According to a Google search “No Kings” protests in America were attended by an estimated “7 million people across over 2,700 events in October 2025, following an earlier demonstration in June 2025 where an estimated 5 million people participated in roughly 2,100 events.”
There were times when David faced resistance to his leadership, but the account in 2 Samuel 5 records overwhelming support for him. His was certainly not a “No Kings” event.
Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “Look, we are your bone and flesh.
For some time, while Saul was king over us, it was you who led out Israel and brought it in. The Lord said to you, ‘It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over Israel.’”
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-3).
The king is described as the shepherd of Israel. In today’s YouTube video, Rudy Ross provides an excellent explanation of why the king should be a shepherd and not a lord over the people.
The prophets spoke against supposed “shepherds” or leaders of the people who served themselves. If you have never read all of Ezekiel’s treatment of self-centered “shepherds,” please take time to read all of chapter 34.
Woe, you shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?
You eat the fat; you clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatted calves, but you do not feed the sheep.
You have not strengthened the weak; you have not healed the sick; you have not bound up the injured; you have not brought back the strays; you have not sought the lost, but with force and harshness you have ruled them” (Ezekiel 34:2-4).
Unlike Ezekiel’s depiction of selfish and harmful shepherds, Jesus is shown in John 10 as the good shepherd. Similar to Ezekiel, you’ll do yourself a favor if you read the entire chapter.
Here are some of Jesus’ words about his role as the good shepherd.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me, just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:22-25).
David was known as the best king of Israel until Jesus came along. Jesus then infinitely surpassed David as a shepherd.
Unlike other shepherds who don’t care about their sheep, Jesus showed his love by laying down his life for them.
As the good shepherd, Jesus truly knows his sheep. He knows your name, your hopes, dreams, desires, pain, and everything about you. He knows and loves you deeply.
Reflections
Paul understood what it was like to live under a harsh government. The Roman Empire was extremely totalitarian. They crucified thousands to maintain their power and peace through strength. Paul also faced abuse from his fellow Jews.
Yet, he urged us to pray for those in authority.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity.
This is right and acceptable before God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Whether we like our leaders or not, we are called to intercede for them.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 