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.

1 CHRONICLES 11:2KJV
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1 Chronicles 11:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 11:2 mean?

1 Chronicles 11:2 gives two reasons Israel’s leaders recognized David as their king. David had already led Israel while Saul was king, and the LORD had said that David would care for and rule his people.

The speakers are representatives of Israel addressing David at Hebron. Their words recall both David’s past service and what God had said about his future. “Leddest out and broughtest in” pictures a leader taking people out and returning with them, especially in military campaigns.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 11:2

  • “feed” — רָעָה (raʿah): This word can mean to tend or shepherd a flock. Here it pictures David’s rule as the care a shepherd gives sheep.
  • “ruler” — נָגִיד (nagid): This word refers to a leader or person placed in charge. Alongside “feed,” it presents David’s task as both caring for and governing Israel.

Why 1 Chronicles 11:2 matters

  • David’s leadership began before he became king over all Israel. The representatives remember what he did “even when Saul was king,” showing that they already knew him as a leader.
  • The people are described as belonging to God, not to David. In the words addressed to David, the LORD twice calls Israel “my people.”
  • The speech connects the people’s decision with God’s earlier words. In the next verse, Israel’s elders make an agreement with David and anoint him king, setting him apart for that role.

Where else these words appear

“time” Hebrew H8543 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Exodus 21:36 Or if it be known that the ox hath used to push in time past, and his owner hath not kept him in; he shall surely pay ox for ox; and the dead shall be his own.
  • Ruth 2:11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

“past” Hebrew H8032 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
  • Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbour unawares, and hated him not in times past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
  • 1 Samuel 10:11 And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

“people” Hebrew H1571 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
  • Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
  • Job 12:3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?

“ruler” Hebrew H5057 · used in 44 verses

  • 1 Samuel 9:16 To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:27 And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites, and with him were three thousand and seven hundred;
  • 2 Chronicles 31:13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.