These only wait for a single Shout for which there will be no delay. 15 They say, 'Our Lord, hasten to us our share before the Day of Reckoning.' 16 (Muhammad), bear patiently what they say and recall Our servant, David, who had strong hands and who was most repentant. 17 We subjugated the chiefs (of tribes) to struggle day and night with him, 18 And birds gathered together; they were all obedient to him. 19 And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech. 20 ۞ AND YET, has the story of the litigants come within thy ken - [the story of the two] who surmounted the walls of the sanctuary [in which David prayed]? 21 When they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, "Fear not. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path. 22 Verily this my brother hath nine and ninety ewes while I have one ewe; and he saith: entrust it to me, and he hath prevailed upon me in speech. 23 David said: “He has certainly wronged you in seeking to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed many who live together commit excesses, one to the other, except those that believe and act righteously; and they are but few.” (While so saying) David realized that it is We Who have put him to test; therefore, he sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down, bowing and penitently turning (to Him). ۩ 24 We therefore forgave him this; and indeed for him in Our presence are, surely, proximity and an excellent abode. 25 [And We said:] "O David! Behold, We have made thee a [prophet and thus, Our] vicegerent on earth: judge, then, between men with justice, and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of God: verily, for those who go astray from the path of God there is suffering severe in store for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning!" 26