And I will give you pastors according to mine
heart
Which is to be understood not of political rulers and governors,
but ministers of the word; who are "pastors" or "shepherds" under
Christ the great Shepherd, and are "gifts" of his to the
churches, and "according to his heart"; or "conformable to his
mind", as the Arabic version; whom he calls, qualifies, puts into
the ministry, and sends forth; whom he holds in his right hand,
and keeps as the apple of his eye; who do his will, as the
Targum, and feed men according to his heart: and as this prophecy
belongs to Gospel times, as appears both by what goes before and
by what follows, the apostles of Christ and first ministers of
the Gospel are chiefly designed; though it might have some
accomplishment in Nehemiah and Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah, and
Malachi, at and after the Jews return from Babylon; but a more
complete one in the times mentioned: so Kimchi says, these are
they that shall be with the King Messiah, according to ( Micah 5:5 ) : which
shall feed you with knowledge and understanding;
with things worthy to be known and understood; with the solid and
substantial truths of the Gospel, and by faithfully administering
the ordinances of it; and in all directing to Christ the bread of
life: or, "shall rule you" F6 not in an arbitrary way,
according to their own ills, but according to the laws of Christ:
these words, with knowledge and understanding, may either intend
the matter with which these pastors should feed the church; which
is what tends to spiritual knowledge and understanding, and an
increase thereof; and which is blessed of God to such a purpose,
though they themselves cannot give it: or else the manner in
which they should feed or rule; that is, wisely and "prudently",
as the Arabic version renders it: they feed wisely and prudently
when they rightly divide the word of truth, and give to every one
their portion of meat in due season; and feed them in proportion
to their age and capacity, give milk to babes, and meat to strong
men: and they rule with wisdom and prudence when they govern
according to the laws of Christ, and take care that they are put
in execution; and do all things decently and in order; and, as
David, feed the flock according to the integrity of their hearts,
and guide them by the skilfulness of their hands, ( Psalms 78:72
) .