In times past, even when Saul was king, it was you that led out and brought in Israel: In times past is literally “Also yesterday, also the day before yesterday” (so Chouraqui; similarly La Bible Pléiade). A literal translation of this Hebrew idiom will probably not express the correct meaning in most languages. The expression has a very general meaning referring to an indefinite period of time prior to the time of speaking. In some languages it may be left implicit since the statement when Saul was king already places the events in the past. Knox, however, takes the expression to mean “It is not so long since….”
It was you that led out and brought in Israel may be understood in a general sense, meaning that David took a prominent part in the affairs of the people; but the Hebrew verbs rendered led out and brought in are often used in a military context. Good News Translation probably expresses their meaning here correctly by saying “you led the people of Israel in battle” (similarly New Century Version, Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente). Compare also “you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns” (New International Version), “you directed the movements of Israel’s army” (Parole de Vie), “you were already at the head of Israel’s military expeditions” (Bible en français courant), and “you were Israel’s commanding general” ( NET Bible). It was David who led Saul’s forces to victory (note the chant comparing Saul and David found in 1 Sam 18.7; 21.11; 29.5). So it will be better to use a verb that indicates leadership and direction in times of combat. And the form of the verb should show that this was something that occurred repeatedly or habitually in the past.
In the first half of this verse the spokesmen of Israel are expressing an idea that is somewhat contrary to normal expectations since King Saul would be expected to be the leader in fighting the enemy. This may be expressed by saying “While Saul was still king over us, you were the one who led us in fighting” or “Even when Saul was king, you were our leader in battle.”
And the LORD your God said to you: Your God should not be understood to mean that David worshiped a different God from the Israelite people who were speaking to David. The parallel passage in 2 Sam 5.2 does not have these words, and they are also lacking here in 1 Chronicles in the ancient Syriac and an important manuscript of the Septuagint. This shorter reading is followed by some translations (so Knoppers).
You shall be shepherd of my people Israel, and you shall be prince over my people Israel: You renders an independent pronoun in Hebrew both times. The presence of this second person singular pronoun twice in the words of God underlines the importance of David’s role. Knoppers expresses the emphasis in the Hebrew as follows: “As for you, you will shepherd my people Israel and you, you will become ruler over Israel.”
Be shepherd translates a single Hebrew verb meaning “do the work of a shepherd.” In Old Testament times kings were frequently said to “shepherd” their people because the image of sheep and shepherds was so familiar to the people in that part of the world (see Ezek 34.1-24; Zech 11.3-17). However, in the receptor language this image may be completely foreign. If this is the case, You shall be shepherd of my people Israel may be translated nonfiguratively by saying “You will be the one who will guide and protect my people Israel.” Good News Translation and Parola Del Signore: La Bibbia in Lingua Corrente similarly use the verb “lead.” It may be possible to keep the imagery by saying “You will care for my people Israel as a shepherd watches over his sheep.”
The Hebrew word translated prince probably means “designated one” or “one proclaimed,” so it may be rendered “chosen leader” or “designated ruler.” Since you shall be prince over my people Israel is a part of a direct quotation from the LORD, it is possible to say “you will be the leader whom I have chosen for my people.”
The direct quotation of what God had previously said to David is embedded within the larger quotation of what the leaders of Israel were saying to him. In some languages God’s words will have to be made indirect. A possible model for the last half of this verse is “and the LORD your God told you that you would be the person to lead his people like a shepherd [leading sheep] and become a prince over his people Israel.”
Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Chronicles, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2014. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .