He was even too weak to be willing that his courtiers and people should know that he had held a conference with the prophet, so far had the fear of man taken possession of his soul. If this cowardly ruler had stood bravely before his people and declared that he believed the words of the prophet, already half-fulfilled, what desolation might have been averted! He should have said: “I will obey the Lord and save the city from utter ruin. I dare not disregard the commands of God for the fear or favor of men. I love the truth, I hate sin, and I will follow the counsel of the Mighty One of Israel.” Then the people would have respected his courageous spirit, and those who were wavering between faith and unbelief would have taken a firm stand for the right. The very fearlessness and justice of this course would have inspired his subjects with admiration and loyalty. He would have had ample support, and Israel would have been spared the untold woe of fire and carnage and famine. {4T 184.1}

Han var endda for svag til at fortælle sine hofmænd og folk at han havde haft et møde med profeten, så vidt havde menneskefrygt taget ham i besiddelse. Hvis denne feje hersker var stået tappert for folket og sagt at han troede profetens ord allerede var halvt opfyldte, hvilken katastrofe kunne da være undgået! Han burde have sagt: "Jeg vil adlyde Herren og redde byen fra fuldstændig ødelæggelse. Jeg tør ikke se bort fra Guds bud frem for menneskers frygt eller gunst. Jeg elsker sandheden, jeg hader synd og jeg vil følge Israels Mægtiges råd. Så ville folket have respekteret hans mod og dem som vaklede mellem tro og vantro ville have taget fast ståsted for det rigtige. Netop denne frygtløshed og rigtige handlemåde ville have indgydt hans undersåtter med beundring og loyalitet. Han kunne have fået en stor støtte og Israel ville være sparet for utallige brandulykker, massakrer og hungersnød.