153 passages · Kingdom
Moses asks the LORD why he has brought trouble on the people, since his going to Pharaoh has only made things worse and no rescue has come.
Hearing the weeping, Moses is troubled and asks God why He put the burden of all the people on him. He says he cannot carry them alone and asks to die.
Joshua and the elders mourn before the ark. Joshua asks the LORD why He brought Israel across the Jordan, and he worries about what the defeat will do to God's name.
The two women reach Bethlehem, and the townswomen are stirred at seeing Naomi. She asks to be called Mara, meaning bitter, saying the LORD has brought her back empty; they arrive as the barley harvest begins.
Samuel gathers Israel at Mizpah, where they pour out water, fast and confess that they have sinned against the LORD, and Samuel judges them there.
David and his men tear their clothes and fast in grief. David then condemns the Amalekite, who admitted killing the LORD's anointed, and has him put to death.
David sings a lament for Saul and Jonathan, mourning the fall of Israel's heroes and asking that the Philistines not rejoice. He praises both men and grieves especially for his close friend Jonathan.
David orders mourning, walks behind the bier, and sings a short lament at Abner's tomb. He fasts, and the people become convinced he had no part in the murder, though David admits the sons of Zeruiah are too fierce for him.
The child falls ill and David fasts and lies on the ground pleading for him. When the child dies after seven days, David washes, worships, and eats, explaining that he can no longer bring the child back.
David weeps aloud, wishing he had died in Absalom's place.
Moabites, Ammonites, and others come against Judah. Alarmed, Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast, and people from all the towns of Judah gather to seek the LORD.
Ezra proclaims a fast so the group can humble themselves before God and ask for protection on the road. He explains he was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers after saying God protects those who seek Him.
A large crowd gathers and weeps as Ezra prays. Shecaniah admits the unfaithfulness but says there is still hope, and urges a covenant to send away the foreign wives and children. Ezra makes the leaders swear to do so.
The news breaks Nehemiah's heart. He sits down, weeps, mourns for days and fasts, turning to God in prayer.
On the twenty-fourth day, the Israelites gather fasting in sackcloth, separate from foreigners, confess their sins, and read the Law. The Levites then call the people to stand and bless God's glorious name.
On learning of the decree, Mordecai tears his clothes and wails in sackcloth and ashes, stopping at the king's gate. Jews in every province fast, weep, and lament.
Esther asks Mordecai to gather the Jews of Susa to fast for three days with her and her maidens. She then says she will go to the king despite the law, and Mordecai carries out her instructions.
After the seven days of silence, Job speaks and wishes the day of his birth had never happened. He piles up images of darkness to erase that day and night.
Job asks why he did not die at birth. He imagines death as a place of quiet rest where kings, the wicked, captives and slaves all lie at peace.
Job asks why light and life are given to people in misery who long for death. He says the trouble he always dreaded has come, and he has no rest.
Job says he will not hold back his complaint. He asks why God guards him like a sea monster, and says nightmares terrify him until he would rather die.
Job says he loathes his life and speaks to God directly, asking not to be condemned and to be told the charge. He asks whether God's view is limited like human sight.
Job again asks why God brought him out of the womb and wishes he had died. He asks for a little relief before he goes to the dark land of death.
Job looks back wistfully on the days when God protected him, his family was around him and life was abundant.
Job describes constant pain and says God grabs and throws him down. He cries for help, but he feels God does not answer and expects death.
The psalmist cries to the LORD about the growing number of enemies. They claim that God will not save him.
The psalmist begs the LORD not to rebuke him in anger and asks for mercy and healing. He describes his bones and soul as deeply troubled and asks how long this will last.
He asks God to turn to him and save him out of loving devotion, noting that the dead cannot praise God. He describes nights of crying that leave his eyes weak with sorrow because of his enemies.
The psalmist asks why the LORD seems distant in times of trouble while the wicked chase the poor. He asks that the wicked be caught in their own schemes.
The psalmist asks the LORD for help because honest people seem gone and everyone lies with flattery. He asks God to cut off boastful lips of those who think their words make them masters.