²² Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?

¹⁰ He said, “I have been very ^(A)jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, ^(B)thrown down your altars, and ^(C)killed your prophets with the sword, ^(D)and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.”

⁴ But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. ^(A)And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”

⁶ And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke ^(A)of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,^[a] each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

^14 (A)I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. ¹⁵ If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.”

^11 (A)Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me?

⁴ So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready ^(A)to stone me.”