1 Chronicles 17 7

1 Chronicles 17:7 kjv

Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

1 Chronicles 17:7 nkjv

Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel.

1 Chronicles 17:7 niv

"Now then, tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.

1 Chronicles 17:7 esv

Now, therefore, thus shall you say to my servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people Israel,

1 Chronicles 17:7 nlt

"Now go and say to my servant David, 'This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel.

1 Chronicles 17 verses

1 Chronicles 17 7 Meaning

This verse declares God's direct, sovereign declaration to David, communicated through the prophet Nathan. It powerfully highlights God's initiative in selecting David, elevating him from a humble shepherd to be the chosen ruler over His people Israel. The core message emphasizes that David's kingship was not achieved by human might or aspiration but by divine appointment and grace.

1 Chronicles 17 7 Context

Chapter 17 of 1 Chronicles is Nathan's prophetic message to King David. David had expressed a desire to build a magnificent house (temple) for God, reasoning that he, David, lived in a palace while the ark of God resided in a tent. This verse is part of God's response to David, communicated through Nathan. Rather than accepting David's offer to build a house for Him, God promises to build a "house" (dynasty) for David. This declaration re-establishes God's sovereignty over the kingdom and reiterates the foundational truth that God initiates and establishes His plans, rather than depending on human works or ideas. The verse specifically contrasts David's humble origin with the exalted position to which God elevated him, emphasizing divine grace and power in choosing and appointing leaders. It grounds God's future promises to David in His past faithfulness and surprising choice.

1 Chronicles 17 7 Word analysis

• Now therefore thus shalt thou say: This marks a formal, divine pronouncement. "Thus" signifies the exact message must be relayed. It signals a shift from David's expressed desire to God's definitive word.
• unto my servant David:
  • Hebrew: `אֶל עַבְדִּי דָּוִיד` (el 'avdi David).
  • `עַבְדִּי` ('avdi) meaning "my servant," denotes a deep relationship of trust, obedience, and divine appointment. It is a title of high honor given to key figures like Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and the prophets. For David, it signifies his unique covenantal role and God's special favor. It sets him apart as one uniquely chosen and entrusted by God for a specific purpose.
  • `דָּוִיד` (David) is a common Semitic name meaning "beloved" or "darling."
• Thus saith the Lord of hosts:
  • Hebrew: `כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת` (koh amar YHVH Tzeva'ot).
  • `כֹּה אָמַר` (koh amar) meaning "Thus says," emphasizes absolute divine authority, indicating a direct oracle from God Himself.
  • `יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת` (YHVH Tzeva'ot) meaning "the Lord of hosts," is a majestic and powerful title for God. "Hosts" can refer to celestial armies (angels) or earthly armies. It underscores God's supreme power, sovereignty, and command over all heavenly and earthly forces. It emphasizes the invincibility and omnipotence of the One making this promise, giving ultimate weight to His declaration.
• I took thee: This highlights God's active role and sovereign choice. It was not David's ambition, merit, or lineage, but God's intentional selection and removal from his former occupation.
• from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep:
  • Hebrew: `מִן הַנָּוֶה מִן אַחֲרֵי הַצֹּאן` (min ha-naveh min acharey ha-tzo'n).
  • `נָּוֶה` (naveh) meaning "habitation," "dwelling place," here refers specifically to the sheepfold or pasture where shepherds resided with their flocks. It implies a rural, humble, and unpretentious environment.
  • `הַצֹּאן` (ha-tzo'n) meaning "the sheep." "Following the sheep" vividly portrays David's previous life as a shepherd. This detail powerfully emphasizes his lowly and obscure origins, contrasting starkly with his elevated position. God specifically chose one without kingly pedigree or visible qualifications, demonstrating His counter-intuitive methods.
• that thou shouldest be ruler:
  • Hebrew: `לִהְיוֹת לְנָגִיד` (lihyot l'nagid).
  • `נָגִיד` (nagid) meaning "prince," "leader," "commander," or "chief." This term implies a divinely appointed authority, often specifically associated with royalty chosen directly by God, as opposed to inherited kingship. It signifies a person of prominence and responsibility. It implies divine recognition of ability and destiny.
• over my people Israel: This clarifies the scope and purpose of David's divinely appointed rule. "My people Israel" stresses God's proprietary relationship with the nation. David's kingship is a divine stewardship over God's special possession, emphasizing that he rules on behalf of and accountable to God.

Words-group analysis

• "my servant David" immediately followed by "Thus saith the Lord of hosts": This powerful juxtaposition elevates David from an ordinary servant to one uniquely entrusted with divine communication and a grand promise, directly from the all-powerful God. It emphasizes David's honored status while simultaneously magnifying the authority of the divine speaker.
• "I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel": This phrase eloquently describes the incredible divine transformation and elevation. It spans the entire journey from David's obscure, humble beginnings to his destined role as divinely chosen king. It underscores God's ability to call and empower the lowly, showcasing His unmerited favor and purpose. The contrast highlights the divine origin of David's authority, rather than any self-elevation or human lineage.

1 Chronicles 17 7 Bonus section

This verse (and chapter) serves as the Chronicler's theological emphasis on the unconditional nature of the Davidic Covenant, paralleling 2 Samuel 7 but with specific Chronicler themes. While 2 Samuel highlights David's failure and future consequences for his descendants, 1 Chronicles focuses more on the certainty of the Davidic dynasty and God's unwavering faithfulness. The Chronicler wanted to affirm the legitimacy and future hope embedded in the Davidic line for the post-exilic community. David's past divine election from the humble pasture gave hope that God would continue to sustain His chosen line, leading ultimately to the Messiah, who would fulfill the true Shepherd-King role. The term "ruler" (nagid) for David often subtly anticipates the coming greater Nagid, the Messiah, a figure divinely chosen and appointed. This verse also lays foundational principles for all leadership within God's people: true authority flows from divine appointment, not human ambition, and service to God's people is ultimately service to God Himself.

1 Chronicles 17 7 Commentary

1 Chronicles 17:7 stands as a powerful testament to God's sovereign initiative and faithful covenant-keeping. This verse, communicated through Nathan, anchors David's kingship not in his military prowess or political acumen, but squarely in God's prior choice and action. The emphasis on David's humble origin—taken from "the sheepcote, even from following the sheep"—serves to magnify God's grace and surprising methods. He chose the unlikely, demonstrating that His appointments are not based on human qualifications or worldly prestige, but solely on His divine purpose. The title "my servant David" denotes a special relationship and trust, while "the Lord of hosts" conveys the absolute authority behind this momentous declaration. David's role as "ruler over my people Israel" underscores that his leadership is a divine stewardship over God's own chosen nation, accountable to the ultimate Sovereign. This verse reminds us that true authority and destiny originate with God, who elevates whom He wills, equipping them for the divine purposes He has ordained.