Psalm 78:70-71
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What's easy to miss here is that David wasn't just chosen, he was chosen as a servant. This title of honor, "servant," sets him apart and highlights that his kingship was about divine service, not personal power. His humble beginnings among sheep directly foreshadowed his future role as a shepherd for God's people, a shepherd who would care for them with integrity.
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalmist recounts God's faithfulness to Israel, highlighting His repeated acts of deliverance contrasted with Israel's persistent rebellion. After detailing the rejection of Shiloh and the tribe of Ephraim, God turns His attention to establishing a new center of worship and leadership. This leads to the choice of David, a humble shepherd boy, to lead His people, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history and foreshadowing a future king.
Ever feel like you're too ordinary for God's big plans? This verse flips that idea upside down.
The psalm highlights God's sovereign choice in selecting David.
The Ordinary Shepherd
David wasn't royalty, a warrior, or a prominent leader. He was a shepherd boy, tending sheep far from the spotlight. This humble beginning is emphasized by mentioning he was taken 'from the sheepfolds.' This wasn't a position of power or prestige, but one of quiet responsibility and solitude.
Divine Selection
God's choice wasn't based on David's resume or social standing. The text makes it clear that God chose him. This wasn't a chance encounter or a default selection; it was a deliberate act of divine will. God saw something in David, from his life tending sheep, that others missed.
A Pattern of God's Work
This pattern repeats throughout Scripture: God often chooses the unlikely, the overlooked, and the humble to accomplish His purposes. Think of Moses called from the desert or Gideon from a hidden threshing floor. God's power is most evident when it works through those who have no inherent strength of their own.
What does it truly mean to be God's 'servant,' and how does that connect to tending sheep?
The title 'servant' given to David, especially in the context of shepherding, carries deep meaning.
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A Title of Honor
In the ancient world, 'servant' wasn't always a term of lowliness; for those chosen by God for a special task, it was a title of high honor and divine appointment. David was set apart for God's service, a role that would define his life and legacy.
Shepherd as a Metaphor for Leadership
David's experience as a shepherd provided a powerful metaphor for his future leadership. He learned to protect the flock from predators, guide them to pasture and water, and care for the weakest among them. This wasn't just a job; it was training for ruling and caring for God's people, 'Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.'
Responsibility and Care
The psalm implies that true leadership, like shepherding, requires attentiveness, diligence, and a heart focused on the well-being of those entrusted to one's care. David would later be praised for feeding the people 'in the uprightness of his heart, and guided them by the prudence of his hands.' This connects his humble beginnings directly to his faithful service.
Understand the original words
ebed · Hebrew Noun
One who serves a master or superior. In a theological context, a servant of God is one who submits fully to the divine will, living in obedience and fulfilling the tasks assigned by the Lord.
ra'ah · Hebrew Verb
The action of caring for, leading, protecting, and feeding a flock of animals, used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the role of God or human leaders (kings/prophets) in relation to His people.
Ya'aqov · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal name given to the patriarch; it refers to the covenant people of God, often highlighting their human origin and historical struggles.
Yisra'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The name given to Jacob by God; it refers to the nation as God's chosen people, emphasizing their spiritual identity and relationship with the Almighty.
nachalah · Hebrew Noun
That which is received as a possession, often referring to God's relationship with His people; it denotes something special, precious, and set apart for Him.
This verse highlights God's sovereign choice, elevating David from humble beginnings as a shepherd to the throne of Israel. It underscores that God often chooses the unlikely to fulfill His purposes, a pattern echoed in His selection of leaders throughout history.
c. 1040 BC
David Born
David, the future king and ancestor of the Messiah, is born in Bethlehem to Jesse of the tribe of Judah.
c. 1025 BC— this verse
David Anointed King
The prophet Samuel, sent by God, secretly anoints the young David as king while he is still tending sheep.
c. 1010 BC
David Defeats Goliath
David, known for his courage and faith, defeats the giant Goliath, becoming a national hero.
c. 1003 BC
David Becomes King of Israel
After years of Saul's persecution, David is finally crowned king over all Israel, uniting the tribes.
c. 992 BC
Davidic Covenant Established
God establishes an everlasting covenant with David, promising that his royal line will endure forever.
This passage directly describes the moment Samuel anoints David, who was tending sheep, highlighting the humble beginnings from which God elevated him.
2 Samuel 7:8In this covenant with David, God explicitly recalls His action of taking David from his pastural duties to be a leader, emphasizing God's sovereign choice.
Amos 7:14-15The prophet Amos, like David, was called from a life of tending sheep to a prophetic role, showing a pattern of God choosing humble shepherds for significant service.
John 10:11Jesus identifies Himself as the 'good shepherd' who lays down his life for his sheep, drawing a parallel between David's shepherding and Christ's ultimate care for His flock.
clarkePsalms 78:70: "He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:"
He chose David - See the account 1 Samuel 16:11 (note), etc.
pulpitPsalms 78:70: "He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:"
Verse 70. - He chose David also his servant (see 1 Samuel 16:1, 12). And took him from the sheepfolds (comp. 1 Samuel 16:11, 19; 2 Samuel 7:8).
What's easy to miss here is that David wasn't just chosen, he was chosen as a servant. This title of honor, "servant," sets him apart and highlights that his kingship was about divine service, not personal power. His humble beginnings among sheep directly foreshadowed his future role as a shepherd for God's people, a shepherd who would care for them with integrity.
The psalmist recounts God's faithfulness to Israel, highlighting His repeated acts of deliverance contrasted with Israel's persistent rebellion. After detailing the rejection of Shiloh and the tribe of Ephraim, God turns His attention to establishing a new center of worship and leadership. This leads to the choice of David, a humble shepherd boy, to lead His people, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history and foreshadowing a future king.
The psalmist recounts God's faithfulness to Israel, highlighting His repeated acts of deliverance contrasted with Israel's persistent rebellion. After detailing the rejection of Shiloh and the tribe of Ephraim, God turns His attention to establishing a new center of worship and leadership. This leads to the choice of David, a humble shepherd boy, to lead His people, marking a pivotal moment in Israel's history and foreshadowing a future king.
"He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance." — What's easy to miss here is that David wasn't just chosen, he was chosen as a servant. This title of honor, "servant," sets him apart and highlights that his kingship was about divine service, not…
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Last reviewed October 2026
