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2 Samuel 7:8

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

Now therefore so shalt thou say {H559} unto my servant {H5650} David {H1732}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, I took {H3947} thee from the sheepcote {H5116}, from following {H310} the sheep {H6629}, to be ruler {H5057} over my people {H5971}, over Israel {H3478}:

"Therefore say this to my servant David that this is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot says: 'I took you from the sheep-yards, from following the sheep, to make you chief over my people, over Isra'el.

Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.

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

Commentary

Second Samuel 7:8 is a pivotal verse within the narrative of the Davidic Covenant, where God, through the prophet Nathan, reaffirms His choice and promises to King David. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to elevate individuals from humble beginnings to positions of great influence for His divine purposes.

Context

This verse is part of God's direct response to King David's desire to build a permanent temple for the Ark of the Covenant. David, now established in his palace, felt it was inappropriate for him to live in a house of cedar while the Ark resided in a tent. Initially, Nathan encouraged David, but the LORD then spoke to Nathan, correcting his initial approval and revealing His own plan. Instead of David building a "house" (temple) for God, God promises to build a "house" (dynasty) for David. Verse 8 sets the stage for this covenant by reminding David of his past and God's intentional elevation of him. It underscores that David's kingship was not by human design or military might, but by divine selection.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Election: God explicitly states, "I took thee," emphasizing His active role in choosing and raising David from obscurity. This highlights that God's plans are sovereign and His choices are deliberate, not based on human merit or social standing.
  • Humility of Leadership: The phrase "from the sheepcote, from following the sheep" serves as a constant reminder of David's humble pastoral origins. This background contrasts sharply with his current status as ruler over Israel, emphasizing that true leadership comes from God's appointment and grace, not inherent greatness.
  • God's Faithfulness: This verse is a cornerstone of the Davidic Covenant, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His chosen servant and His people. It foreshadows the enduring nature of David's dynasty and ultimately points to the Messiah.
  • Purposeful Calling: God didn't just elevate David; He elevated him "to be ruler over my people, over Israel." This indicates that David's position was for a specific divine purpose—to shepherd God's chosen nation. This divine pattern of choosing the humble is also seen in Paul's description of God's wisdom, which often confounds human expectations.

Linguistic Insights

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is significant. Sabaoth can refer to heavenly armies, earthly armies, or the celestial bodies. When combined with Yahweh (God's covenant name), it portrays God as the all-powerful Commander of all creation, reinforcing His authority and ability to accomplish His will, including raising a shepherd boy to kingship. The term "sheepcote" (Hebrew: naveh) literally means a dwelling place or pasture, vividly painting a picture of David's rustic, humble life before God called him.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Samuel 7:8 offers profound encouragement and insight. It reminds us that God often calls and uses ordinary people from humble backgrounds to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Our past circumstances do not limit God's ability to use us. This verse encourages humility in leadership, reminding those in positions of influence that their authority ultimately comes from God. It also invites us to reflect on God's sovereign hand in raising up and setting down leaders, both in biblical times and in our contemporary world. Recognizing God's active involvement in our lives, as He was in David's, fosters trust and encourages us to embrace the divine purpose for which we were called.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 78:70 (8 votes)

    He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

  • Psalms 78:71 (8 votes)

    From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

  • 1 Samuel 16:11 (7 votes)

    And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all [thy] children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

  • 1 Samuel 16:12 (7 votes)

    And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he.

  • 2 Samuel 6:21 (7 votes)

    And David said unto Michal, [It was] before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.

  • 2 Samuel 12:7 (7 votes)

    And Nathan said to David, Thou [art] the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;

  • 1 Chronicles 17:7 (6 votes)

    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: