Tafsir of Al-Baqarah 2:250

"And when they went forth to Goliath..."

Goliath: A tyrant from the Amalekites, descendants of ‘Amaliq ibn ‘Ad. His helmet weighed three hundred pounds.

"And make firm our feet" Grant us that by which we may remain steadfast in the slippery places of war: strength of heart, casting terror into the hearts of the enemy, and similar means.

Historical Account: Jesse (Isha), the father of David, was in the army of Saul (Talut) with six of his sons. David was the seventh, a youth who tended sheep. It was revealed to Samuel that David, son of Jesse, was the one who would kill Goliath. Samuel requested him from his father. On his way, David passed by three stones; each one called out to him to carry it, saying, "You will kill Goliath with us." He carried them in his pouch, threw them at Goliath, and killed him. Saul then gave him his daughter in marriage. It is reported that Saul later envied him and intended to kill him, but then repented.

"And Allah gave him the kingdom" In the east and west of the Holy Land. Never before David had the Children of Israel united under a single king.

"And wisdom" And prophethood.

"And taught him of what He willed" Such as the craft of making armor, the speech of birds and beasts, and other things.

"And if it were not for Allah checking [some] people by means of others" If Allah did not repel some people by means of others and restrain their corruption through them, the corrupters would have prevailed, the earth would have been corrupted, its benefits would have ceased, and its interests—such as cultivation, offspring, and all that sustains the earth—would have been disrupted.

It is also said: If Allah did not grant victory to the Muslims over the disbelievers, the earth would have been corrupted by the disbelievers' rampage, their killing of Muslims, or—had He not repelled them through the believers—disbelief would have become universal, divine wrath would have descended, and the inhabitants of the earth would have been eradicated.

"These are the verses of Allah which We recite to you, [O Muhammad], in truth. And indeed, you are from among the messengers."