1 Chronicles 11:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The people recall that David already led Israel in battle and that the LORD had appointed him to shepherd and rule the nation.
What Does 1 Chronicles 11:2 Mean?
The elders remember David's proven leadership even under Saul, when he 'led out and brought in' the armies of Israel. More than experience, they invoke the LORD's own word: David is the one God chose to feed and rule His people. Human acclaim follows divine appointment, not the reverse.
The word for ruler here is paired with the gentle image of feeding a flock. God's chosen leader is first a shepherd. This is the very pattern fulfilled in Jesus, who calls Himself the good shepherd and rules by laying down His life for the sheep. Authority in God's kingdom is measured by care, not domination.
1 Chronicles 11:2 in the Original Language
na'gid (נָגִיד), 'ruler' -- a leader designated and called, here joined to the work of shepherding God's flock.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Chronicles 11:2
What does 1 Chronicles 11:2 mean?
The people recall that David already led Israel in battle and that the LORD had appointed him to shepherd and rule the nation.