Approaching the West — Page 63
A pproaching the West—63 And verily, We gave Moses the Book, and caused after him Messengers to follow in his footsteps… (2:88) Surely, We took Covenant from the children of Israel, and We sent Messengers to them… (5:71) With the ensuing of monarchy in the later years of the Judges (1200-1000 BCE), the Israeli kings acted as the supreme Judges as the heads of the state. Saul was the first Israelite king who ruled them for 20 years (1020-1000 BCE), and David was the second and the greatest of all the kings, and he ruled for 40 years (1000-961 BCE). David founded a dynasty that lasted for four centuries. David and his son Solomon were not only the kings of Israel, they were Prophets of God as well; and as such were the Khal ī fahs in the dispensation of Moses. The Holy Qur’ ā n confirms this position of Khil ā fat among the Israelites, and calls David as a Khal ī fah, … and indeed he had a position of nearness with Us and an excellent retreat. ‘O David, We have made thee a vicegerent [Khal ī fah] in the earth; so judge between men with justice, and follow not vain desire, lest it should lead thee astray from the way of Allah. ’ … (38:26-27) His son Solomon (961-922 BCE), a king and a Prophet of God among the Israelites, succeeded David as his Khal ī fah. He built the First Temple in Jerusalem in 950 BCE. After his death, his kingdom was divided among two of his sons. Northern Israel (with Ten Tribes) was ruled by Jeroboam,