the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “You will recall that I made you take an oath by the Lord, and I solemnly warned you, ‘If you ever leave and go anywhere, know for sure that you will certainly die.’ You said to me, ‘The proposal is acceptable; I agree to it.’

The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request.

The men took this as a good omen and quickly accepted his offer, saying, “Ben Hadad is your brother.” Ahab then said, “Go, get him.” So Ben Hadad came out to him, and Ahab pulled him up into his chariot.

The Lord confronted Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

The king summoned all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem.

But if only God would speak, if only he would open his lips against you,

“Listen now to my argument, and be attentive to my lips’ contentions.

Will you speak wickedly on God’s behalf? Will you speak deceitfully for him?

Your sin inspires your mouth; you choose the language of the crafty.

“I will explain to you; listen to me, and what I have seen, I will declare,

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

“And now I have become their taunt song; I have become a byword among them.

Therefore I despise myself, and I repent in dust and ashes!

They are calloused; they speak arrogantly.

Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness.

For he spoke, and it came into existence, he issued the decree, and it stood firm.

You made us an object of ridicule among the nations; foreigners treat us with contempt.

You hear prayers; all people approach you.

Our record of sins overwhelms me, but you forgive our acts of rebellion.

which my lips uttered and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.