The Quran

249

Preface

فَلَمّا فَصَلَ طالوتُ بِالجُنودِ قالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مُبتَليكُم بِنَهَرٍ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنهُ فَلَيسَ مِنّي وَمَن لَم يَطعَمهُ فَإِنَّهُ مِنّي إِلّا مَنِ اغتَرَفَ غُرفَةً بِيَدِهِ ۚ فَشَرِبوا مِنهُ إِلّا قَليلًا مِنهُم ۚ فَلَمّا جاوَزَهُ هُوَ وَالَّذينَ آمَنوا مَعَهُ قالوا لا طاقَةَ لَنَا اليَومَ بِجالوتَ وَجُنودِهِ ۚ قالَ الَّذينَ يَظُنّونَ أَنَّهُم مُلاقُو اللَّهِ كَم مِن فِئَةٍ قَليلَةٍ غَلَبَت فِئَةً كَثيرَةً بِإِذنِ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصّابِرينَ

Yusuf Ali

When Talut set forth with the armies, he said¹: “God will test you at the stream: if any drinks of its water, He goes not with my army: Only those who taste not of it go with me: A mere sip out of the hand is excused.” but they all drank of it, except a few. When they crossed the river,- He and the faithful ones with him,they said: “This day² We cannot cope with Goliath and his forces.” but those who were convinced that they must meet God, said: “How oft, by God’s will, Hath a small force vanquished a big one? God is with those who steadfastly persevere.”

A Commander is hampered by a large force if it is not in perfect discipline and does not wholeheartedly believe in its Commander. He must get rid of all the doubtful ones, as did Gideon before Saul, and Henry V, in Shakespeare’s story long afterwards. Saul used the same test as Gideon: he gave a certain order when crossing a stream: the greater part disobeyed, and were sent back. Gideon’s story will be found in Judges, 7:2-7.
Even in the small band that remained faithful, there were some who were appalled by the number of the enemy when they met him face to face, and saw the size and strength of the enemy Commander, the giant Goliath (Jalut). But there was a very small band who were determined to face all odds because they had perfect confidence in God and in the cause for which they were fighting. They were for making a firm stand and seeking God’s help. Of that number was David: see next note.