and the baker said, “Perhaps we may need a scholar,” and so he spared her. Then repentance came into Saul’s heart, and he regretted what he had done. He devoted himself to weeping until people took pity on him.

Every night he would go out to the graves, weep, and call out: “I implore, by Allah, that any servant who knows of a way of repentance for me should tell me of it.” When he repeatedly called out to them, a caller from among the graves cried, “Saul, is it not enough that you killed us, that you must torment us even when we are dead?” This only increased his weeping and sorrow.

The baker took pity on him and asked, “What is the matter with you, O king?” He replied, “Do you know of any scholar in the land whom I may ask whether there is a way of repentance for me?”

The baker said, “You are like a king who arrived at a village in the evening. A rooster crowed, and he took it as an evil omen, saying, ‘Do not leave a single rooster in the village without slaughtering it.’ Then, when he wished to sleep, he said to his companions, ‘When the rooster crows, wake us so that we may set out before dawn.’ They replied, ‘But have you left any rooster whose voice we could hear?’ Yet have you left any scholar in the land?”

Saul’s grief and weeping increased. When the baker saw this, he said to him, “Tell me: if I were to direct you to a scholar, might you kill her?” Saul replied, “No.” So the baker secured his pledge and informed him that the learned woman was with him. Saul said, “Take me to her, so that I may ask her whether there is a way of repentance for me.”

She belonged to a household that knew the Greatest Name of Allah; when its men had died out, its women would acquire that knowledge. When Saul reached the door, the baker said, “She will be frightened when she sees you.” So he left Saul behind and went in to her. He said, “Have I not shown you the greatest favor, by saving you from death and giving you shelter?” She replied, “Indeed you have.” He said, “Then I have a need of you. Saul is asking whether there is a way of repentance for him.”

She fainted from terror. He said to her, “He does not wish to kill you; he only asks whether there is a way of repentance for him.” She replied, “No, by Allah, I know of no repentance for Saul. But do you know the location of a prophet’s grave?”

He took them both to the grave of Samuel. She prayed and supplicated, then called out, “O occupant of the grave!” Samuel emerged from the grave, shaking the dust from his head. When he saw the three of them, he said, “What is the matter with you? Has the Resurrection begun?” She said, “No; rather, Saul asks you whether there is a way of repentance for him.”

Samuel said, “O Saul, what have you done since I departed?” He replied, “I have committed every evil without leaving any undone, and I have come seeking repentance.” Samuel asked, “How many children do you have?” He replied, “Ten sons.” Samuel said, “I know of no repentance for you except that you relinquish your kingdom and go forth, you and your children, in the path of Allah. Then you must send your children forward, so that they are killed before your eyes; then you must fight until you too are killed after the last of them.”

Then Samuel returned to the grave and fell down dead. Saul returned in the deepest sorrow, fearing that his sons would not comply with him. He wept until his eyelashes fell out and his body became emaciated. His sons came in to him, and he said, “Tell me, if I were delivered over to the Fire, would you ransom me?” They replied, “Yes, we would ransom you with all that we are able.” He said, “Then it is the Fire, unless you do what I tell you.” They said, “Then present it to us.” So he told them the story.

They said, “And you too will surely be killed?” He replied, “Yes.” They said, “Then there is no good for us in life after you. We willingly accept what you have asked of us.” So he made ready with his wealth and his sons. His ten sons went forward and fought before him until they were killed. Then he charged after them until he too was killed.

His killer came to David to bring him the good news and said, “I have killed your enemy.” David said, “You shall not live after him,” and struck off his head. Saul’s reign lasted forty years, until he was killed. Then the Children of Israel came to David, gave him Saul’s treasuries, and made him their king.