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CONGRUITIES AND INCONGRUITIES BETWEEN THE BIBLE AND THE QUR'AN |
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The Jewish community had been struggling against idolaters for more than 400 years, without a central government. The people now needed a central government and a kingship and conveyed their suggestion to Samuel. Samuel found a sturdy young man in 879 B.C. by the name of Saul and anointed and consecrated him as God. Saul had oft fought against the Palestinians in which the young David had displayed great courage and bravery.
DAVID
Saul fell in action and David succeeded him as King. Not only was he a hero as a fighter but was also favored with the revelation of the Psalms, as a reward for his sincere devotion to God Almighty.
SOLOMON
David had appointed his son Solomon, king, even before he died in 826 B.C. Solomon was 12 years old at the time. David enjoined his son not to stray from the path of God. His father had conquered all the territories available and elevated Israel to its highest possible summit. They were not harassed by their neighbors and lived in abundance. Solomon, who had received the blessing of God, performed the duty of king for 40 years and died at 52 in 759 B.C. To raise a temple to the Lord had been the greatest wish of his father, David, but it would be his son Solomon's lot to realize this wish. The First Temple referred to as the Sacred House in the history of the Jewish people was erected in Jerusalem in 825 B.C. The chest containing the Ark of the Covenant was deposited in the said Temple. The site of the Temple had been chosen by God and Solomon was given the duty to build it. It took 13 years to complete the construction of the most sumptuous temple of the period to which thousands of workers contributed.
The Holy Qur'an praised Solomon and gloirifies him in many verses. « We gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!" And Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)" »(Surah 27/15, 16)
Solomon acted wrongly towards the end of his life; which is described in the Old Testament as follows: « But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites:» (1 Kings 11/1) « And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.» (1 Kings 11/3) « For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.» (1 Kings 11/4) « And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,» (1 Kings 10/9) « And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.» (1 Kings 11/10) « Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.» (1 Kings 11/11) »
THE SPLIT OF JEWISH PEOPLE