Nahum’s final words in his oracle concerning Nineveh are directed at the king of Assyria in Nineveh. The king’s shepherds are asleep. Nahum is speaking of the king’s leaders. In their false sense of superiority and security they are not caring for Nineveh’s people. It would appear that not even the king is aware of this complacency; Nahum has to point it out to him.1
The result of this complacency is that the people of Nineveh are like scattered sheep on the mountain with none to care for them. When the people needed their leaders the most, they were nowhere to be found, and the people were left vulnerable and exposed to attack.
The king himself must bear the final responsibility for this total failure of leadership. He has to set the example of leadership that cares only for itself and not for its people.2
Compare this to Jesus who is described as the true Shepherd who not only cares for his people, but who lays down his life to save them from the enemy (Matthew 9:36; John 10:1).
18 Your shepherds are asleep, O king of Assyria; your nobles slumber. Your people are scattered on the mountains with none to gather them.