2 Samuel 5 2

2 Samuel 5:2 kjv

Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.

2 Samuel 5:2 nkjv

Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.' "

2 Samuel 5:2 niv

In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the LORD said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.'?"

2 Samuel 5:2 esv

In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the LORD said to you, 'You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel.'"

2 Samuel 5:2 nlt

In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the LORD told you, 'You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel's leader.'"

2 Samuel 5 verses

2 Samuel 5 2 Meaning

This verse conveys the consensus of all the tribes of Israel, affirming David's established leadership capabilities and divine appointment to kingship over them. It highlights that David had already functioned as an effective military leader even during Saul's reign, leading Israel in their engagements. More importantly, it underscores that David's future role as king was directly commanded and authorized by the Lord, designating him as both a shepherd of God's people and their destined ruler. This dual title emphasizes his role in both care and governance, directly reflecting God's will for His chosen nation.

2 Samuel 5 2 Context

2 Samuel chapter 5 marks the climactic moment in David's ascendancy to the throne of all Israel. For seven and a half years, David had reigned only over Judah from Hebron, while Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, ruled over the other tribes of Israel from Mahanaim. With Ish-bosheth's assassination (2 Sam 4), the northern tribes found themselves without a leader from Saul's line and in a precarious position. The vacuum of power, combined with years of civil strife, propelled them to seek stability under a proven leader. The representatives of all the tribes journeyed to Hebron to make a covenant with David. This verse records their direct declaration, which served as a foundational affirmation of David's divine mandate and the basis for their unanimous decision to crown him king over all twelve tribes. Their words articulate a historical reality (David's past leadership), a divine decree (God's command to David), and their understanding of David's future role as king.

2 Samuel 5 2 Word analysis

• Also, in time past (גַּם־אֶתְמוֹל - gam-'etmol): "Gam" means also/even. "'Etmol" often translated as "yesterday" or "before" here signifies "in former times," specifically referencing the duration of Saul's kingship. It highlights that the recognition of David's capabilities was not a recent insight but a long-standing, remembered truth. This speaks to the depth and consistency of their acknowledgment of his abilities, predating any self-interest in their current situation.

• when Saul was king over us (וּבִהְיוֹת שָׁאוּל מֶלֶךְ עָלֵינוּ - u'vhehyot Sha'ul melech 'aleinu): This phrase situates David's acknowledged leadership directly within the period of Saul's legitimate rule. It underscores that David’s leadership was undeniable even when he was subservient to another king, not merely after Saul’s downfall. It might indirectly polemicize against the notion that Saul's direct appointees were the only legitimate leaders by demonstrating David's exceptional, universally recognized competence despite Saul's declining state.

• you were he who led out and brought in Israel (אַתָּה הָיִיתָ הַמּוֹצִיא וְהַמֵּבִיא אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל - attah hayita hamotziy v'hamevi et Yisra'el):

  • "led out and brought in" (מוציא ומביא - motzi u'mevi): This is a merism, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent a whole. Here, it denotes comprehensive military and societal leadership. It implies taking the army out to battle and bringing them safely home, managing the nation's affairs, and overseeing its well-being. This specific phrase was used to describe ideal, holistic leadership, notably by Moses and Joshua (Num 27:17, Deut 31:2), aligning David with Israel's most pivotal early leaders.
  • "Israel": The direct reference to "Israel" here encompasses all twelve tribes, emphasizing that David's leadership was recognized by the whole nation, not just Judah, long before the tribal divisions truly cemented.

• and the Lord said to you (וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֵלֶיךָ - vayomer Adonai eilecha): This is the pivotal statement of divine legitimization. It explicitly links David's kingship to God's direct command, not merely human will. The people recall a prophetic utterance, most likely referring to Samuel's anointing of David (1 Sam 16:1-13) and later confirmations (2 Sam 3:18). This elevates David's position from a merely skilled military commander to a divinely ordained ruler.

• You shall shepherd My people Israel (אַתָּה תִּרְעֶה אֶת עַמִּי אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל - attah tir'eh et 'ammi et Yisra'el):

  • "shepherd" (תִּרְעֶה - tir'eh, from רָעָה - ra'ah): While literally meaning "to feed a flock," in ancient Near Eastern cultures, "shepherd" was a common and powerful royal metaphor. A king was seen as the shepherd of his people, responsible for their care, protection, provision, and guidance. This implies a gentle yet authoritative, nourishing yet leading role, distinguishing it from pure command. It evokes God's own care for His people (Ps 23).
  • "My people Israel": Emphasizes divine ownership and covenant. Israel belongs to God, and David's shepherding is a stewardship entrusted by God. This reminds David, and the people, that his rule is accountable to the true sovereign, the Lord.

• and you shall be ruler over Israel (וְאַתָּה תִּהְיֶה לְנָגִיד עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל - v'attah tihyeh l'nagid 'al Yisra'el):

  • "ruler" (נָגִיד - nagid): This term specifically denotes a "prince," "leader," or "commander," often associated with divine appointment (e.g., Saul was also initially designated a nagid - 1 Sam 9:16; 10:1). It highlights a leadership role that is not merely hereditary or chosen by man but has a strong component of divine initiative and authority. While melech (king) is the later, more general term for king, nagid carries a sense of special designation for God's purposes, marking David as the designated or appointed one.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were he who led out and brought in Israel": This phrase functions as a direct affirmation of David's competence and undeniable value as a leader by the very people who had initially preferred Saul. It recalls his victories against the Philistines and his effective administration, directly challenging any lingering loyalty to Saul's house based on merit. It acts as an unbiased testimonial of his prior service and prowess.
  • "the Lord said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be ruler over Israel'": This second part elevates the discussion from human recognition to divine decree. The dual title "shepherd" and "ruler" encompasses both the nurturing, caring aspect of leadership and the authoritative, governing aspect. By calling them "My people," God asserts His ownership and David's accountability to Him in His divinely appointed stewardship. This divine backing makes David's claim to the throne not just political but theological and absolute.

2 Samuel 5 2 Bonus section

The tribal elders' recollection of God's word concerning David serves a crucial purpose: it legitimized David's ascent in the eyes of all Israel. This wasn't merely a pragmatic political shift after Ish-bosheth's death; it was a realization of divine prophecy. By mentioning God's direct words, "You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be ruler over Israel," they confirmed that David’s reign was part of God’s plan, contrasting starkly with Saul's ultimate rejection for disobedience (1 Sam 15:23). This shared memory created a covenantal bond built on divine election, uniting a previously fragmented nation under a God-anointed king, thereby establishing Jerusalem as both political and spiritual center for a truly unified kingdom under God's chosen shepherd-king.

2 Samuel 5 2 Commentary

2 Samuel 5:2 serves as a pivotal statement validating David's anointing by Samuel (1 Sam 16:1-13). It reflects the tribes of Israel’s historical recollection of David’s exceptional military leadership even under Saul, exemplified by the comprehensive phrase "led out and brought in." More significantly, it proclaims their awareness of God's direct spoken word designating David as the shepherd and ruler of His chosen people. The term "shepherd" (Hebrew: ra'ah) underscores a caring, guiding, and protecting role, while "ruler" (Hebrew: nagid) emphasizes divine appointment and sovereign authority. This collective testimony from all Israel establishes David's kingship not just as a political convenience, but as a long-anticipated, divinely ordained mandate, setting the stage for his unified rule over God’s heritage and foreshadowing the ultimate Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.