2:8–20 The story of the shepherds supplies the occasion for yet another heavenly witness (i.e., the angelic anthem, vv. 13–14) and strengthens the connection between Jesus and King David. David, it is to be remembered, was himself a shepherd (1 Sam. 16:11), and in some of the psalms, many of which are attributed to him, he refers to God as a shepherd and to God’s people as sheep (Ps. 23:1; 28:9; 100:3). Moreover, the prophets promised that God would someday raise a new David to act as Israel’s shepherd (Ezek. 34:23). In first-century Palestine shepherds did not have the reputation for being overly circumspect with regard to the property of others. They were often held in contempt and considered as nothing more than roving vagabonds and thieves. Whether Luke had this idea in mind is not cer…