Daily Devotional

“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). 

Shepherding is one of the oldest occupations in history, beginning about 5,000 years ago in Asia Minor. Sheep provided milk, meat, and wool. To sustain a flock, sheep must be moved from pasture to pasture. Shepherds kept the sheep together, protected them from predators, tended to injuries, and sheared their wool. It was a difficult and solitary job and mostly done by younger sons of farmers. 

The ancient Israelites were mostly a pastoral people with many shepherds among them. The great patriarchs were shepherds, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. Abel is the first recorded shepherd in the Bible. Sheep and shepherds are mentioned 247 times in the Scriptures and have become symbols for God and His watch care over the children of Israel. 

After King Saul’s death, Israel and Judah were temporarily at war. It was a rocky period of time for David to establish his rule, but after the murder of Ishbosheth, one of Saul’s sons, David reigned over all of Israel. “Then aall the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, ‘Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. 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 5:1, 2). 

David had literally been a shepherd watching over sheep. Now he would shepherd God’s people. He was the greatest ruler of the united kingdom and typified Christ who was called the “good shepherd” (John 10:11). Beginning at the age of thirty, David ruled for forty years before passing the rod of authority to his son Solomon. One of the most beautiful songs written by David is the shepherd’s psalm, in which he begins, “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psalm 23:1). 

Lord, be my shepherd today. Lead me, watch over me, and protect me under Your watchful care.