"The One who lifts me up from my transgressions, You command judgment against my oppressors. Where did You command? (1 Samuel 20:16) And the Lord sought from David's enemies. And where did You command? (Exodus 23:22) And I will be an enemy to your enemies. And where did You command? (Psalms 35:1) Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me."
"The assembly of nations will surround you. But at the time their wicked assembly surrounds you, your position will be secured in the heavens. Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Yehuda bar Elai, "Three things were commanded to the Israelites upon their entry into the land, but they only fulfilled two. They did not build the Temple because of the dilatoriness in them." This is what is written (Haggai 1:5), "My soul is among those who ascend." This refers to Avner and Amasa, who were among those who ascended through Torah study. (Ibid. 1:8) "I lay with burning ones." This refers to Doeg and Ahithophel, who burned with the flame of evil speech. "Men whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword." This refers to the people of Keilah, as it is said (1 Samuel 23:11), "Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand?" Their tongue was like a sharp sword. "The slanderers." This refers to the spies, as it is said (Psalms 94:4), "They pour out words, they speak arrogantly, all the evildoers boast." Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said in the name of Rabbi Yosei, "In the days of Saul and Samuel, infants who had not yet grown two hairs would learn Torah, and they were able to distinguish between pure and impure faces. And David would pray for them, as it is said (Psalms 12:8), 'You, O Lord, will keep them, You will guard them from this generation forever.' 'From the generation.' This refers to a generation that requires annihilation. After all this praise, they would go out to war and fall because of the dilatoriness in them. David our master said, "O Lord, remove Your presence from them." What does Your presence do on earth? As it is said (Haggai 1:12), "The heavens are elevated over God." But in the time of Ahab, although they all worshipped idols, and there was no dilatoriness in them, they went out to battle and were victorious, and not one of them was killed. This is what Obadiah said to Elijah (1 Kings 18:13), "Has it not been told to my lord what I did?" What is the meaning of 'bread and water?' This teaches that the water was as hard as bread. Elijah stood on Mount Carmel and said (Ibid. 22), "I am the only prophet of the Lord." And all the people knew but did not publicize it to the king. Because of evil speech, the Divine Presence departs. As it is said (Haggai 1:5), "The assembly of nations will surround you."