A SHEPHERD FOR GOD'S PEOPLE

Passage: 1 Chronicles 11:1-9

Key verse: 2b

NIV

David Becomes King Over Israel(A)

11 All Israel(B) came together to David at Hebron(C) and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns.(D) And the Lord your God said to you, ‘You will shepherd(E) my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.(F)’”

3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed(G) David king over Israel, as the Lord had promised through Samuel.

David Conquers Jerusalem(H)

4 David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus). The Jebusites(I) who lived there 5 said to David, “You will not get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.

6 David had said, “Whoever leads the attack on the Jebusites will become commander in chief.” Joab(J) son of Zeruiah went up first, and so he received the command.

7 David then took up residence in the fortress, and so it was called the City of David. 8 He built up the city around it, from the terraces[a](K) to the surrounding wall, while Joab restored the rest of the city. 9 And David became more and more powerful,(L) because the Lord Almighty was with him.

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Footnotes
  1. 1 Chronicles 11:8 Or the Millo
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

David Anointed King

11 (A)Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, “Behold, we are your bone and flesh. 2 In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you who led out and brought in Israel. And the Lord your God said to you, (B)‘You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel.’” 3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel, (C)according to the word of the Lord by Samuel.

David Takes Jerusalem

4 And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, (D)that is, Jebus, where the Jebusites were, (E)the inhabitants of the land. 5 The inhabitants of Jebus said to David, “You will not come in here.” Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David. 6 David said, “Whoever strikes the Jebusites first (F)shall be chief and commander.” And Joab the son of Zeruiah went up first, so he became chief. 7 And David lived in the stronghold; therefore it was called the city of David. 8 And he built the city all around from the Millo in complete circuit, and Joab repaired the rest of the city. 9 And David (G)became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. David becomes king of Israel (1-3)

While King Saul was still alive, Samuel anointed David to be king of Israel. He was called a man after God's own heart. But because of Saul's jealousy, he had lived as a fugitive. After Saul's death, he became king of Judah and ruled in Hebron. Saul's supporters tried to hold on to the throne, but they failed. Now, 7 years later, the elders of Israel came to Hebron and asked David to be king of all Israel. They remembered his victories in battle when he served as Saul's general. Most importantly, they remembered God's promise to him. They anointed David king and God's people had a shepherd.

2. Jerusalem (4-9)

Jerusalem was a Canaanite city that had never been conquered. The Jebusites who lived there thought their city was impregnable. David promised that the man who led the attack on Jerusalem would be his commander-in-chief. Joab became that man. Jerusalem became the City of David, the capital. The Lord Almighty was with David.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for raising up shepherds for your people.

One Word: A shepherd for God's people