However, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and the commanders of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out from before the king to register the people of Israel.
The former governors preceding me had extracted a heavy burden on the people, because they took from them food and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Moreover, even their servants domineered over the people. But I myself never did so, because of the fear of God.
Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who take refuge in You before the sons of men!
Though one who sins may do evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they stand in reverence before Him.
Then they replied to the king, “That Daniel, who is of the sons of the captivity of Judah, does not regard you, O king, or the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
You observe the statutes of Omri, and every practice of the house of Ahab, and you walk in their counsels. Therefore I will give you over to destruction, and the inhabitants to derision. You will bear the contempt of My people.
The king said to the guards standing near him, “Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand is with David. And because they knew that he was fleeing and did not reveal it to me.” But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to attack the priests of the Lord.