THE KING'S MIRROR 



appointed another to be king after his days. But after 

 David had become king, he committed a crime which 

 will scarcely seem less when reflected upon; for he com- 

 mitted adultery with the wife of Uriah his knight, a 

 good and faithful man, and afterwards contrived his 

 death, not as a just penalty but because he wanted his 

 wife. But later, when Nathan the prophet pointed out 

 the sin to David and he confessed, he was forgiven at 

 once; indeed, it seemed as if his kingship was more 

 stable after that time than before. Now I do not know 

 which is the worse crime, to kill an innocent man and 

 violate his wife, or to let the guilty have their lives. 

 Many a man, who is ignorant as to the reason why, 

 may indeed imagine that God loved David more than 

 Saul, and that David's crime was counted less for that 

 reason. But inasmuch as God always judges according 

 to justice and without regard to persons, it would be 

 sinful to hold wrong ideas about this; and it would be 

 well if you could add a few words in explanation, unless 

 you think that my questions are stupid. It may also be 

 that great lords who are chosen to be judges will get a 

 better insight into these things, if they are clearly ex- 

 pressed. 



Father. This question is, of such a character that it 

 will demand an extended answer, if it is to be fully un- 

 derstood. But since it has been brought up, I shall be 

 glad to answer it as far as I can and as briefly as I can. 

 First it is necessary to recall what I said in an earlier 

 speech when we talked about dooms, when they 

 should be severe and when lenient: I then brought out 

 the fact that if a good and peace-loving man should 



