From the careof the eweswith sucklinglambsHe broughthim To shepherdJacobHis people,And IsraelHis inheritance.
But he saidto him, "My lordknowsthat the childrenare frailand that the flocksand herdswhich are nursingare a careto me. And if they are drivenhardoneday,allthe flockswill die.
"I am of those who are peaceable[and] faithfulin Israel.You are seekingto destroya city,even a motherin Israel.Whywould you swallowup the inheritanceof the LORD?"
Then Davidspoketo the LORDwhen he sawthe angelwho was strikingdownthe people,and said,"Behold,it is I who have sinned,and it is I who have donewrong;but thesesheep,whathave they done?Pleaselet Your handbe against me and against my father'shouse."
"Previously,when Saulwas kingoverus, you were the one who ledIsraelout and in. And the LORDsaidto you, 'You will shepherdMy peopleIsrael,and you will be a ruleroverIsrael.'"
"Nowtherefore, thusyou shall sayto My servantDavid,'Thussaysthe LORDof hosts,"I tookyou from the pasture,from followingthe sheep,to be ruleroverMy peopleIsrael.
"In timespast,evenwhen Saulwas king,you [were] the one who ledout and broughtin Israel;and the LORDyour Godsaidto you, 'You shall shepherdMy peopleIsrael,and you shall be princeoverMy peopleIsrael.'"
SaveYour peopleand blessYour inheritance;Be their shepherdalso, and carrythem forever.
Like a shepherdHe will tendHis flock,In His armHe will gatherthe lambsAnd carry[them] in His bosom;He will gently leadthe nursing[ewes].
AND YOU, BETHLEHEM,LANDOF JUDAH,ARE BY NO MEANSLEASTAMONGTHE LEADERSOF JUDAH;FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTHA RULERWHOWILL SHEPHERDMY PEOPLEISRAEL.'"
shepherdthe flockof Godamongyou, exercising oversightnot under compulsion,but voluntarily,accordingto [the will of] God;and not for sordid gain,but with eagerness;
Then Samueltookthe flaskof oil,pouredit on his head,kissedhim and said,"Has not the LORDanointedyou a ruleroverHis inheritance?
