1 Chronicles 11:2
Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, 'You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.'"
Even in times past, while Saul was king
This phrase highlights the period when Saul was the reigning monarch of Israel. During Saul's reign, David was already recognized as a capable leader. The historical context here is crucial, as it was a time of transition from the tribal confederation of Israel to a centralized monarchy. David's leadership abilities were evident even before he became king, as he led military campaigns and gained the people's trust. This period is documented in 1 Samuel, where David's rise to prominence is detailed, including his victory over Goliath and his military successes.

you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back
This phrase refers to David's role as a military leader and his ability to lead the people in battle and return them safely. It echoes the language used for Moses and Joshua, who led the Israelites during the Exodus and the conquest of Canaan. David's leadership was not just in military terms but also in providing spiritual and moral guidance. This leadership prefigures Christ, who leads His people spiritually, guiding them in and out of life's battles.

And the LORD your God said
This phrase emphasizes divine authority and the prophetic word concerning David's kingship. It underscores that David's role as king was not merely a result of human decision but was ordained by God. This divine endorsement is crucial in understanding the legitimacy of David's rule and is a recurring theme in the narrative of the Davidic covenant, as seen in 2 Samuel 7.

‘You will shepherd My people Israel
The metaphor of a shepherd is significant, as it conveys the idea of care, guidance, and protection. In the ancient Near East, kings were often referred to as shepherds of their people. This imagery is also prophetic, pointing to Jesus Christ, who is described as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11. David's role as a shepherd-king foreshadows Christ's pastoral care for His followers.

and you will be ruler over them.’”
This phrase confirms David's future role as king, a position of authority and governance. It reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to David and establishes the Davidic line, which is central to biblical prophecy concerning the Messiah. The Davidic covenant, as outlined in 2 Samuel 7, promises that David's descendants will rule Israel, ultimately culminating in the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, as affirmed in the New Testament in passages like Luke 1:32-33.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The central figure in this verse, David is recognized as the leader and future king of Israel. His leadership was evident even during Saul's reign.

2. Saul
The first king of Israel, whose reign was marked by disobedience to God, leading to David's anointing as his successor.

3. Israel
The nation of God's chosen people, whom David was to shepherd and rule over.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who chose David to be the shepherd and ruler of His people.

5. Shepherding
A metaphor for leadership, indicating care, guidance, and protection, which David was to provide for Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Choice
God chooses leaders according to His purposes, often looking beyond human qualifications to the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

Leadership through Service
True leadership in God's kingdom involves serving and shepherding others, as exemplified by David and ultimately by Jesus.

Faithfulness in Small Things
David's faithfulness in leading Israel even before becoming king demonstrates the importance of being faithful in smaller responsibilities.

God's Promises Fulfilled
God's promise to David to be the shepherd and ruler of Israel is a reminder of His faithfulness to fulfill His word.

Preparation for Leadership
David's experiences under Saul prepared him for his future role, illustrating how God uses our past to equip us for His purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does David's leadership during Saul's reign demonstrate the qualities God values in a leader?

2. In what ways can we apply the concept of shepherding to our roles in family, church, or community?

3. How does understanding God's sovereign choice of David encourage us in our own callings and responsibilities?

4. What lessons can we learn from David's life about being faithful in the roles God has given us, even when they seem small or insignificant?

5. How does the metaphor of shepherding in 1 Chronicles 11:2 connect to Jesus' teaching in the New Testament, and what does it teach us about Christian leadership today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 16
This chapter describes the anointing of David by Samuel, signifying God's choice of David as king.

2 Samuel 5
This passage parallels 1 Chronicles 11, recounting David's anointing as king over Israel and his recognition as a leader even during Saul's reign.

Psalm 78:70-72
These verses highlight David's role as a shepherd of Israel, chosen by God for his integrity and skill.

John 10:11
Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd, drawing a parallel to the shepherding role of David and emphasizing the care and leadership expected of a godly leader.
A True LeaderJ.R. Thomson 1 Chronicles 11:2
God's Providences Fulfil God's PromisesR. Tuck 1 Chronicles 11:1-3
The Promise FulfilledR. Glover 1 Chronicles 11:1-3
David's AnointingF. Whitfield 1 Chronicles 11:1-4
Popular and Royal WisdomW. Clarkson 1 Chronicles 11:1-8
People
Abiel, Abiezer, Abishai, Adina, Ahiam, Ahijah, Ahlai, Anathoth, Ariel, Asahel, Azmaveth, Baanah, Benaiah, Benjamin, Benjaminites, David, Dodai, Dodo, Eleazar, Elhanan, Eliahba, Eliel, Eliphal, Elnaam, Ezbai, Gareb, Hachmoni, Haggeri, Hanan, Hashem, Heled, Helez, Hepher, Hezro, Hotham, Hothan, Hurai, Ikkesh, Ilai, Ira, Israelites, Ithai, Ithmah, Ittai, Jaasiel, Jashobeam, Jasiel, Jebusites, Jediael, Jehiel, Jehoiada, Jeiel, Jeribai, Joab, Joel, Joha, Jonathan, Joshaphat, Joshaviah, Maacah, Maachah, Maharai, Mibhar, Moabites, Naarai, Naharai, Nathan, Obed, Reubenites, Ribai, Sacar, Samuel, Saul, Shage, Shama, Shammoth, Shimri, Shiza, Sibbecai, Sibbechai, Uriah, Uzzia, Zabad, Zelek, Zeruiah
Places
Adullam, Anathoth, Baharum, Beeroth, Bethlehem, Carmel, Gaash, Gibeah, Harod, Hebron, Jebus, Jerusalem, Kabzeel, Millo, Moab, Netophah, Pas-dammim, Pirathon, Tekoa, Valley of Rephaim, Zion
Topics
Aforetime, Bring, Bringing, Broughtest, Campaigns, Feed, Keeper, Lead, Leader, Led, Leddest, Military, Moreover, Past, Prince, Ruler, Saul, Saul's, Shepherd, Taking, Wast
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Chronicles 11:2

     1220   God, as shepherd

1 Chronicles 11:1-2

     5509   rulers
     8130   guidance, from godly people

1 Chronicles 11:1-9

     5087   David, reign of
     7236   Israel, united kingdom

Library
The Story of a Cup of Water
BY THEODORE T. MUNGER [From "Lamps and Paths," by courtesy of Houghton, Mifflin & Co.] Be noble! and the nobleness that lies In other men, sleeping, but never dead, Will rise in majesty to meet thine own. --James Russell Lowell: Sonnet IV Restore to God his due in tithe and time: A tithe purloined cankers the whole estate. Sundays observe: think, when the bells do chime, 'Tis angels' music; therefore come not late. God there deals blessings. If a king did so, Who would not haste, nay give, to see
Philip P. Wells—Bible Stories and Religious Classics

Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City:
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Epistle cxxii. To Rechared, King of the visigoths .
To Rechared, King of the Visigoths [82] . Gregory to Rechared, &c. I cannot express in words, most excellent son, how much I am delighted with thy work and thy life. For on hearing of the power of a new miracle in our days, to wit that the whole nation of the Goths has through thy Excellency been brought over from the error of Arian heresy to the firmness of a right faith, one is disposed to exclaim with the prophet, This is the change wrought by the right hand of the Most High (Ps. lxxvi. 11 [83]
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
To Theoctista, Patrician [153] . Gregory to Theoctista, &c. We ought to give great thanks to Almighty God, that our most pious and most benignant Emperors have near them kinsfolk of their race, whose life and conversation is such as to give us all great joy. Hence too we should continually pray for these our lords, that their life, with that of all who belong to them, may by the protection of heavenly grace be preserved through long and tranquil times. I have to inform you, however, that I have
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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