2 Samuel 7:8
ESV
Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel.
NIV
"Now then, tell my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, and appointed you ruler over my people Israel.
NASB
Now then, this is what you shall say to My servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of armies says: 'I Myself took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be leader over My people Israel.
CSB
"So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel.
NLT
'Now go and say to my servant David, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies has declared: I took you from tending sheep in the pasture and selected you to be the leader of my people Israel.
KJV
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:
NKJV
Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel.
What does 2 Samuel 7:8 mean?
David is settled in his beautiful home in Jerusalem. The ark of the covenant sits nearby in a tent. He decides he wants to build a temple for the ark, and his advisor, Nathan, believes God will approve. That night, however, God tells Nathan he does not approve. God hasn't needed a house. He's been content for the ark (Exodus 25:10)to travel wherever the people go. And He's never asked for a permanent dwelling (2 Samuel 7:1–7).God has another plan. He's going to make David a "house." That is, God will establish a legacy for David that will last for eternity. David's reputation will be known throughout the world, and his son will become king after him and build the temple (2 Samuel 7:9–17).
The Davidic Covenant begins with God setting the scene. God has already placed David where He wants him. David was a shepherd boy when God sent Samuel to anoint David as the future king of the Israelites (1 Samuel 16:12–13). From that time, God increased David's responsibilities until he was experienced enough to take the crown.
God's note that He took David "from following the sheep" is significant. King Saul's greatest sins were because he followed his "sheep." Early in his reign, he was faced with a massive Philistine army. Samuel had told him he was on his way to offer sacrifices for the Israelite soldiers. But Samuel was delayed. The people hid in caves and even crypts. The soldiers trembled, and some abandoned him. Saul was influenced by the fear of his people more than confidence in God's prophet. He offered the sacrifices, and as he finished, Samuel arrived. Saul's lack of leadership and faith led to his disobedience and God's judgment. Because of Saul's rebellion against God's word to him, his kingdom wouldn't endure (1 Samuel 13:1–14).
The second time was worse. God, through Samuel, told Saul to thoroughly destroy the Amalekites he was fighting. When the battle was finished, Samuel arrived to learn Saul had kept Agag, the king, as well as the best of the livestock. When Samuel asked why, Saul said the soldiers wanted the livestock, and he was too afraid of them to say no. Again, fear led to disobedience. Saul forfeited not only Jonathan's chance to be king, but also his own life (1 Samuel 15).
David has been afraid of his people at least once: when the Amalekites kidnapped his soldiers' women and children and his men threatened to stone him (1 Samuel 30). But David didn't let fear determine his actions. Rather than disobeying, he "felt strengthened in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6). David led his men into battle, and all their families were rescued.
It is because David follows God and not his "sheep" that he is qualified to be king. It's because of God's grace that he will have much more than a kingdom (2 Samuel 7:9–16).
