David was distressed as he saw that kings and nobles who seemed to have the fear of God before them while in the strength of manhood, became jealous of their best friends and relatives when aged. They were in continual fear that it was selfish motives which led their friends to manifest an interest for them. They would listen to the hints and the deceptive advice of strangers in regard to those in whom they should confide. Their unrestrained jealousy sometimes burned into a flame because all did not agree with their failing judgment. Their covetousness was dreadful. They often thought that their own children and relatives were wishing them to die in order to take their place and possess their wealth, and receive the homage which had been bestowed upon them. And some were so controlled by their jealous, covetous feelings as to destroy their own children. {1T 422.3}

Det smertede David, når han så, at konger og adelige, som i deres manddoms styrke syntes at have gudsfrygt for øje, i deres alderdom blev mistroiske over for deres bedste venner og deres slægtninge. De befandt sig i stadig frygt for, at det var af egoistiske grunde, deres venner viste interesse for dem. De kunne lytte til venners antydninger og bedrageriske råd angående dem, som de burde have tillid til. Deres utøjlede mistro brød undertiden ud i lys lue, fordi ikke alle var enige med dem i deres svigtende skøn. (423) Deres begærlighed var frygtelig. De mente ofte, at deres egne børn og slægtninge ønskede dem døden for at kunne indtage deres plads, komme i besiddelse af deres rigdom og modtage den hyldest, som var blevet dem til del. Og nogle blev i dem grad behersket af deres mistroiske og begærlige følelser, at de ødelagde deres egne børn.