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Day 165

Psalm 78:71b "To shepherd Jacob His people..."

Day 165 – Psalm 78

“To shepherd Jacob His people…” Psalm 78:71b

THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL

Israel demanded from the prophet Samuel a king that would rule over the nation. No matter how much Samuel protested, Israel would not listen. Solemnly Samuel warned that the king the people chose would ultimately hurt them (1 Samuel 8). King Saul was the first king of Israel and as Samuel warned, he did not prove himself to be a worthy king. He was unable to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.

GOD’S CHOICE

God once again had to let Israel learn things the hard way. The nation suffered much under the rule of King Saul. In due time, God raised David to be the King of Israel.

“He also chose David His servant,
And took him from the sheepfolds;
From following the ewes that had young He brought him,
To shepherd Jacob His people,
And Israel His inheritance.”
Psalm 78:70-71

1. “He also chose David His servant”

a) One of the reasons why God chose David was because He knew his heart.
b) David had the heart of a humble servant.

2. “And took him from the sheepfolds”

a) David’s background was that of a shepherd.
b) He had proved himself a good shepherd.
i) He noticed the ewes that had young.
ii) He took special care of them.
iii) He had a true shepherd’s heart (he was no hireling).

3. “He brought him to shepherd Jacob His people”

a) The name “Jacob” was used when the Biblical writer seeks to hint at waywardness.
b) Israel as a nation was compared to the wayward Jacob before he was converted.
c) The nation of Israel needed a good shepherd.
d) God in His wisdom gave to the nation a choice young man called David.