2 Samuel 5:2

¹ Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Here we are, your own flesh and blood.

Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”

³ So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

⁴ David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”
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.
WEB: 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.’”
ASV: In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.
DARBY: Even aforetime, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel; and Jehovah said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over Israel.
BLB: Also formerly, even heretofore, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led out and brought in Israel. And YHWH said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and you shall be ruler over Israel.’”

ÅB: Allerede for lenge siden, da Saul var konge over oss, var det du som førte Israel ut og inn, og Herren sa til deg: Du skal vokte mitt folk Israel, og du skal være fyrste over Israel.
OTB: Tidligere, da Saul var konge over oss, var det du som førte Israel ut og inn. Og Herren sa til deg, 'Du skal være hyrde for mitt folk Israel, og du skal være en hersker over Israel.'"
B1930: Allerede for lenge siden, da Saul var konge over oss, var det du som førte Israel ut og inn, og Herren sa til dig: Du skal vokte mitt folk Israel, og du skal være fyrste over Israel.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Matthew 2:6
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”
Read in context
Micah 5:4
He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majestic name of the LORD His God. And they will dwell securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth.
Read in context
Ezekiel 34:23
I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.
Read in context
Ezekiel 37:24–25
My servant David will be king over them, and there will be one shepherd for all of them. They will follow My ordinances and keep and observe My statutes.
Read in context
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Read in context
2 Samuel 7:7
In all My journeys with all the Israelites, have I ever asked any of the leaders I appointed to shepherd My people Israel, ‘Why haven’t you built Me a house of cedar?’
Read in context
Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.
Read in context
1 Samuel 25:30
When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel,
Read in context