247 However, Samuel the prophet appointed a king or what the Holy Qur?

247 However, Samuel the prophet appointed a king or what the Holy Qur?n has called ``MALIK'' for the Israelites as a ruler and commander of the forces: [ 275 ] ``And their prophet said to them: `Allah has appointed TALUT=SAUL as king over you.'' The Grandees and influentials raised all sorts of petty objection that how can he have sovereignty over us while we are more liable and deserving to that position!?

In fact, they objected against the elect of God, when they said: ``Saul is a simple and poor peasant who is not even gifted with an extensive wealth! The knocking down answers that QUR?N has given to such a people is: `Allah has chosen him over you, and Has increased him extensively in knowledge and bodily power and prowess; and Allah gives of His kingdom to whom He wills.'' VERSE NO.

248 Even though their prophet, at their own request, and with the permission of God appointed Saul as a king for them, and he also mentioned some reasons for his choice besides that of God's will, such as the king's strength and knowledge; the Israelites were still in doubt about that elect and therefore, Samuel said to them as Qur?n relates: ``The sign of his kingship and kingdom is that the ARK OF COVENANT will come to you, wherein shall be tranquility for you from your Lord, and some relics of the house of Moses and the house of ARON, and the ARK is carried by the angels.'' The ARK OF COVENANT, basically was a chest in which Moses as a baby was given to the Nile by his mother as per odrer of God.

The box and baby were taken up by Pharaoh's guards, and the chest remained safe, and kept after the PASS OVER as a precious antique. It was made to contain the; `TESTIMONY OF GOD' or the Ten Commandments engraved on stone, with some relics of Moses and ARRON. VERSE NO. 249 At last they agreed with the appointment and yielded to Saul's commandership and set out a large force in order to fight their enemies. Saul wanted to make sure if the Israelites whole-heartedly believe in their commander.

He therefore took an examination of his troops, so that he could get rid of all the doubtful ones. The wise commander put to test the resistance and the endurance of his soldiers against thirst, and said to them: [ 276 ] ``Allah will try you with a stream of water: Whoever drinks from it, is not mine; and who drinks it not is mine.'' Unfortunately most of the Israelites failed in the exam, and drank of it; but a few.