Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 11:2

"In times past, even when Saul was king, it was thou that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and Jehovah thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt be shepherd of my people Israel, and thou shalt be prince over my people Israel." — 1 Chronicles 11:2 (ASV)

In time past. — Yesterday, or three days ago. A very indefinite phrase, used in Genesis 31:2 of a time fourteen years ago, and in 2 Kings 13:5 of more than forty years ago.

Led out. —To battle.

Brought in. —Of the homeward march. David had thus already discharged kingly functions. (Compare to 1 Samuel 8:20; 1 Samuel 18:6; 1 Samuel 18:13; 1 Samuel 18:27; 2 Samuel 3:18.)

The Lord your God said to you. — 1 Samuel 16:13.

You shall feed my people. —Literally, shepherd or tend them. The same term is used of the Lord Himself (Isaiah 40:11; Psalms 80:1). The king then is God’s representative, and as such his right is really Divine (Romans 13:1). The cuneiform documents reveal the interesting fact that the term “shepherd,” as applied to sovereigns, is as old as the pre-Semitic stage of Babylonian civilization (the second millennium B.C.).