2 Also, in time past, even when Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord your ^aGod said to you, ‘You shall ^bshepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over My people Israel.’ ”  ‡

3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And ^athey anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the Lord¹ by ^bSamuel.  ‡