So I ¹  began to shepherd the flock destined for slaughter, the most afflicted ²  of all the flock. Then I took two staffs, ³  calling one “Pleasantness” ⁴  and the other “Binders,” ⁵  and I tended the flock.

Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Is that all of the young men?” Jesse ¹  replied, “There is still the youngest one, but he’s taking care of the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.”

They say, “How does God know what we do? Is the sovereign one aware of what goes on?” ¹ 

In all hard work ¹  there is profit, but merely talking about it ²  only brings ³  poverty. ⁴ 

Jesus ¹  said ²  a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He replied, ³  “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus ⁴  told him, “Shepherd my sheep.”

Therefore, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ¹ 

Then he separated them from Jacob by a three-day journey, ¹  while ²  Jacob was taking care of the rest of Laban’s flocks.

David replied to Saul, “Your servant has been a shepherd for his father’s flock. Whenever a lion or bear would come and carry off a sheep from the flock,

I, the Lord, protect it; ¹  I water it regularly. ²  I guard it night and day, so no one can harm it. ³ 

I will install rulers ¹  over them who will care for them. Then they will no longer need to fear or be terrified. None of them will turn up missing. ²  I, the Lord, promise it! ³ 

I will set one shepherd over them, and he will feed them – namely, my servant David. ¹  He will feed them and will be their shepherd.

Now ¹  the herdsmen ran off and spread the news in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened.

Give a shepherd’s care to ¹  God’s flock among you, exercising oversight ²  not merely as a duty ³  but willingly under God’s direction, ⁴  not for shameful profit but eagerly.

While he was still speaking with them, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep, for she was tending them. ¹ 

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep.

But he ¹  left behind some of the poor of the land and gave them fields and vineyards.

Rouse yourself, wake up ¹  and vindicate me! ²  My God and Lord, defend my just cause! ³ 

Then ¹  observers ²  will say, “Yes indeed, the godly are rewarded! ³  Yes indeed, there is a God who judges ⁴  in the earth!”

David ¹  cared for them with pure motives; ²  he led them with skill. ³ 

before he made the earth and its fields, ¹  or the beginning ²  of the dust of the world.