Surah 38 · Verse 88

"You will come to know its news after awhile." ENDNOTES: the mathematical system of the Quran based on code 19. See 74:1-56; 1:1; 2:1; 13:38; 27:82; 38:1-8; 40:28-38; 46:10; 72:28. 038:001-15 S90. This letter/number plays an important role in the mathematical system of the Quran based on code 19. For the meaning of this letter, see 1:1; 2:1; 40:1; 13:38; 46:10; 74:1-56. Also see 6:124; 26:1-6; 40:28-38,78; 72:24-28. the Quran or for a feature of the Quran. The word message in this verse might be referring to a particular message contained in the Quran. The Quran is message upon message, light upon light (24:35). Could the Quran contain another book coded within its text? For another aspect of the message, see 74:30-35. Also see 15:9; 21:2; 21:24,105; 26:5; 29:51; 38:1,8; 41:41; 44:13; 72:17; 74:49,54. David repented. Perhaps we are expected to ponder on our own. For instance, I find at least two reasons for what might have caused David to feel guilty. The complaint and his reaction to it might have reminded him of his own greed and injustice against others. Or perhaps, after making the judgment, he realized that he reached a verdict without listening to the other party. Justice cannot be adjudicated in an ex parte hearing. The plaintiff might be distorting or hiding some facts pertinent to the case. Even if we approach the case in terms of social justice, hearing the defendant is still important. For instance, the plaintiff in this case could have been the owner of vast lands, vineyards and farms, while the entire wealth of the other party could have been no more than a hundred sheep. The Quran mentions David's name 16 times and describes him in very positive words. He was blessed by God (17:55; 21:79; 34:10), knowledgeable (27:15), resourceful and obedient (38:17), caring and just (38:22-26). The Old Testament in 2 Samuel 12:1-14 tells a similar story about David with variable details. The Bible describes David as a good-looking young man (1 Samuel 17:25) and praises his intelligence and courage (1 Samuel 17:1-58), at age thirty he becomes king by divine direction (2 Samuel 2:1-4), and after some internal fights, finally becomes king over all of Israel (2 Samuel 4:1-12; 5:1-5; 1 Chronicles 11:1-3), brings the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (Psalms 24:1-10), and extends his kingdom after fighting a series of wars and committing numerous massacres in a vast territory (2 Samuel 8:1-18; 8:3-13; 10:1-19; 18:7-27; 19:31; 21:11; 29:5). However, the Bible that praises him for wars and bloody conquests, contains lengthy stories blaming him for being a sinful manipulator (2 Samuel 11:2-27), and a sinful proud man who angered God (2 Samuel 23:39), and having affairs with married women (1 Samuel 25:31-44). The Bible then tells us about the reformation of David by depicting him in his last moments as one with abiding faith and trust in God after his reign of forty years (2 Samuel 23:1-7; 2 Samuel 5:5; 1 Corinthians 3:4).