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2 Samuel 5 · a question people ask

When did the LORD tell David he would shepherd Israel?

In the text

The tribes say the LORD said it: "You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince over Israel" (5:2). The books of Samuel don't record the LORD saying these words to David before this day. What they do record: the LORD sent Samuel to Jesse, "for I have provided a king for myself among his sons" (1 Samuel 16:1), and David was fetched from keeping the sheep (1 Samuel 16:11-12) and anointed (1 Samuel 16:13). Abner told the elders of Israel, "For the LORD has spoken of David" (3:18), and gave the words as "By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines" (3:18). Earlier Abigail had spoken to David of the good the LORD "has spoken concerning you" and of the day he "has appointed you prince over Israel" (1 Samuel 25:30). Chronicles, telling of the same day, says they anointed him "according to the LORD’s word by Samuel" (1 Chronicles 11:3). And two chapters on, the LORD says to David through Nathan, "I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel" (7:8). None of these has the saying of 5:2 as the tribes give it, and the chapter doesn't say when the LORD spoke it.

The verses

“In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led Israel out and in. The LORD said to you, ‘You will be shepherd of my people Israel, and you will be prince over Israel.’””
2 Samuel 5:2 · World English Bible
“The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.””
1 Samuel 16:1 · World English Bible
“Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. The LORD said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.”
1 Samuel 16:11-13 · World English Bible
“Abner had communication with the elders of Israel, saying, “In times past, you sought for David to be king over you. Now then do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David, I will save my people Israel out of the hand of the Philistines, and out of the hand of all their enemies.’””
2 Samuel 3:17-18 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Samuel 5

2 Samuel 5: The stronghold of Zion

Zion is named for the first time in the Bible here (5:7), and among the sons born to David in it is Nathan (5:14), the son Luke's list of Jesus' ancestors runs through: "the son of Nathan, the son of David" (Luke 3:31).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions