In contrast to the writer of 1–2 Samuel, who depicts the civil war between those loyal to the dynasty of Saul and those loyal to David, in 11:1–3 the Chronicler immediately moves to the anointing of David by all the tribes of Israel, which followed that civil war. The absence of the depiction of David’s struggle for the throne is the first sign that the Chronicler is presenting a glorified image of David (and Solomon), one that functions to justify the present second temple activities and to inspire future royal hope. The people’s speech here highlights David’s early qualifications for kingship (11:2), referring to him as a shepherd, a common ancient Near Eastern royal image of one who cares for a vulnerable people (cf. Ps. 78:70–72), and as a ruler or leader, using the same Hebrew term o…