Ezekiel 34:23

my servant David The meaning cannot be that David would in person revive and reappear. It is more doubtful whether the prophet means that the line or family of David would again occupy the throne or that a single person would be king. It is possible that this question was not strictly before his mind; it is the character of the ruler that he thinks of. The oriental mind hardly distinguishes between an ancient personage and one who appears in his power and spirit; when it compares it identifies. The new prince over the people will be David, the servant of the Lord. Both the person and the reign of David were idealized. He was not in general terms but in truth the man after God's own heart. His rule was not merely extensive, it was universal. He gave the people victory and secured them peace he was a leader and commander of the peoples (Isaiah 55:4; Psalms 18:43). Such shall be the king of the restored community when Jehovah is indeed the God of Israel. For it is to be noted that in Messianic prophecy it is Jehovah who savesthe people (Ezekiel 34:22 and preceding verses); then he appoints a shepherd over the restored community, who feeds them in righteousness and peace. The Messiah is the king of the saved community, whom he rules in the fear of the Lord with all royal and godly qualities; and the virtues of his character, fruit of the spirit of the Lord, communicate themselves to those whom he rules (Isaiah 11). It is possible that the phrase "one shepherd" is to be interpreted as in Ezekiel 37:24, with the meaning that the two kingdoms shall be one, and that this is part of the meaning of the term "David," cf. Hosea 1:11; Hosea 3:5; Amos 9:11. See more fully ch. 37.