And these wait but for one shout, wherefrom there will be no deferment. 15 They say: "Our Lord! hasten to us our sentence (even) before the Day of Account!" 16 Have patience upon what they say, and remember Our bondman Dawud, the one blessed with favours; he is indeed most inclined (towards His Lord). 17 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise, 18 And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him. 19 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive 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 came before David, he was frightened of them. "Do not be afraid," they said. "The two of us are disputing the wrong one has done the other. So judge between us with equity, and do not be unjust, and guide us to the right path. 22 One of them said, "This is my brother who has ninety-nine ewes when I have only one. He has demanded me to place that one in his custody; he had the stronger argument". 23 Said Dawud, “He is indeed being unjust to you in that he demands to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed most partners wrong one another, except those who believe and do good deeds – and they are very few!” Thereupon Dawud realised that We had tested him, so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, and fell prostrate and inclined (towards his Lord). (Command of Prostration # 10) ۩ 24 So We forgave him that; and verily for him is an approach with us, and a happy retreat. 25 O Da-ud! verily We have appointed thee a vicegerent in the earth, so judge between mankind with truth, and follow not desire, lest it cause thee to err from the path of Allah. Verily those who err from the path of Allah - unto them shall be a severe torment, for they forgat the Day of Reckoning. 26