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 Recompense' 16 Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant David, the man of might; he was a penitent. 17 It was We that made the hills declare, in unison with him, Our Praises, at eventide and at break of day, 18 And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him. 19 And We strengthened his kingdom and We gave him wisdom and a clear judgment. 20 ۞ And has there come to you the story of the litigants, when they made an entry into the private chamber by ascending over the walls? 21 When they reached David, he took fright, but they said, "Do not be afraid. We are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other: judge between us fairly, do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path. 22 "Behold, this is my brother: he has ninety-nine ewes, whereas I have [only] one ewe - and yet he said, 'Make her over to me,' and forcibly prevailed against me in this [our] dispute." 23 David said, "He has certainly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his ewes! Thus many partners wrong one another -- [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!" And [suddenly] David understood that We were only putting him to the test, and so he asked his Lord to forgive him his sins; he fell to his knees, and turned to Him in repentance. ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and verily for him is an approach with us, and a happy retreat. 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