Now this my brother had ninety and nine ewes, and I had but a single ewe; and he said, make me her keeper. And he over-persuaded me in the dispute.”

He said, “Certainly he hath wronged thee in asking for thine ewe to add her to his own ewes: and truly many associates do one another wrong—except those who believe and do the things that are right; and few indeed are they!” And David perceived that we had tried him; so he asked pardon of his Lord, and fell down and bowed himself and repented.

So we forgave him that his sin; and truly he shall have a high rank with Us, and an excellent retreat in Paradise.

O David! verily we have made thee our vicegerent upon earth. Judge therefore between men with truth, and follow not thy passions, lest they cause thee to err from the way of God. For they who err from the way of God shall meet with a grievous chastisement, for that they have forgotten the day of reckoning.

We have not created the heaven and the earth and what is between them for nought. That is the thought of infidels; but woe to the infidels because of the fire!

Shall we treat those who believe and do the things that are right like those who propagate evil on earth? Shall we treat the God-fearing like the impious?

A blessed Book⁹ have we sent down to thee, that men may meditate its verses, and that those endued with understanding may bear it in mind.

And Solomon gave we unto David. An excellent servant, for he loved to turn him Godward.

Remember when at eventide the prancing¹⁰ chargers were displayed before him,

And he said, “Truly I have loved the love of earthly goods above the remembrance of my Lord, till the sun hath been hidden by the veil of darkness.¹¹

Bring them back to me.” And he began to sever the legs and necks.

We also made trial of Solomon, and placed a phantom¹² on his throne: whereupon he returned to US (in penitence).

He said, O my Lord! pardon me, and give me a dominion that may not be to any one beside me, for thou art the liberal giver.

So we subjected the wind to him; it ran softly at his bidding, whithersoever he directed it:

And the Satans—every builder and diver—

And others bound in chains:¹³

“This,” said we, “is our gift: be bounteous then, or withhold thy favours; no account shalt thou render.”

And his rank also is high with Us, and an excellent retreat.

And remember our servant Job when he cried to his Lord, “Verily, Satan hath laid on me disease and pain.”

“Stamp,” said we, “with thy foot. This¹⁴ is to wash with; cool, and to drink.”

And we gave him back his family, and as many more with them in our mercy; and for a monition to men of judgment.