Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God speaks through the prophet Nathan to David, delivering a message after the ark's arrival and David's offer to build a temple. The words — The oracle opens with יְהוָה (Yahweh) as the speaker and עַבְדִּי (‘avdi) for "My servant," framing the covenant address. The command כֹּה־תאמר (koh-to'mar) instructs Nathan to relay the exact divine declaration. The thread — The text recalls God's prior selection of David in 1 Samuel 16:11 and 2 Samuel 6:21, while the motif of divine election from humble origins appears in Psalm 78:70. Why it lands — The verse requires recognizing that royal authority and covenant status derive from divine initiative rather than human ambition. It demands a posture of trust in God's past faithfulness when confronting future promises.
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
Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 16:11 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.”
- 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,
- Psalms 78:70 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
- 1 Chronicles 17:7 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.
- 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
- 1 Samuel 9:16 “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”