Editing Saul (section)

=== Saul as the King of Israel ===
In the Qur'an, Israelites demanded a King after the time of [[Moses in Islam|Moses]]. God appointed Talut as their King. Saul was distinguished by the greatness of his knowledge and of his physique; it was a sign of his role as King that God brought back the [[Ark of the Covenant]] for Israel. Talut tested his people at a river; whoever drank from it would not follow him in battle excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand. Many drank but only the faithful ventured on. In the battle, however, David slew Goliath and was made the subsequent King of Israel.<ref name="qref|2|246-251|b=y" />

The Qur'anic account<ref name="qref|2|246-251|b=y" /> differs from the Biblical account (if Saul is assumed to be Talut) in that in the Bible the sacred Ark was returned to Israel before Saul's accession, and the test by drinking water is made in the [[Hebrew Bible]] not by Saul but by [[Gideon#Biblical narrative|Gideon]].<ref name=Judges>Judges vii. 5–7</ref>