Prophet Dawud (David)
c. 10th century BCE (traditional: reign c. 1000 BCE).
Dawud (David) was a prophet and king of the Children of Israel. When Talut led the army against Jalut (Goliath), Dawud asked to fight him and slew him with a stone from his sling by Allah's permission. Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom and taught him what He willed; He gave him the Zabur (Psalms) and made him a vicegerent. The mountains and the birds glorified Allah with him. He judged with justice; when two men came with a dispute (the parable of the ninety-nine ewes), he understood the test and judged rightly. Allah said: "O Dawud, We have made you a vicegerent on earth; so judge between people in truth."
When Talut set out with the army, they were tested at the river—only those who drank a handful remained. Among them was Dawud. When they faced Jalut (Goliath) and his army, Dawud asked to fight him. By Allah’s permission he slew him with a stone from his sling. Allah gave him the kingdom and wisdom and taught him what He willed. "So they defeated them by permission of Allah, and Dawud killed Jalut." (Al-Baqarah 2:251)
In this story
- Dawud and Jalut
- Dawud as prophet: Zabur, fasting, iron
- The two litigants and David's repentance
Where the Quran tells it
- Al-Baqarah 2:251
- Sad 38:17-26
- Al-Anbiya 21:78-80
- Saba 34:10-11
- An-Nisa 4:163
- Al-Isra 17:55