۞ Hast thou not regarded those who went forth from their habitations in their thousands fearful of death? God said to them, 'Die!' Then He gave them life. Truly God is bounteous to the people, but most of the people are not thankful. 243 Fight, then, in God's cause, and know that God is all-hearing, all-knowing. 244 Who is he that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He will multiply it unto him manifold. And Allah scanteth and amplifieth, and unto Him ye shall be returned. 245 (Muhammad), remember that group of the Israelites after Moses who demanded a Prophet of their own to appoint a king for them who would lead them in the fight for the cause of God. Their Prophet then said, "What if you are ordered to fight and you disobey?" They said, "Why should we not fight for the cause of God when we and our sons have been expelled from our homes?" However, when they were ordered to fight, all refused except a few among them. God knows well the unjust. 246 And their prophet said unto them: verily Allah hath raised unto you Talut as a king. They said: how can there be the dominion for him over us, whereas we are more worthy of the dominion than he nor hath he been vouchsafed an amplitude of wealth! He said: verily Allah hath chosen him over you and hath increased him amply in knowledge and physique, and Allah vouchsafeth His dominion unto whomsoever He listeth; and Allah is Bountiful, Knowing. 247 And their Prophet (Samuel) said to them: Verily! The sign of His Kingdom is that there shall come to you At-Tabut (a wooden box), wherein is Sakinah (peace and reassurance) from your Lord and a remnant of that which Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron) left behind, carried by the angels. Verily, in this is a sign for you if you are indeed believers. 248