1 Chronicles 17:7
New International Version
“Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.

New Living Translation
“Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel.

English Standard Version
Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel,

Berean Standard Bible
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.

King James Bible
Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

New King James Version
Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.

New American Standard Bible
Now, therefore, this is what you shall say to My servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of armies says: “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel.

NASB 1995
“Now, therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel.

NASB 1977
“Now, therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be leader over My people Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
So now, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says Yahweh of hosts, “I Myself took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.

Amplified Bible
Now, therefore, this is what you shall say to My servant David: ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
“So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now this is what you will say to My servant David: ‘This is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture and from following the sheep to be ruler over My people Israel.

American Standard Version
Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over my people Israel:

Contemporary English Version
David, this is what I, the LORD All-Powerful, say to you. I brought you in from the fields where you took care of sheep, and I made you the leader of my people.

English Revised Version
Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over my people Israel:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Now this is what you will say to my servant David: 'This is what the LORD of Armies says: I took you from the pasture where you followed sheep so that you could be the leader of my people Israel.

Good News Translation
"So tell my servant David that I, the LORD Almighty, say to him, 'I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel.

International Standard Version
"Now therefore this is what you are to tell my servant David: 'This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "I took you from the pasture myself—from tending sheep—to become Commander-in-Chief over my people Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.

NET Bible
"So now, say this to my servant David: 'This is what the LORD who commands armies says: "I took you from the pasture and from your work as a shepherd to make you a leader of my people Israel.

New Heart English Bible
"Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, "I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore thus shalt thou say to my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheep-cote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldst be ruler over my people Israel:

World English Bible
“Now therefore, you shall tell my servant David, ‘Yahweh of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And now, thus you say to My servant, to David, Thus said YHWH of Hosts: I have taken you from the habitation, from after the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel,

Young's Literal Translation
'And now, thus dost thou say to My servant, to David, Thus said Jehovah of Hosts, I have taken thee from the habitation, from after the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel,

Smith's Literal Translation
And now, thus shalt thou say to my servant, to David, Thus said Jehovah of armies, I took thee from the dwelling from behind the flocks to be leader over my people Israel:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now therefore thus shalt thou say to my servant David: Thus saith the Lord of hosts: I took thee from the pastures, from following the flock, that thou shouldst be ruler of my people Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, now you shall say this to my servant David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you when you were following the flock in the pastures, so that you would be the leader of my people Israel.

New American Bible
Now then, speak thus to my servant David, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to become ruler over my people Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people Israel;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now therefore thus shall you say to my servant David, Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the sheepfold, even from following the sheep, that you should be king over my people Israel;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Also now thus you shall say to my Servant David: thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: I have taken you from pastures from behind sheep to be King over Israel my people.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto My servant David: Thus saith the LORD of hosts: I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be prince over My people Israel;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now thus shalt thou say to my servant David, Thus saith the Lord Almighty, I took thee from the sheepfold, from following the flocks, to be a ruler over my people Israel:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Covenant with David
6In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’ 7Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. 8I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like the greatest in the land.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 7:8
Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.

Psalm 78:70-71
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.

1 Samuel 16:11-13
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” / So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” / So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Samuel 5:2
Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

2 Samuel 7:9
I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make for you a name like that of the greatest in the land.

1 Kings 8:16
‘Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city from any tribe of Israel in which to build a house so that My Name would be there. But I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Psalm 89:19-20
You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. / I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him.

2 Samuel 23:1
These are the last words of David: “The oracle of David son of Jesse, the oracle of the man raised on high, the one anointed by the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel:

1 Samuel 17:15
but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 18:13
Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back,

1 Samuel 25:28-30
Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live. / And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. / When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel,

2 Samuel 6:21
But David said to Michal, “I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me over your father and all his house when He appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel. I will celebrate before the LORD,

1 Kings 15:5
For David had done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and had not turned aside from anything the LORD commanded all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Matthew 1:1
This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:


Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore thus shall you say to my servant David, Thus said the LORD of hosts, I took you from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that you should be ruler over my people Israel:

I took thee

Exodus 3:1-10
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb…

1 Samuel 16:11,12
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither…

1 Samuel 17:15
But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

from following [heb] from after

2 Samuel 6:21
And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

Matthew 2:6
And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Jump to Previous
Almighty Armies David Fields Following Hosts Israel Keeping Pasture-Grounds Pen Prince Ruler Servant Sheep Sheepcote Sheep-Cote Shouldest Shouldst
Jump to Next
Almighty Armies David Fields Following Hosts Israel Keeping Pasture-Grounds Pen Prince Ruler Servant Sheep Sheepcote Sheep-Cote Shouldest Shouldst
1 Chronicles 17
1. Nathan first approving the purpose of David, to build God a house
3. after by the word of God forbids him
11. He promises him blessings and benefits in his seed
16. David's prayer and thanksgiving














Now then, this is what you are to say
This phrase introduces a divine message, emphasizing the authority and importance of the words that follow. In the Hebrew context, the phrase "this is what you are to say" often precedes a prophetic declaration, underscoring the role of the prophet as a mouthpiece for God. It highlights the seriousness and sacredness of the communication between God and His chosen messenger, Nathan, in this instance.

to My servant David
The term "servant" (Hebrew: עֶבֶד, 'eved) is a title of honor, indicating a close relationship with God and a role of significant responsibility. David is not just a king but a servant of God, which implies humility and obedience. This designation aligns with the biblical theme of leadership as service, a concept that is central to the Christian understanding of authority.

This is what the LORD of Hosts says
The title "LORD of Hosts" (Hebrew: יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, Yahweh Tseva'ot) refers to God's supreme command over the heavenly armies and all creation. It conveys His omnipotence and sovereignty, reassuring David of the divine power backing the message. This title is often used in contexts where God's might and authority are being emphasized, particularly in matters of national and spiritual significance.

I took you from the pasture
This phrase recalls David's humble beginnings as a shepherd, highlighting God's providential role in his rise to kingship. The imagery of the pasture symbolizes simplicity and obscurity, contrasting with the grandeur of the royal palace. It serves as a reminder of God's ability to elevate the lowly and fulfill His purposes through unexpected means.

from following the flock
The act of "following the flock" underscores David's initial role as a shepherd, which is metaphorically significant in biblical literature. Shepherding is often associated with leadership, care, and guidance, qualities that David would later exhibit as king. This phrase also reflects the biblical theme of God choosing leaders who possess a shepherd's heart, as seen in figures like Moses and Jesus.

to be ruler over My people Israel
The transition from shepherd to "ruler" (Hebrew: נָגִיד, nagid) signifies a divine appointment and anointing for leadership. The phrase "My people Israel" emphasizes God's covenant relationship with the nation, with David as the chosen leader to guide them. This appointment is not merely political but deeply spiritual, as David is to lead according to God's will and purposes.

(7) I took thee from the sheepcote . . .--Comp. Psalm 78:70-72. The pronoun is emphatic: "I it was who took thee from the pasture."

From following.--Heb., from behind. Samuel has the older form of this preposition.

That thou shouldest be.--That thou mightest become.

Ruler.--N?gid (1Chronicles 9:11; 1Chronicles 9:20). (Comp. 1Chronicles 11:2.) . . .

Verse 7. - I took thee. (So 1 Samuel 16:11, 12; 2 Samuel 7:8; Psalm 78:80.) The sheepcote. The Hebrew נָזֶה strictly signifies a resting or place of resting. Hence the habitation of men or of animals, and in particular the pasture in which flocks lie down and rest (Psalm 23:2, plural construction; Job 5:24; Hosea 9:13; Jeremiah 23:3; Jeremiah 49:20). The sheepcote was sometimes a tower, with roughly built high wall, exposed to the sky at the top, used for protection from wild beasts at night; sometimes the sheepfold was a larger low building of different shape, to which a fenced courtyard was adjacent, where the peril of cold or of wild beast was less imminent. The word of our present passage, however, cannot be compared with these places; comp. rather Exodus 15:13; 2 Samuel 15:25; Isaiah 33:20; Isaiah 65:10; Hosea 9:13, as above.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
וְ֠עַתָּה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

then,
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

you are to tell
תֹאמַ֞ר (ṯō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

My servant
לְעַבְדִּ֣י (lə·‘aḇ·dî)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

David
לְדָוִ֗יד (lə·ḏā·wîḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

that
ס (s)
Punctuation
Strong's Hebrew

this is what
כֹּ֤ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

I
אֲנִ֤י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

took
לְקַחְתִּ֙יךָ֙ (lə·qaḥ·tî·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

you from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the pasture,
הַנָּוֶ֔ה (han·nā·weh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5116: Abode of shepherd or flocks, habitation

from
מִֽן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

following
אַחֲרֵ֖י (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the flock,
הַצֹּ֑אן (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

to be
לִהְי֣וֹת (lih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the ruler
נָגִ֔יד (nā·ḡîḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5057: A commander, civil, military, religious, honorable themes

over
עַ֖ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

My people
עַמִּ֥י (‘am·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


Links
1 Chronicles 17:7 NIV
1 Chronicles 17:7 NLT
1 Chronicles 17:7 ESV
1 Chronicles 17:7 NASB
1 Chronicles 17:7 KJV

1 Chronicles 17:7 BibleApps.com
1 Chronicles 17:7 Biblia Paralela
1 Chronicles 17:7 Chinese Bible
1 Chronicles 17:7 French Bible
1 Chronicles 17:7 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Chronicles 17:7 Now therefore thus you shall tell my (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 17:6
Top of Page
Top of Page