David ordered all the officials of Israel to support his son Solomon.

David assembled all the leaders of Israel, along with the priests and the Levites.

The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel – four in all.

The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth – three in all.

The king responded to the people harshly. He rejected the advice of the older men

he alone spreads out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea;

If a scourge brings sudden death, he mocks at the despair of the innocent.

“Do you have eyes of flesh, or do you see as a human being sees?

And another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having tasted anything good.

The pillars of the heavens tremble and are amazed at his rebuke.

My heart is in turmoil unceasingly; the days of my affliction confront me.

Men of understanding say to me – any wise man listening to me says –

But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction,

See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.

when the waters become hard like stone, when the surface of the deep is frozen solid?

So now, you kings, do what is wise; you rulers of the earth, submit to correction!

You are holy; you sit as king receiving the praises of Israel.

He protects all his bones; not one of them is broken.

My wounds are infected and starting to smell, because of my foolish sins.

Come! Witness the exploits of the Lord, who brings devastation to the earth!