David was distressed as he saw those who once seemed to have the fear of God before them, now in old age seemingly forsaken of God and exposed to ridicule by the enemies of the Lord. And why were they thus situated? As age crept on they seemed to lose their former powers of discernment, and were ready to listen to the deceptive advice of strangers in regard to those whom they should confide in. Their jealousy unrestrained sometimes burned into a flame, because all did not agree with their failing judgment. Some thought that their own children and relatives wanted them to die in order to take their places and possess their wealth, and receive the homage which had been bestowed upon them. And others were so controlled by their jealous, covetous feelings, as to destroy their own children.{3BC 1148.5}

David blev forpint da han så dem, som tidligere virkede til at have gudsfrygten for sig, men nu i en gammel alder lod til at have svigtet Gud og udsat sig for hån af Herrens fjender. Og hvorfor kom de i den situation? Idet de blev ældre lod de til at miste deres tidligere dømmekraft, og de var åbne for at lytte til fremmede bedrageriske påfund, med hensyn til dem som de skulle betro sig til. Deres ubetvungne jalousi flammede nogle gange op, fordi alle ikke var enige i deres svigtende dømmekraft. Nogle tænkte at deres egne børn slægtninge ønskede at de døde for at tage deres plads og besidde rigdom, og modtage den hyldest som de var blevet givet. Og andre blev kontrolleret så meget af jalousi og begærlige følelser at de udslettede deres egne børn.