Read & explore together
Nathan introduces the praise of David’s strength and worship
Sirach 47:1–11 briefly links Nathan with David, then praises David’s strength, victories, thanksgiving, and ordered worship. The writing uses poetic comparisons and summary language to show David as honoured by the Lord and active in praise.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In this part of Sirach, Nathan is named first, and the focus moves quickly to David. The passage recalls David’s distinction in Israel, his victory over Goliath, strength given by the Most High Lord, victories over enemies, songs of thanks, arrangements for worship, and the Lord’s gifts of mercy and kingship.
Sirach 47:1–11Main takeaway
Sirach 47:1–11 presents David as strengthened and honoured by the Lord, and as one who responded with wholehearted praise.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Nathan named, David set apartThe passage opens by saying Nathan rose to prophesy in David’s days. It then describes David as separated from the children of Israel, using an image from the peace offering.
Explanation
The passage opens by saying Nathan rose to prophesy in David’s days. It then describes David as separated from the children of Israel, using an image from the peace offering. The comparison marks David out as distinct within the people rather than blending into the crowd.
02Strength in youth and help from the LordSirach speaks boldly of David with lions and bears, then recalls his youth and his defeat of Goliath with a sling stone.
Explanation
Sirach speaks boldly of David with lions and bears, then recalls his youth and his defeat of Goliath with a sling stone. The text explains that David called on the Most High Lord, and the Lord gave strength in his right hand. His victory is tied to the Lord’s help.
03Honour, victories, and thanksgivingAfter this, David is glorified and praised for the blessings of the Lord, and a glorious diadem is given to him.
Explanation
After this, David is glorified and praised for the blessings of the Lord, and a glorious diadem is given to him. The passage says he defeated enemies and the Philistines. Yet Sirach does not stop at battle. It says that in every work David gave thanks and sang praise with his whole heart.
04Ordered worship and the Lord’s giftsDavid is also described as setting singers before the altar and arranging feasts and seasons so that God’s holy name was praised.
Explanation
David is also described as setting singers before the altar and arranging feasts and seasons so that God’s holy name was praised. The ending says the Lord took away his sins, exalted his horn forever, and gave him a covenant of kings and a glorious throne in Israel.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Sirach say David did before receiving strength for battle?
Look at the order in the verse: David called upon the Most High Lord, and then the Lord gave him strength.
02Which parts of the passage show David in worship, not only in war?
Notice the lines about thanks, singing praise, singers before the altar, and praise at the sanctuary.
03What gifts or actions in the final verse are directly said to come from the Lord?
List the Lord’s actions named there, including mercy and royal honour.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 47:1–11
1After him, Nathan rose up to prophesy in the days of David.
2As is the fat when it is separated from the peace offering, so was David separated from the children of Israel.
3He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs of the flock.
4In his youth didn’t he kill a giant, and take away reproach from the people when he lifted up his hand with a sling stone, and beat down the boasting Goliath?
5For he called upon the Most High Lord, and he gave him strength in his right hand to kill a man mighty in war, to exalt the horn of his people.
6So they glorified him for his tens of thousands, and praised him for the blessings of the Lord, in that a glorious diadem was given to him.
7For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and defeated the Philistines his adversaries. He broke their horn in pieces to this day.
8In every work of his he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory. He sang praise with his whole heart, and loved him who made him.
9He set singers before the altar, to make sweet melody by their music.
10He gave beauty to the feasts, and set in order the seasons to completion while they praised his holy name, and the sanctuary resounded from early morning.
11The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn forever. He gave him a covenant of kings, and a glorious throne in Israel.