Commentary
And when the essence of the root of 'shardama' is based on fragmentation, it indicates in its expression that they, despite their fewness, are scattered and not of one heart. It was mentioned that in their following there is a cure for the malice, and he followed it with what negates the ailments of the slacker. He said: ﴿And indeed, we are all together﴾ meaning: I and you are one group united under the king with one heart.
And when he indicated by this news to the opposite of what the Children of Israel were upon with their fewness, which is a cause for their boldness against them, he informed of a second news that increases the boldness against them, and in opposition to what was indicated by 'few' regarding their weakness. He said: ﴿Cautious﴾ meaning: We, with the consensus of our hearts, are cautious regarding our affairs and nature. We are always prepared for battle and confronting the heroes, and nothing hinders us from it, neither by book nor otherwise. As for me, it is by the abundance of wealth upon you, and the flow of provisions among you, and placing things in their rightful places in the land and among the men. As for you, it is by employing the trust of obedience to the king in placing everything he gives you in its proper places, from preparing weapons, means of transport, and provisions, and all that the fighter needs, along with the honor, strength, pride, and greatness of souls, with boldness, initiative, and steadfastness in standing for the truths, preserved by reason, safeguarded by determination that prevents the adversaries from approaching you and their plotting against you.
It is narrated that he used to manage the revenue of Egypt by dividing it into four parts: one for his ministers, scribes, and soldiers, the second for digging rivers and constructing bridges, the third for himself and his children, and the fourth is distributed from the cities of the regions. If they faced thirst, or flooding, or the corruption of a cause, or the death of workers, he would support them with it. It was narrated that a group approached him and said: We need to dig a canal to cultivate our lands. He permitted that and appointed a worker over them, and he collected much of the revenue from that area to the treasury. He asked about the amount they spent on their canal, and it turned out to be one hundred thousand dinars. He ordered it to be delivered to them, but they refused to accept it. He said: Throw it upon them, for when the king becomes self-sufficient with the wealth of his subjects, he becomes poor, and they become poor. And when the subjects become self-sufficient with the wealth of their king, they become rich and thrive.
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