فَهَزَمُوهُم بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ وَقَتَلَ دَاوُۥدُ جَالُوتَ وَءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُلْكَ وَٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَعَلَّمَهُۥ مِمَّا يَشَآءُ ۗ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ ٱللَّهِ ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُم بِبَعْضٍ لَّفَسَدَتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ 251
Translations
So they defeated them by permission of Allāh, and David killed Goliath, and Allāh gave him the kingship and wisdom [i.e., prophethood] and taught him from that which He willed. And if it were not for Allāh checking [some] people by means of others, the earth would have been corrupted, but Allāh is the possessor of bounty for the worlds.
Transliteration
Fahazamūhum bi-idhni Allāhi wa-qatala Dāwūdu Jālūta wa-ātāhu Allāhu al-mulka wa-al-hikma wa-'allamahu mimmmā yashā'. Wa-lawlā daf'u Allāhi al-nāsa ba'dahum bi-ba'din lafasadat al-ard wa-lākinna Allāha dhū fadlin 'alā al-'ālamīn.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah recounts the momentous victory of the believers (Saul's army) over Goliath's forces, with Prophet David (Dawud) slaying the giant Goliath (Jalut) by divine permission. Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this victory was entirely by Allah's will and wisdom, granted to David along with prophethood, kingship, and divine knowledge. The verse concludes with a universal principle: Allah maintains balance in creation by allowing people to resist one another, for without this divine intervention of mutual restraint, corruption would spread throughout the earth—demonstrating Allah's mercy and grace upon all creation.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of the narrative in Surah Al-Baqarah (ayah 246-251) describing the story of Prophet Samuel (Samuil) and the Israelites' request for a king to fight against their enemies. The context is Medinan, addressing the early Muslim community about divine support for the righteous and the establishment of just governance. This historical account serves as encouragement to the Muslims facing their own trials.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly narrates this specific event (as it is a biblical narrative confirmed in the Quran), Sahih Bukhari records various hadiths about Prophet David's virtues and his role as a messenger. Related thematically: 'The best of people are those in my generation, then those who follow them' (Sahih Bukhari 3456), emphasizing the honor of righteous predecessors like David.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches that true victory comes not from numbers or physical strength, but from faith in Allah and adherence to His guidance—as young David defeated the mighty Goliath. Additionally, it reminds us that Allah's management of world affairs through balance between competing forces is itself an act of divine mercy, encouraging believers to trust in Allah's wisdom even amid apparent conflict and struggle.