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With [[God]]'s help, he defeated [[Goliath]], the [[champion]] of the [[Philistines]]. Later he captured [[Jerusalem]], which he made the capital city.  David greatly extended the borders of [[Israel]], which he ruled as a united kingdom.

With [[God]]'s help, he defeated [[Goliath]], the [[champion]] of the [[Philistines]]. Later he captured [[Jerusalem]], which he made the capital city.  David greatly extended the borders of [[Israel]], which he ruled as a united kingdom.

==Genealogy==  

==Genealogy==

David was from the tribe of Judah, with his genealogy being given in Ruth 4:18-22. It is held that it is this tribe  that Genesis 49:10 speaks of the [[Messiah]] coming from.<ref>http://www.letusreason.org/Juda1.htm</ref> (Genesis 49:10; cf. 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matt.1:2 , Heb. 7:14-17).  David was the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse, who also had 2 daughters. (1Sam. 16:8-12; 17:2; 1Chr. 2:13-16<ref>see Keil & Delitzsch, 1Chrn. 2:9-41</ref>) The name ''David'', like the similar name Jedidish (2Sam. 12:25), comes from a root meaning “to love." David is the only person who bears that name in the Bible. David's ancestor Nahshon was chieftain of the whole tribe of Judah, (Num. 1:7; 2:3; 1Chr. 2:10) and brother-in-law of Aaron the high priest. (Exo. 6:23) The name of David's mother is not given, but it is recorded that David later placed his parents under the protection of the king of Moab, which some surmise may indicate that his mother was from that country, as the mother of his grandfather Obed was Ruth the Moabitess. <ref>International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on David, James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor</ref> (1Sam. 22:3; 22:1) It appears that David had a devoted father, thus giving David a good spiritual heritage.

David was from the tribe of Judah, with his genealogy being given in Ruth 4:18-22. It is held that it is this tribe  that Genesis 49:10 speaks of the [[Messiah]] coming from.<ref>http://www.letusreason.org/Juda1.htm</ref> (Genesis 49:10; cf. 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Matt.1:2 , Heb. 7:14-17).  David was the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse, who also had 2 daughters. (1Sam. 16:8-12; 17:2; 1Chr. 2:13-16<ref>see Keil & Delitzsch, 1Chrn. 2:9-41</ref>) The name ''David'', like the similar name Jedidish (2Sam. 12:25), comes from a root meaning “to love." David is the only person who bears that name in the Bible. David's ancestor Nahshon was chieftain of the whole tribe of Judah, (Num. 1:7; 2:3; 1Chr. 2:10) and brother-in-law of Aaron the high priest. (Exo. 6:23) The name of David's mother is not given, but it is recorded that David later placed his parents under the protection of the king of Moab, which some surmise may indicate that his mother was from that country, as the mother of his grandfather Obed was Ruth the Moabitess.<ref>International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on David, James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor</ref> (1Sam. 22:3; 22:1) It appears that David had a devoted father, thus giving David a good spiritual heritage.

== Before becoming King ==

== Before becoming King ==

David was called "the least of his father's household".  He was brought into [[Saul|King Saul's]] household to play the harp to calm Saul's nerves, which had been increasingly troubled since he had sinned against [[God]], and was told by [[Samuel]] that the kingship would be taken from him and given to another by God.  David witnessed all of the warriors of [[Israel]] cower before a great Philistine giant, [[Goliath]] who would taunt them daily.  David, a young shepherd boy, who had no military training, stood up and accepted Goliath's challenge.  Saul offered him his armor, but David declined.  David slew Goliath with a sling stone and cut off his head, which motivated the armies of Israel to rise up and scatter the Philistines.  Saul became jealous of David and what he had accomplished, especially when he heard the people singing "Saul has slain his thousands, and David, his tens of thousands."

David was called "the least of his father's household".  He was brought into [[Saul|King Saul's]] household to play the harp to calm Saul's nerves, which had been increasingly troubled since he had sinned against [[God]], and was told by [[Samuel]] that the kingship would be taken from him and given to another by God.  David witnessed all of the warriors of [[Israel]] cower before a great Philistine giant, [[Goliath]] who would taunt them daily.  David, a young shepherd boy, who had no military training, stood up and accepted Goliath's challenge.  Saul offered him his armor, but David declined.  David slew Goliath with a sling stone and cut off his head, which motivated the armies of Israel to rise up and scatter the Philistines.  Saul became jealous of David and what he had accomplished, especially when he heard the people singing "Saul has slain his thousands, and David, his tens of thousands."

David continued to play the harp for Saul, but it did not have the same affect. One day when David was playing Saul threw a spear at him to try to kill him; it missed.  With the help of Saul's son [[Jonathan]], who was David's best friend, David fled the palace and went into hiding. David fled Israel twice due to being hunted by Saul, gaining refuge with the Philistines. (1Sam. 21:10; Ps. 34:1; 1Sam. 27:1,2) Almost all commentators see these instances as acts of weakness and deception.<ref>Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A, Matthew Henry</ref> During the latter stay in Philistine territory David attacked Canaanites which Israel was to have destroyed previously, while keeping the full reality of it from Achish.<ref>Keil & Delitzsch, 1Sa 27:8-9 </ref>  As a result of his alliance with the Philistines, David almost became part of the battle in which Saul and Jonathan were slain, but was Providentially delivered from this battle. (1Sam. 29) Being sent back by the Philistine's king Achish, David and his men discovered that the Amalekites had taken captive all their wives, and their sons, and their daughters. At this point, David was in danger of being stoned by his own people, but "David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (1Sam. 29) Twice David could have killed Saul, and though he was urged to do so, his deep reverence for the Lord's anointed would not allow it. Instead, David cut off a piece of his robe (which he later felt was itself wrong) the first time, and the second time he took Saul's spear and the cruse of water, to demonstrate his innocence to Saul. (1Sam. 24; 26) After the first instance Saul was contrite, but soon he pursued David and his followers again. After the second instance Saul pursued David no more.  Finally, Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle with the Philistines. (2Sam. 31) David grieved, executed the man that actually killed Saul (a case of assisted suicide), and he became king of [[Judah]]. (2Sam. 1; 2) There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. (2Sam. 3:1) Finally Saul's son [[Ish-Bosheth]] was murdered in his own bed. The killers took the head to David seeking a reward, but instead David executed them for unjustly killing their own king. (2Sam. 4) Such killers are set in contrast to David, whose actions show his reverence towards those whom God appointed, and that he was not one who grasped at power or riches.

David continued to play the harp for Saul, but it did not have the same affect. One day when David was playing Saul threw a spear at him to try to kill him; it missed.  With the help of Saul's son [[Jonathan]], who was David's best friend, David fled the palace and went into hiding. David fled Israel twice due to being hunted by Saul, gaining refuge with the Philistines. (1Sam. 21:10; Ps. 34:1; 1Sam. 27:1,2) Almost all commentators see these instances as acts of weakness and deception.<ref>Adam Clarke, LL.D., F.S.A, Matthew Henry</ref> During the latter stay in Philistine territory David attacked Canaanites which Israel was to have destroyed previously, while keeping the full reality of it from Achish.<ref>Keil & Delitzsch, 1Sa 27:8-9</ref>  As a result of his alliance with the Philistines, David almost became part of the battle in which Saul and Jonathan were slain, but was Providentially delivered from this battle. (1Sam. 29) Being sent back by the Philistine's king Achish, David and his men discovered that the Amalekites had taken captive all their wives, and their sons, and their daughters. At this point, David was in danger of being stoned by his own people, but "David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (1Sam. 29) Twice David could have killed Saul, and though he was urged to do so, his deep reverence for the Lord's anointed would not allow it. Instead, David cut off a piece of his robe (which he later felt was itself wrong) the first time, and the second time he took Saul's spear and the cruse of water, to demonstrate his innocence to Saul. (1Sam. 24; 26) After the first instance Saul was contrite, but soon he pursued David and his followers again. After the second instance Saul pursued David no more.  Finally, Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle with the Philistines. (2Sam. 31) David grieved, executed the man that actually killed Saul (a case of assisted suicide), and he became king of [[Judah]]. (2Sam. 1; 2) There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker. (2Sam. 3:1) Finally Saul's son [[Ish-Bosheth]] was murdered in his own bed. The killers took the head to David seeking a reward, but instead David executed them for unjustly killing their own king. (2Sam. 4) Such killers are set in contrast to David, whose actions show his reverence towards those whom God appointed, and that he was not one who grasped at power or riches.

==David's character and call==

==David's character and call==

When the Philistine arises and comes toward David then he charges to meet him, and using his slingshot launches one stone that hits the giant in the forehead, who then falls upon his face to the earth. David next uses Goliath's sword to cut off his head, at which point the Philistines flee, with Israel soon in pursuit. David saves both Goliath's head and his armor. (1Sa 17:48-54) That the text (vs. 50,51) says that David “slew” (KJV) the Philistine with the stone, while the next verse attributes the means of death to David cutting off his head, may refer to Goliath being as good as dead from the stone in lieu of what would happen next.  (cf. Gn. 20:3)  

When the Philistine arises and comes toward David then he charges to meet him, and using his slingshot launches one stone that hits the giant in the forehead, who then falls upon his face to the earth. David next uses Goliath's sword to cut off his head, at which point the Philistines flee, with Israel soon in pursuit. David saves both Goliath's head and his armor. (1Sa 17:48-54) That the text (vs. 50,51) says that David “slew” (KJV) the Philistine with the stone, while the next verse attributes the means of death to David cutting off his head, may refer to Goliath being as good as dead from the stone in lieu of what would happen next.  (cf. Gn. 20:3)  

Saul then inquires as to whose son this hero was, and which seems odd considering that David had been chosen to serve him previously, (1Sam. 16:23), but which many commentators see as due to Saul's troubled mind. Says Henry, “Saul had forgotten him, being melancholy and mindless, and little thinking that his musician would have spirit enough to be his champion; and therefore, as if he had never seen him before, he asked whose son he was. Abner was a stranger to him, but brought him to Saul (1Sam. 17:57), and he gave a modest account of himself, 1Sam. 7:58. And now he was introduced to the court with much greater advantages than before, in which he owned God's hand performing all things for him.”  Other objections to the text are also made and dealt with. <ref>[http://www.tektonics.org/af/davegol.html Smooth Stones, James Patrick Holding]</ref><ref>[http://www.carm.org/bible-difficulties/joshua-esther/who-killed-goliath-david-or-elhanan Who killed Goliath, David or Elhanan?, Matthew J. Slick]</ref>

Saul then inquires as to whose son this hero was, and which seems odd considering that David had been chosen to serve him previously, (1Sam. 16:23), but which many commentators see as due to Saul's troubled mind. Says Henry, “Saul had forgotten him, being melancholy and mindless, and little thinking that his musician would have spirit enough to be his champion; and therefore, as if he had never seen him before, he asked whose son he was. Abner was a stranger to him, but brought him to Saul (1Sam. 17:57), and he gave a modest account of himself, 1Sam. 7:58. And now he was introduced to the court with much greater advantages than before, in which he owned God's hand performing all things for him.”  Other objections to the text are also made and dealt with.<ref>[http://www.tektonics.org/af/davegol.html Smooth Stones, James Patrick Holding]</ref><ref>[http://www.carm.org/bible-difficulties/joshua-esther/who-killed-goliath-david-or-elhanan Who killed Goliath, David or Elhanan?, Matthew J. Slick]</ref>

==David and Jonathan==

==David and Jonathan==

== David as King ==

== David as King ==

David greatly expanded the borders of Israel, defeating every foe he faced.  However, his own life was not without controversy.  He lost his child due to his [[adultery]] with [[Bathsheba]]; one of his sons [[Absalom]] killed his brother [[Amnon]] after he raped and discarded his sister [[Tamar]]; later Absalom rebelled against David and forced him to flee.  David took back his throne, but Absalom was killed even though David had ordered his life to be spared.  David also had to live through a revolt by [[Sheba]], but he too was vanquished. Furthermore, because David sinned in taking a census of the land, 70 thousand people fell to pestilence.  And yet through it all, David was called a man after God's own heart, due to his true and deep grievings for his wrongs.  In fact, Scripture records that <blockquote>"David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite."<ref>I Kings 15:5 (KJV) [http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=1Ki&chapter=15&verse=5&version=kjv#5]</ref></blockquote>  David wrote most of the [[Psalms]] in the Bible including the famous Psalm 23, ''The Lord is my Shepherd''

David greatly expanded the borders of Israel, defeating every foe he faced.  However, his own life was not without controversy.  He lost his child due to his [[adultery]] with [[Bathsheba]]; one of his sons [[Absalom]] killed his brother [[Amnon]] after he raped and discarded his sister [[Tamar]]; later Absalom rebelled against David and forced him to flee.  David took back his throne, but Absalom was killed even though David had ordered his life to be spared.  David also had to live through a revolt by [[Sheba]], but he too was vanquished. Furthermore, because David sinned in taking a census of the land, 70 thousand people fell to pestilence.  And yet through it all, David was called a man after God's own heart, due to his true and deep grievings for his wrongs.  In fact, Scripture records that <blockquote>"David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite."<ref>[http://www.blueletterbible.org/cgi-bin/popup.pl?book=1Ki&chapter=15&verse=5&version=kjv#5 I Kings 15:5 (KJV)]</ref></blockquote>  David wrote most of the [[Psalms]] in the Bible including the famous Psalm 23, ''The Lord is my Shepherd''

David died after ruling 40 years, 33 of them in Jerusalem, and set up his son [[Solomon]] as his successor.  David was not allowed to build the temple because he was a man of 'blood' (a military commander), but his son could.  David was part of the lineage of [[Jesus]].

David died after ruling 40 years, 33 of them in Jerusalem, and set up his son [[Solomon]] as his successor.  David was not allowed to build the temple because he was a man of 'blood' (a military commander), but his son could.  David was part of the lineage of [[Jesus]].

*[[Literalist Bible chronology]]

*[[Literalist Bible chronology]]

==External Links==

==External links==

*[http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/D/DAVID/ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, David]

*[http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/D/DAVID/ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, David]

*[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032929.html Recent Archaeological find pointing to support for the Biblical extent and character of David's Kingdom. Shows archaeological approach and limitations]

*[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1032929.html Recent Archaeological find pointing to support for the Biblical extent and character of David's Kingdom. Shows archaeological approach and limitations]

*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ House of David, Fact or Fiction: Now Revealed]

*[http://bertschlossberg.blogspot.com/ House of David, Fact or Fiction: Now Revealed]

{{DEFAULTSORT: David, King}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:David, King}}

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[category:Biblical Persons]]

[[Category:Biblical Persons]]

[[Category:Kings of Israel]]

[[Category:Kings of Israel]]

[[Category: Biblical Military Commanders]]

[[Category:Biblical Military Commanders]]

[[Category:Jewish People]]

[[Category:Jewish People]]