17. Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant David, the man of might; surely he was always turning to God. 18. WE subjected to him the mountains - they celebrated God's praises with him at nightfall and sunrise. 19. And WE subjected to him the birds gathered together; all constantly turned to him. 20. And WE strengthened his kingdom, and gave him wisdom and decisive judgment. 21. And has the story of the disputants reached thee when they climbed over the wall of his private chamber ? - 22. When they entered in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said, `Fear not. We are two disputants; one of us has transgressed against the other; so judge between us with justice, and deviate not from the right course and guide us to the right way.' 23. `Now this my brother has ninety-nine ewes, and I have only one ewe. Yet he says, `Give it to me,' and he has been overbearing to me in his address.' 24. David said, `Surely, he has wronged thee in asking for thy ewe to add to his own ewes. And certainly many partners transgress against one another, except those who believe in ALLAH and act righteously; and these are but few.' And David thought that WE had tried him; so he asked forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down bowing in worship and turned to HIM. 25. So WE forgave him his default; and, indeed, he had a position of nearness with US and an excellent resort. 26. Then WE said to him, `O David, WE have made thee a viceregent in the earth; so judge between men with justice, and follow not vain desire, lest it should lead thee astray from the way of ALLAH.' Surely, those, who go astray from the way of ALLAH, will have a severe punishment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning. |