orang-orang yang membuat kerusakan".

Nabi Harun sudah memperingatkan Bani Israil bahwa tindakan sesat itu adalah dosa besar. Namun, segala nasihat Nabi Harun menuju kebaikan dan kebenaran malah ditentang dan tidak dipedulikan oleh mereka.

Surat Thaha ayat 90:

وَلَقَدۡ قَالَ لَهُمۡ هَٰرُونُ مِن قَبۡلُ يَٰقَوۡمِ إِنَّمَا فُتِنتُم بِهِۦۖ وَإِنَّ رَبَّكُمُ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنُ فَٱتَّبِعُونِي وَأَطِيعُوٓاْ أَمۡرِي  ٩٠

90.  Dan sesungguhnya Harun telah berkata kepada mereka sebelumnya: "Hai kaumku, sesungguhnya kamu hanya diberi cobaan dengan anak lembu. itu dan sesungguhnya Tuhanmu ialah (Tuhan) Yang Maha Pemurah, maka ikutilah aku dan taatilah perintahku".

Setelah Nabi Musa berkhalwat selama empat puluh hari untuk menerima panggilan Allah SWT di gunung Sinai, Nabi Musa kembali kepada kaumnya dan terkejut saat mengetahui bahwa mereka telah menyembah selain Allah SWT, yaitu patung anak sapi. Nabi Musa tidak hanya marah kepada kaumnya, tetapi juga memarahi Nabi Harun dengan menarik kepala dan janggutnya.

Surat Thaha ayat 92-94:

قَالَ يَٰهَٰرُونُ مَا مَنَعَكَ إِذۡ رَأَيۡتَهُمۡ ضَلُّوٓاْ  ٩٢ أَلَّا تَتَّبِعَنِۖ أَفَعَصَيۡتَ أَمۡرِي  ٩٣ قَالَ يَبۡنَؤُمَّ لَا تَأۡخُذۡ بِلِحۡيَتِي وَلَا بِرَأۡسِيٓۖ إِنِّي خَشِيتُ أَن تَقُولَ فَرَّقۡتَ بَيۡنَ بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ وَلَمۡ تَرۡقُبۡ قَوۡلِي  ٩٤

92.  Berkata Musa: "Hai Harun, apa yang menghalangi kamu ketika kamu melihat mereka telah sesat,

93.  (sehingga) kamu tidak mengikuti aku? Maka apakah kamu telah (sengaja) mendurhakai perintahku?"

94.  Harun menjawab' "Hai putera ibuku, janganlah kamu pegang janggutku dan jangan (pula) kepalaku; sesungguhnya aku khawatir bahwa kamu akan berkata (kepadaku): "Kamu telah memecah antara Bani Israil dan kamu tidak memelihara amanatku".

Nabi Musa menegur saudaranya dan ingin mengetahui tentang penyebab dia telah membiarkan Bani Israil menjadi sesat. Nabi Harun menyuruh Nabi Harun agar tidak menarik janggutnya. Kata “putra ibuku” menunjukkan bahwa Nabi Harun ingin menjelaskan secara baik-baik tentang masalah itu sebagai saudara yang akrab. Mereka adalah saudara sekandung yang harus dapat menyelesaikan permasalahan mereka dengan baik. Nabi Harun berbicara bahwa dia khawatir akan disebut sebagai orang yang memecah belah Bani Israil dan tidak mampu menjaga amanat.

Setelah itu, Nabi Musa segera menghampiri Samiri dan mengusirnya sebagai hukuman karena telah mengajarkan kesesatan. Patung anak sapi itu dibakar dan abunya dibuang ke lautan.

Menurut riwayat, Nabi Harun hidup selama 122 tahun. Beliau wafat 11 bulan sebelum wafatnya Nabi Musa di padang Tiih, yaitu saat Bani Israil belum memasuki al-ardh al-muqaddasah.

Bani Israil memang kaum yang keras kepala, banyak masalah, dan sulit dipimpin. Namun berkat kesabaran Nabi Musa dan Nabi Harun dalam memimpin umatnya, Bani Israil dapat mengikuti syariat Allah SWT yang terkandung dalam kitab Taurat.