Check out all the previous David readings here.

David Reading | Week 4 | Day 1

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Ask Him to teach you more about Himself today.

Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-4

Read these verses three times slowly.

All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 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.’”

When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.

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

Reflection & Questions

In today’s reading, David is finally made king. At the age of 30 years old, after being privately anointed king as a teenager, he is publicly anointed and installed as leader of the nation of Israel.

But what does that mean? What kind of king is David to be? The Lord had told him, and the people remind him in these verses: “You will shepherd my people Israel.” David, and all of God’s leaders are not oppressors. They are not tyrants. They are to shepherd his people. Those are key words.

God has an immense care for “his people.” These are not David’s people. They are God’s people. God loves His people and won’t look kindly on anyone who hurts them or leads them astray. Though God is giving David kingship, He will have a watchful eye. We, too, in our many areas of leadership and influence, whether as parents, teachers, leaders in church or our workplace, do well to remember that we have never met or led someone who is not made in the image of God. They are His people first.

And how is David to lead God’s people? As a shepherd. This is a common analogy for leadership throughout the Bible. God calls himself a shepherd (Psalm 23). Jesus said he is the Good Shepherd (John 10). Prophets, priests and kings were called shepherds. And even the title of leadership of the church in the New Testament is the Greek word for shepherd (which we translate often as Pastor). Why shepherd? The shepherd has some very unique characteristics. He guides, protects and feeds his sheep, knowing they could easily go astray and get into trouble. He leads them together, but knows each one individually. A shepherd shows a faithful loving-kindness to his sheep. As we think of the places where we have influence or leadership, the identity and actions of a shepherd will help us know how to lead well.

1. What spheres of influence do you have? What does it look like for you to be a shepherd in those areas? Does that change your approach?
2. Do you relate to God as your Shepherd? How does seeing Him as a Shepherd help you in following Him?

Prayer

Pray in response to today’s reading.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today:

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Questions?