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."
اردو — مودودی
اُن کے نبی نے ان سے کہا کہ اللہ نے طالوت کو تمہارے لیے بادشاہ مقرر کیا ہے یہ سن کر وہ بولے : "ہم پر بادشاہ بننے کا وہ کیسے حقدار ہو گیا؟ اُس کے مقابلے میں بادشاہی کے ہم زیادہ مستحق ہیں وہ تو کوئی بڑا ما ل دار آدمی نہیں ہے" نبی نے جواب دیا: "اللہ نے تمہارے مقابلے میں اسی کو منتخب کیا ہے اور اس کو دماغی و جسمانی دونوں قسم کی اہلیتیں فراوانی کے ساتھ عطا فرمائی ہیں اور اللہ کو اختیار ہے کہ اپنا ملک جسے چاہے دے، اللہ بڑی وسعت رکھتا ہے اور سب کچھ اُس کے علم میں ہے"
Bahasa Indonesia — Kemenag
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.
Ibn Kathir
When the Israelites asked their Prophet to appoint a king over them, he appointed Talut (Saul), who was then a soldier. But, Talut was not a descendant of the house of kings among them, which was exclusively in the offspring of Yahudha (Judah). This is why they said:
أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ الْمُلْكُ عَلَيْنَا
(How can he be a king over us) meaning, how can he be the king for us,
وَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ بِالْمُلْكِ مِنْهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْتَ سَعَةً مِّنَ الْمَالِ
(when we are fitter than him for the kingdom, and he has not been given enough wealth) They said that Talut was also poor and did not have the wealth that justifies him being king. Some people stated that Talut used to bring water to the people, while others stated that his profession was dyeing skins. The Jews, thus, disputed with their Prophet while they were supposed to obey him and to say good words to him.
Their Prophet answered them:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ اصْطَفَـهُ عَلَيْكُمْ
(Verily, Allah has chosen him above you) meaning, `Allah chose Talut from amongst you while having better knowledge about him.' Their Prophet stated, "I did not choose Talut to be your king on my own. Rather, Allah has commanded that upon your request." Further:
وَزَادَهُ بَسْطَةً فِي الْعِلْمِ وَالْجِسْمِ
(...and has increased him abundantly in knowledge and stature.) meaning, `Talut is more knowledgeable and honorable than you, and stronger and more patient during combat, and has more knowledge of warfare. In short, he has more knowledge and is stronger than you are. The king should have sufficient knowledge, be fair looking and should have a strong soul and body.' He then said:
وَاللَّهُ يُؤْتِى مُلْكَهُ مَن يَشَآءُ
(And Allah grants His kingdom to whom He wills.) meaning, Allah Alone is the Supreme Authority Who does what He wills and no one can ask Him about His actions, while they will be asked (about their actions by Him). This is because Allah has perfect knowledge, wisdom and kindness with His creation. Allah said:
وَاللَّهُ وَسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
(And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower.) meaning, His favor is encompassing and He grants His mercy to whom He wills. He also knows those who deserve to be kings and those who do not deserve it.
المُيَسَّر
وقال لهم نبيهم: إن الله قد أرسل إليكم طالوت مَلِكًا إجابة لطلبكم، يقودكم لقتال عدوكم كما طلبتم. قال كبراء بني إسرائيل: كيف يكون طالوت مَلِكًا علينا، وهو لا يستحق ذلك؟ لأنه ليس من سبط الملوك، ولا من بيت النبوة، ولم يُعْط كثرة في الأموال يستعين بها في ملكه، فنحن أحق بالملك منه؛ لأننا من سبط الملوك ومن بيت النبوة. قال لهم نبيهم: إن الله اختاره عليكم وهو سبحانه أعلم بأمور عباده، وزاده سَعَة في العلم وقوة في الجسم ليجاهد العدو. والله مالك الملك يعطي ملكه مَن يشاء من عباده، والله واسع الفضل والعطاء، عليم بحقائق الأمور، لا يخفى عليه شيء.