It seems quite obvious that reading Psalms together with 1 & 2 Samuel will yield interesting insights since the latter provides a lot of historical background and events which inextricably influence the composition of Psalms.
Reading Psalm 23 which is again traditionally attributed to David, you can easily discern two different imageries. That of a sheep being cared for and protected by a shepherd (Ps. 23:1-4) and a favoured person of a powerful host (Ps. 23:5). If there is a third, then it would be of a person blessed with the opportunity to always return to the house of the LORD and worship Him in His Presence (Ps. 23:6).
I read through 1 & 2 Samuel to search for events that would have left deep lasting impressions for the poet to compose Psalm 23 with these imageries. Naturally, I look for details in the life of David himself.
David As A Sheep (v.1-4)
David as a shepherd boy is well known to all especially for anyone who has attended Sunday School classes for the young. The story of a brave shepherd boy slaying the giant Goliath is a popular parable and often quoted whenever an underdog challenges seemingly insurmountable odds or opponents.
We are introduced to David as a shepherd boy for the first time in 1 Sam. 16:11 when God commanded Samuel to anoint him as the king of Israel to replace Saul. Then, we have the opportunity to learn, in David's own words, of his life as a shepherd protecting his father's flock.
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father; and whenever a lion or a bear came, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after it and struck it down, rescuing the lamb from its mouth; and if it turned against me, I would catch it by the jaw, strike it down, and kill it. 1 Sam. 17:34-35
In this psalm, instead of being a shepherd, David, however, pictured himself as a sheep he was so used to protecting in the fields. The imagery portrayed was David as the sheep and the LORD as the shepherd. And just like how he would care and put his life in danger to protect his flock from harmful wild predators, David imagined the LORD would do the same for him, if not more so, as the Shepherd of His people. Jesus' parable of the Good Shepherd (Matt.18:12-14) surely echoed this truth. And because David really cared for his sheep (1 Sam. 17:15), he can deeply sense and understand God's love for him in the events of his life.
So many times on the way to becoming the king of Israel, David walked through the valleys of death, being hunted down by Saul, hiding among the Philistines, and fighting against the Amalekites. The LORD delivered him and kept His promise to make David the king to replace Saul. Indeed, the staff and the rod of God protected David, his family and the people with him.
David Feasting Before His Enemies (v. 5a)
v. 5 gives the imagery of a tense situation where David was honoured by the LORD to feast at His table in the midst of his enemies. It was common for the Israelites to eat and worship God in the vicinity of the tent or tabernable of the LORD like Hannah did (1 Sam. 1:9). Hannah's situation was somewhat similar where she had to endure the provocation of her rival, Peninnah, each time they ate at Shiloh. She counted her as her enemy. (1 Sam. 2:1)
But I think another situation in David's life serves as a better source for this imagery. Saul intended to murder David during the feast of the new moon (1 Sam. 20). David was to be seated at Saul's table surrounded by his people who would be ready to kill him, but he managed to escape with Jonathan's help. Indeed, the LORD delivered David from this deadly situation. In Psalm 23, instead of being almost killed, David imagined himself being given the highest honour at God's table and protected by Him to the chagrin of his enemies.
David As the Anointed (v. 5b)
David was anointed on three different occasions. By Samuel (1 Sam. 16:13) while he was still a shepherd boy, who was initially disregarded even by his own father. As the king of Judah (2 Sam. 2:4) at Hebron and again at Hebron (2 Sam. 5:3) as the king of Israel. These events surely influenced David to imagine himself being anointed by the LORD in His house.
However, I think the most memorable would be the anointing by Samuel. When he was overlooked even by his own father, God knew his heart and chose him. Surely at that moment, the brothers were angry and jealous of him. Perhaps even to the point of becoming his enemies.
David Being Blessed Forever (v. 6)
The whole of Psalm 23 is in fact reflected in what the LORD spoke to David through Nathan after he planned to build Him a more permanent dwelling (2 Sam. 7).
Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. 2 Sam 7:8-9
And when the LORD told David that He would establish his house and throne forever (2 Sam. 7:13), David responded by declaring in this psalm that he would dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Because David's lineage would have the opportunity to serve the LORD in His house for many years. Sadly, although Solomon and those after him failed in keeping their promise to serve the LORD, Jesus, as the Offspring of David did. And the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed established forever in His death and resurrection.
I believe this psalm was composed after David had established himself and the LORD had blessed David through Nathan (2 Sam. 7) and before the events of David murdering Uriah and Absalom's rebellion as a judgement from God.
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