But he said to him, “My master knows that the children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me. And if the men should drive them hard one day, all the flocks shall die.
“I am of the peaceable and trustworthy ones in Yisra’ĕl. You seek to destroy a city and a mother in Yisra’ĕl. Why do you swallow up the inheritance of יהוה?”
And Dawiḏ spoke to יהוה when he saw the messenger who was striking the people, and said, “See, I have sinned, and I have done perversely. But these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, be against me and against my father’s house.”
“Formerly, when Sha’ul was sovereign over us, you were the one who led Yisra’ĕl out and brought them in. And יהוה said to you, ‘Shepherd My people Yisra’ĕl, and be ruler over Yisra’ĕl.’ ”
“And now, say to My servant Dawiḏ, ‘Thus said יהוה of hosts, “I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be ruler over My people, over Yisra’ĕl.
“Also, in time past, even when Sha’ul was sovereign, you were the one who led Yisra’ĕl out and brought them in. And יהוה your Elohim said to you, ‘Shepherd My people Yisra’ĕl, and be ruler over My people Yisra’ĕl.’ ”
“But you, Bĕyth Leḥem, in the land of Yehuḏah, you are by no means least among the rulers of Yehuḏah, for out of you shall come a Ruler who shall shepherd My people Yisra’ĕl. ’ ”
Shepherd the flock of Elohim which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but voluntarily, not out of greed for filthy gain, but eagerly,
And Shemu’ĕl took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said, “Is it not because יהוה has anointed you leader over His inheritance?