The story of David, the second and greatest king of Israel, perfectly foreshadows the reign of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Though still a teenager and while Saul was king, God anointed David as the future shepherd of his people.

After Saul's death, David’s path to the throne was a unifying act of God’s will. His enthronement began in Hebron by his own tribe, Judah. Seven years later, in a bid to unify the kingdom, all the tribes of Israel voluntarily approached David, proclaiming, "Here we are, your bone and your flesh" (2 Samuel 5:1). This powerful declaration signified that the other tribes saw in David the one through whom they could form a single mystical body, united in spirit.

They recognized his divine calling, stating: “In days past, when Saul was our king, it was you who led the Israelites out and brought them back. And the LORD said to you, ‘You shall shepherd my people Israel and shall be commander of Israel’” (2 Samuel 5:2). The term "shepherd" highlights David’s role as a caring guide and protector, not a tyrant, and affirmed that he was God’s chosen ruler.

During his 40-year reign, God established a solemn covenant with David, promising that one of his descendants would perpetually occupy the throne: "Your house and your kingdom are firm forever before me; your throne shall be firmly established forever" (2 Samuel 7:16). This promise was ultimately fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Angel Gabriel announced to the Blessed Virgin Mary: “The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

Our Lord is the true King of Israel and King of the Universe. David was merely a preview of this true King. God's desire to reign through a human being is fully realized in His beloved Son, who is both fully divine and fully human. Just as the tribes said to David, “Here we are, your bone and your flesh,” all Christians can say this to the Lord. His humanity unites us to Him, making the entire new people of God, the Church, a single spiritual body with the Lord as its head.

On this Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, we give profound thanks to the heavenly Father for giving us His beloved Son as our King and supreme Shepherd. We humbly ask the Lord for the grace to recognize His centrality in our lives and to serve Him as our only King.