Bible Strands
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.’”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The elders of Israel address David at Hebron as they gather to formally establish him as king after Saul’s death.
The words — The Hebrew temporal markers תְּמ֣וֹל (te.Mol, "yesterday") and שִׁלְשׁ֗וֹם (shil.Shom, "three days ago") emphasize the long-standing duration of David’s military leadership.
The thread — This declaration runs parallel to 2 Samuel 5:2 and connects to the shepherd motif in Psalm 78:71 and John 10:4.
Why it lands — The text states that David previously led Israel out and back, and that God commanded him to shepherd and rule His people. This requires the reader to recognize that legitimate authority in Scripture is grounded in prior service and explicit divine appointment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the Lord thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.
Cross-references
- 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.’”
- Psalms 78:71 from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance.
- John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
- 1 Samuel 16:13 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.
- 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,
- 2 Samuel 7:7 In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’
- Matthew 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”
- Numbers 27:17 who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
- 1 Samuel 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”
- 1 Kings 3:9 Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”