It cameabout afterwardthat David'sconsciencebotheredhim becausehe had cutoffthe edgeof Saul's[robe].
Whyhave you despisedthe wordof the LORDby doingevilin His sight?You have struckdownUriahthe Hittitewith the sword,have takenhis wifeto be your wife,and have killedhim with the swordof the sonsof Ammon.
Now David'shearttroubledhim afterhe had numberedthe people.So Davidsaidto the LORD,"I have sinnedgreatlyin whatI have done.But now,O LORD,pleasetakeawaythe iniquityof Your servant,for I have actedveryfoolishly."
becauseyour heartwas tenderand you humbledyourselfbeforethe LORDwhen you heardwhatI spokeagainstthisplaceand againstits inhabitantsthat they should becomea desolationand a curse,and you have tornyour clothesand weptbeforeMe, I trulyhave heardyou," declaresthe LORD.
Do not slaythem, ormy peoplewill forget;Scatterthem by Your power,and bringthem down,O Lord,our shield.
Then Abishaisaidto David,"TodayGodhas deliveredyour enemyinto your hand;nowtherefore, pleaselet me strikehim with the spearto the groundwith onestroke,and I will not strike him the secondtime."
