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David was the son of Jesse and was "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 had been a shepard who protected his sheep from wild animals.  He witnessed all of the warriors of Israel cower before a great Philistine giant, [[Goliath]] who would taunt them daily.  David, a mere boy in the eyes of people 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, mustering 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 the son of Jesse and was "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 had been a shepard who protected his sheep from wild animals.  He witnessed all of the warriors of Israel cower before a great Philistine giant, [[Goliath]] who would taunt them daily.  David, a mere boy in the eyes of people 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, mustering 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 joined up with the Philistines at one point, but only as a ruse where he actually attacked their living areas without them knowing it.  David was pursued by Saul and his armies and took flight.  One night he could have killed Saul, but refused to do it, instead taking a piece of his garments to let him know what had happened.  Saul was contrite that evening, but soon continued to pursue David and his followers.  David continued to grow in strength while Saul became weaker.  Finally, Saul and his son were killed in battle with the Philistines, and David took over.    

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 joined up with the Philistines at one point, but only as a ruse where he actually attacked their living areas without them knowing it.  David was pursued by Saul and his armies and took flight.  One night he could have killed Saul, but refused to do it, instead taking a piece of his garments to let him know what had happened.  Saul was contrite that evening, but soon continued to pursue David and his followers.  David continued to grow in strength while Saul became weaker.  Finally, Saul and his son Jonathan were killed in battle with the Philistines.  David grieved and became king of [[Judah]].  David continued to clash with the house of Saul until Saul's son [[Ish-Bosheth]] was murdered in his own bed and the killers took the head to David seeking a reward.  They were executed for killing their king.  

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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]].

 

 

 

== See also ==

== See also ==

[[Category:Ancient History]][[category:Biblical persons]]

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[category:Biblical persons]]

[[Category:Military Commanders]]