Psalm 78:71-72
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The verse highlights that David was called from tending sheep that were giving suck, a delicate charge requiring gentleness. This intimate, tender care for vulnerable lambs foreshadowed his calling to lovingly shepherd God's people, Israel, his treasured inheritance.
from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes Psalm 78, a long historical reflection on Israel's journey with God. After recounting their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's faithfulness, the psalm shifts focus to God's sovereign choice of David, elevating him from a humble shepherd to lead His people. This transition highlights God's persistent plan to establish a righteous ruler for His inheritance, contrasting with Israel's past failures.
What does tending to 'ewes that are giving suck' have to do with leading a nation? It turns out, everything.
This verse highlights the tender care David learned as a shepherd. The Hebrew word often translated as 'ewes great with young' more accurately refers to 'ewes that are giving suck' or 'ewes with lambs.' This is the most vulnerable part of the flock, requiring constant vigilance, gentleness, and self-denial from the shepherd.
God used this intimate, hands-on experience to train David for his future role. Leading a nation isn't just about making big decisions; it's about understanding and caring for the needs of the people, especially the most vulnerable, with a similar tenderness and diligence.
David didn't just stumble into kingship; God orchestrated a deliberate transition from shepherd to ruler.
Psalm 78 is a sweeping look at Israel's history, emphasizing God's faithfulness amidst human unfaithfulness. In this final section, the psalm highlights God's sovereign choice and preparation of David. The verse emphasizes that it was God who 'brought him' from his previous occupation.
This wasn't a mere promotion; it was a divine calling. God took David from a role of protecting sheep and entrusted him with the care of 'Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.' This transition underscores God's intentionality in preparing leaders, equipping them with the necessary character and skills for His purposes.
Understand the original words
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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.
tom · Hebrew Noun
Referring to a state of moral integrity, sincerity, and ethical purity; it describes a person whose inner motivations and outward actions are aligned with God's will.
nachah · Hebrew Verb
The act of leading, directing, or showing the way; it implies divine or wise instruction and the provision of leadership that keeps people on the correct path.
tebunah · Hebrew Noun
Refers to competence, discernment, and the ability to act with wisdom and precision; in a leadership context, it signifies the capacity to manage, protect, and provide for others effectively.
This verse draws a powerful parallel between David's humble beginnings as a tender shepherd and his divine calling to lead and care for God's people, highlighting God's transformative power.
c. 1040 BC— this verse
Davidic Shepherd
David, the future king of Israel, begins his life as a shepherd in Bethlehem, caring for his father's flock, particularly the nursing ewes, which required diligent and tender attention.
c. 1025 BC
David Anointed King
Samuel the prophet anoints David as king, signifying God's choice despite David still being a young man and not yet reigning.
c. 1010 BC
David Becomes King of Israel
After Saul's death, David is established as king over all Israel, uniting the tribes and setting up his capital in Jerusalem.
c. 1000 BC
Ark of the Covenant Brought to Jerusalem
David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, establishing it as the religious and political center of his kingdom.
This passage shows David being called from his shepherding duties to be anointed king, directly paralleling the transition described in Psalms 78:71 from tending sheep to leading God's people.
Isaiah 40:11This verse also uses shepherding imagery for God's care, stating 'He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young,' highlighting the tenderness required in leadership, a quality David was prepared for.
Ezekiel 34:1-10This passage critiques the unfaithful shepherds (leaders) of Israel who have only fed themselves, contrasting them with God's promise to appoint a true shepherd, which David, in his calling, foreshadowed.
John 10:11Jesus Himself uses the shepherd metaphor, declaring 'I am the good shepherd,' connecting the divine calling to care for God's people with the leadership role exemplified by David in Psalms 78.
Matthew 4:18-22Similar to David's transition from shepherd to leader, Jesus calls fishermen to become 'fishers of men,' illustrating a divine calling that transforms a person's occupation into a sacred mission.
clarkePsalms 78:71: "From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance."
From following the ewes - Instances of this kind are not unfrequent in the ancient Greek and Roman history. Croesus said that Gypes, who was the first of his race, was a slave, and rose to sovereignty, succeeding his predecessor, of whose sheep he had been the pastor.
poolePsalms 78:71: "From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance."
Following the ewes great with young; by which employment he was inured to that care, and diligence, and self-denial which is necessary in a king or governor; and instructed to rule his people with all gentleness and tenderness.
The verse highlights that David was called from tending sheep that were giving suck, a delicate charge requiring gentleness. This intimate, tender care for vulnerable lambs foreshadowed his calling to lovingly shepherd God's people, Israel, his treasured inheritance.
This verse concludes Psalm 78, a long historical reflection on Israel's journey with God. After recounting their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's faithfulness, the psalm shifts focus to God's sovereign choice of David, elevating him from a humble shepherd to lead His people. This transition highlights God's persistent plan to establish a righteous ruler for His inheritance, contrasting with Israel's past failures.
This verse concludes Psalm 78, a long historical reflection on Israel's journey with God. After recounting their repeated unfaithfulness despite God's faithfulness, the psalm shifts focus to God's sovereign choice of David, elevating him from a humble shepherd to lead His people. This transition highlights God's persistent plan to establish a righteous ruler for His inheritance, contrasting with Israel's past failures.
"from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand." — The verse highlights that David was called from tending sheep that were giving suck, a delicate charge requiring gentleness. This intimate, tender care for vulnerable lambs foreshadowed his calling…
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Last reviewed October 2026
