Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597/1201) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr" as follows:

Ibn ʿAbbās states: "Ṭālūt (Saul) was the most knowledgeable among the Children of Israel in warfare, and he had broader shoulders, neck, and head than the people." As to whether this increase in knowledge and stature was before he became king or was given to him afterward, there are two opinions:

1. It was before he became king. [Wahb, al-Suddī]
2. It was after he became king. [Ibn Zayd] This entails that he became stronger.

When was this king "increased in knowledge and body"?