Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, unto King Solomon at Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the City of David, which is Zion.

And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to take away his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.

And David consulted with the commanders of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader.

Now David assembled at Jerusalem all the rulers of Israel: the chiefs of the tribes and the leaders of the divisions who served the king, the commanders over thousands and commanders over hundreds, and the officials over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the overseers, the mighty men, and all the men of valor.

In the absence of counsel the people fall, but there is safety in the abundance of counselors.

And it happened, when the king of Israel read the letter, that he tore his clothes and said, Am I God, to kill and make alive, that this man sends a man to me to take away his leprosy? Therefore please consider, and see how he seeks a quarrel with me.

They conceive trouble and bring forth iniquity; their womb prepares deceit.

Behold, he writhes in iniquity, and has conceived trouble, and has brought forth falsehood.

He devises wickedness on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not despise evil.

How long will you assail a man? You shall be slain, all of you, like a bowing wall and a tottering fence.

who have devised evil things in their hearts; they continually gather together for war.

Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil all the time, he spreads strife.

He who diligently seeks good seeks favor; but he who inquires after evil, it shall come to him.

For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of mischief.

And both of these kings shall have it in their hearts to do evil, and they will speak lies at one table. But it will not prosper, for the end shall still be at the appointed time.

Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips;

Their feet are swift to shed blood;

and the way of peace they have not known.