Bible Strands
Psalms 78:70
He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the gathered Israelites, recounting God’s historical actions to explain His covenant faithfulness amid national rebellion.
The words — יִבְחַר (yivchar) means “he chose,” and מִכְלְאֹת צֹאן (mikhle'ot tzon) translates literally to “from the sheepfolds.”
The thread — This narrative of divine selection from pastoral origins runs through 1 Samuel 16:11, where God directs Samuel to the youngest son, and Acts 13:22, where God’s testimony about David is quoted.
Why it lands — The text states that God sovereignly extracts David from a shepherd’s station to serve as ruler, requiring the reader to acknowledge that divine authority bypasses human status and demands alignment with God’s chosen means.
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
He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:
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.”
- 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.’
- Exodus 3:1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
- Exodus 3:10 Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
- 1 Samuel 17:15 but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.
- 2 Samuel 3:18 Now take action, because the LORD has said to David, ‘Through My servant David I will save My people Israel from the hands of the Philistines and of all their enemies.’”
- 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,
- 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.
- 1 Kings 19:19 So Elijah departed and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve teams of oxen, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah passed by him and threw his cloak around him.
- Psalms 89:19 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.