In the east, David, or Da’ud, the king who composed the beautiful psalms in praise of the Almighty, is revered as a prophet who was pious and upright in all things. This is shown in the wise arrangement of his days. According to tradition, in every three days David devoted one day to worship and the study of scripture, one to the affairs of state, and one to domestic duties and to earning a living.

Perhaps no other king in history has concerned himself with working for his daily bread. Da’ud came to consecrate one day in three to working because when he first came to the throne, he made a point of learning how the people felt about his rule. His courtiers, he knew, would only tell him worthless flattery, and so he used to disguise himself and go amongst the people, listening to them and studying their lives.

One day he heard someone say that the king had one particular defect : that he lived on the wealth of the people, and did not work for his bread. This statement made a deep impression upon Da’ud, and from that moment he began to pray to God that he could be instructed in some trade by which he could support himself and his family.

Then the Angel Gabriel came to him, and trained him in making armour, and so he learned the lessons of fire and the hammer and sweat. When he became skilful enough, by selling the work of one day he was able to feed his family for three days.

And that is how the king arranged his three days.